Is a cat. converter standard on a 1976? I have one on mine and it appears the frame is set for true dual exhaust as I see the crossmember has two holes bored for the exhaust pipes to pass through. I have a y-pipe going through the passenger side of the crossmember to the cat. converter and then a y-pipe coming from there to the mufflers and exhaust pipes. Is this a correct setup for 1976's??

76 came from the factory with single exhaust. but you can change to duals by adding an additional cat to comply with emission laws

|UPDATED|6/13/2003 4:14:14 PM|/UPDATED|

Bill, that is the correct set up, as Gary stated, 76 came with "single" exhaust, which splits for dual mufflers. This setup probably flows a little better than a true single exhaust, but was definately cheaper than dual exhaust for GM to install(only 1 coverter, less exhaust pipe per car).

|UPDATED|6/25/2003 7:17:08 PM|/UPDATED|

Check with your state before adding another catalytic converter. In Tennessee if it had only 1 converter when new, you can legally have only 1 now. You can put headers, no mufflers, whatever you want but the converter must be the same number and in the stock location. If you don't have a visual inspection and only a sniffer, then you could probably get away with two. If you don't have an inspection, then you are lucky! Also the state laws make it so that most muffler shops will not install any converters that you bring in (new). I wanted a high flow which my usual shop didn't offer. The only local shop that did wanted $200 for the same thing I mail-ordered for $60. I know they have to make money, but over 300% markup? On my pickup I cut the old one off and hung the new Dynamax converter on with a coat hanger-then they would weld it up because it was already "installed".

the reason for having 1 converter is to get it up to its operating temp as fast as possible. you will notice they try to mount them as close to the manifolds as possiable now. The heat through 2 seperate pipes through 2 seperate converters might get not them up to high enough temp to lower emissions enough, but i'm sure it would breath better. I had the luck to work inside of a cat factory years ago. they coat each ceramic honeycomb with platinum. when we had to open up some equipment for an inspection everything was vacuumed down and the dust filtered to get any platinum dust. they stored the platinum in a 55 gal drum inside of a bullit proof lexan room with 8 cameras aimed at it at all times. the workers are required to take showers after work and the water is filtered for platimum dust after they found some people sprinkling the dust in their hair and then combing it out when they got home.

|UPDATED|7/3/2003 7:04:48 PM|/UPDATED|

To answer your question...yes catalytic converter is standard on your 76 and the cross member is equipped with two holes for dual exhaust...a remnant of times past!

Before installing dual cat converters, I would be careful because these are "tuned" to your particular powertrain and if you do two...you may create excessive heat that will complicate your life.