I have been looking for a replacement exhaust for my GT, and it seems the only place that has anything is The Fiero Store. I would gladly order from them, but every time I look they are out, and have no real solid idea as to when it would be available again.
'88 has some minor differences from all the earlier models, so this makes it even more of a challenge to find.
I do not "need" a new exhaust, but want one. Mine is nearing 200k, and I just want everything as perfect as I can get mine, and after looking at it today, I want a new one.
So, the question is, any place else sell a '88 factory style exhaust.... I want everything from the manifolds to the tips.
Love the factory sound, so I am keeping it 100% factory.
I have a copy of the 84 to 88 Fiero Parts and Illustrations CD, and it lists very specific parts for the 88 vs earlier years. This thing has proved invaluable to me and if you don't have it, download it!
Example is the muffler.... for an '87 it is part number 10087393 and for an '88 it is 10089650. Each component for an '88 exhaust is different than any other year, and it follows suit on every other component for the exhaust with the exception of the crossover, tips, hangers and springs. It also shows 3 different cats for the V6. One for '85 and '86, one for '87, and another for an '88.
If anyone knows for sure that an '87 exhaust will work, without a lot of modifications, and I cannot find anything '88 specific, I guess I will have to go that route.
I believe the greatest difference between the systems is how far the '88 Y-pipe extends down compared to the earlier years. So the Y-pipe and the pipe it connects to (before the cat) are definitely quite different and therefore can't be interchanged, but if you're changing "everything"... might not be any real issues. See what a few others might have to say.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 11-27-2016).]
I believe the greatest difference between the systems is how far the '88 Y-pipe extends down compared to the earlier years. So the Y-pipe and the pipe it connects to (before the cat) are definitely quite different and therefore can't be interchanged, but if you're changing "everything"... might not be any real issues. See what a few others might have to say.
Thanks Patrick, I will keep this up near the top for a while just so everyone can see it and respond. I am sure someone with an '88 has had to redo their exhaust at some point in time recently, so really would like to hear from anyone before I order up everything...... when it is available.
I have swapped an 85-87 2.8 into an 88 Fiero using the 85-87 exhaust a couple of times. The main issue is the 88 engine mount pad is much larger than the 84-87 one and it is moved forward about 1". This puts the exhaust pipe very close to the starter pad and I normally persuade it to move a little to the DS and forward to help with the clearance.
88s are slightly different (cat back)... you may have clearance issues mounting an pre-88 exhaust. I tried mounting an 88 on an 87 and it was difficult to get it in place without hitting the frame.
I purchased one last year on ebay from summit racing. orded it about 5:00 pm Monday,recieved it at my door the very next day at 11:00 am. took it to a local shop and had it put on. very happy with it.
Summit doesn't list the exhaust system any more. It was there as recently as a month or so ago. The only complete exhaust systems I've found were made by Walker. You may try contacting them direct.
Years ago, Tim Perrigo had a bunch of Fiero exhaust systems built by Borla. (They were $500-600 each) I bought two, one for my 87 GT and one for my 88 GT. I had Twin Lakes auto install them. I believe that Tim sent in an exhaust from an 87, and that design did not quite fit the 88 GT. Twin Lakes had to modify the bends slightly for them to fit.
A few years layer Twin lakes ordered several Borla exhausts from Borla. They had a minimum number for the build. I know that they sold out quite quickly.
Today Borla doesn't offer them, but if you wanted a run, they would, and the build would be in the neighborhood of $50K truly unaffordable for an independent shop to afford.
I have had the Borla systems on both my Fieros for 15 years with no issues. They are stainless steel with a million mile warranty.
Tim is around, but into real estate sales and Twin Lakes shut down several years back.
And this is why I love this forum so much! Thanks everyone sincerely.
I have just emailed Walker to see what they come back with, but looking at everything that has been posted, it looks like I could use an '87 exhaust with some slight modifications to it.
I will probably take it in to a local guy here that does nothing but custom exhaust and get his feelings on salvaging the original stainless exhaust first.
Side note: Anybody else notice when looking at pictures of unmolested '88 GT tail pipes, the drivers side tip is always a little lower than the passenger side. Mine is, and I thought it was just out of adjustment, but as I have been searching, I see it a lot like that...... eh, I am picky about having a symmetrical exhaust, but that looks like that is the way they put it together... must have had a shorter person working on that side. LOL
I have just emailed Walker to see what they come back with, but looking at everything that has been posted, it looks like I could use an '87 exhaust with some slight modifications to it.
Yes, that's the one I found at Summit and on partsgeek, or partstrain or one of those similar sites, but I can't find it now. I remember it was somewhere in the neighborhood of $150.
I have the walker exhaust from summit racing on my 88 formula. It fits great except for slight contact on the engine mount pad. The fwd corner of the pad contacts the exhaust pipe. I left if as is and have had no problems. The next time i drop the exhaust I'm going to cut a small portion of the corner of with a cut-off wheel. I also used the stainless steel band style pipe clamps to attach the pipe to the catalytic converter.
Side note: Anybody else notice when looking at pictures of unmolested '88 GT tail pipes, the drivers side tip is always a little lower than the passenger side. Mine is, and I thought it was just out of adjustment, but as I have been searching, I see it a lot like that...... eh, I am picky about having a symmetrical exhaust, but that looks like that is the way they put it together... must have had a shorter person working on that side. LOL
Nothing wrong with the link. copy/paste seems to work.
There's something strange about that link (but yes, copy/paste of the URL works) . If I simply click on your link, it does not take me to a Summit page for a Walker muffler. Fierofool appears to be having the same problem.
Click the link then scroll to the bottom. It will have another link that says "skip these deals & continue to summitracing.com"
It's got to be some adware. The link I posted was directly from summit's site.
I did but it does nothing. I clicked on Why Am I Seeing This? on the other corner and this is what I got:
Why am I seeing this?
At VigLink, we empower content creators to connect enthusiastic consumers with the products they love. We accomplish this directly through publishers' words—without need for an ad.
Our ability to identify the same product across various merchants allows you to choose where you want to shop, and ensures you're getting the best possible price. If you want to continue on to the original destination of the link you clicked, all you need to do is click "continue to..." in the upper righthand corner of this page.
To learn more about VigLink please visit our site at www.viglink.com.
I did but it does nothing. I clicked on Why Am I Seeing This? on the other corner and this is what I got:
Why am I seeing this?
At VigLink, we empower content creators to connect enthusiastic consumers with the products they love. We accomplish this directly through publishers' words—without need for an ad.
Our ability to identify the same product across various merchants allows you to choose where you want to shop, and ensures you're getting the best possible price. If you want to continue on to the original destination of the link you clicked, all you need to do is click "continue to..." in the upper righthand corner of this page.
To learn more about VigLink please visit our site at www.viglink.com.
It seems Cliff has VigLink on his pages - this is not adware on our machines...
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-01-2016).]
If your exhaust is in good shape and you are not after a new sound or performance then leave it be. It is a stainless exhaust system from the factory. The walker or fiero store replacements are mild steel and will rot off in 3 years. Unless you wait for tax return like I did and shell out for the stainless ocelot system from the fiero storethen leaving it is your best bet.
Unless you wait for tax return like I did and shell out for the stainless ocelot system from the fiero store then leaving it is your best bet.
Naw, your best bet (if you actually need to replace it) is to pick up a good used factory system at the wreckers. It was a little difficult getting it home... but it can be done!
Naw, your best bet (if you actually need to replace it) is to pick up a good used factory system at the wreckers. It was a little difficult getting it home... but it can be done!
I bet you did get some strange looks getting that home like that!
I may have just gotten rather lucky and bought an original 87,000 mile '88 GT exhaust to play with. My intent is to clean it up like new and put it on my GT, then take my old one to a local custom exhaust builder to see if he can duplicate it in stainless like the original.
It is a shame nobody makes stainless exhausts for them anymore.
I may have just gotten rather lucky and bought an original 87,000 mile '88 GT exhaust to play with.
Excellent!
On the '86 GT pictured above, the original muffler began making a really obnoxious "wap-wap-wap" racket at a particular idle RPM. The two layers of the muffler's outer shell had somehow become too flexible and were vibrating and snapping against each other. I managed to snag a factory exhaust (from the cat back) in perfect shape off another GT at the wreckers for around 50 bucks. I was pretty happy.
[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 12-03-2016).]
Thanks dobey for the link, and I had seen that one but in the description it says it would change the sound, and I really like the stock exhaust note. Pontiac did a really nice job with the exhaust sound in my opinion!
Even some of the Grand Am factory exhausts sound really nice to me.
A couple of pictures of the exhaust I just bought, still attached to the cradle. Only damage looks like a slight kink in one of the tips. The cradle is sold and sadly this is from an '88 GT that had been rolled a few years back. Hmm, wonder what else I could get? I cannot pick it up for a while, but it is all mine now, bought and paid for.
[This message has been edited by railshot (edited 12-03-2016).]
Originally posted by railshot: Thanks dobey for the link, and I had seen that one but in the description it says it would change the sound, and I really like the stock exhaust note. Pontiac did a really nice job with the exhaust sound in my opinion!
I have it on my car. "Change the sound" is a bit too vague of a description I think. It's really not far off from the stock exhaust note, so much as to me it was "more" of it. Like the growl/rasp is the same as stock, but it's louder and more pronounced.
But to each his own I guess.
[This message has been edited by dobey (edited 12-03-2016).]
I have it on my car. "Change the sound" is a bit too vague of a description I think. It's really not far off from the stock exhaust note, so much as to me it was "more" of it. Like the growl/rasp is the same as stock, but it's louder and more pronounced.
But to each his own I guess.
Actually that is very good to know, as finding a decent stainless exhaust seems to be a roll of the dice, so this will be an interesting option for me down the road.
On the '86 GT pictured above, the original muffler began making a really obnoxious "wap-wap-wap" racket at a particular idle RPM. The two layers of the muffler's outer shell had somehow become too flexible and were vibrating and snapping against each other.
Very interesting Patrick, as mine is doing the same thing and driving me nuts now forever. This is the main reason I was looking for a replacement. Did yours get quieter, but not gone as it warmed up? Mine does.
