1971 Mufflers

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Paul, I have put a few cf Corvette central exhaust systems on C2/C3 and find that to get the alignment and rattle free requires more time than I think we should spend. sometimes worse than others. My auto shop is not a corvette specialty shop but have a regular customer base that I preform regular maint. on. I will say that corvette central has the best price for a system. but unless you do this job yourself the savings are lost when its installed.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

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

Bill-------


Yes, it would. And, I'm sure it's been done. In fact, as I understand it, Ecklers is the GM Restoration Parts Program licensee for the mufflers and has the original blueprints for the mufflers. They don't manufacture mufflers, though, and I'm told Allen's manufactures for them. However, I don't think the mufflers are made to the original specs. Assuming that's the way it is, I don't know why.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

A stainless steel exhaust system will never sound even close to an original. I can hear the ringing type of sound stainless steel makes with no difficulty and my hearing acuity is pretty poor.

There used to be a company named R&S (I think. I know it was two letters and one of them was R). They made stainless steel exhaust systems that were works of art. They looked and sounded nothing like OEM exhaust, but the welds were so beautiful. If you know anything about TIG welding they would take your breath away. They also offered a lifetime guarantee against corrosion. I have seen sets polished (not for NCRS) that were like mirrors. Sadly, like most good things, they have gone the way of the Dodo bird, but I get a warm fuzzy feeling every time I climb into the garage attic. That 2.5-inch set is still in the boxes they came in. Not for sale.

It is not too hard for me to hear the sound of OEM pipes. I just have to fire up the LT1. With some help I had it running last Thursday to move the cars around for winter storage. There is nothing like the sound of OEM pipes, and solid lifters are a bonus.

[Barry L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Hey Terry and everyone

I appreciate all the help. I will digest all the info and make a decision as to what direction I want to go.


Thanks

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

FYI, Waldron's Exhaust did copy original mufflers several years ago and started making them. They are sold through Corvette Central as the N-11 or offroad muffler. As far as sound are concerned, they are probably as close as you can get without using NOS mufflers.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Waldron's website shows exhaust systems for C1 Corvettes, but not C2s or C3s.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Waldron's website shows exhaust systems for C1 Corvettes, but not C2s or C3s.

Correct. Corvette Central is the exclusive seller of their mufflers.

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Are the Corvette Central C2 N-11 muflers the only Waldron mufflers for Corvettes newer than C1? Are CC pipes also Waldron?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Are the Corvette Central C2 N-11 muflers the only Waldron mufflers for Corvettes newer than C1? Are CC pipes also Waldron?

Only the N-11 mufflers are made by Waldron. The pipes are the same ones that CC has been making for years. They just substitute in the Waldron N-11s if you order the N-11 mufflers.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Only the N-11 mufflers are made by Waldron. The pipes are the same ones that CC has been making for years. They just substitute in the Waldron N-11s if you order the N-11 mufflers.

Hi Patrick,

Hope you don't mind be bringing this back to the top. I just started thinking about the muffler again. Forgive my confusion.

Do you mean that the Waldron manufactured N11 muffler CC sells for C3 is the duplicate/copy of the standard 70-72 muffler and that they will provide welded pipes with this muffler?

Kindest Regards,


Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Hi Patrick,

Hope you don't mind be bringing this back to the top. I just started thinking about the muffler again. Forgive my confusion.

Do you mean that the Waldron manufactured N11 muffler CC sells for C3 is the duplicate/copy of the standard 70-72 muffler and that they will provide welded pipes with this muffler?

Kindest Regards,


Bill

I suspect so, but I would call them to verify how they package them.