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Topic: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please

in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems


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1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (1/12)
 9/25/14 11:38am
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

****see previous thread for background if you're interested****

I am returning the y pipe exhaust system to Corvette central which arrived by UPS yesterday. I decided to go with

the true dual exhaust from Corvette central.

This will be way outside of my experience level working on cars, previously the most I've done is change out alternator belts oil spark plugs etc.

I do not enjoy learning lessons the hard way which is a lesson I learned the hard way itself, so I am soliciting advice and tips based upon everyone else's experience doing this job previously. feel free to send me any tips such as special tools or techniques to remove the headers and replace them with the new ones anything else you guys know works well and does not work well. Thanks! E.D.

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Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (2/12)
 9/25/14 12:04pm
CCasey
Former Member

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New Albany, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Coupe / Snowcrest White / L48, 350 / Comp Cam / Edelbrock Heads / Cyclone Intake / Holley Carb / Holley Fuel Pump / Patriot Headers / Dual Exhaust / Magnaflow Mufflers / 1964 Coupe / Riverside Red / L76, 327, 365hp


Joined: 8/17/2010
Posts: 173

I went with Corvette Central's 2 1/2-inch Dual Aluminum Exhaust; Magnaflow 2 /12 mufflers; Patriot Tight-Tuck Headers hooked to Eldelbrock E-Street Aluminum Heads.
I love the sound and the performance.

|UPDATED|9/25/2014 9:04:00 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Chuck

Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (3/12)
 9/25/14 12:09pm
Sarge81Lifetime Member
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WEST SENECA, NY - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Blue Ice Met. w/pearl ghost flames TKO500 5speed. LS1 Swap 3.45 Dana 44.


Joined: 12/3/2001
Posts: 2379

Penetrating oil and torch are your friend in removing subborn rusty nuts and bolts. If you don't have a Oxy-Acetylene torch get a small hand held MAPP gas torch. MAPP gas is hotter than the propane torches. 

Lots of patience when having to remove rusty fasteners. You may have to heat and spray with oil numerous times to free it up.

If your replacing the exhaust manifolds with headers, remove the spark plugs so you don't break them off during removal of those heavy manifolds.

Make sure you line everything up perfectly from front to rear before you go cranking the clamps down tight. Otherwise you probably won't be able to make slight adjustments. Crooked exhaust pipes drive me nuts. 

Thats my .02 cents. Big smile



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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.
3.54 Dana 44
'69 "N11" Sidepipes
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975




Click here to see more pics of my Vette on CarDomain.


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Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (4/12)
 9/26/14 12:27pm
daveo76
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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

I have the same exhaust system you are getting and I installed it myself (good thing because exhaust shops won't do it).  Be very careful with the exhaust pipe studs in the original manifolds (if you are using them) - I broke one off and had to remove the manifold to replace it which was a PITA!  And I agree with Sarge - make sure you get things straight and where you want them before tightening anything.  I lived with uneven looking tailpipes for years until I finally went to an exhaust shop and had them straighten them and then weld the joints.  The CC systems are good, though - mine is about 10 years old and it still looks and sounds good.  Are you getting the Magnaflows?  

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (5/12)
 9/26/14 1:12pm
73shark
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Overland Park, KS - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.


Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 864

Kroil is one of the best penetrants for rusty fasteners. Available only by mail tho.

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (6/12)
 9/27/14 12:54am
indy99
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Newport, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1980 L-48 still in the middle of a frame-off.


Joined: 6/9/2005
Posts: 932

I purchased the 304 stainless exhaust from Mid America and a set of low flow mufflers. No cats or y pipes.

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette/subcategory/c3-dual-exhaust-pipes


I have an older version(painted) of these mufflers  http://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvette/product/79-82-mufflers-monza-style-w-627458-1


It sounds great up on the rack but not ready for driving yet.


Everything bolted right up no problems.



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Corvettes and women are the same...You want to make love to them but they keep breaking down.
Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (7/12)
 9/27/14 2:57am
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

daveo76 said: I have the same exhaust system you are getting and I installed it myself (good thing because exhaust shops won't do it).  Be very careful with the exhaust pipe studs in the original manifolds (if you are using them) - I broke one off and had to remove the manifold to replace it which was a PITA!  And I agree with Sarge - make sure you get things straight and where you want them before tightening anything.  I lived with uneven looking tailpipes for years until I finally went to an exhaust shop and had them straighten them and then weld the joints.  The CC systems are good, though - mine is about 10 years old and it still looks and sounds good.  Are you getting the Magnaflows?  



Yes...I am getting the magnasflows.
Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (8/12)
 1/27/15 12:30am
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

Updated info.... Lost the argument with my wife who didn't want me working under the car when it was on four jack stands. So I had to take it to a shop and hand them my dual exhaust kit and tell them to put it all on for me. probably worked out for the better because some modifications to the headers had to be made so they would fit properly. Also, the stock spark plug wires would not clear the new headers due to their configuration and I had to get a new set built. The EGR is gone and I am just waiting for them to get a new bolt in because they stripped one out... Otherwise I would have got the car back today. I'm getting it tomorrow morning and I can't wait to feel how it performs with a new exhaust system no catalytic converter no EGR are and true duals. the biggest downside was I didn't get to do the work myself and the next biggest downside was I had to pay to get it done.... But it was still cheaper than getting a divorce.
Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (9/12)
 1/27/15 2:08pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

LOL  Thumbs Up

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Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (10/12)
 1/27/15 7:10pm
rod7515Lifetime Member
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Red Lion, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 White 350 Corvette, TH400 Automatic 1972 Tangerine /Go Mango Convertible 383 Stroker, 2004r Automatic


Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 1182

Good thing is your new exhaust will be completed and you will be ready to drive it. Ive been down the road with the plug wires and I also replaced the plugs with an ACCel plug that was about 3/8" shorter so the wires wouldnt get burnt by being to close to the headers. Accel is the only company I found that made the short plugs. It took about 2000 miles before my original wires burnt thru from the header heat. What mods did they have to do to the headers? On my 74 my mods were around the AC compressor. The 72 fit with no issues except the plug length. Funny thing for me was that both vettes burnt the wires the same week! Enjoy the new roar!
Rodney


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Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (11/12)
 1/29/15 5:31am
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

Rod...not positive what mods they made because I did not see it with my own eyes but they told me there was some unnecessary bar that ran along the header (some added support?) That made it not fit properly but did not affect the system somthey had this cut it off.
Re: 1980...Switching to Dual Exhaust, Accepting Tips and Advice Please (12/12)
 1/29/15 5:47am
EDeBella
Former Member

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Edmonds, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1980. Black with T-Tops.


Joined: 9/21/2014
Posts: 46

******Update******* Several extra days and a little heartache with the shop. Not positive the updates I was getting along the way on the install work. I am unsure if I was getting bad info due to poor communication from shop staff or if I was being fed a line of bullshit. Either way.....the car was finished today and my teenager picked up the keys for me this afternoon while I was at work. I worked late but even though it was 12:30 a.m.....I swung by the shop and picked up my car. Aesthetics. ...under the hood and under the rear end looks fantastic! Sound.....friggin new exhaust sounds badass! Performance.....acceleration is noticeably improved....feels like it jumps when I hit the gas. Next project will probably be fixing the vacuum system for headlights.....leaks a bit and have to use bypass and hand lift them....after that will be power steering unit since a line is leaky (mechanic said it was a low pressure line but i do not know much about that system). Super happy with the new exhaust.....LOVE IT.
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