My vette currently has headers and an exhaust system that has outlived it's usefulness.I want to go back to the stock system.

I have the correct exhaust manifolds and want to know if anyone has installed a complete system themselves without the aid of a lift. If so what system did you buy and from whom? Did you also reaffix all of the correct shielding? How did the system fit? Did you need to make any modifications to the system you bought?

I am trying to determine if I should pay someone to do the work or if there is a vendor that provides an exact factory fit type system.

Thank you,



Bill

Since your present system isn't stock, I would suggest taking the car to where someone has the lift to properly install an entire system, including the manifolds. You'll need a complete set of hangers, gaskets, etc., besides the pipes and mufflers. Once you're on your back under the car, you'll be cussing every time you realize you're missing a particular hanger or other small part.

I got a complete dual system for my '78 from Corvette Central...their price was the best and everything fit up beautifully. You can also take the car to a specialist that has a pipe bender for a system and maybe get Flowmaster or some other performance muffler if you're not concerned about being 100% correct for judging. Just make sure you get 2 1/2" pipe if you have a shop make the system for you. Aluminized pipe is a better value..stainless, while it lasts longer is much more expensive and much harder to work with.

I just got my exhaust system for my 70 this year. I ordered it from Corvette Central. I ended up getting the set up for an LT-1. That way it would look original but still be 2 1/2". I agree with going with the aluminized system. There are too many problems with stainless. They also tend to expand more and that means they will move around on you. I got my system with the magnaflow mufflers. They sound great. The whole system was not that expensive. I can't remember right now how much. It came with all the gaskets and pipe clamps. I did no do the install. I had a corvette shop do it. I dropped it off and got lunch. By the time I returned it was done. You can get them welded like from the factory or in pieces for easier installation.

Three years ago I replaced everything from the manifolds back. The stock system was 2" all the way but I upgraded to the 2 1/2" pipes with the built in reduction so they bolted right on to the manifolds. The weird thing was the mufflers have 2 1/2" inlets and 2" outlets - seems to defeat the purpose to me.

Got the complete setup (pipes, mufflers, heat risers, donuts, hangers) in the anodized alum from Corvette Central for under $400 (new exhaust bezels not included). Doing the exhaust replace was part of a weekend project that also included replacing the rear leaf spring and shocks on all corners. Jacked it up onto the jack stands Friday evening and was out cruzinin' by Sunday afternoon (and I'm anything BUT a fast wrencher!).

|UPDATED|12/18/2004 11:42:43 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Keep the replies coming.

How much did it cost in labor to have someone else install the exhaust system?

Thanks,



Bill

I think it was 3 hours labor, about $180. It depend on how hard it is to remove the old one.

i had mine done at a muffler shop that does custom exhaust, from my headers back 2.5 aluminized plus deltamax mufflers, all welded no c-clamps $380.00 out the door Sounds Great

I don't work for them but if you are looking for a great loud, deep rumble check out mid america, a sponsor here, look at there under the car chambered exhuast system $299.00 if you order the right one it is easy to install, if you order the wrong ones, like someone I know, then you can go to a shop and have them istalled for around 125-150.oo just my .02 worth, I love that side pipe sound....

Jim, the reason for the 2 1/2 inlet and 2 outlet is the friction or resistance of flow. The small 2 inch outlet does not add any more restriction than a long 2 1/2 inch pipe. The greater length of any pipe adds resistance to flow. It just like going to a larger size when running air or water pipes a long way.

Add the fact that the muffler also adds some resistance, and the two inch outlet does not restrict the flow any additional amount over the rest of the system.

BLennox said: I have the correct exhaust manifolds and want to know if anyone has installed a complete system themselves without the aid of a lift. If so what system did you buy and from whom? Did you also reaffix all of the correct shielding? How did the system fit? Did you need to make any modifications to the system you bought?

A couple of years ago my father in law and I installed the 2.5" chambered system from Mid America on my '70 in the driveway using jackstands only. It bolted right up ot the stock manifolds. The only issue was the stock exhaust clamp at the trans crossmember...it's made for 2" pipe. We had to cut it to get the pipes through the crossmsmber, then I took it to a muffler shop and had the guy fab up new brackets to keep it from rattling around.

|UPDATED|1/21/2005 9:57:37 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|