Help identifying this downpipe

ArtDeco

New Member
Joined
May 3, 2020
Hey Guys, new to the Forum. This is my first GN and I'm loving the car. It's an '86 bone stock as of now. I just picked up a TA49, some 42lb injectors and an Alky Kit (not sure if I want to use yet). Anyway I've been after a nice 3" downpipe and I picked one up claimed to be a Terry Houston, I trusted the seller and paid up, I'm told by someone else it's a cheap knock off, can anyone let me know what I have? Thanks guys!
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im gonna say mease...still good ...I believe TH...have no sharp edges like the corner near the waste gate actuator...and TH usually had 8E turbo stamped into the outside of flange...not sure as there are variances in his earlier vs later produced ones ....I would definitely take it to machine shop to have them mill that flange flat...
 
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From the posts before we lost photos the bottom of your DP l think looks like a Terry Houston.

Can you post a photo of the flange and pipe from the opposite side of the wastegate lever. (From the top as it’s mounted in the car)?
 
That's not a cheap knock off. That's a quality pipe for sure. like stated above . get the flange surfaced down flat and install it.
 
Don't believe it's a TH but it's well made, not made with chinessium. Get the flange cleaned up and go for it. Make sure the flapper swings freely. Years ago there were several people other than ATR, TH and Mease making downpipes, intercoolers and exhausts. Some were very nice but for whatever reason they stopped making them.
 
The pipe looks very much like a TH DP, but like the Grass Doctor said the flange is a bit different.
 
It's a Mease Pipe in MHO.

Here's mine.

GN PTE51 Studs Mease Downpipe Off.jpg
Turbo Bills Gasket Installed GN .jpg


Just as good if not better than my THDP on my other car, I believe it uses a different length test pipe or cat. than the THDP.
 
I've not seen a real 3" THDP with the dimple or indentation below the bolt hole as shown in your photo but I could be wrong. With all the subtle differences from pipe to pipe depending on who made them and when they made them it's difficult for the average person to know for sure. There was a good thread made on the differences between a "real" THDP compared to the other "Terry Houston style" downpipes but since most of the photos in the thread were lost, it's value is diminished.

The main reason (besides the name alone) people will pay good money for a "real" THDP is because it fits very well and the quality of the stainless is very good, but that's not to say other well made DP's like ATR, Mease, etc. won't perform equally as well. You just have to know what to watch for. Example, ATR made a very good DP but it had a problem with a sticking puck. Once you got that problem area addressed, it performed as good as any other well made pipe. You definitely do not have a cheap Chineseum piece so if the fit is good I would do as others have said - clean it up, make sure the puck swings freely, and run with it.
 
it could very well be a TH...but i wouldnt worry too much as it is a nice quality piece...
I've not seen a real 3" THDP with the dimple or indentation below the bolt hole as shown in your photo but I could be wrong. With all the subtle differences from pipe to pipe depending on who made them and when they made them it's difficult for the average person to know for sure. There was a good thread made on the differences between a "real" THDP compared to the other "Terry Houston style" downpipes but since most of the photos in the thread were lost, it's value is diminished.

The main reason (besides the name alone) people will pay good money for a "real" THDP is because it fits very well and the quality of the stainless is very good, but that's not to say other well made DP's like ATR, Mease, etc. won't perform equally as well. You just have to know what to watch for. Example, ATR made a very good DP but it had a problem with a sticking puck. Once you got that problem area addressed, it performed as good as any other well made pipe. You definitely do not have a cheap Chineseum piece so if the fit is good I would do as others have said - clean it up, make sure the puck swings freely, and run with it.
I agree with the curve in the weld around the bolt hole ...thats one of the reasons I speculated to be mease...ill pull one out of the closet later on ...it was given to bruce by red Armstrong...very subtle differentiations ...I think the OP still has a quality pipe ...but yes the TH are known for there fit ....so once the OP installs if it fits perfect ...might just be ...I have seen that thread that has 3 pipes side by side ...miss stuff like that
 
note the waste gate bracket how it is round and the the flange how it has no sharp points ... this might not even be TH ...but the history of it is what ive been told ..who knows 100% for sure...my thoughts ...just posting pics for reference....hope this helps for you guys ....damn Buick lore :p
 

from a few years ago
 
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