Cheapest LT setup possible?
Cheapest LT setup possible? Just as the thread title says, Im looking for the cheapest true dual set up possible. From what research I have done, I know pacesetters are the best bang for your buck LTs available, and since I live in SC, rust wont be much of a problem. I know I will also need an Y pipe as well-heres what Im clueless on-how does this affect the cat itself? Can I use my stock cat with this setup or does this bypass it completely? Can the stock mufflers be used or would I have to change to 2 others(Flowmaster and SLP Loudmouths seem pretty popular). Also, how much would an average muffler shop charge to do all this for me? Im just looking for a rough estimate. I would be looking for an under the axle set up(from what Ive gathered this is cheaper), and SC does not do emissions testings but I would be fine with keeping cats. Ive browsed through both stickies and maybe I tried to take in too much. 
I payed $468 shipped for Pacesetters and a TSP ORY. Hooked into the stock catback no problem. Was to quiet for me so I threw a 3in cutout into the set up and it wakes the dead now 
from reading your post it might seem your a little more lost then you think....1. you dont need a Y if your looking for a TD setup....2. in SC they will rust i have alot of family there and its humid and it rains.....
alright here ya go.....you can just get the painted pacesetters that will look like crap in a few months...and a custom true dual setup from a shop thats dumped at the axle...this will be your cheapest setup....but it will still probably be around 500-600 dollars...
also ask yourself if you cant afford to do it right, right now, do you really need it....or are you getting envious of others and just wanting something now?....
to many people on here jump into things before they really think them through
alright here ya go.....you can just get the painted pacesetters that will look like crap in a few months...and a custom true dual setup from a shop thats dumped at the axle...this will be your cheapest setup....but it will still probably be around 500-600 dollars...
also ask yourself if you cant afford to do it right, right now, do you really need it....or are you getting envious of others and just wanting something now?....
to many people on here jump into things before they really think them through
also flowmaster is crappy for flow, and the loud mouth sounds really raspy imo on lt's, hooker, or magnaflow is your best bet, so for price hooker will get your vote. but tsp td's is what you want if you want a cheap true dual set up.
as far as a regular set for price alone I would say
tsp y
hooker cat back
pacesetter coated
arp header studs
tr55 plugs
msd wires
set of gm mls gaskets
o2 sensor ext's if you can not solder
price appox 750.00
as far as a regular set for price alone I would say
tsp y
hooker cat back
pacesetter coated
arp header studs
tr55 plugs
msd wires
set of gm mls gaskets
o2 sensor ext's if you can not solder
price appox 750.00
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
I'm pretty cheap so I went with flowtechs, you will not find a cheaper pair of headers unless there is some crazy sale, they also come with the 02 extenders and 3 inch collectors so you can save 20-30 bucks and not buy those when you have TDs made.
Why do you want them out the back? This will cost much more and is not needed? Also if you run under the axle you will have a hard time changing the rear tires casue when you put the jack under the car the exhaust moves up against the axle and pulls it up raising the tire under the wheelwell. I've tryed it on my TA with non welded pipes and it does pulkl the axle up, this is one reason manufactures don't do this from the factory. Alot of guys don't even carry spare tires so this may not be a concern, but its something to think about. For mufflers I went with Thrush cherry bomb straight through mufflers they can be had for less than 20 bucks each and these flow through designs are the best flowing mufflers you can buy. They are much like the race bullit mufflers guys use but are longer and have more muffling material so they are quieter than bullits, but still flow pretty good and very loud at open throttle. Thrush also makes a cheap oval regular muffler that fits right next the trunk and side panels on both sides if you decide to go all the way back. Its a smaller muffler and pretty quiet, and costs around 18 bucks, it fits perfect right up next to the trunk. I have some pictures if your interested.
Why do you want them out the back? This will cost much more and is not needed? Also if you run under the axle you will have a hard time changing the rear tires casue when you put the jack under the car the exhaust moves up against the axle and pulls it up raising the tire under the wheelwell. I've tryed it on my TA with non welded pipes and it does pulkl the axle up, this is one reason manufactures don't do this from the factory. Alot of guys don't even carry spare tires so this may not be a concern, but its something to think about. For mufflers I went with Thrush cherry bomb straight through mufflers they can be had for less than 20 bucks each and these flow through designs are the best flowing mufflers you can buy. They are much like the race bullit mufflers guys use but are longer and have more muffling material so they are quieter than bullits, but still flow pretty good and very loud at open throttle. Thrush also makes a cheap oval regular muffler that fits right next the trunk and side panels on both sides if you decide to go all the way back. Its a smaller muffler and pretty quiet, and costs around 18 bucks, it fits perfect right up next to the trunk. I have some pictures if your interested.
Originally Posted by d james
I'm pretty cheap so I went with flowtechs, you will not find a cheaper pair of headers unless there is some crazy sale, they also come with the 02 extenders and 3 inch collectors so you can save 20-30 bucks and not buy those when you have TDs made.
Why do you want them out the back? This will cost much more and is not needed? Also if you run under the axle you will have a hard time changing the rear tires casue when you put the jack under the car the exhaust moves up against the axle and pulls it up raising the tire under the wheelwell. I've tryed it on my TA with non welded pipes and it does pulkl the axle up, this is one reason manufactures don't do this from the factory. Alot of guys don't even carry spare tires so this may not be a concern, but its something to think about. For mufflers I went with Thrush cherry bomb straight through mufflers they can be had for less than 20 bucks each and these flow through designs are the best flowing mufflers you can buy. They are much like the race bullit mufflers guys use but are longer and have more muffling material so they are quieter than bullits, but still flow pretty good and very loud at open throttle. Thrush also makes a cheap oval regular muffler that fits right next the trunk and side panels on both sides if you decide to go all the way back. Its a smaller muffler and pretty quiet, and costs around 18 bucks, it fits perfect right up next to the trunk. I have some pictures if your interested.
Why do you want them out the back? This will cost much more and is not needed? Also if you run under the axle you will have a hard time changing the rear tires casue when you put the jack under the car the exhaust moves up against the axle and pulls it up raising the tire under the wheelwell. I've tryed it on my TA with non welded pipes and it does pulkl the axle up, this is one reason manufactures don't do this from the factory. Alot of guys don't even carry spare tires so this may not be a concern, but its something to think about. For mufflers I went with Thrush cherry bomb straight through mufflers they can be had for less than 20 bucks each and these flow through designs are the best flowing mufflers you can buy. They are much like the race bullit mufflers guys use but are longer and have more muffling material so they are quieter than bullits, but still flow pretty good and very loud at open throttle. Thrush also makes a cheap oval regular muffler that fits right next the trunk and side panels on both sides if you decide to go all the way back. Its a smaller muffler and pretty quiet, and costs around 18 bucks, it fits perfect right up next to the trunk. I have some pictures if your interested.
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just get the pacesetter headers with the catted y from tsp and get two cut outs and try to fit them on before the cats, theres your nice sound when you want it and you wont be harassed by the police.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: TX
Originally Posted by Whisper
Just as the thread title says, Im looking for the cheapest true dual set up possible. From what research I have done, I know pacesetters are the best bang for your buck LTs available, and since I live in SC, rust wont be much of a problem. I know I will also need an Y pipe
The cheapest true dual exhaust will be pacesetters and TSP dual exhaust.
Most anyone will charge a goodish amount of money 200 bucks or more to install headers on these cars because its a bit of a pain. But the pacesetters install easy. As long as you have a way of getting the car 2.5 feet off the ground (tall jack stands) you should be able to do it yourself.
As far as installing the TSP dual exhaust. No one should charge you more than 50 bucks because its real simple.
Originally Posted by staringback05
do it yourself, learn and save money
I wouldnt mind that-the problem is I do not have a garrage or any kind of lift to work on the car with.
The car is a stock 99 SS with SLP's dual dual option-could I keep some of this setup when using a set of longtubes?(If this prevents 'true duals', I dont mind-my main interest is getting a set of LTs on the car.)
I just bought a set of ceramic coated flowtech LT's off ebay for $180 shipped.1 3/4" and 3" collectors. summit sells the same set for $435. the seller just got a huge promotional offer and they drop ship them from flowtech. I'm going the same route you are w/ custom true duals w/ magnaflows dumped before the axle. You can buy a universal X pipe also
Launching!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Whisper
I wouldnt mind that-the problem is I do not have a garrage or any kind of lift to work on the car with.
The car is a stock 99 SS with SLP's dual dual option-could I keep some of this setup when using a set of longtubes?(If this prevents 'true duals', I dont mind-my main interest is getting a set of LTs on the car.)
The car is a stock 99 SS with SLP's dual dual option-could I keep some of this setup when using a set of longtubes?(If this prevents 'true duals', I dont mind-my main interest is getting a set of LTs on the car.)
......get your stuff drive a couple hours, hold up for the night....and ill show you the outs and ins of installing it....hows that?