Stainless Exhaust

[Larry Maher (10731)]

The current exhaust system on our '72 LT-1 is ready for replacement, and this seems like the perfect project to do over the next month or so, while the car is relatively idle.
Does anyone have any experiences/opinions regarding the installation of a stainless steel system? Loss of judging points are not an issue with me.
I imagine that there are no great differences or problems to overcome during installation, as compared with a carbon steel system; I'm interested in opinions on exhaust sound.
My personal opinion of my current system is that it is much too loud. Quite likely, the inner muffler baffles are rusted and blown out. The driver's side exhaust is a Midas system that was on the car when we purchased it in 1982; I installed Walker pipes and muffler on the passenger's side in 1988.
Thanks for your info.
Larry, # 10731

[Donald Milone (8060)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

What!?, a Midas exhaust sysem that lasted 25 years! Midas ought to give you a complete new system for free in exchange for the old system so they can put it in Ripley's museum. Seriously, though, an SS system should do you just fine. I have heard of SS systems being prone to exhaust leaks, so make sure everything is tight . Sometimes the new system sounds louder (different?) than the one it replaced, but that's to be expected.
Don

[Larry Maher (10731)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Don, Thanks for your info. Just to put the Midas half of the system in perspective, those 25 years represent 34,000 miles of dry weather highway driving; not the most corrosive environment for undercar components. The leaks you mention, are you referring to the connection of the front exhaust pipes to the exhaust manifolds, or the pipe-to-pipe and pipe-to-muffler connections? As for SS being louder, perhaps they're louder than a new, stock replacement system, but I would hope they'd be quieter than my most-probably baffle-less mufflers. Thanks again, Larry

[Donald Milone (8060)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Larry, Yes, I meant the pipe to pipe and pipe to muffler connections(both rare) The pipe to manifold connection should be no problem with a new "donut". I used brass manifold studs and nuts. they'll never rust but need to be retightened from time to time.
Don

[Joe Tutela (46448)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Remeber stainless is markedly harder than the carbon/"aluminzed" systems. There are sealants (I personally don't like that solution) or heavier duty clamps for stainless. It takes a considerable amount of torque to get the crsuh you need to seal the stainless system. Get the heavy duty clamps in any event. Good luck...Joe

[Joe Tutela (46448)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

sorry make that CRUSH

[Larry Maher (10731)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Thanks, Don. The car already has stainless studs and long brass nuts; I started using those a number of years back when I had the exhaust manifolds refinished. I'll make sure that I visit my donut shop for new ones. Although, 'Boston Cream' may cause a mess underhood. Larry

[Larry Maher (10731)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Joe, thanks very much. I hadn't considered the extra clamping force needed. I'll be sure to torque 'em tight. Have you any opinion on the sound of an SS system? Larry

[Dick Whittington (8804)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

The sound of a stainless system has more of a "ring" to it than carbon/aluminized does. Maybe just my hearing though.

[Joe Tutela (46448)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

In my limited experience, Dick is correct about the "ring". Its a little different tone, not really louder. You might not even notice after riding with worn out mufflers. As for the sound, you probably won't notice much difference unless you do a direct side by side comparison, and even then, different mufflers sound different. There is certainly more difference in tube versus cast iron headers then you should notice. I am looking at the chambered systems some catalogs offer, even if they're not direct replacements for my system (points don't necessarily matter here either). I REALLY liked the chambered exhaust I had on my "67 442 back when I was MUCH younger. Good luck.

[Jim Reinarts (36423)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

Hi larry I have aluminized from corvette central 65 365hp ,i love the exhaust, also Allens makes good aluminized and offers three sound qualities , both cc and allens are two piece welded and both last along time, plus you wont get the tinny sound and growing problems .

[Patrick Hulst (16386)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

I'd agree.

I've had aluminized on my 72 for almost 10 years, and it looks like it went on last week. The system on my (formerly) daily driver 71 has been on for 4 years and still looks like new.

I'm not sure that for fair weather cars you will see any significant benefit to the use of stainless. As with you my 71's prior system was a Midas, installed by a previous owner. It lasted about as long as yours, and I only took it off because a previous owner drove it over something that put a nice flat dent in the bottom pipes. It was carbon steel, and did not have any holes.

As funny as it may sound, my Midas mufflers really did sound good on my 71.

Patrick

[Tom Stanton (41491)]

Re: Stainless Exhaust

I would go with aluminized also. Much easier to get sealed up, sounds better, looks nice, less expensive. JMHO. Tom