Looking to Straight pipe. How should I do this?

[Ace2600]

Got my 83' SX/4. Hoping to have it on the road by the end of the month. Need to do exhaust. Im looking to just straight pipe, no Cat, no Muffler. Is it possible that I can just take it to an exhaust shop and have them do it for me? What should I be thinking about? and what problems am I not foreseeing?

[eaglefreek]

Most reputable shops won't install an exhaust without cats. Why do you want to run "straight pipes"? It will sound horrible in my opinion.

[Ace2600]

I had a buddy take his Truck into a nearby muffler man and they straight piped it for around 75 USD. I wish I had a more compelling argument for why I want to straight pipe, but to be quite frank all I can say is I like the sound of straight engines. Especially the 258 Inline. I love the rumble. I was asking I guess just how complicated the exhaust on these cars actually are, and could I get a shop to do it?

[mudkicker715]

Most shops will not do that. The car needs a cat per fed laws so unless they are business to lose there business. They have to put a cat on.

[Ace2600]

Local law states that once my vehicle is counted as a "classic" Its possible to negate the cat and most emissions control. I don't have to pass emissions. I'm still trying to understand the relative difficulty of the exaust system.

[mudkicker715]

Federal law says the cat must stay. So most shops will not do what you want.

[AMC1]

I'll probably be able to contribute to this thread soon since I need a complete exhaust system. I've always done my own work but of course can't get the OTC parts anymore. I don't believe a shop will be able to make accurate parts from my old parts if I bring them in which I would prefer. They will need the car but it has been my impression that a shop will replace what is on the car that you bring to them. Mine are not factory stock. A shop will not remove a Cat. for you but if there isn't one there they can replace what is there. I've been that route before but I'll soon find out again and/or possibly check out a few shops.

[RallyEagle]

I too will find this out soon. No cats installed now on the v8. It needs a complete exhaust system so off it will go to a custom shop and I'll find out what they can and can not do.

Follow up...  One shop said since if it is a race car and no plates, then the exhaust can be whatever the owner wants.  If plated, then they have to follow the rules for the year, make and model.  Another shop said similar story.  So around here, if the car is suppose to have a CAT, then a CAT has to be there or they place one in.

[Ace2600]

Well, I talked to a close family friend, and they say they can get it done for me. Thanks for the feedback!

[jeanajavelin]

I too have to do exhaust on my 85 Eagle and would like to omit the CAT.  1st time for me to have such work done  on a classic and not sure if the CAT has to stay on.  I did take it to shop and left it. Told them want to not have the CAT and replace the muffler.  Shop guys did not object or tell me otherwise. Could it be since it is a classic and no emission is required? The car is going to be road driven. I have other AMC and some older with no CAT?

[rmick]

Depends on state laws and if you have emission inspections . I believe if it came with a cat the muffler shop is not supposed to remove it. Depends on the shop if they want to remove it.

[Taylor]

I believe it is a violation of federal law to remove a functional catalytic converter. I also think if it has failed it must be replaced. There are companies that manufacturer performance cats. That might be your best option.
Was a complete exhaust replacement part of the plan?