I am pretty impressed with what I've seen from several exhaust systems including Flowmasters and Pypes. However, there is a guy near me that does great custom work. I've been to his shop and he's really on the ball. Simple question: what can a "custom" guy do that I can't get from the same size system from, say Flowmasters? This is for a '68 project, I don't expect "fit" to be a problem as it's a total restoration with new tranny, motor, etc. thanks

let your guy run a custom exhaust!! why spend the extra money its just as good if not better!!

lol.. Sparky, maybe I strung too many sentences together for a fella from the foothills of N.C., but what can he do that makes it better? I think it's about $400 more, if I remember right. that would go a long way.

Mark a muffler shop can custom fit and build what you want under your car. Pricing at a muffler shop should actually be less for a basic system up to much more for a mandrel bent stainless system. The benefits of a muffler shop are it doesn't matter what engine, mounts, transmission, headers, manifolds, tires, springs, shocks etc you have on your car each piece of the exhaust system is made to fit your car and is welded in place.

I don't care how perfect of a restoration is being done there is no guarantee a pre-bent box of pipes will fit perfectly. I'm not saying the kits are not good high quality product but like headers as an example; if your car isn't exactly like the one used to make the mold there is a chance they won't fit properly, you can read all about header fit in the forums.

You really need to be more specific what are you paying for a kit? What does it include? And what is the muffler guy providing in his quote for the additional $400? Who is putting together that kit if you get it? Are you paying someone? Will they weld the kit or use band clamps?

I originally ordered a complete Flowmaster 3 inch system but for my particular application ( Richmond 6 speed ) it did not fit ( not because of the product which was great quality.), just my custom crossmember wouldn't clear it. I believe this bolt-on system was about $700.00 or so.

I ended up going to my local custom shop and he made a custom system for a little less money. It fit excellent and he also added two flanges in front of the rear end so that I could unbolt the main part of the exhaust without removing the tailpipes. The install instructions on the Flowmaster system still advised getting the connections welded which meant I would have had to take it to a welder or muffler shop anyway.

You just have to really compare exhaust shops, my shop builds custom headers also, so I knew tricky bends would not be a problem.

itll fit the first he does it and itll be cheaper!! 250.00 plus mufflers down here!!

I've purchased the Hooker dual exhaust system from Summit for two different gen Camaro's and installed them myself in the driveway with aftermarket mufflers. The kit will bolt to both headers or manifolds. The exhaust exits below the bumper. The entire thing was less then $300. Aside from a chambered exhaust, I'd use the Hooker kit again, over any competitor's exhaust, without hesitation.

One kit that interest's me IF it will fit is the Flowmaster one that mounts a transverse muffler between the rear end and the gas tank like a stock 1st Gen.

And then has short, stock type tailpipes!

I want to say that the exhaust pipes enter the transverse muffler from the front top at an angle for better flow instead of from both ends in and out.

And I figure a system like this will be light AND still place the muffler weight rearward where it is needed just like stock.

BUT I have NO idea of how good this system actually lower's sound???

pdq67