'69 Camaro Conv. Exhaust System Recommendations.

PaceCarNut · Sep 28, 2004

I have been looking around for a reasonably priced stock dual exhaust system from the manifolds back for my '69 Z-11 Pace Car. I see one on eBay ($325 plus $60 shipping): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7923998849&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

and was wondering if anyone has used these guys? They say they provide most of the resellers like Rick's, but sight unseen I wonder. I am looking for an aluminized, 2.5" with the proper tail pipes (cut end and angle).

Anyone have any input or recommendations?

Bruce (aka PaceCarNut)

Gary L · Sep 29, 2004

IMCO makes the kit for Rick's (so I was told). I have a sound clip with a DZ motor and the IMCO kit if you want to hear it. Iwas also told it fit real well and is good quality. I plan on checking out the one on ebay.

Jerry's68ss · Sep 29, 2004

Are you planning to install it yourself or take it to a shop? My past experience is that exhaust systems are best left to pro's. Maybe run the add by your favorite trusted exhaust pro and see what he thinks.
The price does seem reasonable.

Obxhokie · Sep 29, 2004

I would definately take it to a pro to install.

I bought the stock type resonators, transverse muffler (aluminized) and hangers from Classic or NPD (cant remember which right now) and took them and my 67 vert to my local exhaust shop. He installed it for me and using his pipe and did a great job. I did end up leaving off the transverse muffler (it was too quiet

) He also put in a H pipe for me. I ending up paying about $360 total, which included the unused transverse muffler.)

FWIW.

Victor

PaceCarNut · Sep 29, 2004

OK,

First, I plan on putting the exhaust system on myself. I have a lift in the garage which is a great help as well as a mig welder. A buddy of mine, Kevin Wright, and I put one on his '69 convertible that he got from Rick's and it is fine except the angle of the tailpipes coming out from under the back of the car.

Second, I like a very quiet sound but soemthing that flows well, that is why I want the 2.5" pipes.

Right now the car has a very nice chambered system that does not fit right. It rattles in multiple places and there is just no way it is going to fit properly plus it is far to loud.

Bruce

Jonesy · Sep 29, 2004

I bought a stainless system from Rick's and it fit perfect. There was no welding, just put the proper clamps in place. It looks just like the factory did it. I couldnt believe how easy it was. I have the orig exhaust manifols and hangers in my car. You do not need a muffler shop if you are doing it the same as factory.

69rag327 · Oct 3, 2004

Please let me know how this turns out. Exhaust will be my winter project. But I plan to cave and go for headers as well. But I heard that the 2.5 inch is very, very, tight on convertibles, going through the x-brace. Let me know exactly what you get and how it works out. Thx and good luck.

JimM · Oct 3, 2004

Your best bet by far, doing 2.5's w/ headers on a vert is to make friends with your local muffler shop. Go there driving your car, talk to them, more than once. If you know anyone who needs exhaust, get em to let you bring their car in for them, so the guy see's your face (the guy with that awesome ragtop!!) with dollars attached to it. Get em interested. These are car guys, and they will fall without a doubt.

Once they know u and your car, when the time comes, you will get a good job done by someone who cares about YOUR car, and that's the only way to get 2.5's above that brace.

With Camaro #1, twenty years ago, I got a perfect system, it took the local Carex shop 6 hours, the owner did it himself... charged me $100 for pipes and labor, I supplied the mufflers.

Got an American Thunder system now, the brace is under the workbench. When I get tired a listenin to them things, gonna get some Dynomax turbos, save the flowmaster tailpipes, and hava good shop do it right.

BPOS · Oct 4, 2004

There is room to fit 2 1/2" pipes above the brace easily if you don't use an "H" or an "X" type crossover, as the pipes will more or less paralell the drive shaft. Once the X or the H goes in, the pipes must come down a bit to clear the drive shaft on the bottom and then the brace needs to be shimmed down.

I built my own brace that goes up into the tunnel and sits just below the drive shaft. My X-pipe system sits below that brace, exactly as it would on a coupe. Probably out of the question for a concours restored pacecar, but on my driver convert it works great.

PaceCarNut · Oct 9, 2004

Well I went ahead and ordered the aluminized 2.5" dual exhaust w/transverse muffler. This is from the folks who I identified in my first post on this thread who deal on eBay. According to them, the system will fit perfectly, have all the right angles (tailpipes, crossover brace area, etc..), and all the clamps & donuts for $370.00 delivered. It is supposed to be here on Monday.

Other than unbolting the existing system (very nice stainless chambered), I have to replace the drivers side manifold (already to go...glass beaded & painted with high heat cast), install the stock hangers, and refit the passenger side valve. This should be an easy job since I have a lift (BackYard Buddy) to work from. I'll fill you all in once the job is complete.

Bruce

Gary L · Oct 9, 2004

Please report on the quality and sound of the kit you are buying.

paulm · Oct 10, 2004

I had a shop fab/install the exhaust on my 69 ragtop and I think it sucks. I don't like how they welded everything up. To remove the exhaust requires cutting and grinding.

I ordered the prebent "stock" type 2" setup for my 67 ragtop. Everything fits great and uses the original hangers. I haven't started it yet, but I like it so far.

KevinW · Oct 10, 2004

Paul, I ordered the stock 2" system from Ricks too. Looked good, fit fine, but the seam were not slotted, so massive leaks. We had to weld most of the pipes together to seal them. Only problem was the tailpipes. When they are on the car, they do not exit straight out. They kinda angle to the side. I have to remove them straighten them and recut them. They are a little long too. Other than that they are fine. I thought the exhaust note was a little to quiet after install, but since I fixed my engine troubles it has gotten a little louder, which I wanted

paulm · Oct 10, 2004

Ya, I figured that I would probably weld the pipes together. Whether you weld or use a clamps the pipes will be stuck together and not come apart. I just like the idea of being able to unbolt the system from the car to drop it down if needed.

I don't really care about the exhaust note (being too quiet that is, too loud would be a problem) or performance, just wanted the originality factor for the 67 ragtop.

PaceCarNut · Oct 24, 2004

OK, Here is the scoop on the system I ordered.

I received the system and right off the bat there was a problem. Rather than sending me 2.5" pipes for a SB, they sent me 2.5" pipes for BB exhaust. We went back and forth and they finally sent me out the right pipes (a week delay there). System went up pretty well and I only clamped it rather than weld it at this point (want to test it a few times before I make it permanent, let it heat up/cool down). The exhaust manifold to over axle pipe had to be taken down and cut 1" off of length to make it fit right. Other than that the system fit very well. I polished up the exhaust tips and they look nice, almost as good as chrome pipes.

Overall the system fits OK. I would not deal with these folks again due to the pipe screw up and the way they have handled it. Even though I specified pipe size, application ('69 convertible with SB), they wanted me to pay for shipping of correct pipes to me and they want me to pay for shipping of BB pipes back to them. I think they are incorrect for this and would not advise anyone to deal with them based upon their "hold you hostage" mentality when I had the system with the incorrect pipes and old system taken down.

The sound of the system is pretty close to what I wanted, quiet but still has a little cackle to it!

I'll take some pictures next time I have the car up on the lift, right now I am doing the convertible top. Got that from Ricks a while back and since the car is not going out for a while it gives me time to figure out what I have gotten myself into. KevinW and I did the top on my '88 IROC and it came out nice, but this '69 is something different.

Bruce

Vintage 68 · Oct 25, 2004

Originally posted by PaceCarNut:
OK, Here is the scoop on the system I ordered.

I would not deal with these folks again due to the pipe screw up and the way they have handled it.
I think they are incorrect for this and would not advise anyone to deal with them based upon their "hold you hostage" mentality when I had the system with the incorrect pipes and old system taken down.

Bruce

Did you leave him 'feedback' stating this?
Did you let him know you had a post on 'the major' Camaro site about this system and other orders are hindging on the outcome? I've looked at the site and was considering them for my 68.
You may be able to offer the incorrect pipes to a fellow member through the 'classifieds' and save having to return them to the vendor.

Just my humble thoughts;
John

PaceCarNut · Oct 25, 2004

John,

I did try to iron this issue out by referring to our emails that we sent back and forth before the original shipment. Unfortunately, they were unresponsive and felt that I was to "blame" since "all 2.5" pipes are for a BB". I feel differently about this since my original order specified 2.5" pipes but for a 350 motor. If they could not send me 2.5" pipes for a 350 they should have told me this BEFORE the transaction. They would not send me the correct pipes without paying for shipping before they shipped the correct pipes to me. Now they want me to ship the incorrect pipes back at my expense. This would end up costing about $70 additional ($35 each way) more than the original cost. All of this because of an error or lack of communication on their part.

Before the order, their communication was responsive. After they got my money I had to send several emails to find out when the system was shipping and get the tracking info. Same thing on the second shipment on the correct pipes.

I was considering putting the BB pipes up on the Camaros.Net site to see if anybody was interested. I hate to see these go to waste since I have no intention of paying to ship them back.

Otherwise the system is not bad for the original price.

Bruce

'69 Camaro Conv. Exhaust System Recommendations.

PaceCarNut

Gary L

Jerry's68ss

Obxhokie

PaceCarNut

Jonesy

69rag327

JimM

BPOS

PaceCarNut

Gary L

paulm

KevinW

paulm

PaceCarNut

Vintage 68

PaceCarNut

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities