Exhaust Systems

[detfox]

What do you guys recommend?  My 69 Z28 has duels with some unknown brand mufflers and tail pipes just behind the rear tires, which I don’t like.  I can't decide on duels with X-pipe or going into one muffler.  I plan to put the correct tail pipes either way. Some have recommended Flow Masters, but I’m not sure I like the way they sound. I want it to sound good not like boat.

[JohnZ]

Gardner (www.gardnerexhaust.com)

[Jerry@CHP]

Gardner is the only system accepted in concours judging too.

Jerry

[Steve Shauger]

As been mentioned the Gardner system is a near perfect replication of the original and the way to go if your planning to have the car judged. If you are not necessarily into original and want more of a performance system the American Thunder by Flowmaster gives you a good value. The flowmaster system is not close to original, although the tail pipes give you an original type look. 

[rich69rs]

Stainless Works makes a nice system as well.  Summit Racing caries them.  Total 304 ss system including the transverse muffler.  Fits very well - sounds nice as well - a little rumble and throaty but not obnoxious at all.  Tips of the tailpipes are chromed and polsihed which makes for a ncie look.  Not concours original - but not bad either.

[RamAirDave]

Gardner is the best, hands down.  Customer service matches (or exceeds) the quality of the product.

If youre looking for a less expensive alternative to a stock-style exhaust, the system sold by D&R is pretty good.  I was fairly pleased with it, especially based on my experience with non-Gardner systems.  The system sold through Rick's is a train wreck based on my experience.

[detfox]

Thanks for the advice, I'm still not sure what direction I'm going to go.  I plan to get a quote from Gardner, even though I'm not really looking for show standards.  My concern with Flowmaster is that I don't like boat sound that I've heard with them.  I prefer a crisp sound with not too much drone inside.  I'd still like to hear what you guys have used on the 69 Z28.

[wtexz10]

I've got a Flowmaster American Thunder system with H pipe and stainless tips on my Z10 which has a ZZ4 pumping into it.
I've never had anyone mistake this sound for a boat.  I like it.

Kris

[RamAirDave]

Here are some vid/sound clips of the last two Z's we've restored.  Both 140 cam cars:

Gardner:

http://s20.photobucket.com/albums/b217/RamAirDave/GoldZ/?action=view&current=GoldZIdle.flv

Rick's system (has since been replaced w/ D&R system, but haven't heard it) :

http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc48/bucks691973/?action=view&current=100_1511.flv

[detfox]

I'm going to keep the headers on the car, so I'm going to choose an aftermarket system.  Other then the flowmaster, has anyone found a good system with an X pipe and factory looking tail pipes.  Just to be clear, I have read a lot of threads on this topic, but I haven't seen anything specific.

[GaryL]

The IMCO transverse system as sold thru HB City.

http://www.camaros.net/showroom/showphoto.php?photo=1624&cat=500&ppuser=11189

[Jerry@CHP]

Check out Borla Exhaust too.  They have a good reputation.

Good luck,
Jerry

[GaryL]

I'm going to keep the headers on the car, so I'm going to choose an aftermarket system.  Other then the flowmaster, has anyone found a good system with an X pipe and factory looking tail pipes.  Just to be clear, I have read a lot of threads on this topic, but I haven't seen anything specific.

zdld17 over at Team Camaro has a Flowmaster 17104 Kit with "H" pipe. 2 1/2" all the way back.

[hotrod68]

Summit makes a nice, economical 3" system--I used it on my '68, although the tailpipes didn't fit right with my mufflers. It tucks up under the car very well and is mandrel-bent with no kinks. Summit also has an H-pipe kit that works great with it. I used Warlock mufflers because they have the plugs you can take out at the drag strip, instead of dropping the lead pipes at the headers. They're fairly quiet, too--kind of like the old Hush Thrush oval mufflers. I don't have anything against Flowmasters--I have a Flowmaster on my '87 IROC--but they just don't have that '60s growl, and I wasn't going to spend $700 on a whole Flowmaster 3" exhaust system for my '68. The Summit pipes, H-pipe and Warlocks cost me less than $400, and I'm very satisfied with the quality and how easy they were to install. My kudos go to Summit.