Okay, I've got almost everything I need for the install except some critical exhaust components.

In the D.C. area, the cars are expensive, not many people work on them, and emmissions is tough: so shops around here charge high rates for just about everything (pretty much b/c they can get away with it).

I have a buddy in Richmond (2 hours) who is big into the SHO and Viper community and can hook me up with some top-notch exhaust guys for about $300. This includes wastegate downpipe, cat, glasspack, muffler, etc. It's a blend of crush and mandrel (I know, I know), but I saw the work they did on his SHO and it was very nice (they only crush when they absolutely had to, and they transistioned to 1/4" bigger pipe to accomodate the bends).

Anyway, if you're still reading: I can do the install up here and get a "ghetto" link between my downpipe and the current exhaust; drive to Richmond, and get the custom work done one weekend. Problem is, I would have to drive with the wastegate venting to the engine bay, or at best, route it right under the car.

Would the car even be drivable like this? I'd keep the boost really low, but it is a 2 hour drive. I'm also worried about extreme noise from the venting.

Any thougths or suggestions? There's no way I can match that exhaust price up here, and I don't want to strand myself down there doing the full installation.

thanks in advance,
ac

 

It's certainly driveable, and it will only be loud if the wastegate is trying to limit boost.

There used to be a guy here in Albuquerque with a VERY modified 1st gen DSM. Wild crazy-assed port job on the head, oversized valves, 292 cams, different pistons and rods (some hodgepodge of 1st gen / 2nd gen stock parts that the DSM guys do) and a GT35 turbo. And a tial 40mm wastegate that vented to atmosphere after it started to limit boost at like 28 pounds... eek!

It was abso-freakin-lutely INSANE when that wastegate opened. That car would start spooling, and then ripping all four tires, and then at about 5K on the tach that Tial would open up and it sounded like a pissed off Mack truck on steroids while doing a Jake Brake (that loud obnoxious noise they sometimes make when going down hills -- it's an engine brake, some states have it outlawed so maybe you've never heard it)

Most evil sounding thing on the planet; most people thought the car was blowing up while they were racing him -- they would almost literally get scared and back off because they thought it was blowing up!

Driveable? Yup. During daily driving it's not going to be anything bad. But once you put your foot on the floor and that wastegate flops open, it gets REALLY loud.

Try it just once, it's kinda neat wink Not good for the environment though, so probably shouldn't do it too often wink

 

Thanks Red.

My fiancee's Protege had the S pipe after the cat rust through and that thing was loud as hell. She was embarassed to drive it. smile.gif All 1.5L chugging away, so I can imagine how loud mine would be. (all 1.8L rolleyes.gif )

I may have another solution. I found out that HKS makes flexible dump tubes designed to link their wastegates to the downpipe. I e-mailed them about exact dimensions, but if it's close, I may be able to weld that together myself. That and a band clamp should get me to Richmond for the custom work without waking the dead.

Glad to know it would be drivable without it, though.

thanks,
ac

 

Hey Curtas, If you need some good work done on your car for a very good price,

Hit up a fellow by the name of Mr. Bahk.

410-486-1585

They are the ones that built up my motor and installed my turbo system for me. Check them out if you would like. They will do almost any engine modification you want for your car at a ver affordable price.

Sorry for the shameless plug