Aluminized Muffler to Stainless Pipe; Will it work

[Christopher J. Bunsey]

Can I put the aluminized muffler to a stainless pipe? My 1976 L-82 had been converted to true dual stainless, but the guy painted the muffler! Any suggestions? I have been looking at either the Dynos or the replacements at Corvette Central. I cant find oem replacements listed. Thanks again for the help!

Chris

[Chuck S.]

Re: Aluminized Muffler to Stainless Pipe; Will it

Define "Work". For judging...no and no. Judges can tell if it's aluminized or painted, and detection of stainless is a de rigueur no-brainer. (Judges are sly devils...they carry these magnets around with them.) Can the materials be welded together? You bet...just need a welder that does REAL welding for a living.

To my knowledge (may be dated), about the closest thing you can get to the original exhaust system for judging is the one-piece (I assume the 76 still has the one-piece welded systems) aluminized system from Allen's. You will probably get a deduct for not having natural steel pipes and galvanized mufflers, but it's worth the deduct IMO.

[Joe L.]

Re: Aluminized Muffler to Stainless Pipe; Will it

Chuck and Christopher-----

1976 did not use a "1 piece system"----all of the pieces were clamped or bolted (cat. converter) together.

As far as using aluminized mufflers with a set of stainless steel pipes, it's VERY feasible---no problem, at all.

I can understand why someone might have painted the stainless steel mufflers. On a 76, the original mufflers were so painted and there was a reason for this. The reason was that the mufflers are partially exposed in the "rear view" of the car. Shiny, metallic mufflers "stand out like a sore thumb". So, they were painted black. SERVICE 1976 mufflers from GM, when available, were painted black, too.

The problem with painting stainless steel mufflers is that unless the stainless steel is specially treated, it's difficult to get paint to adhere very well. So, if the only problem that you have with the stainless steel mufflers is the fact that they're painted, you could probably remove said paint very easily.