Thread: VVL Engine Swap Planning – Questions??

Clean SER. Remember what I said bro. Clean and simple!

And that's the mindset I'm sticking to.

A helluva two cents.


Exactly what I am looking for as well. Which is why I just read this entire thread.

It makes "5 whp" more than the 2.5" catback? OK.

How much more noise (db) will you produce with a 3" exhaust over a 2.5" exhaust? I have the same intentions as Steph in this thread, I ask because I would certainly give up 5 whp for a quiet (2.5") exhaust. Would the resonator(s) and muffler affect the exhaust SPL more than the piping? Ie....A properly built 3" exhaust will be just as quiet as a properly built 2.5" exhaust? Or is 3" piping inherently louder than the 2.5" piping no matter what resonator(s) or muffler utilized?

I am *pretty sure* that Steph does not want a loud-ass, attention generating, exhaust either. When we are talking 180-190+ whp with a VE, I would give up 5 whp to fly beneath the radar.


Are you Rodney, blond short hair, early 20's, did Andrews VE swap in his Maroon Classic Pizza Delivery Mobile? That was uber-clean and simple. I/H/E and 181 whp on the dyno at the Convention, running the SSAC header.

I met so many folks at the Convention, I am having trouble figuring out who is who now that we are back online with our forum names. I must be getting senile.

Yes that was Rodney. Great Guy.

And I can add that a properly designed 3" exhaust is not neccesarily louder than a 2.5" exhaust, until you hit the high lobes. At that point, it is definitely louder.

If you are trying to go VE on a budget, and you have an exhaust that you are happy with, I'd keep it. Like I suggested to Steph, spend the money on cam gears and some dyno time. You'll be much happier with the results.

C'mon Shawn, joint the dark side!!!!

Yeah Shawn thats me. That maroon car was my car for a couple years...
I just bought Jerry Eads VE'd car. The black one that was at the dyno.... The one that looks like yours kinda with stock headlights.

Shawn on a sidenote did you get a tranny??

Shawn the size of the exhaust doesnt really matter... My maroon car had a VRS 2.5 and my black car has a VRS 3.0. The 3 inch is actually least raspy and more crisp with less noise. But it only makes 2whp more. I know it doesnt matter in this thread. But I also know you are going VE in the next year or so. I am just stating it so you will go with a 3 inch.

Thank you sir.

I do not want a noisy, loud-ass exhaust causing extra attention from the general public or the police in particular.


It's coming.

I need some time to financially recover from the '93 Classic Restoration, the Convention, and upon returning to Houston....a 00' B15 LSD tranny with a Stage 3 Clutchkit and an Andreas Miko Tranny Saver Bracket.


OK, so 3" can be reasonably quiet given the right resonator(s) and muffler. On the high-cam (per Joe above...) it will be louder, but that is when you are getting on it.


Jerry sold his Classic?!? Bummer, I know he enjoyed that ride.

He took me for a ride at the Convention, it was quite quick (by my standards) and it only had an I/H/E. Dyno'd at 180 whp.

Well, at least it is in your good hands sir.

Roebling Road probably contributed heavily to the demise of my B13 transmission. It up and died a week later.

My B13 is now sporting:

A) 00' B15 LSD tranny

B) Stage 3 Clutchkit from Greg V

C) Andreas Miko Tranny Saver Bracket.

That is my reSearched solution for replacing my (*insert Pirate mouthed cussing*) B13 transmission entirely. Now my tranny/driveline should stand up to VE power, about as bullet-proof as I can reasonably make it for a daily driver.

Guages, NX2K/Maxima/Altima MC brake upgrade, CSK's...and then...drumroll....VE goodness.

Steph's requirements and this resultant VE thread is dead on track with what I want. Great information and advice, I'm just gonna borrow it. LOL.

For anyone planning on tracking their VE car, I would suggest adding an oil cooler. Using a thread I found on NICO as reference, here are the parts I purchased to set one up for the VE:


You'd also need a Nissport adapter for the oil pressure gauge.

Total cost was around $525.

I echo these sentiments. I should have let you drive my car (while it wasn't ticking) so you could sort of get an idea of what a quiet 3" exhaust is like. The turbo quiets things down even more, but it would have been a decent comparison. Did you see the parts that went into my exhaust? Do you remember what mine sounded like (ignoring the valve ticking)?