Have a 77 Cutlass with a 403. True dual exhaust with cats and not sure on type of mufflers. Looking to get a little growl out of it. What do you guys suggest? Thanks Al

 

In 75, across the corporation, GM cars got catalytic converters. As a result, the Cutlass cars got a transmission cross member with a big dogleg on the pass side and no hump on the left side for a pipe.
Since the 73-74 Cutlass DID NOT HAVE A CONVERTER, the tranny cross member still had 2 humps for exhaust pipes----------------------a 100% perfect bolt-on fit for a 76-77 Cutlass!!!! (I found a 74 Cutlass in a salvage yard with an EXCELLENT two hump cross member).
EXCEPT for the 442, all (or as far as I know), all 73-74 Cutlasses had single exhaust, with a RIGHT SIDE manifold that had two outlets (actually, one was an inlet for the crossover from the left side). IF, IF, IF a SINGLE outlet for the right side can be located (going back into the 60s) then a VERY NICE (true) dual exhaust system can be easily installed on any 73-77 Cutlass.
A few years ago, I bought a reproduction pair of W30 W-Z manifolds (I was astounded at how reasonable the price was!!!) and had my muffler guy fabricate a FULL 73-74 style 2 1/2in ex system with generic Turbo mufflers. I could not be happier!
The smaller V8 had been replaced with a W30 spec 455 (468) engine and the original 5sp has been replaced with a Richmond Street 5sp. The rearend is still the 2.41 posi that was in it when I ordered the car new.

Photobucket pi$$e$ me off to no end because they have hijacked my pictures and are asking a king's ransom to restore them, so I can't post any of the pictures that I have taken.

 

Turbo mufflers are a nice up grade for a little more sound, for more than that then chambered mufflers.

 

Hey Al, I know guys aren't to crazy about the Flowmaster's here so I will just give you my experience with them on my 76 350 with short headers and 2 1/4 pipe no converters.
I have the flowmaster super44's on now, after install the didn't have much of a growl, it took a few summers before they really started sounding good.
Keep in mind I drive it less than 1000 miles per summer.
Going back to first install, I put the Flowmaster Original 40's on , had them on for a couple weeks, they didn't sound much better than the Midas muffler turbo's I had on my duals 1 year before the header install.
I hope this helps ya a bit.
Cheers
Eric

 

Alot of folks suggest the Dynomax turbo mufflers by Walker. Definitely ask your local exhaust shop what their suggestion is. They probably have a house brand that will save you some money.

 

Has anyone bought/installed the repo W30 style exhaust manifolds? If so, what kind of experiences/opinions does anyone have?

 

Hey Tom,
Maybe someone on the 73-77 Olds site has if you don't get many responses here. Maybe post a thread under exhaust, it may get more exposure on this site as well.
Cheers
Eric

 

I think a lot of people on this site have used Thortons manifolds in place of headers successfully for both SBO and BBO engines.

 

This is as installed on the 468 I built. I was originally going with Hedman headers, but fought and fought and fought trying to get them installed and finally gave up, sold them and went with the repo iron manifolds. So far, so good, 4yrs later.

 

Either Walker Quiet-Flow or DynoMax Turbo mufflers are good choices, especially if trying to avoid the annoying resonance/droning noise inside the car.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. So the first thing I should do is can the cats? Then change out the mufflers? End result would be a little growl? Thanks again.

 

I cannot speak to your area, but in Okla, automobile inspections and exhaust emissions are no longer required. Also, Most other states now exempt cars that are 30-40-50yrs old. Thus, if there is no inspeciton or exhaust requirement in your area, I see no point to installing or retaining a catalytic converter. And again, I repeat, if a 73-74 transmission cross member can be rounded up, a very nice, factory looking dual exhaust system can be installed on a 76-77 Cutlass. And it will be even neater looking if a RIGHT SIDE dual exhaust manifold (SINGLE outlet) can be installed.