For those interested...

Installing a Pypes 2 1/2" X-pipe kit on my 69 convert.

This is a pretty nicely designed kit. The connection to the headers is very straightforward and is nicely adjustable as far as width goes. The X fits up into the tunnel nicely and the long pipes running to the mufflers have good clearance in the tunnel.

The only real problem is the two piece tail pipes. As they exit the muffler they take a 90* bend up toward the trunk floor as it loops over the axle. In this 90*, the pipe is too long, and it hits the bottom of the car. The fix, however, was quite simple. A cut in the middle of the straight section, and a trip to the local muffler shop to have the pipe swedged for a slip fit, and that section is effectively shortened. Total cost for the fix was $0.00, as it takes the muffler shop about 10 seconds with their hydraulic expander.

All that's left is to tack weld the pieces in place, pull out the sections and fully weld, and do the final install.

As far as the X-brace for the convert goes, I had decided before hand to fab my own and install it ABOVE the exhaust system, and it looks to be an easy job. If you cared to, you could come real close to fitting this thing under the factory X-brace with minimal shimming. It would take some fairly intricate S-bends, depending upon how far down your headers hang, and to keep the mandrel bends intact you shouldn't rely on your corner muffler shop to do it.

Thanks to my brother for his help!! (Actually, I'm helping him!)

PS A chop saw with a metal cutting blade along with a mig welder and an air powered grinder are almost essential for doing this job.

[ 08-13-2004, 06:04 PM: Message edited by: BPOS ]

Gorgeous ride, Al.

Pipes under the x-brace tho? Won't that be hard on your ground clearance?

I used the flowmaster system, and woulda needed an inch of shim to put the x-brace back on... So far, it's still in a cabinet. Haven't missed it much, don't have a 385 to stress things out, but I'd like to put it back someday.

Ragtops Forever!!

I'm making a "U" shaped brace that actually goes up into the tunnel just below the driveshaft. The exhaust system will go below that brace and sit where it would on a coupe. It just seems easier than trying to stuff all that above the brace. I got the idea from someone on this board....these guys did it on their project car. The brace utilizes only the front two bolt holes where the factory brace uses three and is much longer.

http://brphotrods.com/1969_NOV8TR_update/69camarocap24.html
(8th pictue down)

Thanks for the kind words, Jim - nice ride yourself!

I hate replying to my own post, but.....

The tailpipes on this system are poor at best. I ordered the "straight out the back" style, and never really could get them to fit correctly. I wound up cutting them so that they dump at an angle toward the ground behind the rear tires and just below the rear quarter, and I added a chrome tip. I like the look, so I can't gripe too much....but if you want the out the back look, I'd suggest to look elsewhere for tailpipes.

I ended using the tip type ends and went straight out the back with a stainless tip. Did you make another flange connection before the mufflers? SS

Originally posted by railing68:
Did you make another flange connection before the mufflers? SS No I did't. We attached the mufflers with a couple of 1" welds at each end and clamps. The rest of the system is fully welded.

bpos, what kind of system is this? i've been looking at a system out of pypes performance that has a full system with an x-pipe and a custom spacer for the convertable x-brace. i saw this at a car show in Atlantic city and this is the first set up i saw specically for 69 conv. tongue.gif

The kit I used is for a 69 coupe by Pypes Perf. - I don't think anyone makes an X-kit for a first gen convert. You just kind of have to improvise as far as the X-brace goes. I'll post a picture of my custom X-brace as soon as I get it finished.

BPOS,

Do you have any detailed pics of that brace you are speaking of? I am having a hard time stuffing a 2-1/2" exhast under my X brace in my 69 vert.

Bob

I'll finish it up tomorrow and post some pics.

Here are the pictures of the "x"-brace I made for the convert, to replace the factory unit. It's more a "U" brace now. This brace goes ABOVE the exhaust system, and below the drive shaft.

I got this idea from Jon69RagTop on this board.

I used 2" x 3" x 3/16" angle iron. I clamped the 3" side of the angle iron to the old brace, and measured the distance in the middle. For the center section I used a piece of 1/4" plate. It came out to be 8 3/4" x 8". With eveything tacked together, I left it clamped to the old brace, which I used as a template to drill the mounting holes. This brace only uses the front two holes on each side. After a test fit, I trimmed a couple of corners off for exhaust pipe clearance, welded it up, and painted it.

I think this brace will be every bit as sturdy as the factory unit, and it gives you the luxury of mounting the exhaust system as you would on a coupe instead of trying to cram everything under the factory brace.

Thanks again to Jon for the idea!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/gort69/69%20Camaro/DSCN2227.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/gort69/69%20Camaro/DSCN2230.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/gort69/69%20Camaro/DSCN2236.jpg

BPOS, The brace looks great. but i think you would have to use 4 bolts to make it effective. 2 bolts would allow the body to twist with the horse power you have IMO. what do you think about the spacer that pypes performance sells for the x- brace? seems to me you could probably make something like that youself.

There are four bolts holding it in - two on each side. It's hard to get a decent picture lying on your back 6" away from the subject....my camera won't zoom out far enough.

The spacer is probably OK, but I think this allows for more ground clearance. You can tuck the pipes up pretty close this way and there is nothing hanging below them.

Thats a good idea. I think the best design is the factory flat plate but yours looks thick enough to resist flexing. I went with a home made spacer before the aluminum spacers were available. I know it works but probably not as well as the original installation.

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/412000-412999/412680_23_full.jpg


http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/412000-412999/412680_20_full.jpg

Some clever ideas here.
Here is a link to another way to accomplish this.

69 f-body convertible install (http://www.pypesexhaust.com/gallery03.html)

We used solid aluminum bars and machined them to keep a solid fit. We made some extra if anybody needs a pair.