72 Exhaust

[ERIC FAIRCLOUGH]

Hello, I have a 72 454/400 trans ,stainless exhaust. I am going to replace it eventually but i have a question about it. It looks like it is 2 1/2 inch pipe but right before the back tires both the pipes are crushed down to roughly and 1 3/4 inch. They look like ovals. Doesn't this hurt performance? The guy who inspected it said it came from the factory like that so it had better ground clearence. Did they flatten the pipe at the factory? I always thought the previous owner just bottomed out since the oil pan has some dents in it too. Thanks in advance. Eric

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 Exhaust

Eric-----

The center portion of the rear 2-1/2" exhaust pipes on 63-72 Corvettes was originally "flattened" for the purpose of increasing ground clearance. Most, if not all, 2" rear exhaust pipes of the period were similarly "flattened".