Hello everybody, first a quick intro. I just moved down here to Melbourne from NYC last month, after having married one of your fellow Aussies (in Vegas, then the UK... don't ask!)... anyway, I quickly realised that a car was a necessary purchase here after waiting countless hours for trams and buses, so I went out and bought a '96 5-spd TE, after having looked at some Holdens & Fords in the same price range... no comparison. I needed something reliable, inexpensive, with good capacity, 4-door, and not-too-thirsty for fuel, yet with decent pull when you hammer the throttle. My last car was a 2003 5.7L 400BHP 6-spd Pontiac Firehawk, which my right foot misses dearly, but my left back pocket doesn't!

I hadn't planned on modifying the car too much, but after a couple days, that all changed, so I now have a long wish-list of juicy mods. First off is air-intake, which will be taken care of with a K&N panel filter. I don't plan on changing the engine a whole lot, as I'd prefer to keep insurance and fuel costs down, as well as maintain the warranty. Along with the intake, I'm going to do a full tune-up, change both banks of plugs, and upgrade the muffler to a magnaflow.

I did a couple hours of research here, but still didn't have a clear answer, when it comes to cat-back systems, and exhaust pipe diameters, which brings me to my question for the forum:

1. First off, once and for all, what is the stock pipe diameter on the '96 TE... some say 2.25" and some say 2.5" and then others are somewhere in between? I realize that the stock pipes are already mandrel-bent, so that is a plus.

2. If the current pipes are indeed 2.25" and I upgraded to a 2.5" cat-back system, would the new set-up include resonators, and would changing the pipes from the cat-back affect power and/or exhaust note in a positive way, given that the engine isn't modified besides the air filter? Needless to say, if the stock pipe is 2.5" I'll just change the muffler.

I want to leave the resonators in place to avoid the cabin drone, but I would like to have a deep, throaty sound from the muffler that is noticeable at idle, but loudish upon acceleration, but not too rice as to attract the coppers.

Subsequent mods will include headers/extractors, springs, shocks, sport-shifter, audio, parabolics, and a nose and/or full body kit... no wing though! It's been fun learning to drive manual with the left hand, although I still end up on the wrong side of the road at times :badgrin:

thanks!

Larry

Welcome Larry.

Lets take a look at the stock back box (muffler) on the Magna. Small isn't it. Especially the outlet to the atmosphere.

Most power gains would be obtained by modifing this alone.

If your system is mandrel bent I would look at extractors and high flow cat.

Remember the key to more power in an engine is to increase the flow of gases into or out of it. Then add more fuel. So you on the right track. The air filter and a cold air pick up (like on a WS6 :D but not as obvious, say under the bumper) would also help things along.

Find yourself a GOOD exhaust shop to start with and tell them what you want to achieve. I think you'll be plesantly surprised with the results.

Hi Larry. Welcome aboard :)

The issue of whether or not to replace the stock pipe is one that's received a fair bit of attention lately. Popular opinion was that it wasn't necessary, but some tests recently (check out this thread (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9519) and this thread (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?p=116664)) shows that some gains are to be had.. assuming you have some other mods to back up the change.

I'd spend the money on a new muffler, a better intake system and a set of extractors first before you replace the piping at the back.

If your car is a 3L then your piping is around the 2.25" mark, if it's a 3.5L then you're closer to 2.5"..

hello fellow new yorker!!! :badgrin:

thanks for the replies guys... I'll have to take a closer look at the current piping once the car's raised up... if it's already a 2.25" mandrel system, I'll leave it alone for now and just change the muffler... and save the loot for the headers.

a fellow New Yorker, kewl! don't feel so alone now :)

The engine code of the Firehawk was WU6, by the way, not WS6! :cry:

Welcome to Aussie Magna mate!

I guess the magna would've been more recognisable for you too seeing as though you would've encountered Diamante's in the states.

There's been a few interesting discoveries with the stock TE+ exhaust recently. Even though it is madnrel bent, there are some sections that are still restrictive, I personally think it would be best to get a full 2.5" mandrel bent cat back.

Yup, they are a.k.a Diamantes in the US... always did admire them from a distance! Anybody have idea on pricing for the cat-back piping? Any good exhaust garages to go to in Melbourne, not too far from Elwood? Was looking at one place out in Dandenong...

welcome larry! you should come to the Vic meet at the end of the month, check out the Victorian section. i dont know of any shops out near elwood, but try heading down the Princes Hwy a bit further and you're bound to run into one.

if u get sick of hearing different opinions on the diameter of the pipe, just get under and measure it. i did that and found it all 61mm or about 2.4" except for the last section over the rear suspension which was 2.25" it only cost me 50$ for that short section in 2.5". if yours is a 3.0 TE it would be the same, tho i would bet my left ball mitsubishi did not bother engineering a whole larger exhaust for the 3.5 either.
the cars lately that replaced the stock pipe with new 2.5" pipe also replaced the cat and centre resinator, so to me if there was any gain, it might not be due to the pipe, the other suspects, so since u r looking at cat back only u might get nothing.
and for a deep growl thats not loud u cant go past the Lukey LR 2779 :cool: plus it is known to add 10hp straight off :cool:

gday mate, that firehawk sounds like an interesting little beast! did that use the GM's GenIII 5.7?

as for the exhaust, the system is a metric 60mm (about 2.36") mandrel bent system (and everybody thats been here a while should know this cause its come up before!!!).... its not to bad once you change the rear muffler (good as dog sh!t), this alone will yield 5-10kW (~15hp), changing the rest of the cat back will not be overly helpful unless you plan to do the series of mods to at least a piggyback ecu... like mr_mbquart (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9519) has done...

Well, I was just lying on the ground outside peering under the car, and it looks as you all described it... about 2.4" all the way back until the last portion of pipe, which definitely looks to be 2." So me figures I'll just have that last part replaced for now, and the Magnaflow slapped on, which should be enough for 10kw and some meaty sound... the small outlets on the current muffler are simply embarrasing and unmanly.

As for the firehawk, okay, I try not to think about it too much because my eyes get leaky... not sure what generation the motor was, but it was a Corvette LS1 variant, with some mods thru the tuner group SLP engineering to turn the "regular" WS6 into the large-nostriled WU6... I don't like to bring up other vehicles in this Magna forum, but I will try to post a pic of my ex-ride to satisfy everybody's drool needs...

pics :doubt:

not sure what generation the motor was, but it was a Corvette LS1 variant

LS1 == Gen III in Holden's terminology. It's the same beast as in the locally delivered SS / SV8 / HSV models offering anything from 220kW through to 300kW in factory guise.

LS1 == Gen III in Holden's terminology. It's the same beast as in the locally delivered SS / SV8 / HSV models offering anything from 220kW through to 300kW in factory guise.

hey chtulu, tell an HSV owner their car is "factory" :shock: :mad: and run like F#$ck lol

me> Your HSV is a stock factory model

hsv owner> No way! HSV cars aren't just standard factory machines!

me> Ok, have it your way, it's an SS with a body kit :nutkick:

hsv owner> :tantrum:

Well, I was just lying on the ground outside peering under the car, and it looks as you all described it... about 2.4" all the way back until the last portion of pipe, which definitely looks to be 2." So me figures I'll just have that last part replaced for now, and the Magnaflow slapped on, which should be enough for 10kw and some meaty sound... the small outlets on the current muffler are simply embarrasing and unmanly.

As for the firehawk, okay, I try not to think about it too much because my eyes get leaky... not sure what generation the motor was, but it was a Corvette LS1 variant, with some mods thru the tuner group SLP engineering to turn the "regular" WS6 into the large-nostriled WU6... I don't like to bring up other vehicles in this Magna forum, but I will try to post a pic of my ex-ride to satisfy everybody's drool needs...

wise move for straters, but if u think the factory outlets are unmanly lol on the magna, u should see the McDonalds straw that pokingout under the ass of the V6 commodore ( australias favorite car).. :bowrofl:

Son of Sam. Welcome to AMC.
Get an XForce and forget about these Lukes or what evers. And seriously consider headers.
STD Cat is quite good enuff. Not saying a word about the other piping or I get too much flaming.... already in danger for the Luke-comment....
I have Stainless XForce dump and RPW headers in my 3.0 Auto. Beautiful!
And do proper CAI too. Don't use crumped aircon pipes - kills the airflow.
Cheers.