We are starting on our Cutlass project which will involve pulling the engine to replace gaskets, rebuild the trans, and install dual exhaust. She runs fine but we need to resolve some leaking gaskets from sitting too long. I'm looking for info on an exhaust system to put behind a set of Hedmann shorties. I would of stuck with the stock exhaust manifolds but this model has the crossover pipe that goes from the drivers side to the passenger side before exiting into the exhaust system. I can find the headers and I can find a trans crossmember with dual exhaust cut outs, unless someone has one that they would like to part with, what I can't seem to locate is an exhaust system from the headers back. I don't plan on putting cats on it unless someone could give me a really good reason why I should. None of the local shops in the area will do anything without installing the cats and apparently their parts are all made of gold these days. Any suggestions? Trying to keep this as low budget as possible.

 

You can get most any thing engine related at RockAuto or your local parts store. ie. gaskets, sending units tune up stuff.

About that exhaust, If want to keep the manifolds just get a cap to cover up that crossover section. I took mine to a welding shop, they welded it over. Easy. I searched for a complete system for your model. Didn't find one specific to it. If you can cut and weld consider a kit from summit.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...utlass-supreme

If you have part numbers of each piece of your system, in theory you could get these from walker and put together your own kit. You still would have to weld some, and cut a little. This is where your local shop might be the better choice.

If you are considering headers get full a full length model. Don't stop short on shorties.

I understand these options don't take into consideration your ability/tools to do this. For some folks this is just plumbing, for others an excercise in frustration.

 

I went through a similar swap on my '75 Chevy Laguna S-3; although I didn't go with headers...just used the stock manifolds. I got the same response from local muffler shops not being interested in installing a dual exhaust system without cats. So, I had read of a guy in Ohio who sells dual exhaust systems in kit form. He sells on e-Bay under Sat1966...but, also deals directly with you if you contact him. Name of his business is Classic Car Exhaust Systems. The kit I bought fit perfectly as he uses the original Bend Cards that muffler shops in days gone by would use. For now, I've just got them clamped together (hey, remember back in the day when all exhaust systems were clamped?) Not sure what he'll be able to do regarding mating up to headers.

While on the subject of headers, I know I'll open a can of worms with this commentary, but I've got friends who "build" these mid-70's "A" bodies to race and the consensus among them is that headers do very little to increase horsepower on stock motors. It's more for show as people believe any motor with headers must be a ground-pounder. Just throwing that out there in case you do have trouble finding a dual exhaust kit to mate up with your headers.

 

I took my 77 to a local muffler shop, not a name brand whose name sounds like Nidas...just a small local guy who is always slamming busy, he was happy to start with the OE manifolds, welded the crossover, hand formed the duals to some knock-off Flowmasters...for less than $300. Keep looking, and best of luck.

Brett

 

Thanks for the info guys. My cousin said the same thing about headers. Why waste your money for a stock engine? I just thought I'd get a second opinion. I didn't think about just welding over the cross over hole, great idea. I could stick with the stock manifolds and save a few bucks. I sent that guy on ebay a message to see if he could help.

On a separate unrelated note crimsoncolby, my cousin also has a Laguna S-3 that he built up and tricked out. It's a freakin screamer.

 

Cutty77, I put a set of hedman shorty headers on my 76. I myself find it to sound much better than the 2" duals I had run prior to installing the headers. I now have the ceramic coated headers with 2 1/4 mandrel bent stainless with flowmaster super 44's . IMO it sounds great for our 76-77 cars.
Either way I'm sure you will be happy with regular duals coming off the manifolds with the crossover welded up. Without a doubt a small exhaust shop will hook you up with a nice system without cats.
Cheers
Eric

 

I got a quick reply from sat1966 and he cant make duals for a 77 because 77's never had duals and he doesnt have charts to do them. That brings up another question now. Does anyone know how similar the 76 and 77 are? Would duals from a 76 fit a 77?

 

Wow....why can't people figure this out? These cars were made from 1973 to 1977 (underpinnings are the same) so just order the stuff for a 1973 or 1974 and all will be fine. Just make sure you have the cross member for the dual exhaust and you're good to go.

 

1975-1977 have converters on them so no "true" dual exhaust ever came on them.

 

Don't put a lot of faith in this idea. The penalties for doing so are pretty outrageous if the shop gets caught doing that. It varies from state to state, but the fine is never cheap.

 

Yes 76 is the same as 77. Both years did not come with the dual bump crossmember , so I had cut out a portion then welded up a plate so the duals could go straight thru without squashing the tube. You will need to find a small exhaust shop near you that can do custom bending. If you are ok with welding you may get away with welding up a summit set. You may also have to heat up the pipes and tweek them a little if you choose a do it yourself kit.

 

You could also see if you can source a cross member from any 73 or 74 GM A body and not have to cut one up.

 

Absolutely !! I had the torches and welder out already , so in my case it didn't make sense to source, pay and ship a cross-member. Also if your state is pulling over older cars checking them out , install a set of cats.

 

Aah see, that's why I'm here.

 

Yes...svnt442 is absolutely correct. I should have mentioned that you tell him you want a '73/'74 setup. I, too, think you'll be hard-pressed to find any shop owner who will accept the risk of installing a non-cat exhaust system on your car. As mentioned, the penalties are harsh.

There are a couple of Cutlasses (a '73 & '74) sitting in a local yard that still have the dual exhaust crossmembers. Not sure if I can talk the yard owner into lifting one of them off the ground so I could bust one loose for you. Also, keep in mind you can use one from a '73/'74 Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Century, Regal, Grand Am, Grand Prix, Lemans if you can find one. CANNOT use one from an El Camino or Sprint, though.

 

Keep in mind that modern cats flow much better than 70s era cats ever did, so doing duals with cats will still flow well and may appease the local regulators.

 

It's all going to depend on where he lives. If he's out here in the land of CARB *****, then only the original equipment replacement is allowed. In their infinite wisdom they have deemed that replacing it with something other than that is "tampering with an emission control system" and comes with serious fines.

 

In central Illinois. We've never had a problem with emission ****'s that I know of. Thanks for the heads up.

 

I would be interested in one of those crossmembers if the price is right.

 

I just used a 68-72 crossmember and drilled new holes. Works like a charm. Also....use full length headers. You won't regret it. Also, easier for exhaust systems.

 

I would defiantly have to agree with brownbomber77 on the full length headers rather than the shorties, even though I put shorties on my 76. Coming off the driver side header the initial bend is very tight and took a bit of work to get the pipe to bend decent enough.
I myself should have went with long tube if I had of known at the time. I have a pic of the area in my photo's here if you would like to have a look. This may make you change your mind about the shorties on our cars .