1969 Exhaust Question

[John S.]

Time to replace the exhaust on my 69 350/300 4sp.

The small block 1968 system has downtubes that expand the diameter from 2" at the manifold to 2.5". For 69 the system is 2" all the way back. Both fit on a 69.

Does the 2" -> 2.5" system provide a performance advantage over the 2" system?

Aluminized steel seems like the best material. I've heard that SS systems can be hard to seal at the clamps and increase interior heat.

I plan to purchase from either Corvette Central, Allens or Gardners. I can buy the Corvette Central system from my local Corvette Parts shop.

Any comments on material or vendor?

The car will be judged again and I know that there will be a deduct for the aluminzed pipes and also for the SS tips. I hate to lose my chrome tips, but back in the day the prior owner had work done by a muffler shop who did a sloppy job and welded the tips on the pipes. I may try to cut off the tips, clean them up and reuse them but the weld job slopped material on the chrome. Has anyone chrome plated the SS tips to avoid points loss?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

John,
The gardner system worked well for me, its aluminized steel or carbon steel, but rusting we be a problem with carbon steel, anyway the system went on the car without a hitch. the bends in piping are like the factorys, For your car the front pipe it is swedged from the factory where it goes from 2 to 2 1/2. and gardners is exactly like the factory. where the other venders its a welded pipe. Its a thumbs up for me for gardners system. cost is a little more, But the install is worth the money alone.

I have read many posts on the problems with systems that do not fit properly. you can spend countless hours with the alignement of the system.

The tip removal, you can purchase a pipe cutter cheap at one of those discount tool places, and remove just ahead of the welded ends if you want to save the tips.

[Jim M.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

John, I bought mine from Corvette Central and it fit perfect and the install was easy. Jim

[Jim T.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

Time to replace the exhaust on my 69 350/300 4sp.

The small block 1968 system has downtubes that expand the diameter from 2" at the manifold to 2.5". For 69 the system is 2" all the way back. Both fit on a 69.

Does the 2" -> 2.5" system provide a performance advantage over the 2" system?

Aluminized steel seems like the best material. I've heard that SS systems can be hard to seal at the clamps and increase interior heat.

I plan to purchase from either Corvette Central, Allens or Gardners. I can buy the Corvette Central system from my local Corvette Parts shop.

Any comments on material or vendor?

The car will be judged again and I know that there will be a deduct for the aluminzed pipes and also for the SS tips. I hate to lose my chrome tips, but back in the day the prior owner had work done by a muffler shop who did a sloppy job and welded the tips on the pipes. I may try to cut off the tips, clean them up and reuse them but the weld job slopped material on the chrome. Has anyone chrome plated the SS tips to avoid points loss?

Do not know about the points loss. However since your 69 came with 2 inch exhaust pipes like my 1970, when I converted back to under the car exhaust from the 69 Corvette optional side exhaust, I installed the 2 1/2 inch exhaust pipes that are just like what is on my 68. I also bought/replaced from GM the exhaust bracket that mounts on the rear transmission mount for the 2 1/2 inch system.
I do not know the exact performance advantage of the 2 1/2 inch system. I knew I was going to replace my 350/300 engine with a GM ZZ 350/345 crate engine and opted for the 2 1/2 inch system to contribute some exhaust flow to the ZZ's higher horsepower.

[John S.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

Thanks for the feedback. I'm ordering the 2" system from Gardner and will try to recondition the orig chrome tips.

[Tom M.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

John, 69 was the only year corvette had 2" on 350 and 427, why I don't know ?? even on the L88

[Jeff A.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

Gardner gave me an extremely BAD time with my Camaro exhaust.
I ending up sending it back and losing $200 freight because of their defective parts.
Gardner was relentlessly unreasonable.

You are crazy to give them 1 penny of your money.

Below is a long thread on Team Camaro - The real trouble started on page 3 with post #32.
Went from - "who should i buy from?" to "why does this gardner stuff look like crap?"
To realizing that Gardner would not help in any way but to say "take it or leave it."

Click here ---> http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...ardner+muffler

[R N.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

I've purchase a system from Eric Gardner for my '70 RS/Z28 and had no issues with installation or fitment. IMO, they offer great customer service and many of my buddy's have purchased from Gardner with the same results. Everything came well packaged and even had installation instructions.

I have also purchase from Corv. Central (N11 system) for my '67 L79 and the only problem I had was fitting the alignment sleeve into the front pipes (they were a little tight). Other than that the system fit great.

The Gardner system has the correct wrinkles and C C doesn't. The only reason I went with the CC system was they were offering free shipping (including Canada) which really saved me a bundle of $$$$$ otherwise I would of purchased the Gardner system.

At Gardner you're dealing with the owner's of the business and exhaust is all they do. I think you will be happy with either system regardless of who you purchase from.

[Paul J.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

Below is a long thread on Team Camaro - The real trouble started on page 3 with post #32.
Went from - "who should i buy from?" to "why does this gardner stuff look like crap?"
To realizing that Gardner would not help in any way but to say "take it or leave it."

Click here ---> http://www.camaros.net/forums/showth...ardner+muffler

Jeff;

That was a very interesting link. Thanks for posting it.

Paul

[Paul O.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

John I can tell you that if the pipes are aluminized that should cause a 40% deduct due to the finish and date. If the configuration is not typical that is another 20%. The Gardner systems that I have recently judged (2 1/2") did have a 60% deduct for pipes and mufflers (config, date and finish). The only credit was installed correctly and was complete.

I have not seen a 100% correct system produced by any vendor other the original GM systems.

I had high hopes after hearing about the above vendor but after seeing several of there systems my hopes faded fast.

Paul 18046

[John S.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

I got busy and haven't moved fwd with the exhaust project. Seeing the point deduct for a new system, I'm reconsidering. Perhaps I'll try to fix up the original parts. While the previous owner did a great job leaving this car original, the exhaust has non-orig 2 1/2" mufflers welded to the old pipes, the tips are welded and the downtubes welded. Maybe I can straighten out some of these items.

[John S.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

The heat riser failed so I temporarily wired it open and decided to order the Gardner system. Eric Gardner says it'll take a few weeks. I'll up this post after I receive the system and install.

[Alan S.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

Hi John,
I'd be interested in hearing how you decided on the Gardner system, since I'm getting ready to order a 2" sb system for my 71.
Thanks Very Much!
Regards,
Alan

[John S.]

[Gene M.]

Re: 1969 Exhaust Question

John you have the 304 and 409 stainless reversed. The 304 has more chromium so resist rust better. Also 409 does weld as pretty.