CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: detfox on December 31, 2007, 12:39:26 AM
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What do you guys recommend? My 69 Z28 has duels with some unknown brand mufflers and tail pipes just behind the rear tires, which I don’t like. I can't decide on duels with X-pipe or going into one muffler. I plan to put the correct tail pipes either way. Some have recommended Flow Masters, but I’m not sure I like the way they sound. I want it to sound good not like boat.
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Gardner (www.gardnerexhaust.com)
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Gardner is the only system accepted in concours judging too.
Jerry
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As been mentioned the Gardner system is a near perfect replication of the original and the way to go if your planning to have the car judged. If you are not necessarily into original and want more of a performance system the American Thunder by Flowmaster gives you a good value. The flowmaster system is not close to original, although the tail pipes give you an original type look.
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Stainless Works makes a nice system as well. Summit Racing caries them. Total 304 ss system including the transverse muffler. Fits very well - sounds nice as well - a little rumble and throaty but not obnoxious at all. Tips of the tailpipes are chromed and polsihed which makes for a ncie look. Not concours original - but not bad either.
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Gardner is the best, hands down. Customer service matches (or exceeds) the quality of the product.
If youre looking for a less expensive alternative to a stock-style exhaust, the system sold by D&R is pretty good. I was fairly pleased with it, especially based on my experience with non-Gardner systems. The system sold through Rick's is a train wreck based on my experience.
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Thanks for the advice, I'm still not sure what direction I'm going to go. I plan to get a quote from Gardner, even though I'm not really looking for show standards. My concern with Flowmaster is that I don't like boat sound that I've heard with them. I prefer a crisp sound with not too much drone inside. I'd still like to hear what you guys have used on the 69 Z28.
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I've got a Flowmaster American Thunder system with H pipe and stainless tips on my Z10 which has a ZZ4 pumping into it.
I've never had anyone mistake this sound for a boat. I like it.
Kris
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Here are some vid/sound clips of the last two Z's we've restored. Both 140 cam cars:
Gardner:
http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/RamAirDave/GoldZ/?action=view¤t=GoldZIdle.flv
Rick's system (has since been replaced w/ D&R system, but haven't heard it) :
http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/bucks691973/?action=view¤t=100_1511.flv
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I'm going to keep the headers on the car, so I'm going to choose an aftermarket system. Other then the flowmaster, has anyone found a good system with an X pipe and factory looking tail pipes. Just to be clear, I have read a lot of threads on this topic, but I haven't seen anything specific.
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The IMCO transverse system as sold thru HB City.
http://www.camaros.net/showroom/showphoto.php?photo=1624&cat=500&ppuser=11189
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Check out Borla Exhaust too. They have a good reputation.
Good luck,
Jerry
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I'm going to keep the headers on the car, so I'm going to choose an aftermarket system. Other then the flowmaster, has anyone found a good system with an X pipe and factory looking tail pipes. Just to be clear, I have read a lot of threads on this topic, but I haven't seen anything specific.
zdld17 over at Team Camaro has a Flowmaster 17104 Kit with "H" pipe. 2 1/2" all the way back.
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Summit makes a nice, economical 3" system--I used it on my '68, although the tailpipes didn't fit right with my mufflers. It tucks up under the car very well and is mandrel-bent with no kinks. Summit also has an H-pipe kit that works great with it. I used Warlock mufflers because they have the plugs you can take out at the drag strip, instead of dropping the lead pipes at the headers. They're fairly quiet, too--kind of like the old Hush Thrush oval mufflers. I don't have anything against Flowmasters--I have a Flowmaster on my '87 IROC--but they just don't have that '60s growl, and I wasn't going to spend $700 on a whole Flowmaster 3" exhaust system for my '68. The Summit pipes, H-pipe and Warlocks cost me less than $400, and I'm very satisfied with the quality and how easy they were to install. My kudos go to Summit.