Factory exhaust fun fact

[SuperBuick]

When I got my 1991 STE, the rear mufflers were rusted out so I never paid them much attention, knowing they would have to be replaced. 
 

When I got the 1992 STE the exhaust was in excellent shape so I never paid it much attention knowing I would just hit it with steel wool.

Well anyways - this weekend I pulled the 1991 exhaust completely out because Im pulling out the rear brake and suspension parts I put INTO it this summer to put on the 1992.  I noticed that the mufflers are different side to side and thought wow, couldnt the muffler shop have at least TRIED to match them more closely….?

 

You know where this is going…

 

Not sure if its an STE thing or a 3.4 thing (though im almost CERTAIN my z34 wasnt this way), but yes this is the factory configuration!

 

[55trucker]

On 1/2/2025 at 10:37 PM, SuperBuick said:

 I noticed that the mufflers are different side to side and thought wow, couldnt the muffler shop have at least TRIED to match them more closely….?

 

Not sure if its an STE thing or a 3.4 thing (though im almost CERTAIN my z34 wasnt this way), but yes this is the factory configuration!

 

 

 

That's OEM m'boy.....no muffler shop involved, the GT coupes that were fitted with the dual exhaust, & the STE's were fitted with that small left side muffler.

It was done that way to get needed clearance under the floorpan, you notice that the left side floorpan has no heatshield in place to protect the fuel filler hose & the evap lines, but the right side does  have a heatshield. That small muffler is fitted with a strap-on flimsy heat deflector that does literally nothing.

If you toss the original rusted out mufflers don't toss the trumpets, keep them, those are near to the point of being unobtanium.

 

Edited January 4 by 55trucker
error on exhaust design under which car

[rich_e777]

At least GM put a little thought into how these LQ1 exhaust systems looked, the biggest thing I hate about 80`s and 90`s cars was that cheap little single exit exhaust. Even if it didnt have a performance benefit IMHO a dual exit exhaust gave the appearance of performance.

[SuperBuick]

14 hours ago, 55trucker said:

That's OEM m'boy.....no muffler shop involved, the GT coupes fitted with the LQ1, & the GTP's (same driveline), STE's were fitted with that small left side muffler.

It was done that way to get needed clearance under the floorpan, you notice that the left side floorpan has no heatshield in place to protect the fuel filler hose & the evap lines, but the right side does  have a heatshield. That small muffler is fitted with a strap-on flimsy heat deflector that does literally nothing. 

If you toss the original rusted out mufflers don't toss the trumpets, keep them, those are near to the point of being unobtanium.

Abso frickin lutely. Im not going to dispose of any of it - I may try to find “as close as possible” mufflers to the originals and have them put in and then have a spare exhaust. The trumpets are still in excellent shape. 
 

Any suggestions for mufflers that are close to original? I remember reading people finding it hard to find mufflers like GM used. I wont be doing any aftermarket loud/sport muffler stuff - ive got plenty of loud stuff already

[jiggity76]

Don't know if this will help...I just wanted to be part of the conversation.  My STE's system.

 

[55trucker]

Well..... one doesn't want anything that is aluminized, at the very least 409 stainless, you might look thru Walker's Quiet-Flow SS series, their recent all stainless lineup may include something close to the original mufflers.

Consider that you may end up going to a pair of 4 1/2x9 3/4" 14"shell mufflers.......the left side IS a 12" shorty while the right should be a 14", the right IS a 7x9 shell.

Edited January 4 by 55trucker

[bluecalais79]

x2 on the ends.

When I get my 3.4 exhaust done on my94 Cutlass I plan on having the outlets cut off the originals and welded onto any replacements I may buy. I want that original look at the tail end. In fact, here's what I may ask my shop to do: I actually have an NOS correct LH muffler with the welded on black-tipped end and the pipe that leads to the Y pipe, all as a unit from the factory. I got this on e-bay many, many years ago. Cheap. What I would like to have done is mate that with a 3.1 exhaust on the RH side and have the correct dual outlet welded on from my existing RH muffler. Or, as 55 mentions, for the RH side get a Walker and have the end welded onto that. I think a new resonator set up from the 3.1's will work if a Y pipe is added to the end to set up the duals, not sure. I'd also like to eliminate the Catalytic Converter.

 

Edited January 12 by bluecalais79