Dual exhaust install

[Guest]

New Reatta owner, love the car and just want<BR>to know if a true dual exhaust install is<BR>possible. If so, please post<P> thanks<BR>

[Guest]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Re-vette-a:<BR><B>New Reatta owner, love the car and just want<BR>to know if a true dual exhaust install is<BR>possible. If so, please post<P> thanks</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Please check out Barney's post dated 5/31/2000.

[Barney Eaton]

Here is a little more detail on the exhaust system. <BR>Since the engine sits sideways, the exhaust on the front of the engine, must get around the engine to exit. Look at your motor and you will see the crossover pipe coming over the engine and attaching to the back exhaust header. You will also note there is very little room to reroute it in that area. <BR>Another item about transverse engines, they twist from torque, and the exhaust connection must handle this twisting. If you look at the header pipe/exhaust manifold connection, you will note there are springs on the mounting bolts. With a special gasket and the springs, the two actually move to compinsate for the engine movement. <BR>Bottom line......all this would need to be taken into account if you attempted to run another pipe from the front.<P>------------------<BR>Barney Eaton Reatta technical advisor for BCA and keeper of the Reatta database.

[Guest]

You are probably better off going to a slightly larger diameter single exhaust system. According to Barney's measurements of his '91, it uses a 2.5" diameter pipe but I don't know if it is the complete system. If you go to a system larger than 2.5" you will most likely lose some bottom end torque. You could use the dual exit muffler from the Camaro or Firebird.<P>------------------<BR>Hal, btk@vbe.com

[Guest]

I tried a low back pressure muffler on my car when it had the v6. No performance gain and the sound was disappointing. I would not do it again.

[Guest]

You're right about the muffler not being the restriction. The stocker is actually pretty good, it's large size and placement at the rear allow it to flow reasonably well. The cat., several bends and small diameter are where the air flow is. Just letting the exhaust out by itself is only marginally effective, easing the intake side as a complement to this will perk up the engine. You also need a chip to gain some timing and further help what the engine can do. It will never be a race motor, it's camshaft is biased towards idle to 4000 rpm performance. Even though it is a roller design, the lift and duration are extremely mild. Even with ported heads, intake, higher compression and a larger throttle body, I only picked up about 20 hp. It will never compete with Swiftly's V8 although with more cam and/or turbocharging/supercharging, it can be a strong performer.<P>------------------<BR>Hal, btk@vbe.com