I'm finally tired enough of replacing exhaust systems that I am considering a full stainless system. I'm currently running 2 1/2 inch true duels with dynomax super turbos and a set of headers that I have yet to identify. I'm looking at replacing the super turbos with ultra flows but I still have the following unanswered questions:

1) Is there a reason that my local muffler shops don't bend stainless other than they don't want to put themselves out of business?

2) In terms of sound, does anyone know the difference between the super turbos and the ultra flow mufflers?

3) Where there any differences in the intermediate pipes between '68 and '73? I've seen different part numbers for big blocks versus small blocks and different part numbers for different years. I can't help but wonder though if the only differences weren't the stock specs for diameter.

4) Does anyone have any good sources for stainless pipes? I'm currently looking at Ecklers, Corvette America and Corvette Central.

Thanks in advance for your input.

stainless pipes are harder to bend and they expand at a greater rate than steel. curves bent in stainless will move when heated and possiably hit the frame ofr other parts. i would guess to say they would have a lot of unhappy customers if this happens and also there arn't enough customers willing to pay the extra $$ for it.
i believe the difference in the mufflers is that the big blovk had 2.500 exhaust and the small blocks had 2.00 or 2.250 exhaust. i read it somewhere.

garry72conv said: ... and the small blocks had 2.00 or 2.250 exhaust. ...

'70-'72 small blocks had 2" exhaust except for the LT-1 which had 2.5". The steel pipes I bought for "The Toy" two years ago have the 2" connection to the exhaust manifolds (I didn't want to replace those with 2.5") then flair to 2.5". The mufflers I bought at the same time have a 2.5" inlet but a 2.0" outlet. Go figure!?!

I ordered new exhaust tips also and there was no designation for SB or BB on those so that leads me to believe that all the mufflers come out as 2.0". Seems kinda goofy to me.

So the $100k question is; can I just order intermediate pipes for a '70 LT1 and put them on my '69? I'm thinking I probably can but I could ending wasting time and money finding out that they don't fit. Thats why I'm trying to learn what I can before I do it.

Thanks again guys!

The mufflers I bought at the same time have a 2.5" inlet but a 2.0" outlet

i have a 2.5 hole saw you can borrow, that ought to take care of that

|UPDATED|6/2/2003 8:13:52 AM|/UPDATED|

Garry, do you have a metal stretcher too? Would need it to make the exhaust tips fit.

Rick, the frames and most underpinnings 'should be' the same between '69 and '70 (critical words are 'should be'). If you can measure the length of your current intermediate pipes, then call one of the parts places and ask them the length of the intermediate pipes they carry.


Jim O.
Save the Wave...!!!

Either that or I'm considering asking Ecklers to go back in their warehouse, get out one of each, and tell me the difference!

Now I just have to try to identify my headers.

Thanks for the input.

Try Mid America corvette www.madvet.com. They have true dual kits in stainless and aluminized steel. I got a kit for my 80 I also have headers so a little modification is needed I run flowmasters also, but for your year you can also get a chambered under car system Lots of choices

As it turns out, Ecklers wont sell anything but complete exhaust sytems, It seems that I'm back to having fabrication done.

The guy who built the heads for my 454 just had a complete set of stainless pipes made for his mid-year. He had them made by a "hot rod shop". The shop made everything from the exhaust ports through the side pipes. They made the whole system out of stainless and Jet Hot coated them, for just under $3000.00. Yep, that is a lot of bucks but the whole system looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. It sounds great because the shop built the mufflers right into the side pipes ( tuned it to the sound level the owner wanted ). Anyhow, to get to the point...if you have a shop like that near you ( search the web ) , you may be able to just let them take away all the headaches of mix and match from the standard part houses.