Hey what up everyone?

Just bought myself a '93Z A4 and I absolutely love it! My boy has a '96GT that I used to think was fast.... Anyway I have been searching the boards for days and have gathering alot of information. I am getting ready for CAI (probably Lingefelter) and GMMG catback. I want some hooker LT's but from what I understand the O2 sensors on the 93 are completely different. If anyone has any info on a 93 install I would appreciate, like should I attempt it, good price if I don't, what else I would need, do I have to jack engine up with A4, etc. The local shop in Gainesville, FL wants 700-900 JUST for the install, and that doesn't fit into my college budget.

Also if I am understanding correctly if I go with LT's do they connect directly to the catback? Or does another pipe go between the LT header and the catback exhaust. Sorry for the stupid questions, but I am completely new to the LT1.

Thanks guys!

 

Also forgot to ask what you guys think CAI,LT's, and GMMG will add at wheels on otherwise stock Z.

Thanks!

 

40 rear wheel horsepower for the three. maybe a tad more. LT headers aren't fun, but I'm sure you could solicit some help from the tally guys and save the install $.

http://www.tallahasseemusclecar.com/forum/index.php

 

headers bolt directly to the engine block.. a "cat back" exhaust system is designed to bolt up to the stock exhaust system directly after the catalytic converter(s) (93's have only one I believe).

Let me explain this differently, our exhaust systems can be thought of as consisting of three pieces.
1. headers/stock exhaust manifolds (bolt directly to the engine's exhaust ports)
2. Y pipe (connects to the headers/stock manifolds on each side and brings them together into a single pipe under the car - thus it resembles a big Y - the cat(s) are found here.
3. Catback system bolts up to the y pipe setup.

Obviously, if you install headers then the stock y pipe may not fit/connect with the headers and you have a problem. So you can either buy headers that work (I think most shorty style headers will work) or you can buy a prefabricated y pipe that will work (mufflex makes one but many complain about fit/quality) or you can take the car to a muffler shop and have them make you one (best bet IMO)

Now, if you do headers you have to ask yourself "shorties or longtubes?" I went with hooker longtubes because I only wanted to do the hideous job once and do it right - longtubes are a royal b!tch to install, cost more, don't fit with the stock y pipe, but sound better IMO, and definately make more power. Personally, I think if you go throught the trouble of installing headers (short or long) you definately need to upgrade the rest of the exhaust to get the full benefit (this means scraping the stock Y pipe so you see why I don't think it matters if the headers are compatible with the stock Y pipe).

Now as for catbacks that's a whole can of worms.. me I fabbed up a 3" true dual system (no mufflers, no cats - I too live in FL ) It's quite loud, sometime I may get around to toning it down some. You could also go with a cutout or even an electric cutout.. there are a lot of options to consider.. when all is said and done you're looking at a wad of cash to get the whole exhaust done right even if you do it yourself.. I speak from experience.

I should mention that I'm no expert and it's been a long time since I saw the stock exhaust setup (and mine was different from yours anyway) so my advice could be a little off. Oh, and do a search if you want to learn more about the shorty vs. longtube debate or even get opinions on the sound & performance of different setups.. there's a wealth of information here.

 

if your looking for an ez install go with shorties if u want more power and a pain in the A$$ install go with lts im selling mine soon to get lts. 93 are singal cat too. that just my .02