What have some of you done for exhaust pipes when installing headers?   I am scrapping my complete exhaust system.  It had a cat and 2" pipes.

It is getting Hooker headers, and Dynoflow mufflers.  Now I need pipes.  I know I can get them custom bent locally, and that may be the answer.  But it may be cheaper and easier if I can buy just pipes, not a complete system.   Any thoughts?

I got 2.5 inch custom bend. I had to put Cats on both sides (Local laws) . It was cheaper than an entire system and it fit with my headers better. 

 I like it.  I've got Dynoflow mufflers and I think the Cats were made by them also. 

JimG38463.6761458333

I'm not doing the cats.  At 30 years old I don't need them anymore.  How much did the custom bend cost.  I know mine will be different depending on the shop, but I'm curious.  Maybe Ican get a rough idea.    You would think after 35 years working with cars I would have had that done before.  But I did not bent them, and the owners would take the car somewhere that did.

 

I spent almost 1000 on mine...biggest cost was the Cats.  I took the car to Meineke...I know...blasphemy...but they have a Lifetime warranty so if it breaks...

 Only place they struggled was the rear axle. I had to have them raise the left side so it wouldn;t drag..

That's a lot of cash!  Thanks for the input.

The good news is I just ordered a complete system from Allen's Stainless Exhaust.   I'm getting the alum system, not the stainless.  They are bending it to fit the car and trans, and still connect to the headers and DynoFlow mufflers.  They are even supplying the almost 90 degree bend that is normally part of the Corvette muffler that the aftermarket does not have.   I will have to adapt slightly to fit the headers, but it will be very close. 

They are asking 190.00 for all of this.  Granted, I'm installing the system, so no labor cost.  I have looked at other system but they included the mufflers, which I don't need.  And they were not bent to  connect to headers, and would have required more modifications.

I think this will work out very well.       That part time job only supplies a limited amount of cash for this project.       I have been gathering parts for months.  Little here, little there.  The retaining nut on the steering column only cost less than 2 bucks, but it's 6 buck to ship it to me.      Oh well, gotta have it.

Besides the Cats, the majority of the cost was the labor. Next car I'll try myself...after I learn to weld that is. 

I have to put Cats in because IL is still living in the stone age.  I hate this state.

I admit, I do have a big advantage with labor.  I don't pay any.  I do get dirty.  I have mig welders here at the college, and a torch set at home.  That really comes in handy once in a while.

How far back does IL go?  Most places it's 25 years, including Ohio.  I know California goes back 30 years, and hear rumor it's may go to 35.

I passed the Smog test with out cats on my 1979. I had my engine in good tune though and it was a fresh motor. They did not do a visual check or put it on the rollers. All they did was shove a sensor up each pipe and let it run for a bit. then they checked my gas cap to see if its non vented. This was done in Glendale heights.

I just had mine replaced on the 76 from the cat back even though I no longer have to have the e-check done the muffler shop is not allowed to remove the cat by law.  I would of liked to had true dual's I wish I would of known prior to taking it.  I took it to Midas in Fairview Park he came highly recommended and did a wonderful job I ended up putting Raven's on for mufflers they sound great!  Bob at Midas has a mint 88 I-Roc that he had the Ravens on so I got to listen before he installed.  He even told me if I wanted to buy all of the parts he would put on what ever I wanted.

You will be happy with the Allens Exhaust System. I put the aluminized 2.5 inch system on mine about 6 years ago and it still looks like it did when I put it on. Needlesss to say I would gladly recommend them to anyone in the market and willing to do the installation themselves. It just bolts up with minimal fuss and looks great. Granted it is not mandrel bent but that is not a problem with my small block.