Thanks for all the input below !

Looks like I'll follow KLR142's advice and buy the st.st. system ready made. I'll check out diameter and mandrel bend issue and let y'all know.

Why is there one pipe listed for 140 -1973 and another one listed for 1974? Is this because 1974 was the FI B20F and has a different exhaust manifold? Wasn't the FI B20E available in '72-73?

Reason I ask is that I want to get a stock B20E or B20F exhaust manifold for the front end of my system. (I don't want the B20B manifold with the intake heater business, and I've had really poor luck with two different headers -both I think were from IPD.)

When I go to procure the FI-type exhaust manifold for my 70 145S B20B, what years and/or engine types should I be asking for? I also hope to avoid EGR fittings and don't know if these were ever part of the B20 family exhaust systems.

Much appreciate all your help !

Later, Al

I had a Stebro on my 1800 and it was good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2495415711&fromMakeTrack=true
--
'74 145e T-5 'Orange Alert'

the '74-5 exhaust manifolds have EGR fittings. At least the 3 that passed thru my hands did.

On my '73, the fitting is in the downpipe. You can't buy this downpipe without a fitting anymore. One less part to stock.

It comes with a plug installed if you don't have EGR.
--
'73 142, '75 242, '75 245, '80 245, '83 244, '86 244, '87 745T, 92 244 (for sale)

Another difference between the 73 and 74 besides what Evan said is at the tail end. On the 74, the gas tank was repositioned closer to the axle, and therefore the exhaust was rerouted to go behind the gas tank. If you look under the rear of the 74, you'll see the rear muffler, just like on the 200 series. If you look under the 73, you'll be looking at the gas tank. The muffler is in front of the gas tank. Just found that out recently when I was looking under the Yellow Peril!
--
and the bricks keep on rolling....

Swedish treasures wrote me back that their St.St. exhaust is all stock diameter and components (includes pre and post mufflers). They didn't say if bends were mandrel. Also said that B20E manifolds are prefered.

So now I'm thinking I'll line up a B20E exhaust manifold, and get a custom made carbon steel pipe 2-1/4" or 2-1/2" dia. with mandrel bends. The st.st. seems like a nice idea but pretty pricey and since I do live in Calif. corrosion is not so much a problem. Probably cost around $400-$500 installed.

I'm partial to Flowmaster mufflers which I believe flow well, and I know they sound good.

Later,
Al

Personally, I really don't like the way flowmasters sound too much. Especially on 4 cyl engines... I know of one that was installed in a Datsun 510 with a '91 240SX 2.4L DOHC four in it, and i can't stand it. I can't really describe it, I just know that i hate it. It isn't the stupid high pitched "rice" tone, but it just doesn't work for me, it sounds bad IMO. I like the tone that Magnaflow straight through perforated core mufflers give. And on a pushrod b20 I'm sure they'd sound awesome. Here's Magnaflow sounds that are using straight through perforated core mufflers, and here's my car on the dyno, with a full Skandix 2" mandrel bent system with perforated core straight through mufflers that I bought off of ebay for a measly $185 or so.

That's how I fell about it, and some sound clips to let you listen too.

And here's flowmaster's sounds page. The ones on there, of the four cylinder cars, don't sound too bad, but I know that some of them do. The flowmaster sound isn't to my taste, that's all. I guess it isn't really a bad sound or anything. And then i have a built in bias because most of their mufflers aren't straight through... =D
--
Kyle - '68 Volvo 142 w/71 b20b and m40...

I'll have to get me to a PC with speakers to check out the sounds from the links that Kyle posted.

Currently on my '74 Datsun 260Z I've got a ported (and a little polished) stock manifold that opens into a 2-1/2" mandrel st.st. exhaust. Not sure what the muffler is. Its cylindrical. Seems to be some sort of stainless. Maybe Dynomax? Sounds great. Got a big performance boost when I changed from 2-1/4" non-mandrel bent exhaust with a Flowmaster. That sounded good too, and I mostly attributed the performance difference to the nasty kinks from the non-mandrel bends. Before I swapped pipes I upgraded to a medium street cam. It really woke up with the improved exhaust.

Next to the Z the Volvo 145 needs all the help it can get. Improved exhaust system should help. Then if I save up, I'll build an engine with the "torque" cam!

Later, Al

Nah, you just need speakers for the PC that you have! :) As a matter of fact, i picked up some at a garage sale for $1. You wann'm? They're in the box they came in, i haven't tried them, but if you want them you can have them, if you pay for shipping... Email if you're interested.

Or we could just do a trade, your 260Z for the speakers...
--
Kyle - '68 Volvo 142 w/71 b20b and m40...

probably not mandrel if it is stock. depends on how long you plan to keep the car. I have stainless steel system made by Borla for my Mustang, and it came with a million mile warranty. Irv Gordon will probably be the only one to wear the warranty out. Cost a bomb since they were duals. Flowmasters sound good, but so far I heard them on V6 or V8 engines. I suppose on the B20, it'll sound just as good since pushrod Volvos do have a deep sound.
--
and the bricks keep on rolling....