exhaust pipes and mufflers

Why not use the old pipes from the collector flange to the old mufflers as a pattern for your muffler shop man? Pipe bending is an artform, and I've seen only a few guys who are artistic at it, incidentally, they are into dirt track racing big-time and know everyone in the muffler/welding/machine shop businesses in my town, so you may want to go to the races sometime soon and ask questions or get referrals....

If you give up and get new exhaust systems, you can go with the Big Bore package or just the mufflers if the flange sizes are compatable. There are no original ANSA mufflers/exhaust assemblies available new. The only thing available are the GTS headers or exhaust assemblies or the GTS package. The diameter is larger than the original. It's my understanding that even new exhaust systems from the Pantera vendors sometimes require fitting from a muffler shop.

I run Headman headers with three chamber flowmasters. I had the tubes built from the collector back at the shop while on the car. The flowmasters needed to have one corner cut to clear the tires. They are a little loud too but you can put a tube about 7 inchs long down one side of the muffler to drop the sound some. Make sure the tips are back far enough so you don't melt anything. The person that did the work has a Pantera. It takes patience, but it can be done.

[This message has been edited by Terry M (edited 08-21-2003).]

Hedman used to build headers for Fred Matsumoto-Mind-Train based on an earlier design. When PI Motorsports purchased the rights, jigs and Fred's design input for the new and improved headers, well, lets just say, the old ones are not at all like the new ones that Hedman continues to create. The 'Big Throats that PI Motorsports sells will fit your car. Further proof of the superiority of these pipes is the fact that two other Pantera vendors purchased sets from PIM and then copied them to sell under their own name! Get the real thing next time. http://www.pim.net/hpage.html Dave

There is a quiet "whisper" out there that sugsests that the Hall headers were made in bulk, and never quite right from the start. If this "whisper" is true that would account for part of your problem. From the collector to the tailpipe/muffler the best vendor supplied system may have to be tweaked to get proper fit and the correct mufler angle/spacing. Your problem will be that the car must be on a "drive on" lift for this to be done, and you will have to find a person with skill to do the bending of vendor supplied of scratch made pipes. I personally know of a vendor supplied, complete stainless steel system that had to be tweaked considerably to fit. IMHO this is the largest deficiency in parts supply.

I totally agree!! my car is also very low to the ground and not much room. I am fortunate that my pipes from the headers back and muffer are still in good shape so I am just coating them and making a few minor adjustments. But it's crazy that when you spend $ 1,500.00 or more for a new system then have to have them modified again to fit properly and then spend more money. All of us will be in bad shape soon. Most vendors have a small selection or just headers and no pipe and muffler solution.

I hope that most Pantera owners understand that there is NO two Pantera's deminsionally alike. in one case I've a 1/2" difference between 3 Pantera's that where brand new at the dealer for alignments. I think the vendors are doing a great job for the Pantera owners and we need to consider them in our decision process when we need parts.