C3 exhaust system

[Rick M.]

Has anyone bought a Gardner exhaust system? Have you ever had it judged and how did it do? Do you like the systen? Thanks for any info.

[Paul J.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Has anyone bought a Gardner exhaust system? Have you ever had it judged and how did it do? Do you like the systen? Thanks for any info.

Try this....

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...xhaust+judging

There's a lot more in the archives.

Paul

[Mark D.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

I know the guys at Sweet Thunder are putting a lot of effort into coming up with a very correct under car system but, for now, it's still in the development stage.

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Rick, I brought a gardner system for my 72 C3 and for the money spent I think the C.C. system is better for the money. For judging reasons there are all about the same. between 50 and 60 percent depending on the judge.

[Alan S.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Hi Rick,
My thinking is about the same as Edward's.
I bought an aluminized, welded, 2" system for my 71 from C.C. and found the fit to be beyond my expectations, AND, it was very easily to install.
I think the 70-72 exhaust tips from Richard Fortier are worth looking in to too if you need a pair!
Regards,
Alan

[Edward J.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

I have a set of Richs tips on my 72 and are about 3/4 years now and the plating has held up great, The exhaust system investment is pretty big to make it somewhat correct. and for the points its likely your worst investment. But my system really looks great and sound good.the Gardner mufflers have a nice sound. maybe a little more the others.

[Bill C.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

There is a BIG difference between Eric's systems and CC.
The BB systems have the correct flats mandral bends and crinkling - just like the NOS and original ones.
CC systems do not look the same, plus I had a set NOS W mufflers on my 72 454, I compared to a Gardner system and they sounded very close.

This is just my 2 cents...

FWIW - I purchased a complete system for my 1970 440 sixpack Challenger. Their system is dead nuts correct in configuration and sound.

Forme they have been VERY correct and I will always use them - even if it costs a little more.

Bill

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Rick

I judge chassis for 70-72 Mark and Ed hit the nail on the head the Gardner system is getting better but it still will cost you 50-60% points. First the total configuration is not there yet on the rear pipes and the front pipes fair a little better the muffler are not even close yet unless they have made some big up grades.

1. Front pipes date and finish not typical 40%.
2. Rear pipes Config. Date and Finish 60%. double weld at muffler because they come in 2 sections.
3. Mufflers Config, Date and Finish 60%.
4. Richards tips could receive a slight deduction on the welding and finish.
5. Do not forget the hangers, clamps, fastener and washers.

The CC would system would lose 20% more on the front pipes I do not know if the cost is justifiable at this point and time. But that is just my opinion and you know what that is worth.

[Ed D.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

I just received a Gardner exhaust system for my "71 (350/270 h.p.). The workmanship looks great, but I haven't had time to install it yet. Gardner was recommended to me by Automotive Performance Unlimited in Benbrook, TX. They have specialized in Corvette restoration for many years, so I trust their recommendation.

[Ed D.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Paul,

I'm in the process of installing a Gardner exhaust system on my '71 (350/270 hp). Am I correct in welding the intermediate pipe to the muffler? If so, is the weld run clockwise (facing forward) on the car? (Does this even matter for points?)

My other question concerns blacking out the muffler. I haven't been able to find documentation on this, but have heard it was done. Any idea how much of the muffler or exhaust system would have been sprayed flat black?

Thanks,

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Paul,

I'm in the process of installing a Gardner exhaust system on my '71 (350/270 hp). Am I correct in welding the intermediate pipe to the muffler? If so, is the weld run clockwise (facing forward) on the car? (Does this even matter for points?)

My other question concerns blacking out the muffler. I haven't been able to find documentation on this, but have heard it was done. Any idea how much of the muffler or exhaust system would have been sprayed flat black?

Thanks,

Ed

Ed-----

If the Gardner mufflers have an extension with a slip joint (like GM SERVICE mufflers), there's no way that you can duplicate the original configuration regardless of how you weld it. The original systems did not have a slip joint and the rear pipe ("intermediate" pipe) extended all the way to the muffler and was welded-on at that point.

In general, the blackout on the mufflers covered the bottom, sides, and rear.

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Joe the Gardner system does not have a slip joint at the muffler what they have is a short pipe maybe 1" to 2" long welded to the muffler. You then would have to butt weld the rear pipe to this short extension in turn causing a double weld within a few inches of each other.

Ed we do not go to this degree of detail at this point of the direction the weld goes around at the muffler. Plus the original company that made these parts they could of had 4 right handed welders and 2 left handed or any other combination causing multiple welding directions. Joe hit the nail on the head on the blackout we have seem more and less on the blackout it just varied from one to the next. Hope this helps.

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

There was a long thread on muffler blackout on this board within the last six months. It contained some original blackout photos and some fake blackout photos. It might be worth your time to search for it -- but then maybe not.

[Don L.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Rick/Ed, Confirming my post from the linked thread above, I really like the Gardner system, having gotten an excellent fit and great customer service from them.

I hadn't seen this thread due to some recent business travel. Paul, I'm not sure what you are saying about the extension pipe to muffler joint in the Gardner system. My Gardner system does have a slip joint, but much shorter and much closer, in my opinion to original design than the Corvette Central parts. I think the "cuff" is approximately 1 1/8" long. I stick welded mine to more closely represent original than what I thought wire welding would give. Photo attached.


IMG_0488.jpg

Regarding the black out, I did my "fake" (I like to think of it as reproduced, since my car's original exhaust was long gone - the car had stainless when I got it ) mufflers with VHT Very High Temperature black spray paint. I painted to the pattern that Joe mentions here in post #10. Since I was building the system, I baked the paint on the mufflers per the manufacturer's instruction before assembly.

IMG_4439_2.jpg

I've since driven the car approx 2,000 miles (some highway, mostly city) with only very, very slight discoloration in the black finish. I received a 2 point deduction for the pipes (aluminized, weld location) and a 4 point deduction for mufflers (replacement type) at the 2011 National Convention. I couldn't be happier.

[Paul O.]

Re: C3 exhaust system

Don from what I can tell your car is a base 2" system that system from Gardner is closer to original then the 2 1/2" system plus the 2 1/2" used to have at weld at the muffler body this they may have changed. The 2" issues are Aluminized parts the mufflers and the weld at the mufflers the 2 1/2" has more issues. Here is a photo of the back of an original 2 1/2" pipe and muffler as you can see (not totally clear) the weld is much closer to the muffler body. I did have a original 2" muffler and pipe and the weld was at the same location which differs from your Gardner setup.