My daily driver is an 82 cutlass cruzer wagon. It now has a 350 sbb and turbo 350 trans, the rear gear is a 225-1. I am looking to up grade the exhaust system in the wagon. The stock 2 in. is junk. So the question is duals or a 3 in. system. I do not have to worry about a converter so that helps. Ideas thoughts? Mark
The exhaust will be of little to help. Try moving to a 15" rear rim with taller tire. A 205/70/15 should just fit. The SBB torque is more than enough to get you going.
tires It has a set of 15,s from a s-10 blazer factory allum. I have 255 60 15 on rear with 235 60 15 on front. The main reason I think the exhaust is holding the car back is several years ago when the sbb was first put in the pipe replaceing the converter fell off. During the drive to the muffler shop the car had more power than after but a lot quieter! Now I am looking to bring the performance up to a tollerable level. But I can not make up my mind! ou: Mark
With a 2.29:1, I think you are not gonna gain much by changing tire diameter. Instead, go to a narrower tire width. Also, tune tune tune! Get the carb running perfectly, tune the ignition to a gnats-behind. If you want to spend money, do a full tune-up (spark plugs, wires, coil, module, etc.) and maybe even throw on an MSD 6A. Make sure your fuel filter is clean. Run the hottest thermostat your car will tolerate (i.e. 195 degrees)- this may require some playing with the timing because a hotter engine, although more efficient (generally), will also be more prone to preignition. If you have changed to a colder heat-range spark plug for some reason, switch back to a hotter plug. If you do mostly around-town driving, then a 2.29 is the wrong gear. A 2.29 is perfect if you a lot of highway driving, however. I have a 2.56, but I spend most of my time between 75 and 85 MPH. If you do in-town driving, then a 3-series gear will help you accellerate more efficiently. Just some thoughts. -Bob Cunningham
the 350 in my wagon is out of a 79 lesabre when I put it in it received a new timing chain and oil pump and front cover. Most of the wp bolts were rusted into the cover. I am running a 650 eldebrock carb and the stock hei. I am sure i can get more out of the tune but I am wanting to get the major parts inplace first. I am looking to change the rear end to a 308 with posi soon. I also have a 2004r that will find its way into this car after tthe rear end. The majority of my miles are highway, in fact in the suburban I can hit the cruise control at the highway and stay on it for 40 miles till I hit my exit. So which is better 2 1/2 duals or single 3 pipes? Mark I will post pics when I get them back on this car!
do a 2.5 inch dual system with x pipe incorporated somewhere between the manifolds and mufflers. Use walker/dynomax super turbo mufflers. This is a quiet and efficient setup that wont cost too much and will outperform a lot. The x pipe will add an extra scavenging and balancing effect on the exhaust gasses that may result in better mileage if the carburetor is retuned to take advantage.
Thanks for the info! Most of the walkers I have seen including the ones on my 72 have a very large case, and I am wondering about space under this wagon. Anyone have part numbers or a web site for walker? I plan on putting pics of this wagon up as soon as they are scaned and on disc. Thanks Mark
