I need to replace exhaust system on my 89 pickup. Would I be best advised to take it to a muffler shop or can I order parts online and install myself? Can i get rid of cat if my state does not have emissions.

Thanks, Shane

 

most likely you can buy a system on line cheaper than having a shop do it. Beware Midas as they are higher than hell.

If you are going to have the truck a LONG time you could look for stainless pipes and have a shop bend them up. Cost more up front but will last a LONG time.

When my pipes go that's what I'm going to do. Hard part is finding a stainless muffler as I want to keep it sounding like stock.

 

For me it was easier to just take it to a shop and have them redo my exhaust after i had my CAT stolen last year. Sure, I could have bought all the parts to upgrade the system myself but just in time alone it was worth it to pay someone else -- just 2hrs for a complete exhuast for $500. I did have to call about a dozen shops though to find this deal as most wanted at least $700.

I chose to keep my CAT because I believe in keeping them is a GOOD thing, especially when the aftermarket CATs these days are straight-through design and don't restrict anything like the stock one does. I also skipped a header and went with 2" ID from halfway up the downpipe to the CAT, then followed out by 2.25" with a turbo muffler. Power increased but the sound didn't much aside from deepening, which was great for me

 

$500 ouch, DIY at that price....see Walker cat backs for about $120 on ebay, make sure they are for 4wd and your wheel base you may need some hangers extra...

 

Some people figure there time has no value and when figuring in prices never figure in any labor.

I fail to understand that concept but as long as it works for you.

If you have the tools and the place it is not to bad .

Are you replacing the whole system .

Ordering exhaust in the mail who pays the return shipping when it is the wrong part .

Or a mixed system with a 4" gap between two different designs. Both being correct.

 

labor was my biggest issue. i'd only do it myself if i needed mandrel bends or something like that.
my $500 exhaust included a brand new CA legal CAT (almost $300 by itself), a Magnaflow muffler, o2 sensor bungs welded in, new hangers, and was 2 sizes of pipe going all the way up near the "Y" of the downpipe. he also kept it high-clearance for me in case i change up my crossmember in the future.

there is no way I could do all that in under 2hrs and keep all my welds from looking like chewed bubblegum.

for online parts, the only stuff i could find is either a stock exhaust size or pricey aftermarket (like an LCE)

 

The OP wasn't specific to his needs. A 22RE stock will be WAY cheaper, and a stock exhaust it doesn't take much ability to install. Custom on the other hand....

 

I know quite a few who would be unable to install an exhaust system.

 

It would not cost much at all to just take it to a shop and have them to do it. Just need to price around for a good shop. Being an 89 it will run fine with out the catalytic converter. If you have a California Emissions truck and if it has an O2 sensor behind the cat it might could be a problem.

Under the hood (if it is still there) there is a label on the passenger side that will say Fed Emiss or Cali Emiss. is how you will know.

 

yeah guess you got me on that one.......forgot some people have 5 thumbs on each hand..

 

speaking of cali vs fed trucks. I have a cali truck. could i put in a fed ecm. so I dont have to run a 2nd o2? and no I dont live in cali. I have no clue how the cali truck got to iowa.