The hills are alive with the sound of MUFFLERS.

[PSU442]

Tell us about your exhaust systems... What kind of set-up do you have? What kind of mufflers? And, more importantly, how does it sound? I have my stock manifolds going into dual 2 1/4 pipes, cats, and dynomax super turbos. Unfortunately, I've never really been happy with how it sounds... not quite as "aggressive" as I would of hoped. You know it's a V-8, that's for sure, but it doesn't really "rumble" as sweetly as I wanted. So let's compare... Let's hear about your set-up, other people's set-ups, and how they sound. When I get around to a new exhaust system, I want to be well-informed...

[ragz442]

I've got the earlier dual hump crossmembers [73-74] on all my cars, they're fairly easy to come by. All 73-74 A bodys are the same. Both my 442's had them when I bought em, I got the one for our Supreme about 5 years ago from fellow member Dennis [w451973].

[ragz442]

I had both cars done at the local Muffler Man. 2 1/4" on the Supreme [w/manifolds], turbo mufflers, 4 years ago, $250. 2 1/2" on the 442 [w/headers], turbo mufflers, 3 years ago, $300. He dumped the tp's the normal way on the Supreme. Didn't know he was going to kick them out on an angle on the 442, but I didn't mind, at least he made them even.

[that was easy ;) ]

No cats on my cars.
The 442 sounds awesome with the headers.
The Supreme is quiet with the manifolds, but a little rumble at cruise speed. If you need [want?] to run cats I'd get the aftermarket high flow type.

[PSU442]

how do you avoid not having the cats? In PA, there's no way that'd slide... at least I think... I have a pair of somesort of aftemarket, highflow 2.5 cats.

[ragz442]

We don't even have emmision testing on daily drivers.
Back in the early/mid 80's, when MI made it's first and only attempt, I tested my 76-442 [my second car] at our service station. True duals, no cats.....it passed with flying colors.

[PSU442]

PA has inspections & emissions (depending on where you live) though cars driven under 1,000 miles/yr are exempt... but i don't think you can pass the inspection without cats.

[442MUCH]

My 442 has W30 exhaust manifolds with 2.25" pipes. I figured since the W30 maifolds are only 2.25", going bigger than that will not improve the flow. Anyway this is a true dual exhaust system. The car had dimpled cross members on both sides so there is no problem with having the pipes go straight down the car.

Mufflers are Walker Super Turbo. After the rear axle, the pipes on each side follow the body line. One set of pipes go from the manifolds to the mufflers and the second set from the mufflers to the end. The exhaust system on my car is 15 years old and the mufflers are guaranteed for life.

[ragz442]

Ken, I've heard that Canada had different standards back in the day and you could still get true duals w/no cats from the factory in '76, is this true or hearsay? Could a car be optioned out differently there than in the states?

[442MUCH]

Ken, I've heard that Canada had different standards back in the day and you could still get true duals w/no cats from the factory in '76, is this true or hearsay? Could a car be optioned out differently there than in the states?

I don't know what options you could get in the States. The option that you're talking about was Z95. They called it Catalytic Converter Delete and you got back about $35.

The dual exhaust from the factory I'm not to sure about. However my car does have cross members like all the cars but I have the exhaust pipe dimples on both sides. Don't know if that was typical orjust for Canadian cars. I can't see that just being for the Canadian cars.

Even today cars are different between the two countries. We've had daytime running lights since 1990 and the third brake light since 1985(Fed's thought it a safety issue and it is). New cars must have the 5 mph or (8 kph) bumper. I think it's 2.5 mph in the US.

My car also came with something your's didn't have...Z49 Mandatory Base Canadian Equipiment (probably mandatory heater and stuff:D )

[ragz442]

Interesting, I did not know that. The dual hump crossmembers were installed on the 73-74's here because you could still get duals and no cats yet. In '75 they went to the single hump [dimple] crossmember.

[442MUCH]

Interesting, I did not know that. The dual hump crossmembers were installed on the 73-74's here because you could still get duals and no cats yet. In '75 they went to the single hump [dimple] crossmember.

It must be the same for here then. I can't see Olds doing anything different, it's just not worth it. I bought my car off the original owner and it was only 2years old so I can't see him changing cross members. I don't know why my car has two with the hump:confused:

[ragz442]

Well, IF dual exhaust was still available in '76, you would get the dual hump crossmember. If they had a catcon delete option, I would think it could have been possible[?].

[texxas8902]

Double hump, dual exhaust cross member from 73 Cutlass. Headers from another 73 Cutlass, both in wrecking yard. 2 1/2 inch aluminized exhaust pipe with crossover back to flowmaster series 40 mufflers over axle and exiting in stock location. Was supposed to have the 3/4 cut on the tips like factory but the muffler guy messed that up. If I had to do it again, I'd use 78 Z/28 resonators instead of the flowmasters and make sure the tips were done like I asked.
The factory cat install was a horrible idea, hanging off the rear of the trans with extra brackets. I have saved all my original parts for my car with the exception of the original crossmember and the converter and associated brackets. I could never see myself putting those back on. I'd have to go low restriction, universal if I needed cats again.
In Texas cars and trucks 26 years old or older only have to have safety inspections in the 5 areas that have high ozone pollution.(large population centers where most people live) Newer vehicles have to have both safety and emissions. Outside these 5 areas, safety only.

[zodiacblue442]

My `73 442 w/455 has a 2.25" full dual exhaust system with H pipe and Dynomax Super Turbos. The car has a very nice low rumble at idle and comes alive with a nice mellow tone when I step on the gas. I didn't want something overly loud because driving 8 to 10 hrs a day cross country to OCA Nationals, I want to hear the radio, not exhaust noise. I reeeaaaallllly like this system!

My `74 Supreme has a full dual stock exhaust system including mufflers.

The `75 Cutlass drag race car has dual exhaust X and Z manifolds stepped up to a 3" system with Flowmaster 40 series 2 chamber mufflers. The pipes dump angled out to the sides under the car about where the rear seat would be (remember the car is a 4 dr.). The car has a loud agressive sound at idle and REALLY barks when ya jump on it!

[psquare75]

My 75 H/O had lousy Hedman Headers and autozone replacement pipes for a 74 Cutlass (duals). I was running no cats (pre 84 = emissions exempt in MA) and cherry bomb turbo mufflers (silver ovals)

Next go around I plan to run dual manifolds (W/Z) 2.5" mandrel bent all the way back with the largest Walker/Dynomax Super Turbos I can fit prolly 17769 or equivalent..

I like my cars quiet except when I get on it.

[73431Cutlass]

73 Supreme with headers and 2.5 duals. Early early Flowmaster 40 series, and cow bell tips at the rear bumper. Load as all hell, might as well not have a radio in my car unless the engine is turned off. But hey I only drive it like 300 miles a year so I like it loud those few miles..... Neighbors dont like it!