Exhaust sourcing

[Scout1067]

I have an 81 CJ with the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l in it. I am in the middle of sourcing and getting parts to rebuild the exhaust from the manifold back. My current exhaust does not have a cat on it and therein lies my issue. when I search the net for parts all I can find for a front pipe is for the 82 and newer systems that had a cat on them. Either I am looking for the wrong part or it is not made anymore. I have checked all the usual places, NAPA, JC Whitney, Quadratec, Morris, etc and all seem to only offer the front pipe that goes to the cat.

Does anybody know where to get the front pipe for the non-cat system or should I just go ahead and add a cat to my exhaust? I wasn't planning on putting a cat on because of the cost and it is not required since it was originally a non-cat system but if I cant get the right parts well...

Incidentally, I am putting a flowmaster super 44 muffler on.

 

[caveman]

I have a local garage that custom makes exhaust systems. Yo may be able to find one in your area.

Sent from my LG-LS777 using Tapatalk

 

[mtnwhlr]

Just get one for a earlier model before the used a cat.

 

[Scout1067]

Just get one for a earlier model before the used a cat.

I have the earlier pre-cat model Jeep. My problem is I can't seem to find anyone who still manufactures and/or sells the pre-cat front pipe. I am VERY hesitant about getting one from a junkyard. If worse comes to worse I will buy the post-cat pipe and have my local shop fab up the pipe extension I need to make up for the lack of cat. The manifold didn't change so the newer pipe should fit, it will just be short.

I emailed both Walker and Bosal but neither has answered me yet. I think I am going to try calling Nickson too as they make the pipe adapter I need to go from the Flowmaster 2.5" to the standard pipe 2".

I really don't want to have to pay an exhaust shop here in Germany to fab up pipes. That can get stupid expensive super fast.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Go to an exhaust shop, and have them custom make/bend the pipe for you.
LG

 

[Scout1067]

I am starting to think my Jeep originally had a cat on it and at some point a PO took it off and put on a straight muffler system. I looked up under it today and there is an empty hanger mounted to the body that is right about where I would put the hanger for a cat. It also has some whacked out hangers for the current muffle that look like they were cut off a VW or BMW and kludged to fit. This bears some thinking and a talk with my muffler guy.

 

[jp360cj]

I am starting to think my Jeep originally had a cat on it and at some point a PO took it off and put on a straight muffler system.

Yep. I believe by '81 all CJs had a catalytic converter. If you aren't going to run a cat, then either just get the front pipe for a cat and just use another piece of pipe where the cat would be, or just take it to an exhaust shop (or DIY). Not sure about for the I6, but from the reviews of the replacement V8 Y pipes available, I think you'll be more satisfied with a muffler shop fix.

 

[Scout1067]

Yep. I believe by '81 all CJs had a catalytic converter. If you aren't going to run a cat, then either just get the front pipe for a cat and just use another piece of pipe where the cat would be, or just take it to an exhaust shop (or DIY). Not sure about for the I6, but from the reviews of the replacement V8 Y pipes available, I think you'll be more satisfied with a muffler shop fix.

What I am doing is sourcing the parts and then when I get everything together I am going to take it to my local guy to put together. I can just get parts from the States cheaper than over here even after I pay shipping. Plus, there are some outfits (Autozone for one) that ship to military APO addresses and don't charge shipping at all. All it really takes is a little planning and accounting for shipping time. That's one of the reasons I have a little PLL box with spare parts in it like oil filters, spare belts, coil, distributor etc.

I guess I spent too long in the army. I definitely have the "one is none" mentality.

 

[jp360cj]

My point was don't really need the pipe specific for the CJ..Have you checked on the price for just dropping the Jeep off and having the local make the pipe? It looks like a simple pipe with just 2 bends in it.

 

[Scout1067]

My point was don't really need the pipe specific for the CJ..Have you checked on the price for just dropping the Jeep off and having the local make the pipe? It looks like a simple pipe with just 2 bends in it.

I wish it were that simple over here. I have taken to two different muffler shops and both gave me a line about because it is an American vehicle and old it will have to be custom done then gave me cost estimates of over $2k. The icing in the cake is both tried to convince me that I have to convert to EFI and put modern smog control on as well.

While if I source the parts myself and then have them installed I am looking at less than $750

 

[jp360cj]

I wish it were that simple over here. I have taken to two different muffler shops and both gave me a line about because it is an American vehicle and old it will have to be custom done then gave me cost estimates of over $2k. The icing in the cake is both tried to convince me that I have to convert to EFI and put modern smog control on as well.

While if I source the parts myself and then have them installed I am looking at less than $750

Holy ! never would have imagined that. If someone can you a measurement on the length of the cat you can just get a piece of pipe to cover that section.

 

[Kane]

I wish it were that simple over here. I have taken to two different muffler shops and both gave me a line about because it is an American vehicle and old it will have to be custom done then gave me cost estimates of over $2k. The icing in the cake is both tried to convince me that I have to convert to EFI and put modern smog control on as well.

While if I source the parts myself and then have them installed I am looking at less than $750

That's completely crazy. I bought a Flowmaster build it kit from Summit racing and fabbed my entire exhaust for about $250 including a new Dynomax turbo muffler.

 

[Scout1067]

Holy ! never would have imagined that. If someone can you a measurement on the length of the cat you can just get a piece of pipe to cover that section.

That's completely crazy. I bought a Flowmaster build it kit from Summit racing and fabbed my entire exhaust for about $250 including a new Dynomax turbo muffler.

That's nothing. They get you all around over here. Motor oil alone goes for $15-$20 a quart with gear oil running around $25 a quart. They do some crazy stuff for services too. They wanted to change the brake fluid on my wife's car for the 15,000km services and charge me over $100 for it. German car shops are not used to the average person having a clue about cars so they rake everybody over the coals even worse than dealerships do in the States.