Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance How To Modify Y Pipe

I spoke with a local muffler shop that specializes in muscle cars (he knew about Cobras
and Lightnings but not SVT Contours) about modifying my y pipe. I don't have the tools
or experience to do the cutting and welding myself. I am searching for detailed
descriptions and photos of the mod proceedure to insure the shop knows what I want
them to do.

I did a search and found Warmonger's web site, but I seem to remember a site that had
a photo of a cutaway of the y pipe that really showed how bad the pipe is. Can someone
with a better memory help me?

Also, without fully understanding the proceedure, they quoted $65 for the mod. Does this
sound reasonable?

65$ to gut the "y" pipe? That isn't TOO bad... considering it takes around 3 hours of work to do it right... It depends on what you value more, your time, or money.

Here is modified Y pipe similar to the SHO design using a dual inlet cat.
.

http://www.ctamotorsports.com/

Go here. Click on "Project Cars" and look for the Contour SE. There are some good pics of the Y-pipe mod about halfway down the page. Basically, you're cutting out some pipe and replacing with a good collector, or you're cutting back parts of the existing pipe and welding them together and cleaning up.

$65 is the best price I've heard for someone else to do this. I looks simple enough, but hey, I can't weld! It'll be money well spent, in my book.

$65 is a really good price as long as they do a good job.

Sloppy welds and burn through would negate a lot of what you are fixing!

I'd ask to look at it (insides) before it goes back on.

I did the same as twowheelin. I actually took that picture to the shop. They did that plus replaced my resonator for $200. I then had to pay anouther 60 for a bigger resonator it was a bit to loud. I know they aren't mandrel bent but the bends are so samll I don't think it lost much in inner diameter. It defenitly feels like it has more power. It seems I gained some low end torque also. Only downside to this set up is it is a bit loud. $65 sounds good to clean up the stock setup though.

$65?!?!?!?! I just paid $100 for a used modified Y-pipe!

Be careful of getting a price quote without them seeing it. I be that price will double once they actually get working on the job. Unless you aren't going to use the original flange and heat shielding. I really wanted to retain all the benefits the stock y-pipe had but get better flow.
Some of the pictures on my page are able to be enlarged. Just click on any picture and see if it goes full screen. This may help if you want to save it or print it.

Why don't you take save and print a picture of the completed product, then go to the shop and have them put it on a lift to see what it looks like so you can get an accurate estimate.

warmonger

Thanks warmonger. I printed the photos and will take them to the shop to make sure they understand what I want done.

Watch out when you go 'non-stock' with that 'Y' pipe...got an engine oil temp gage..!!!