Page 1 of 1

2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 12:39 am
by Koots
I just purchased a generic SS header off of ebay (M2 performance or something like that) and the outlet diameter of the downpipe is shrunk down to 1.75", which I'm guessing matches up with the 3rd gen Cavaliers stock exhaust size.

I'm assuming mine is the same? I have no time this week to verify this week.

I also have a dead 3.1 Corsica for parts and was wondering if the exhaust was any bigger from the cat back? If it is, I could cut that exhaust up and make a decent exhaust out of it. Unfortunately, the only exhaust shop within 420 miles, shut down in April, so I can't even get a crush bent system made up to match my header. which would have the reduction section cut out of it.

Anyway, I'm a bit drunk and rambly :beer: So i'll end it there :D

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Thu May 17, 2012 9:24 pm
by Money pit Beretta
LOL nice post. The down pipe is a major problem on these cars and is way too small. In other words the 2.2L and the 3.1L should be the same.
"wicked-irocz" makes some custom down pipes for our cars. Look him up.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:53 pm
by Koots
I haven't received the header yet, but the entire collector seems to be about 2.25" and then squashed down to 1.75" (per the ebay description).

If the V6 exhaust (from the cat back) is larger, I will cut and run the both of them. I will eventually buy a new muffler and cat. but I need the car to be street legal and it is currently not.

It's all you can expect when you got a $100 car :P

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 7:57 pm
by Money pit Beretta
They both should be 1.75".

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:21 pm
by Koots
That's an awfully small exhaust for a V6!!!!!

Almost shamefully so LOL

At least the pipe is there to upgrade to 2.25" later on, at some point.

My 117whp 1.6L SOHC Honda made good use of 2.25" after I upgraded to a bigger intake. I'm sure i'll modify the engine enough to utilize that exhaust size as well.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:34 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Yeah man it's a shame and kind of dumb. Also this is why Wicked makes down pipes for the V6 cars.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:12 pm
by Koots
I would have at least expected 2" or 2.25" for a V6, but 2.25" is all they gave me for my 4.3L K1500 Sierra.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 8:35 pm
by Money pit Beretta
I would say the max would be 2.50". I had a 3" on my 83 Z28 and it did just fine, but that was aftermarket. The shorty headers helped too LOL.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:00 pm
by Koots
Im gonna stick to 2.25, the exhaust should be plenty and support future mods.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2012 6:22 pm
by Money pit Beretta
Sounds like a good idea!

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:05 am
by Koots
The exhaust can wait though, the downpipe from the stock manifold was dented, rusted and falling apart. So I figured I'd just replace it with something better and probably ended up cheaper LOL

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 10:41 am
by wicked-irocz
The V6 exhaust is 2.00 inch from the cat-back but it is press bent necking it down to 1.75" by the rear coil spring.

2" mandrel bent is good to 170hp, 2.25" is 215, and 2.5" is 265. You should never go larger than the minimum size needed or you will cause turbulance.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:12 pm
by Koots
I don't have the option of mandrel bent tubing up here in Labrador, unfortunately.

All we can get is press bent, so that's why i'm going with 2.25".

I plan on shooting for 150HP, which would probably turn into 125WHP, but up from the factory 120HP.

I don't see that exhaust size creating much of an issue, when it comes to exhaust gas velocity. Most vehicles can benefit from a 0.5" increase in exhaust diameter, without creating major flow problems, in my experience. The 1.75" stock exhaust is not enough and the cost to replace the exhaust, whether it's to 2.0" or 2.25" will be around the same. I don't feel the 1/4" is worth spending all that money on.

I can, however, take the stock exhaust off of this 3.1 Corsica I have and use that. I'll just replace the muffler with something less restrictive than OEM.

Re: 2.2L Exhaust Questions

Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 12:25 pm
by Money pit Beretta
I thought for sure that they were all the same size. The only change was because of the ABS fuel tanks vs the metal ones.