I have been trying to figure out how to get more power from my 87 2.5L, does anyone know of a company that make headers that can either dump out the bottom (straight pipe) or run through the muffler? my dad had some on his 68 Camaro back in the day. also, would a special air filter give me any advantage, maybe better fuel economy? also would there be any exhaust the would make it sound a little more throaty/bigger? maybe a glasspack or a cherry bomb?
The tech 4 is not a performance engine. An air filter will make no noticeable difference, same with putting an exhaust dump in. For the money youll spend on a dump I would to a stage 0 tune up and a cat delete. A 68 Camaro and a Fiero with a duke are night and day apart from each other. If you are dead set on getting some better sound out of the duke a Magnaflow would be better than a glasspack.
Deleting a functioning cat won't make any difference either, except to the poor person sitting behind you who has to smell the exhaust. Do a search on the forum and you will see that this question has been answered hundreds of times. The 2.5 is an ancient, 1970's economy car engine and while you can pour a lot of money into trying to give it more performance, my wife will still beat you at the stop light while towing a boat and have 3 kids in the Sienna minivan with the AC on. Save your money, and do a swap one day if you want the car to be faster.
[This message has been edited by cam-a-lot (edited 04-09-2015).]
Many TBI/TB have problem reaching WOT because cable and/or gas pedal... See my Cave, Throttle Cable
Exhaust Cutouts are illegal is many states.
Could have exhaust issues because old parts can wear out, engine burning oil or coolant can wreck the cat, etc.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
also would there be any exhaust the would make it sound a little more throaty/bigger? Maybe a glasspack or a cherry bomb?
any help is appreciated!
Welcome to the forum
A larger diameter pipe can make it sound bigger/ deeper. A glasspack can add a throb. Or as was mentioned a Magnaflow. Of course much of the tone of exhaust is subjective to the listener. But in my opinion with the 4 cylinder that is a place to start. Also remember the 4 cylinder doesnt particularly like revving high. I realize not everyone has the time, experience or money to get an engine swap.
[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 04-09-2015).]
So if I buy a new muffler I would want to make it a dual exhaust coming out of the muffler, what would be the best way to cut out the rear bumper to accommodate the second exhaust tip? and what size are the exhaust tubes/and the muffler?
Originally posted by eliwab22: ...what would be the best way to cut out the rear bumper to accommodate the second exhaust tip? and what size are the exhaust tubes/and the muffler?
Get an 88 rear bumper cover. The 88 cover is identical, except that it had cutouts on both sides, to accommodate the Formula's dual exhaust. The coupe used the same cover, even though it only had pipes on the left
------------------ Raydar 88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550 Praise the Lowered!
Get an 88 rear bumper cover. The 88 cover is identical, except that it had cutouts on both sides, to accommodate the Formula's dual exhaust. The coupe used the same cover, even though it only had pipes on the left
Originally posted by eliwab22: I have been trying to figure out how to get more power from my 87 2.5L, does anyone know of a company that make headers that can either dump out the bottom (straight pipe) or run through the muffler? my dad had some on his 68 Camaro back in the day. also, would a special air filter give me any advantage, maybe better fuel economy? also would there be any exhaust the would make it sound a little more throaty/bigger? maybe a glasspack or a cherry bomb?
any help is appreciated!
A free flowing exhaust on an otherwise stock engine might net you a little in the upper rpm range limit but will kill performance where you will appreciate it most, down low if the exhaust system is also made shorter at the same time as you will lose a good bit of the scavenging effect.
I disconnected the "Y" pipe from the converter on my Z28 to confirm that it was clogged and noticed a considerable seat- of the pants drop in acceleration from a stop.
Make sure the stock system and everything else is in good working order, get yourself an extra cylinder head and see if it's possible to have it shaved enough safely to raise the compression ratio at least .5 points. That will give you a little more power and torque over the entire performance curve as well as an MPG bump. You're stuck otherwise, the duke apparently is already close to its stress handling limits.
