Single 3" downpipe

O.K. time to take out the stock exaust and put in a new one. Bought a stainless steel header and a 3" downpipe with a high flow cat. 1. When doing this is it best to sticking with a single pipe or keeping the split exaust. 2. Mechanic suggested not using a gasket on the header. Comments or suggestions appreciated.

I'm with the mechanic on not using a gasket. Ford didn't put one on. My personal opinion is that 99.9% of people running 2.3Ts will never need all the capability of either a 3" single or a 2.5' dual. And no, I don't have any data to prove that and I have never seen any that disputes it.

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NATO Member. it's not a vice, it's an obsession
"The nice thing about each new day is nobody ever used it before" Barnaby Jones
88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, mods list at
http://www.turbotbird.com/showroom/pd_88tc.htm

I'd go with the dual exhaust at least just for looks. Ongoing debate about single/dual parasitic effects on flow but like Pete says I don't have any statistics either way.

I found that when I went to dual from single , the exhaust note actually quited down. If you like the deep note of the single go with that. If your looking to quite down a little but keep the power than do the duals [Image: wink.gif]

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More Boost!!
'87 turbocoupe almost done!

I love my single 3" (no cat [Image: wink.gif] )! I don't have data to back it up, like the rest of us, but it really boils down to what the car's ultimate use is. If you like the sound of dual flowmasters, use them! If you like a single, run it! If you want maximum performance, use a single straight-through design (Dynomax bullet or Borla XR-1). There's my $.02. Later

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83 TC : full 3" exhaust, 17" 93 cobra wheels, many mods awaiting install once the engine's back in

I think Grant's right. Current reigning argument is that a single 3" will outflow dual 2.5". But not much.

Here is a twist on the subject.

I dont think I will ever run another single do to the fitting issues. I have played with mine way too much and stil get a rattle here na dthere as well as the banging on big bumps.

This would be even worse if you are having a shop do it since they will not want to keep trying to readjust it every time you hear a noise. The duals flow arguably or not, as good as a single three , but the sure as hell fit ALOT better!

Pete, i ended up catching my exhaust on a bump at Norwalk, right after I saw you. It ended up popping apart right in front of the muffler. I had to wedge it on and use a tie strap to keep it on till I got home. [Image: frown.gif]

I thought headers needed a gasket? copper?

Another twist.
I got bored and put a Flowmaster Delta 50 I had laying around the shop.
Not only does it sound pretty damn good, I think my torque improved.
I have no problem with boost power and my IC is still staying cool so I didn't add much backpressure with it.

Well before i found this website i had already replaced the stock mufflers with 2 resonator glasspacks love the sound. I think im just going to leave those in replace the 2 cats with high flow and install the 3 inch down pipe. Thanks for your info.