Mom and Pop Muffler Shops

[johnnydee3]

Do mom and pop muffler shops usually put in dual exhaust from the cat back or do they put an x-pipe in and do true duals?

 

[techieman33]

Huh? They should do it however you want them to do it, just like any other muffler shop out there. I do like the small muffler shops better though, they usually do the job right. Unlike some of the big chain shops with underpaid techs that just throw the stuff on real quick and don't care about the quality of the job they do.

 

[UKExploder]

They do the work however you tell them to do it.......where you been boy?






1994 Explorer Limited Edition side-exit dual exhaust (good old Cherry Bombs)

 

[Spdrcer34]

regardless of who OWNS the shop, you will have issues trying to pay a business to BREAK A FEDERAL LAW:

You can not modify the NUMBER, or the LOCATION of the catalytic convertor(s) on a vehicle, other than what it was originally manufactured with.

So, even if you were being a GOOD BOY, and did true duals, with 1 catalytic convertor on each pipe, keeping the NUMBER of cat's the same as your X was originally equipped with, you have modified the LOCATION of them.

And if you were to go the route that EVERYONE ELSE would do, and just delete the cats all together, you have modified the NUMBER of cat's....

Either way, you are breaking the law, and NO reputable business would do it...the main reason: EPA (who has jurisdiction on this)fines are in excess of $15,000/incident. And there have been well known 'stings' of 'plain clothes' officials taking a car in, and asking for exactly what you are asking for....they will do the work on the car, and immediatly fine the business $15,000!...it's been well documented that the EPA does not fool around with this stuff.

I am neither FOR or AGAINST the use of catalytic convertors on a modified vehicle.....but if you want to do what you are planning, don't count on a exhaust shop to do the work for you.

Ryan

 

[ghoster]

from personal exprience..they do way better work than other big chain muffler shops

 

[BrooklynBay]

Was the shop recommended by anybody you know? Did you see any of their previous work? What brand are the parts they use? What kind of warranty do they offer?

 

[bjorkmae]

In my experience find a good shop through someones recommendation. If they are good always go there if not don't. I have had lots of exhaust systems replaced or modified by shops before I got a welder/sawzall Prices vary greatly and so does the quality. Find a place where the people who own it actually do the physical work not just the paper work either. They usually do the best. Places without fancy buildings and displays usually are cheaper and use better quality pipe and mufflers and welds.

 

[91exploreron37]

You can still run true duals and leave the stock cats in there original location on newer X's. But on the 91 the only problem with true dual exhuast is where would you put the O2 sensor? you cant just cut the y-pipe and weld on two separate pipes like you can on later model 1st gens.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I once saw an 02 sensor adapter for exhaust systems.

 

[Exploderpilot]

All you have to do is cut open the pipe, and weld in a threaded bung for the 02 sensor.

 

[91exploreron37]

no no no the 91 only has ONE O2 sensor where the 93 and up have two(one for each bank or three cylinders) so if you run true duals on a 91 where would you put the 1 sensor? X-pipe?

 

[Spdrcer34]

Yes, in the X pipe

Ryan

 

[Jason94sport]

There's a really good local place by me. Their rates are a little more then chain stores, but they do great work. And they will do whatever you want. They do the exhaust setups for many 4x4's & cop cars as well.

The law is there, yes, but it's a seldom enforced law. Local policies do outweigh the federal law. For example FL has no emissions testing. So you won't see inspectors going into muffler shops here to check if they are removing converters. That would be dumb & a waste of money & resources.
I also know several good shops in business for 15+ years & they have never had any sort of inspector come in.

 

[jimbo74]

I also know several good shops in business for 15+ years & they have never had any sort of inspector come in.

must be where you live, i live in the bay area in CA and they actually set up quite a few shops often.. the smog we have here is strict

 

[techieman33]

The guy that did my exhaust didn't even bat an eye at my asking him to remove the rear cats, he just wanted to see for himself that there weren't any sensors behind them, after that he didn't care.

 

[91exploreron37]

Yep same here. We dont have any sort of emissions testing. Sucks for you guys in CA.

 

[SkanlaxJMO]

yep no e-check in Michigan either.

 

[Patton]

We don't have an emission check here either. However, if your truck is really loud, the cop will pull you over for "disturbing the public." He will then proceed to look at your exhaust system and if there is a lack of cats or obvious tampering, they'll hammer you. Hard.

 

[Joe Dirt]

yep no e-check in Michigan either.

Thank God- Man I can remember that mess- and I remember the tech putting the wand about 5 feet behind my car on the ground so that my '86 Thunderbird would pass with flying colors- and it was stock. He hated the tests. That stuff is so ridiculous. I remember they had a law that cars over (I think) 15 years old didn't have to get tested- which were the majority of the bad polluters. It was never about pollution, it's only about money. Always was, is, and will be.

 

[BrooklynBay]

They have the "high idle" test here. There is a notice on the wall stating that the shop is "not responsible for any engine damage from the test". Some shops create other types of damage. I have a story about one which cut some wires. I went for an inspection, and the shop messed up the information on the sticker. I told him that I want a new sticker. He wanted me to pay for 2 inspections! I told him that I want a new sticker, and I can't pay for another one since it was his mistake. He was very angry, and said that he will do it, but he has to examine the vehicle again since the machine won't print another sticker without hooking it up to the emissions machine. His mechanic was pulling on some stuff I had under the hood. I went into the shop, and they chased me out due to "insurance regulations not allowing customers into the work area". He said that I may not pass a second time. I was suspicious of this guy. I drove a few blocks, then everything went dead. He cut a few wires under the hood, and left them close to each other. The vibration from driving separated them as I was driving, but they made contact long enough to drive out.