Author Topic: Exhaust Systems  (Read 11332 times)

detfox

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Exhaust Systems
« on: December 31, 2007, 12:39:26 AM »
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.

JohnZ

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2007, 06:46:15 PM »
'69 Z/28
Fathom Green
CRG

Jerry@CHP

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2007, 08:45:22 PM »
Gardner is the only system accepted in concours judging too.

Jerry

Steve Shauger

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #3 on: January 01, 2008, 12:40:52 AM »
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. 
Steve Shauger
Vintage Certification™ Program, Providing Recognition And Status To Unrestored Vehicles.  The Supercar Registry-www.yenko.net-

rich69rs

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2008, 12:50:04 AM »
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.
Richard Thomas
1969 RS

RamAirDave

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #5 on: January 01, 2008, 06:14:19 AM »
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.
"Build them how the designers and engineers envisioned them to be"

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detfox

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #6 on: January 02, 2008, 01:56:44 AM »
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.

wtexz10

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #7 on: January 02, 2008, 02:56:58 AM »
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
69 Camaro Z10.. 72 GMC C1500
79 Mazda RX7.. 79 Trans Am WS6
06 Corvette Z06.. 10 BMW 650i

RamAirDave

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2008, 05:32:51 AM »
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&current=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&current=100_1511.flv
"Build them how the designers and engineers envisioned them to be"

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detfox

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2008, 07:30:53 PM »
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.

GaryL

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2008, 08:53:34 PM »
« Last Edit: January 16, 2008, 08:57:38 PM by GaryL »
Gary

Lemans Blue X33. DZ, M20, manual steering. Only BU code rear end is original.

Jerry@CHP

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2008, 11:08:22 PM »
Check out Borla Exhaust too.  They have a good reputation.

Good luck,
Jerry

GaryL

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2008, 03:08:31 AM »
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.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2008, 03:14:55 AM by GaryL »
Gary

Lemans Blue X33. DZ, M20, manual steering. Only BU code rear end is original.

hotrod68

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Re: Exhaust Systems
« Reply #13 on: January 20, 2008, 04:54:24 AM »
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.
HotRod'68  1968 SS350 coupe undergoing frame-off resto/rod. 386/350/4.11s
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