New build 454 and the wife hates the exhaust smell

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

txaggie

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2024
Posts
109
Reaction score
143
Location
austin texas
First Name
kris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
suburban C20
Engine Size
454
Howdy all!

I recently rebuilt an 85 suburban 454 and stripped the factory exhaust off for a hooker black heart 2.5” x pipe dual system. Well, my lovely wife hates the exhaust smell and I was curious if some high flow cats might cut down on it?

Let me know if anyone has any recommendations! 454 bored .030 over, Holley sniper, long tubes, etc.
 

Tonimus

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2024
Posts
58
Reaction score
102
Location
Phoenix
First Name
Tony
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
C10 Suburban
Engine Size
454
How long have you been running the sniper? Takes a little bit for Holley systems to lean out since fatter is generally safer. You could throw a smaller tune at it as well. Tell the unit it's a 396 or something.
 

txaggie

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2024
Posts
109
Reaction score
143
Location
austin texas
First Name
kris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
suburban C20
Engine Size
454
How long have you been running the sniper? Takes a little bit for Holley systems to lean out since fatter is generally safer. You could throw a smaller tune at it as well. Tell the unit it's a 396 or something.

A few weeks. I was just curious on how much (if any) a high flow cat might cut down on the stink?
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
11,209
Reaction score
17,011
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
It will, and there are threads on the subject if you do some searching
 

DoubleDingo

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2012
Posts
11,209
Reaction score
17,011
Location
Right where I am
First Name
Bagoomba
Truck Year
1981
Truck Model
81-C20 Silverado Camper Special-TH400-4.10s
Engine Size
Carb'ed Vortec 350
Thanks. Do you have a recommendation on any brands?
I don't, but there is plenty of info in the threads. Brand used, placement downstream, etc
 

3 Ton

Junior Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2024
Posts
19
Reaction score
41
Location
Pacific Northwet
First Name
Fred
Truck Year
1978-79 78 body, 79 gearing
Truck Model
K-15 Suburban
Engine Size
350
Let me know if anyone has any recommendations!
Dump the Chinese made Holley crap, some of them work, some do not. Why take the chance.
i had one client that both Mom, Dad, and he installed Holley crap on all 3 trucks. They had to go back to a carb because one would not work right.

BTW I did carburation parts before I retired. Holley went out of business the same time Carter and Rochester were forced out of business. Everything NEW is from China, and its all junk. Any of these names on new carbs are Chinese made. 100%

Where do your tail pipes end up? Blowing exhaust back into he cabin is usually on how far back they go.
You have not stated if its leaking form the pipes OR coming form outside in.
 

txaggie

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2024
Posts
109
Reaction score
143
Location
austin texas
First Name
kris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
suburban C20
Engine Size
454
Dump the Chinese made Holley crap, some of them work, some do not. Why take the chance.
i had one client that both Mom, Dad, and he installed Holley crap on all 3 trucks. They had to go back to a carb because one would not work right.

BTW I did carburation parts before I retired. Holley went out of business the same time Carter and Rochester were forced out of business. Everything NEW is from China, and its all junk. Any of these names on new carbs are Chinese made. 100%

Where do your tail pipes end up? Blowing exhaust back into he cabin is usually on how far back they go.
You have not stated if its leaking form the pipes OR coming form outside in.

Sniper II and it runs perfect thus far. Exhaust exits behind both rear wheels.
Exhaust smell does come in the cabin especially when sitting at a light for a bit. On the highway it is good.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,435
Reaction score
5,557
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
Howdy all!

I recently rebuilt an 85 suburban 454 and stripped the factory exhaust off for a hooker black heart 2.5” x pipe dual system. Well, my lovely wife hates the exhaust smell and I was curious if some high flow cats might cut down on it?

Let me know if anyone has any recommendations! 454 bored .030 over, Holley sniper, long tubes, etc.
The answer is yes, cats will absolutely reduce the smell. I have dual 3" Flowmaster high flow cats on my 2011 Burb and still get a small bit of exhaust smell because they aren't enough for a slightly angry 6.2L. You don't have any need for a high flow cat on your application. Modern federal legal cats are not going to restrict exhaust flow at all and will only be beneficial. I had to use the high flow because the design of the Y-pipe in my application did not have room for regular cats once the long tube headers were put in. A dual exhaust on a squarebody should have plenty of room for regular cats. Do you have headers on it? If so, you can just weld the header flange right on one side of a universal cat. If using regular manifolds you will need to have it worked to get the cats as close to the manifold output flanges as possible.

2 of these are exactly what you need and would even have free shipping. You'd be all-in for less than $200.
https://www.flowmastermufflers.com/...QVSu_YJf5ioXSwX3bXqH3XjtDHGURXY8aAhC4EALw_wcB
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
43,997
Posts
947,475
Members
36,058
Latest member
ncp546
Top