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Topic: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48

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


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Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (1/16)
 9/15/14 6:26pm
Jasond56
Former Member

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Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

Hi All!

Took my 73' L48 in to have exhaust system looked at because passenger-side muffler is rusting out where muffler meets tail pipe and the tail pipe/tip is loose.  Starting to rust in the same spot on driver's side, too.  Figured I'd price getting them replaced.

Gentleman at the shop said my system has been rebuilt, which was news to me.

He said the exhaust pipes are SMALLER in diameter then they should be. He also mentioned that the exhaust pipes should form an "X" and then go straight back to mufflers.

According to assembly manual (yes guys, I finally got one!) my current straight pipes are the correct configuration, but I have seen the "X" configuration in pictures of Vette undersides online.  Same year as mine.

What are the recommended replacement mufflers for my year/type?  After getting an estimate to replace them, I think I'd like to try fixing myself :)

Any suggestions on cleaning up exhaust pipes so they do not look so rough?

Good news - this is the first opportunity I had to look at my Vette's underside while the car was in the air.  Frame is completely SOLID and CLEAN!  Yay!

Thanks in advance!

    


|UPDATED|9/15/2014 3:26:06 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (2/16)
 9/15/14 8:25pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Go to Corvette Central or one of the other aftermarket Vette suppliers and look.

Pretty simple actually.


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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (3/16)
 9/15/14 8:35pm
Jasond56
Former Member

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Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

I will look there for replacements.  What about the proper configuration?  What's with the "X" I mentioned?

______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (4/16)
 9/15/14 9:40pm
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

You can check out http://pypesexhaust.com for an exhaust system with the "x" pipe. The "x" balances out the exhaust making it a bit more efficient. This isn't a "stock" system.
Or you can contact http://allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com. They make exhaust systems for a lot of the "corvette" vendors out there.


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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (5/16)
 9/15/14 10:27pm
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

L48 would have had 2" pipes all the way back, tho the exhaust manifold outlets are 2 1/2". If that's how yours was, it was "correct". No X pipes from the factory on ANY Shark car. Your muffler guy is a bit out of touch with Corvettes of our vintage, apparently.
As far as replacement systems, I think Corvette Central supposedly has a good system that requires little or no modifications to install, tho I've never installed one of their systems myself. The "X" pipe will help with resonance, and help the exhaust flow a little better, but on a stock L48, it might not be worth the extra $$$. If your future plans include hopping up the engine somewhat, then it might be a good investment.
Allen exhaust that Darryl mentioned has a great reputation among Corvette folks, and their stuff sounds really nice.
Decisions, decisions...Stern Smile

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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (6/16)
 9/16/14 12:31am
Jasond56
Former Member

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Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

Thanks guys. This wasn't my machine shop but a chain muffler shop. Will not be going back there. I figured the assembly manual was correct, but the online pics I saw threw me off a bit. And you are correct...decisions decisions. :)

______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (7/16)
 9/16/14 8:39am
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

Cost at most chain stores can be crazy expensive for what you get.  I was in a somewhat similar situation a couple of years ago.  Mine was a total rebuild from headers back. Local guys were crazy high, mostly because they had to include the catalytic converter.   If you decide to go that route I can say the system I bought from Corvette Central was a simple bolt on.  Everything lined up beautifully.  Mine is an 81 so I can't comment on your year except that I have seen good things about that system as well.  The complete system was $650 shipping included, i think it's about $100 more now.  I've never attempted to clean up a system and repair it.  Usually by the time I should fix it, it's beyond fixing and time to replace.

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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (8/16)
 9/19/14 12:03pm
ratrayLifetime Member
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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).


Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

I bought a stock exhaust system 10 years or so, ago, from Zips. The original owner had changed the mufflers to make it sound better. The pipes were dented. It took a couple hours to change. Price was cheaper than having a shop do it, and, it is spec original.
Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (9/16)
 9/19/14 12:16pm
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

RAY!! Good to see ya on the forum! It's been a while!  Thumbs Up

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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (10/16)
 9/19/14 12:46pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

I thought the factory manifolds were 2".  My LT-1 has 2" manifolds and a 2 1/2" exhaust pipes.  Stock.

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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (11/16)
 9/19/14 1:15pm
F4GaryGold Member
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Grapevine, TX - USA

Vette(s):
1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air.


Joined: 8/26/2006
Posts: 1406

Just got a $30 off coupon email from Corvette Central.  Coupon code "EXHAUST".

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Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (12/16)
 9/19/14 2:55pm
danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

As far as chain shops go, I had Meineke replace my whole system from headers back, including enlarging pipe to 2 1/2 inch, adding the "X" crossover, and Flowmaster mufflers....cost with tax was $636...no labor on my part, done in a couple of hours and a warranty to go with it. I couldn't beat that.

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DanT

Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (13/16)
 9/19/14 5:36pm
Jasond56
Former Member

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Kenosha, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Corvette Stingray Coupe VIN 1Z37J3S418986 350 L-48 Automatic T-Tops St. Louis Assembly, 18,986th car built in 1973, Paint = 976 Mille Miglia Red, Interior = 425 Dark Red Vinyl (Ox Blood)


Joined: 5/7/2014
Posts: 154

WOW!  I went to my Meineke and they quoted me just under a G for just 2 mufflers and installation!  They tried to give me a bath apparently... :/



______________
"You know, we always called each other goodfellas. Like you'd say to somebody: You're gonna like this guy, he's all right. He's a goodfella. He's one of us. You understand?"




Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (14/16)
 9/19/14 5:41pm
danascar
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Germansville, PA - USA

Vette(s):
1974 Coupe 358ci 4 speed Black w/Medium Saddle interior w/79 custom leather seats. . 1999 C5 Convertible, 6 speed, Atomic orange, Oak interior.


Joined: 1/28/2010
Posts: 858

Jasond56 said: WOW!  I went to my Meineke and they quoted me just under a G for just 2 mufflers and installation!  They tried to give me a bath apparently... :/



I guess they did Exclamation I had another estimate from another exhaust shop and their quote $825 for the same thing. I guess each Meineke is independently owned and they can set whatever price they want to. Ouch

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DanT

Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (15/16)
 9/22/14 5:18pm
ratrayLifetime Member
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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).


Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

Zips is 295.00 for a complete factory system. Like I said, 2 hours to install. It will allow you to drink a higher quality of beer. Natural is for cooking Brats. Also, thanks Joel.
Re: Stock Exhaust Setup on 1973 L48 (16/16)
 9/22/14 5:31pm
ratrayLifetime Member
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Erda, UT - USA

Vette(s):
1973 coupe. LS4, M-21, DARK SADDLE LEATHER, POWER STEERING, POWER BRAKES, POWER WINDOWS, A/C, AM/FM STEREO, YELLOW ( 952 ).


Joined: 8/1/2005
Posts: 197

One thing I failed to mention is that if your car has been outside, or used much, you may need to buy the hangers and seals. I didn't have to buy any of this because of low mileage. (14,427 as of today)
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