1988 328GTS upgrading to Tubi & sport Cat

Hi. Today I started the job. It took me around 3 hours to dismount the OEM muffler and Cat.

I first took the muffler. Just removed 4 side nuts and didn’t removed the springs things.
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Then the Cat. It was fairly easy. I used this previously on the nuts.

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While in here I noticed the manifold to intermediate seals look kind of rusted.

Should I replace these seals while I’m here? or leave them alone they last forever.

I only have new seals for the cat and muffler. And I assume these are different size. Can anyone help me with the size?

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If anyone has a question about this job or needs a picture of something in here, ask now.

I’ll resume tomorrow as I have to get a new sensor

 

Should I replace the seals between the manifold and intermediate ?
Or leave them alone?

I assume they are old and kind of melted into it and I should not worry. But ….

 

If your new muffler tips are in the right place, I wouldn't worry about replacing them -- they don't seem to be leaking. Often when fitting a new/different muffler, it is necessary to loosen all of the joints in the exhaust system, get the muffler tips in the right place, and then retighten all the joints (adjusting these "ball and socket" joints is what gives the freedom of motion to get the muffler tips in the right place regardless of the tolerance/differences of the parts -- not all headers are exactly the same either).

 

Makes sense. Thank you.
I’ll present the new parts and then evaluate.

I hate to think I have ordered the parts needed and then find something else is required and have to wait so much time for the parts to arrive.

 

I recently replaced the stock muffler on my '89 with a Tubi ("rumore" louder version), but I didn't do the work myself. In my case, the Tubi was LESS loud than stock, but a deeper tone. No idea why the Tubi isn't as loud as stock, but maybe they get louder with time. I retained the stock cat and just replaced the muffler alone. FWIW.

 

The sintered doughnut flange seals "crush" into place. If I'm replacing the entire system I'll use new seals, can't guarantee it won't leak by using the old ones that have previously been "crushed" into place.

Spot on with setting the exhaust then tightening the bolts. I cheat and will use the trans stand to hold the muffler in "floating" place.

 

?! sorry but are you sure that the previous exhaust was the original ?

I do not "know" many US car with Tubi but be sure that there is a real difference on Euro car

 

I'm using new donuts on the parts i am replacing. Intermediate to cat and cat to muffler.
There are two donuts from manifold to intermediate; front and rear manifold. - these are the ones im asking if i should replace. Im not touching intermediate.

 

Yes, those in the pictures are the OEM muffler and CAT for the US version 328GTS (1988).
The euro version (except for Swiss IIRC) dont have a CAT and has two connecting sides.


In fact my next post will show more information on the subject.... :cry

 

Today I installed the sport Cat and was ready to install the TUBI, which I had in the box for a couple of months ….. only to find that they sent me the incorrect muffler. They sent me the EURO version for catless cars with two connecting ends.

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this should be the correct tubi x my car ...

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they sent me the Euro
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Now I hate myself for not opening and confirming earlier, when I received the box!
I'll need to return this one and wait some time for the correct part ... Hate it. The seller at Vivid Racing had ONE JOB!!! I look into the various emails to confirm I ordered the correct one and I did, it was their mistake. I hope they do the correct thing and replace it.

 

Ahh, then no you're good.

 

Son of a *****!
I hate that!
Mufflers for the 308/328 can be a real pita to be fair. Between US/Europe and production run time lines there's plenty of confusion. But yeah, unless you've got a European 328 it's a single pipe muffler. You can convert to dual if wanted, but that's more parts and money...as always.

 

I considered that, but yes, its too much money.
My main objective is to get rid of the thermoonuclear reactor (CAT heat) & weight. so ill stick to this only .... for the moment.

 

Put the K & N filter in , and your car will really wake up, I have a Tubi and a Larini test pipe, motor runs cooler , nice sound . The tech who worked on my suspension said my car with 100 K miles ran better than a 328 with 6k miles on it, that was in his shop.

Thank you

 

@Tubi Sales .. will need your help please

 

Does the sport cat run that much cooler to make a big difference? The exhaust is insanely hot on these cars.

 

Yes, absolutely certain it is original. There are no signs it was modified either. But for some reason the new Tubi is not as loud as the original. I can't imagine why not. It does sound better, but a few decibels quieter than original.

 

Yes. Big difference to the OEM.

 

On my 89, the Tubi was clearly louder than stock right out of the box , using the Larini test pipe, the exhaust became even louder, and the engine compartment became a lot cooler .

Thank y