Should I return my new exhaust system?

[Tom L.]

The exhaust for my '70 BB arrived today. Prior to ordering I was told that the welded system was made to "factory specifications" and was an exact reproduction. The system came from a reputable vendor that has, thus far, supplied the great majority of parts for the restoration.

Upon opening the box today, I was disappointed to learn that the intermediate pipe was welded to the muffler right at the inlet. I thought that the original mufflers had a length of pipe constructed into the inlet side of the muffler such that the weld was some distance from the muffler.

But for this issue, the system looks good and appears to fit well. How badly will the system do in judging? I don't know if it's worth the argument with the vendor over the shipping charges and re-stocking fee to return it. Please let me know what you think. Thanks.

[Dick W.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Originals had the pipe welded to the muffler. That part is good to go. The mufflers that were welded 12"-18" from the muffler have replacement mufflers.

[Joe L.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Originals had the pipe welded to the muffler. That part is good to go. The mufflers that were welded 12"-18" from the muffler have replacement mufflers.

Dick and Tom-----


Yup!

[Kenneth T.]

Should I return my new exhaust system?

If Dick and Joe call it as a go, I am interested I have a '71 BB creeping toward getting judged. Who is the vendor? If you can. Thanks.

Ken

[Tom L.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Thanks for straightening me out on this guys.

Ken, the vendor is Paragon. If you're interested, I can send some pictures once it's installed.

[Robert C.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

I would like to see pic's of your system. They sound good.

[Alan S.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

It's so rare in playing with old cars that you think there is a ' goof ' and it turns out it's O.K. ! Tom, you must feel pretty good.
Regards,
Alan

[Greg L.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Tom,
I you don't mind I'd be interested in your thoughts on how the Paragon system fits.

I bought my 2" carbon steel exhaust for my 69 from Corvette Central(they were the only ones that had carbon steel) and the fit was poor at best. I had to do lots of heating and bending where the pipes joined at the crossmember. Lucky for me it was carbon steel so that it was possible refinnish the repaired area to look like the rest of the pipes. Once all said and done,the drivers aft pipe/muffler assy is about 1" shorter from between where it goes under the diff and the muffler hanger. If I was the Hulk I would just grab the pipe under the diff and where it goes into the muffler and pull the muffler aft and that would fix it....but I'm not...

I used to install LOTS of exhaust when I worked in the garage and this one ranks right up there with one of the worst ever as far as how it fits.

It would be intersting to see if the Paragon one fits the same as the Corvette Central one or not.

[Bill C.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Buy NOS - fits EXACT and sounds PERFECT!
Weld the NOS mufflers to the NOS pipes and judges will be OKAY with the system.
I did this and did not a single judging point on the entire system.

Just costs a fortune
but worth every penny - my 2 cents --

If you run a car with factory/NOS exhaust next to a car with Paragon/CCental exhaust, the tone difference is dramatic. The NOS system gives a very low rumble tone, low note and the double walled pipes with the bends produce a unique sound.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Bill,

The original double wall pipe gave a unique sound in the BB's. Blub, Blub, Blulb. The aftermarket has a tinny ring. Not the same. Some say I am a pain.

How does the aluminum stuff sound?

[Sandra H.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Bill, I'm interested in NOS exhaust/muffler for my car.....where can I get them?
Thanks....Sandra

[Bill C.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Bill,

The original double wall pipe gave a unique sound in the BB's. Blub, Blub, Blulb. The aftermarket has a tinny ring. Not the same. Some say I am a pain.

How does the aluminum stuff sound?

The aluminum system from CC has a even tone, mid range, not the sound you described at all. btw -- the "Blub, Blub, Blulb." is a pretty good description NOS is throaty and you can hear it.


Sandra --- You will have to look at eBay, and other Corvette type resellers, try the NCRS Quarterly, there is a for sale area in it.
What year, engine size and transmission type is your car?

[Joe L.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Bill, I'm interested in NOS exhaust/muffler for my car.....where can I get them?
Thanks....Sandra

Sandra-----


J.T. Pipers has a lot of these C1 NOS exhaust systems (in fact, you'll find them on his eBay store, too). However, they do not come cheap---not at all!

[Tom L.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

Greg,

I installed it in about 45 minutes tonight. It fit very well, although the true test will come when I put the body back on. The mufflers are symmetrical with respect to their positions relative to the frame and back tires. The pipes fit well up under the differential and through the frame. The only snag was the clamps that had to be ground open a bit to fit properly around the pipes, but no big deal. I'll try to post some pictures later tonight.

[Sandra H.]

Re: Should I return my new exhaust system?

I'm almost afraid to check on the price now
My Corvette is a '62, 350hp, 4 speed.....but a long way from worrying about exhaust/mufflers (but I will anyhow). Need to rebuild engine/transmission, do interior, everything.....just want to get ducks in a row, and know what I need to do. I just know that I want that belly vibrating rumble coming from a car of mine.
When the time comes, I will ask again to see what ideas you might have.
Thanks, Sandra