C3 1968 Exhaust Muffler

[Mark F.]

What is the best source for a muffler for judging? The manual mentions GM Service Replacement. Are they still available from GM? I'm assuming the mail order vendors are stainless steel or aluminumized. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have a 68 big block coupe.

Mark Franken #39215

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 1968 Exhaust Muffler

Mark-----

No mufflers for ANY 1953-82 Corvette are currently available from GM. Replacements available in the "reproduction" or replacement marketplace are externally similar to the originals, but the internals (and, consequently, the sound they produce) are completely different. The original mufflers had aluminized or galvanized exterior shells. So, reproductions or replacements with that feature are true to the originals. Stainless mufflers were never originally used on 1953-82 Corvettes. While the muffler shells were aluminized or galvanized, the exhasut pipes, themselves, NEVER were. They were mild carbon steel only and rusted virtually immediately.

Personally, I think that probably the best exhaust systems on the market are those manufactured by Allen's Corvette Exhaust Systems of Logansport, IN, ****CO of Milwaukee, WI and Corvette Central of Sawyer, MI. Each have "pluses and minuses".

One plus with reproduction systems is that you can get them with the exhaust pipes welded to the mufflers at the muffler as was the PRODUCTION configuration for most 63-72 Corvettes. GM SERVICE mufflers for standard exhaust, when they were available, used a bell joint for joining the SERVICE muffler to the original or replacement rear exhaust pipe. The only original GM SERVICE mufflers which ever had the original configuration was the N-14 "off-road" system. This system for 1968 Corvettes, the last year of its availability, has been GM-discontinued for over 25 years.

[Mark F.]

Re: C3 1968 Exhaust Muffler

I still have carbon steel exhaust pipes with the original bends, etc, so I was hoping to get a muffler that I could have welded on. The exhaust pipes do have a bit of surface rust on them and would take some work to restore, but no rust throughs. Also have a right and left center section that have been barely used. Just trying to figure the best way to have minor deductions when the car is judged. Have the carbon steel exhaust tips also, so I'm almost there.

Mark Franken

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 1968 Exhaust Muffler

Mark I bought two Walker replacement mufflers for my 68 many years ago from an auto parts store. They have held up very well and still look in very good condition for being about 20 years old. The sound is OK with me on my 327/350 especially with the convertible top down.