WHat are my options on replacing the exhaust on my 83? Money is a concern, dont want to spend a fortune. Its all factory stock now, and has blown out the gasket in fron ot the front cat, and of course the studs are going to break (one of them was broken off already, which is why i think it blew the gasket out) anyways, debating what to do.......tips? SHould I drill out the studs and just repair what I have or basically replace from the head pipe back and do away with the cats, what kind of muffler do i need? Dont have the money to do a header now....

 

well since u don't have to worry bout emissions, just remove all that crap. get a header and have a shop put a pipe between it and the muffler u have. if that's too loud for ur taste, save up for a RB muffler.

 

Look around and find a used RB exhaust, that way you get the best system for cheaper and they last FOREVER so it won't matter that it's used.

 

I'm not a fan of the RB exhaust systems everybody talks so much about. I had it. Way too heavy, too restrictive.

I am a fan of their universal presilencers and universal mufflers though. Cheaper than the full RB exhaust, but better .

 

I recommend the Bonez race pipe sold by rotary performance (www.rx7.com). Bolts up to the stock header and runs to the stock midpipe. Cuts out all of the cats. Thick steel and good quality. I run that with a racing beat muffler and it sounds and performs great.

Be careful having a regular exhaust shop fab a pipe up for you... as hot as the 7's exhaust is, it'll burn through in no time if it's not thick enough steel. Same goes for the generic/universal mufflers.

 

I used that bonez race pipe for years, easy to install in place of the cats, not very expensive from rx7.com. I transplanted that pipe onto three different GSLs before finally upgrading to the RB system, was still like new when I passed it along to another rotor head.

And if you still have your cats you can sell them to a guy up in Massachusetts, you will probably get enough from the cats to buy the race pipe. I just sold him a set of cats from my 85 GSL last month (main cat and two precats) for a tidy $150.

 

Thanks for the link....so the race pipe will do away with both my cats and bolt in at the front factory headpipe and run to the factory center pipe ahead of the muffler? What do i do with the smog pump lines/fittings/etc? if i go that route. Dont want a massive issue if i start pulling all that stuff off the engine without being sure it can go away......

 

Thanks for the info....so the race pipe will do away with both my cats and bolt in at the front factory headpipe and run to the factory center pipe ahead of the muffler? What do I do with the smog pump lines/fittings/etc? if i go that route. Dont want a massive issue if i start pulling all that stuff off the engine without being sure it can go away......

 

No problem with the smog pump and lines, you can either leave it there pumping to the atmosphere or remove it altogether and go with a dual alternator pulley. Save the stuff just in case, but chances are once you're rid of the cats and have that extra HP and pretty sound of the race pipe you won't go back.

The race pipe bolts right up to the factory header and back to the mid-pipe, it's an exact fit and easy to install. Be sure to get the right one, they are different for the different year FB's because the cats were different from year to year.

Don't throw those cats away, they are worth big bucks!

 

Yes, the race pipe takes the place of both cats. Bolts exactly where you're thinking. You can trace the air pipes back into the engine bay and pull them right out, just a couple of hose clamps to loosen and they'll pull right out. Don't worry about capping them or anything, they're just used to feed fresh air from the air pump into the cats.

 

And also, good point on saving the cats. I took mine to a local scrapyard and got $150 for them too.

 

Thanks for the insights! Looks like my problem is solved! I can fix my exhaust and not break the bank doing it!

Barron
Georgia
83 Limited Edition