What happened to all the Y pipe topics?

[DeathtoRice]

I have been trying to find all the old topics on Y pipes for s10s, but I can't find them. I remember hearing something about SLP having one for the F bodies that would fit, but can't find any info. Is that the only company that has one? Its the 4.3x, reg cab, short bed 5 spd.

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

I don't know what happened to the y-pipe topics either, but having a similar setup (4.3L/5-speed), I looked into the SLP y-pipe. I decided against it due to the fact that it will only fit with some modification -- the cooling fins on the transmission need to have a channel ground into them to allow the pipe to fit. Seeing how that is PERMANENT alteration of the transmission that could potentially be detrimental to the trans itself, I decided against it (grinding cooling fins is never a really good idea).

But, aside from that, it'll work if you want to go that route.

However, there IS another option. . . If you don't already have headers, you could look into the Edelbrock TES -- the set includes both the headers AND the y-pipe. That is the route I chose, and am very happy with them. Side note, however: get them coated before you install them -- it'll allow the headers and y-pipe to last a lot longer, and will keep under hood temps down.

[DeathtoRice]

How much harder is it to get at the plugs with the headers? Just like a typical small block w/ headers?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Couldn't say. . . I pull the front tires off and go through the inner fenders to change plugs.

[joker2040]

Couldn't say. . . I pull the front tires off and go through the inner fenders to change plugs.

So how long does it take to change lil' ol' number 5 plug? just curious...

I hate that one... oh and changing that wire too... hmm... no comment

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

So how long does it take to change lil' ol' number 5 plug? just curious...

I hate that one... oh and changing that wire too... hmm... no comment
Number 5 or number 3? Number 5 is easy if you go through the wheel well. Number 3, however, is a bit of a pain -- I need to take the steering shaft loose to fit the socket in there.

All told, the extra 30 minutes to jack it up and remove the wheels saves a LOT of cussing and knuckle busting in the long run (and cussing and knuckle busting take more time -- if I nail my knuckles hard enough I need to stop and walk away for a bit, otherwise things get REALLY ugly).

[joker2040]

yeah 3 is very bad too... i don't like the driver's side at all... AND those clips that hold the plug wires up off the valve covers and header.... yeah, they are evil

[DeathtoRice]

Hmm. I will leave the manifolds on so I can pay a shop to change them for me. LOL. I'll just shop around and see if a local exhaust place can make me one. If not I will just have a new piece of pipe welded in to replaced the crushed section. Thats all I'm worried about anyway.

[mrselfdestruct]

S/C ZQ8, question. How much less ground clearance does the aftermarket Y pipe give you vs the old one? I'm asking because as of right now my 5" drop has left my current Y pipe dented, and though I'm going to be bringing it back up another inch or so, I'm trying to avoid damaging a nicely jet hot coated Y pipe.

oh, and if you don't mind, where did you pick them up?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

S/C ZQ8, question. How much less ground clearance does the aftermarket Y pipe give you vs the old one? I'm asking because as of right now my 5" drop has left my current Y pipe dented, and though I'm going to be bringing it back up another inch or so, I'm trying to avoid damaging a nicely jet hot coated Y pipe.

oh, and if you don't mind, where did you pick them up?
For starters, I've got the ZQ8 suspension and then an additional 2" drop -- just to give you an accurate idea of how it sits.

When sitting on level ground I've got about 4-5" of clearance. I've never had a problem with the y-pipe itself scraping, but the clamp used to hold it together has hit a couple times (I had the bolt ends of the clmap on the bottom -- couldn't install it any other way really). I've since re-adjusted it, so it doesn't present a problem any longer -- my factory airdam scrapes more that the y-pipe does.

I picked the headers/y-pipe combination up at Jeg's -- ran $350 + tax -- and then ceramic coating on top of that (about $275). you can also pick them up at Summit for about the same price. The only minor problem I see is that Edelbrock's part numbers for fitment end at the 1998 model year. But, as long as you don't have air injection, the 1998 set fits all the years beyond that.

[mrselfdestruct]

yeah, i don't have any AIR on my 2k3. straight headers! I'm guess you sent the pipes off to a separate place to get coated then... for the clamp you're talking about, could this area be welded, or is a seam that connects the system to the stock pipe? or is it just a two piece design?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

The clamp is directly under the transmission -- the y-pipe is a two-piece design. It could be welded, but I would think that would damage the coating (if you opt to have them coated, which I recommend). The set comes with the 4 main pieces and the necessary hardware: 2 headers and 2 y-pipe sections. And you probably don't want to weld it until you start installing -- for fitment and clearance matters.

[ZR1-S10]

Can you get some pics for us?

[Supercharged-ZQ8]

Can you get some pics for us?
I'd be glad to. Right now the truck is at a shop getting the rest of the suspension bushings done -- but as soon as I get it back I'll snap a couple pics.

[bgs]

This y-pipe thing is a real pain. I know Edelbrock makes a y-pipe for lowered rides like
the 4.3 but it's for the full size rides, I think 88-93. As far as having a dropped ride
and a bent up y-pipe, I don't know why a pc like this couldn't be weled in place..
http://www.spintechmufflers.com/spintech/images/accessories7/clear.jpg

Or even go oval across the tranny, like this..
http://www.spintechmufflers.com/spintech/showpics.asp?cat=1

Spintech makes all kinds of transistions and also have other exhaust parts..

Here's Edie's dropped y-pipe. I just wonder if I could get one to fit on my ST..
If it'd work, all one would have to do is weld in bungs for late rides
o2 sensors and maybe weld in a flange for the cat..Be nice if it'd work.
http://www.edelbrock.com/automotive/tes_accessories.html

Even JBA makes a y-pipe for the 4.3, but once again for the full size.
However if it did come with this junction and band band clamp, it might
be worth it to try. Century has em at 154 or so, but the pic comes
from Truck Performance. They make em for auto's and man's..I
wonder if they'd fit ??? :confused: Like I says, what a pain !
http://www.truckperformance.com/products/?productID=636013

[mrselfdestruct]

I totally had this all typed out and ready to go, until I closed my browser. doh!

Anyway. I found a picture of the Edelbrock setup that S/C ZQ8 was talking about, moreso the clamp that I couldn't picture in my head. Here it is, it clears things up quite a bit.
http://www.sicgmtrucks.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=917&stc=1

Notice the tranny looks different. anyone say T56?

BTW, this picture came from a site that contains a beeeaaauuutiful LT1 swap.
Jaw dropping, drool inducing to be exact.

www.slammed98gmc.com Check it out if you havn't seen it. It'll make you want to do one!