Topic: shopping for exhaust
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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While shopping for an exhaust system, I came across this one on ebay and I have a few questions :
1) what is "stage 2"
2) does it include the mufflers ? If not, what are theses "boxes" ?
3) I have a big block (early 74 with true dual exhaust) and will be replacing the headers as well, should I go for 2 1/2 ?
4) other than the headers, gasket and tips; what else is missing ?
5) what is a heat riser ?
6) which color is the white horse of Napoleon ?
7) should I add the insulated wrapper (heat shield) on the headers or the exhaust or both (currently have it on exhaust only) ?
8) I'm ready to pay extra to get rid of some of the heat; so ceramic coated for the headers is my best option ?
9) I have seen "flex tubes" between the headers and the exhaust; anybody tried it ?
I'll probably take advantage of the current 10% off & free shipping of Mid America for the headers, but wanted to see what you guys have to say about combining this ebay system with some Mid America headers ?
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
1) Stage 2 don't mean diddly, but "made you look!"
2) The 'boxes' are probably "glass packs"/resonators
3) go w/2 1/2" for your bb
4) Time & $$
5) The heat riser is a valve in the exhaust, on the pass. side, at the manifold, to make the engine heat up quick. If you have headers, you don't have one, anyway.
6) Invisable
7) No opinion on this
8) Good, yes. Best? Up to u ($$$)
9) Seen them, haven't run into any in use, but they do use them on production cars these days. Helps with vibration/ noises/ alignment issues.
10) Best bet would be to buy the complete system from one place. No(or very few) surprises that way.
btw.......the same exh. system will not fit a 'Vette from 63-74.(at least not without some friendly persuation from Mr. Heatwrench & his cousin, Billy Bob the mallet-head.!
2) The 'boxes' are probably "glass packs"/resonators
3) go w/2 1/2" for your bb
4) Time & $$
5) The heat riser is a valve in the exhaust, on the pass. side, at the manifold, to make the engine heat up quick. If you have headers, you don't have one, anyway.
6) Invisable
7) No opinion on this
8) Good, yes. Best? Up to u ($$$)
9) Seen them, haven't run into any in use, but they do use them on production cars these days. Helps with vibration/ noises/ alignment issues.
10) Best bet would be to buy the complete system from one place. No(or very few) surprises that way.
btw.......the same exh. system will not fit a 'Vette from 63-74.(at least not without some friendly persuation from Mr. Heatwrench & his cousin, Billy Bob the mallet-head.!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberFairfax, VA - USA
Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 38
Vette(s): 1968 Corvette Roadster, 427,12.25-1 comp ratio, 582 Hp, 4 sp., 3.36, Steeroids rack and pin. pwr strg, pwr bks, serp. pulleys, 1968 (Factory) L-88 Hood, Vette Br. suspension, Both tops, MSD ign.
What are you really looking for in your exhaust system? I have a
system that I bought at Carlisle several years ago which is absolutely
the best sounding big block system yet. I have it on a 1968 Big
Block convertible and I love the sound, it sounds the way a real engine
should sound (except when passing a police station doing triple digits
playing with a motorcycle).
It is made by a company called "Allen's Stainless Steel Exhaust" and I believe they are in Indiana. They sold me a complete system from the headers back made out of stainless for less than 500 bucks and it has no mufflers in it at all. It is called a chambered exhaust system.
Allen's systems bolt right on and they included all the hangers and clamps (all stainless). Chambered systems are really neat and easy to install but the sound makes it worth three times the price or more...
If you want quiet like the original Allen's offers that as well but when you have an engine that is built to have fun then you want to let it breath.
The chambered system sound like side-pipes but the noise goes out the rear of the car... this makes for a happy driver (me) and a wife with no scars on her legs (my dearest).
If you can check out their web site which is:
www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com
They offer the parts in alumanized-steel or stainless. With the show coming up this weekend they have some great pricing available too.
I have another Allen's SS system on my wife's 1988 coupe and it sounds better than the Ferrari my neighbor had.
Ebay has some good deals but like Joel was saying about getting the system from one place makes great sense.
Enjoy your toy and save the wave
Chris McCloskey
le();
It is made by a company called "Allen's Stainless Steel Exhaust" and I believe they are in Indiana. They sold me a complete system from the headers back made out of stainless for less than 500 bucks and it has no mufflers in it at all. It is called a chambered exhaust system.
Allen's systems bolt right on and they included all the hangers and clamps (all stainless). Chambered systems are really neat and easy to install but the sound makes it worth three times the price or more...
If you want quiet like the original Allen's offers that as well but when you have an engine that is built to have fun then you want to let it breath.
The chambered system sound like side-pipes but the noise goes out the rear of the car... this makes for a happy driver (me) and a wife with no scars on her legs (my dearest).
If you can check out their web site which is:
www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com
They offer the parts in alumanized-steel or stainless. With the show coming up this weekend they have some great pricing available too.
I have another Allen's SS system on my wife's 1988 coupe and it sounds better than the Ferrari my neighbor had.
Ebay has some good deals but like Joel was saying about getting the system from one place makes great sense.
Enjoy your toy and save the wave
Chris McCloskey
le();
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
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
Allen's is absolutely a good supplier for the "chambered" systems! 
I've heard them on several cars, and they sound great! Thinking about a set-up for my '74 one of these days. 
Clickable link for ALLEN'S
I've heard them on several cars, and they sound great! Thinking about a set-up for my '74 one of these days.
Clickable link for ALLEN'S
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Lifetime MemberBismarck, ND - USA
Joined: 10/1/2004
Posts: 380
Vette(s): 1970 stingray, t-top, mulsanne blue with black interior, 406 ci with 444 hp, racing suspension, hooker headers/sidepipes - SOLD :(
one word... SIDEPIPES!
Mike
My old Stingray...sure do miss it:
(click image to see a bigger version)
Concerning #7, Header wrap......
It is the best way I know of to reduce the increased underhood heat inherent with headers. It's kind of a pain-in-the-butt to do and the wrapped headers are butt-ugly compared to the Jet Hot ceramic coating, which is un-necesssary with the wrap.
Start wrapping at the collector and end up at the head ports, this gets the overlap going in the right direction. In place of hose clamps, use stainless steel wire ties, Tyton Hellerman #SST100R-304C2, 2 at each end of the wrap on each tube and 2 at each end of the collector wrap. They are much better than hose clamps and fit better. They are about .015 thick x 3/16" wide x 14" long. You will need 40 pcs. to do a set, buy 50 due to the inevitable screw-ups. They are pricey at about .85/ ea. but worth it. They are available at most big electrical supply houses. If you can't find them, I have a pack of 100 of them I can break up and sell.
I wrapped my full length small block headers and they prevent the underhood heat from being unbearable.
My 2 cents!
Dave
It is the best way I know of to reduce the increased underhood heat inherent with headers. It's kind of a pain-in-the-butt to do and the wrapped headers are butt-ugly compared to the Jet Hot ceramic coating, which is un-necesssary with the wrap.
Start wrapping at the collector and end up at the head ports, this gets the overlap going in the right direction. In place of hose clamps, use stainless steel wire ties, Tyton Hellerman #SST100R-304C2, 2 at each end of the wrap on each tube and 2 at each end of the collector wrap. They are much better than hose clamps and fit better. They are about .015 thick x 3/16" wide x 14" long. You will need 40 pcs. to do a set, buy 50 due to the inevitable screw-ups. They are pricey at about .85/ ea. but worth it. They are available at most big electrical supply houses. If you can't find them, I have a pack of 100 of them I can break up and sell.
I wrapped my full length small block headers and they prevent the underhood heat from being unbearable.
My 2 cents!
Dave
Update : still shopping. Just tried to call Allen, but he's out for a few days since he's at Carlisle.
Did some digging, and turns out that the link that I posted above is Allen himself! And funny enough, the eBay auction is about 120$ less than on his website.
Thanks for the advice about buying all from the same place. Allen does not appear to sell headers, but I'll ask him which one's does he usually recommend.
Autom8r, how many feet of wrapper are we talking about to cover the headers; it seems they sell in 50' roll.
in Forum: C3 Fuel, Emission Control, and Exhaust Systems
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