1982 Ford LTD-S 351W Police Car

[zwack88]

Nice car man. Welcome!

[Nathan in MI]

Even if you do want 2.25", you can still use the 2.5" Impy tail pipes. Isn't gonna make much difference at that point in the system, and it's easier than trying to adapt stuff that isn't really a direct fit.

[P72Ford]

Try under $100, not counting shipping and junk. Kink-bent replacement 2" stuff can actually be more expensive (sometimes a lot more expensive). Mandrel bent tails from Walker/Dynomax for either '94-'96 Impalas or 5.0 Mustangs all run around $40 each. If 2.5" is good for you, get Impala pipes; if you must have 2.25", Mustang pipes can be had that can be made to work. Some folks will claim Mustang pipes won't work ... I do have 2.5" Mustang tails on my '87 wagon, but from what I've learned since joining here, I really would have been better served in that diameter to get the Impala bits.

I was talking custom bent tails there. I'm figuring thats what the shop where I had mine done would charge. I personally would go with the Impala tails.


I have bought stock "kink bent" replacements for my car for $16.

[86VickyLX]

ok thanks for the advice i'll check out the impala pipes. It can't be open I floored it from a dead stop in some loose gravel, moved about 2 feet, the ground was evenly dug up on both sides from both wheels. Unless i'm think of something different from you and sound like an idiot now it definitly has some sort of posi rear, I'll check out the diff tommorow, could be the code is different the sticker says it was "Made in Canada" and labels on this car have been wrong.

Then check on the rear itself. It may have been changed for some reason.
They're all made in Canada, that's just the sticker from the factory, it doesn't necessarily mean that that is what the car has now.
Car has been changed around since the time it rolled out of the factory.

[Brown_Muscle]

hmmm, ill have to look around im glad i will be able to find some pipes for that cheap. I just looked under the car, lol im impatient, and heres wat it says: (some is rusted so i cant tell) from the top: ...-C 2e12 then on the bottom 73 95 v15.5A, I have pics of it if you want...let me know what you think.

[86VickyLX]

On the wet ground, at night, in the cold. Tsk tsk tsk :lol: :p
I'm the same way.

[P72Ford]

hmmm, ill have to look around im glad i will be able to find some pipes for that cheap. I just looked under the car, lol im impatient, and heres wat it says: (some is rusted so i cant tell) from the top: ...-C 2e12 then on the bottom 73 95 v15.5A, I have pics of it if you want...let me know what you think.

If you want to know for sure... power brake it and see if it leaves two rubber marks. That'll give you your answer.

[Nathan in MI]

Forgot to mention, as for checking to see for sure whether it's a limited slip or not:

Jack up the rear end of the car (make sure to chock the front wheels first!!) and see if you can turn one wheel by hand and have the other turn the opposite direction. If they'll counter rotate, you either have an open rear end, or a very used up limited slip.

EDIT: The other Nate's (P72Ford) answer sounds like a lot more fun!

[1987cp]

If you want to know for sure... power brake it and see if it leaves two rubber marks. That'll give you your answer.

... and possibly a nice fat ticket, depending on where you live! :p

[Brown_Muscle]

haha deffinitly. sorry for all the noob questions guys but as far as the tailpipes go wont i need a lift to drop the rear axels down far enough to get the old tailpipes outta there and get the new ones in? I tried once and could'nt get them out, wasn't enough clearence, or is there some trick im missing out on?

[1987cp]

hmmm, ill have to look around im glad i will be able to find some pipes for that cheap.

Aye, matey. Summitracing.com is your friend, and in some cases we can provide specific part numbers to order.

[Nathan in MI]

Shouldn't need a lift, though if you can jack the car up and hold it up with jack stands under the frame, that'll allow the rear axle to get further down than it would at ride height. I can't remember having any issues installing my 2" tailpipes, just gotta sorta finagle 'em in there, I guess. Keep working at it and I'm sure you'll figure it out.

[Brown_Muscle]

Ok i can't thank you guys enough for the information! I've got a lot to work with now, Nathan your "formula" for the exhaust system is great I'll definitly use it when i redo the rest of the exhaust system. My one current tail pipe has multiple holes in it which are being sealed with aluminum foil and duct tape (works really well!!) I can't wait for spring and the warmer weather to get painting, touching up and of course nice new green leaves on the trees

[86VickyLX]

Too bad you didn't sign up for the Autoshop here in HT like Brian and Greg, you would have access to a lift, and some decent tools too.

[Nathan in MI]

Nathan your "formula" for the exhaust system is great I'll definitly use it when i redo the rest of the exhaust system.

Thanks, though I really can't take credit for it. Scott (lincolnmania) is the one who told me about it originally, and it seems to me as if someone else came up with it before him, but don't quote me on that.