I'm pretty pysched, I'm going to do my exhaust before summer. Need Help Deciding.

[NickRo99ZVert]

Well, I'll start from the beginning. I'm a mechanical engineering student at Western and I graduate at the end of April. One of my classes this semester is IC Engine Design, and we have to complete a design project. My two friends in my group and I convinced my instructor to redesign the entire exhaust system on my camaro as our project. We will have to do a bunch of calculations and stuff that most of you won't care about, but the cool part, on top of getting to do my exhaust and getting class credit for it, is FREE DYNO AND SHOP TIME! I'm pretty excited, as I will be learning of all the little intricacies of an exhaust system while modding my car as well. So I'll be able to show you guys before and after dynos of my car if you'd like to see them.

Now, I'm planning on doing LT headers, obviously with the y-pipe into a catback. QTP headers seem to be regarded as one of the best if not the best, so do they fit an auto, does anyone know off hand? They claim to be a higher flow design than most, is this true? I know a lot of people like the pacesetters because of price, and I may go that route, but I want/need the best, partially for the project and partially for me. Also, as part of the project, it will have to remain at least close to emissions legal, so I will be doing a catted y-pipe. What is the purpose of the EGR and AIR systems that I'm assuming I have (99 Camaro Vert) and I've read that I really don't need them, so how exactly do you bypass them and why are they there in the first place? What all becomes obsolete and can be removed? And then I need to find one of the highest flow, lowest restriction catbacks. The loudmouth 2 is one of the better flowing exhausts correct? I like the GMMG but is it as free as the LM2? and where can you get it, I haven't seen the GMMG for sale anywhere. I've always liked Corsa too, but theirs looks to designed like every other one out there. But I like the sound and I know the quality is good, cause I have it on my truck. Anybody know if I can get actual flow numbers from somewhere? Wishful thinking I know.

So that's where I'm at right now. I may or may not install the stuff myself, I've never done it before. I will have access to a lift if I want to do it. Maybe I can convince someone to come and help, don't know yet. Otherwise I'll just pay to have it done when I need to. It'll be a couple of weeks at least before any physical progress is made, as I still have to order parts. But I will keep this thread updated as we do make progress.

Please post comments, suggestions, opinions, funny anecdotes, whatever.

Thanks guys, and sorry for the long-windedness.

Nick

EDIT - I don't know if I'll be able to, but I may try and get my professor to let me do to baseline dyno runs. One as it sits now and then one with a SLP airlid on, since I haven't done that.

On another sidenote, how do you dyno an automatic. I know it needs to be done in 3rd, the whole 1:1 ratio thing, but how do you keep it in 3rd when revving the engine up? Thanks guys.

[sman]

Only thing I know about dynoing an auto involves (i think) getting up to highway speed around 60 I think, and then peg it, it should down shift into 3rd and go, I think.....

[WMCCjames]

How does slapping a bunch of aftermarket parts on have ANYTHING to do with engineering?

[phoenix_rising]

Welcome to the site. Sounds like a cool project. Keep up updated.

[Superman09]

As for dyno'ing it, not 100% sure, might want to call up a shop that does dyno-tuning and ask them but if i were to guess i would say put the shifter in 3 and drive the car until it's in third with decent throttle so it wont downshift and peg it or slightly roll into it.

As for the headers, all depends on your price, if you got the funds the QTP's with the HVMC's is the way to go (even tho i hate QTP). Another great option that you shouldnt forget about is Kooks. These are both a stainless stell header so they will last! These will all fit your A4. If you dont want to spend as much, get a set of coated pacesetters. The major different is the material, coated mild vs. stainless.

As for catbacks, thats a totally different ballgame. If you want a stainless catback as well, your going to drop some coin for the GMMG, Borla, Corsa, etc. But again, it was last forever. If you dont want to spend as much, the hooker is a good alternative, or maybe SLP.
The sound here is what separates these catbacks other than the material. What type of sound are you looking for? Loud as you can? Quiet as you can? Just a good deep sounding? The hooker will be your quietest choice, while the SLP Loudmouth will be your loudest. With the SLP LM you will also get rasp, imo with headers, the LM is way too loud. You can't go wrong with the GMMG, Borla, or Corsa... all great quality and sound great.

Another option you can do with ANY of these catbacks is also add in an electric cutout so you can louden it up if you want and open the exhaust just by a switch.

Hope this helps! Any other questions, feel free to ask.

[BP_Z28]

"Superman"

Yea Jonny pretty much summed it up for you all in one post!

[SoulTerror]

I say stay away from Pace Setter's. The set I had on my old bird where junk imo. Shitty ass wields and Jay from Port Huron can vouch for that 1 if he ever comes on here anymore.

[tenpin842]

How does slapping a bunch of aftermarket parts on have ANYTHING to do with engineering?

x2....I thought you were going to make your own exhaust.
Pros / cons
Most exhaust flow ect.
Then actually making your own system. And showing a before and after.

[NickRo99ZVert]

It's a project for only a semester class, and with the semester already started, that means about two months to do the project, report, and presentation. And since we only have the two months, building the actual system is a lot to ask with it. Basically it's going to be, doing all the calculations of friction, pressure, flow, temps, etc to prove that the factory exhaust is terrible, and then do a bunch more of the same calcs to prove that other designs are better.

So to sum it up, we say "the factory exhaust is bad, based on our calculations, this type of system would be the best to go with, these pipe sizes, etc, and, oh heh, look, these aftermarket parts are almost exactly like what we recommend. We'll prove our calcs with these then."

The best part is that our professor doesn't really think that we'll see much improvement with changing all of this. He's going to have to clean his pants when he sees probably around 30-40 rwhp jump, (I'm hoping more.)

I know I should be building my own exhaust, but considering the time and the fact that we've never done it either, there would be a learning curve involved with it. It's just not feasible. Our professor approved it, but obviously, it's a little more than slapping some aftermarket parts on and saying hey look hp gains. You can think of it like this. It is kind of the same process that the header and exhaust companies use to actually design their products, just somewhat abbreviated. You analyze the baseline. Then make calculations and predictions on what will improve it the best. Then you implement and test it.

Thanks superman for the advice and clearing some of it up.

[cobalt camaro]

he can do exhaust (fluid flow) calculations in the stock exhaust to show that how pipe size, material, and bends limit the flow of the fluid and restrict the engines power. I don't think he needs to make the headers but the exhaust piping could be done.

SVSU does an actual engine program, where v8 engines are donated through hardcore motorsports, and the teams port the cylinder heads, and do basic porting and polishing, while also researching and desigining custom ground cams, to make the max amount of horsepower on a 500 dollar budget, last semester a group took a stock engine dynoed at 361 and after all modifications made 465 horsepower, for 500 bucks.

[Orange Terror]

Welcome to the site. Sounds like a cool project. Keep up updated.

He's been a member since last July and has 43 posts, but I'm sure he appreciated another welcome.

[kammi10]

He's been a member since last July and has 43 posts, but I'm sure he appreciated another welcome.

im sorry but i found this quite humorous

[NickRo99ZVert]

he can do exhaust (fluid flow) calculations in the stock exhaust to show that how pipe size, material, and bends limit the flow of the fluid and restrict the engines power. I don't think he needs to make the headers but the exhaust piping could be done.

Thank you. I'm not exactly the most eloquent when it comes to the English language. Fluid flow, and the many effects on it, are exactly what this project will be primarily revolving around.

im sorry but i found this quite humorous

I found it comical too. I do appreciate the welcome though, phoenix_rising. Always nice to feel welcome.