1971 Mufflers

[Gary R.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I have had fitment issues with every exhaust pipe I purchased from vendors. They were made by one of the above mentioned places. I last bought a set of chambered pipes about 10 years ago from them. They were no where close to fitting and I ended up at a muffler shop to have them cut and fit them. I am not concerned about judging I just want a system that I can fit without a pipe bender and expander. The only place I ever found that was from Jack Horner who ran East Tenn Corvette. I don't know if Jack is still in the business but his pipes fit, I just wish I bought a 2.5" set for my 72 automatic at the time.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I have had fitment issues with every exhaust pipe I purchased from vendors. They were made by one of the above mentioned places. I last bought a set of chambered pipes about 10 years ago from them. They were no where close to fitting and I ended up at a muffler shop to have them cut and fit them. I am not concerned about judging I just want a system that I can fit without a pipe bender and expander. The only place I ever found that was from Jack Horner who ran East Tenn Corvette. I don't know if Jack is still in the business but his pipes fit, I just wish I bought a 2.5" set for my 72 automatic at the time.

Gary-------


I agree. I have had problems, too. I've never tried the Corvette Central systems, though, and I've heard very good reports as to their fitment.

Part of my problem is that I like to use only stainless steel pipes and there are not too many manufacturers of those. The Allen's right side 2-1/2" big block stainless pipes fit very well for me. However, I had a hell of a time with left side forward pipe. Even after I returned it to Allen's and they adjusted it, it still didn't fit right.

Here's the biggest part of the problem: the original GM pipes were DIE-FORMED. No reproduction pipes I know of are die-formed.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I have a much simpler question for our exhaust experts. I just want some stock-type mufflers that will actually fit well on a 70 Corvette with
2 1/2" exhaust. Many years ago I bought Allen's stainless steel pipes and generic Turbo mufflers from a speed shop. The mufflers did not fit well enough to be able to put the chrome outlets on, but I didn't think the turbo mufflers were precision pieces anyway. More recently, when I wanted more of a stock sound, I contacted Gardner's but they would not sell mufflers, only complete systems. I bought Corvette Central stock type mufflers, and they fit even worse than the Turbo mufflers. Besides the chrome outlets not fitting the body cut-outs, I have to safety wire the pipes to the rear spring to keep them from dragging the ground.

Are there any mufflers that fit right with Allen's pipes. Has anyone tried a welded pipe and muffler with a stainless steel pipe. I think Allen's makes some welded systems. Has anyone tried them?

Patrick------


As I mentioned in another response, I've had problems with left side fitment using Allen's stainless steel pipes with a 2-1/2" big block system and I used them with GM mufflers. The right side fit fine but the left side was a big problem. I believe the root of the problem was with the left side forward pipe. While the manifestation of the problem involved the rear pipe (too low hanging at the spring and improper location of the muffler), the real problem lies with the forward pipe. If the forward pipe is even a little bit "off", the rest of the system will not fit properly even if the rest of the system is perfect.

Which mufflers sound like the original mufflers? In my opinion, NONE. It's like a musical instrument. Which violins sound just like a Stradivarius? Folks have been trying to duplicate the sound for hundreds of years and no one's done it yet.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Did you get steel, aluminized, or stainless?

Mark just checked my 1968's Walkers mufflers with a magnet. They are made from steel and coated to prevent rusting. In my opinion I will continue to use Walkers if I have to replace the mufflers on my 1970 coupe which is the same color as yours.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Mark just checked my 1968's Walkers mufflers with a magnet. They are made from steel and coated to prevent rusting. In my opinion I will continue to use Walkers if I have to replace the mufflers on my 1970 coupe which is the same color as yours.

Jim-------


The only mufflers I can find that Walker currently manufactures and has available for 1968-72 Corvettes are their DynoMax Turbo Mufflers.

Even when Walker last manufactured a regular service replacement muffler for 1968-72, the internal configuration (and, thus, the sound) of those mufflers was not the same as the originals which they manufactured for GM. A Walker representative once admitted this to me.

[Douglas L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

FWIW, I have a 2-1/2" system from Gardner on my 68 L36 car and the fit was awesome. In all truthfulness, the system fit was ridiculously good, I don't think I've ever had a part not made by GM fit so well.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

FWIW, I have a 2-1/2" system from Gardner on my 68 L36 car and the fit was awesome. In all truthfulness, the system fit was ridiculously good, I don't think I've ever had a part not made by GM fit so well.

Doug------


Unfortunately and as far as I know, Gardner only manufactures plain carbon steel exhaust systems. So, the dreaded rust quickly appears on the pipes. I HATE rust.

[Douglas L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Doug------


Unfortunately and as far as I know, Gardner only manufactures plain carbon steel exhaust systems. So, the dreaded rust quickly appears on the pipes. I HATE rust.

Joe, When I bought mine I had it made in aluminized steel. While they do offer plain steel I opted for the aluminized, figured the loss in points was well worth the long term appearance. Doug

[Barry L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

This topic seem to make a good discussion. What I would like to know is the any vendor making mufflers that look like the originals? I'm not interested in numbers or letters, just want mufflers that look like the originals and sound similar to the originals. Don't want any flowmasters or hot rod mufflers, just something that looks like the originals. If they come on stainless steel that's better.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

This topic seem to make a good discussion. What I would like to know is the any vendor making mufflers that look like the originals? I'm not interested in numbers or letters, just want mufflers that look like the originals and sound similar to the originals. Don't want any flowmasters or hot rod mufflers, just something that looks like the originals. If they come on stainless steel that's better.

Barry------


The mufflers made by Corvette Central, Allen's, and Gardner are externally configured very close to the original mufflers. Allen's makes them in stainless steel as well as carbon steel.

[Barry L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Anyone know about Allen's Mufflers in Logansport, IN? Comments

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Anyone know about Allen's Mufflers in Logansport, IN? Comments

Barry------


I mentioned them in my previous post. They do make mufflers that are externally configured very close to the originals and they make them in stainless steel and aluminized. Whether they are internally configured like the originals, I have my doubts.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Barry------


I mentioned them in my previous post. They do make mufflers that are externally configured very close to the originals and they make them in stainless steel and aluminized. Whether they are internally configured like the originals, I have my doubts.

Since there are sets of worn out originals and NOS muffler examples wouldn't make sense for one of the vendors to open up an original to copy the internals?

Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Barry, My 72 exhaust is made by Gardner exhaust and it has a very nice exhaust note. I cannot say that I can remember what the factory exhaust system sounded like. but I will say that Gardner's system is the best Ive heard', like you I am not for something that is to loud ,and l want something that looks like the factory. His system has the correct pipe bends and fitment was excellent. its is not the cheapest you can buy, but true quality is sometimes more expensive. And as other posters here have said fitment is the biggest problem you find with most of the vendors.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I friend that had an original system still installed on his 71 LT-1. I suggested he should not drive around with that in place. He ordered a complete exhaust from Keen Corvette's that were produced by Corvette Central (CC). The fitment and sound he likes very much plus he said the car felt as if it had gained some performance. It was an easy install and he chose aluminized. I have heard over the years that CC system had very good fitment and sound but as with any reproduced item at times there could be issues.