csh15n

Looking for an exhaust system for a 1962 corvette restoration. I am pretty well set on the 2-1/2 off-road exhaust system with cross-over. Is there any differences between the companies selling them. What would be your recommendation for a good sounding exhaust?

Thanks
Erik

Frankie the Fink

The off-road system (which I run) is a superb, original sounding system. I have a friend with Magnaflows which also sound great but not original of course. The crossover pipe is used on F/I cars, or on those that have blocked off their intake manifold heat riser passages, to restore the pleasing harmonics of the exhaust. Can't say on the various vendors' quality ... others may have more experience.

69ttop502

I have the Allen's aluminized off road system on my 340 horse car. It fit perfectly, with no problems. Did it in the garage on jackstands. The system sounds great although I have never heard an original system to compare the sound to. I have the crossover pipe as well. Looks great after 3 years on the car but I haven't driven the car more than 250 miles in that time. Long story.

DZAUTO

If you're going for a stock/correct ex system on a 62 with 2 1/2in ex manifolds, then you don't have much choice. For 62 cars with the 2 1/2in manifolds, ONLY the very beginning of the pipe (which attaches to the manifold) is 2 1/2in. It immediately reduces down to 2in and from there is the same size as all earlier Corvettes.
It SEEMS to me that someone makes a full 2 1/2in system, but I don't know who it is (someone here may know). Also, for 62, there were ONLY two mufflers, the stock oval or the off road round.
So, first, you need to decide what you really want in an ex system, because for a factory stock system, you really don't have much choice.
I use a local muffler shop where the guy is a genius at bending/forming pipe for any car. I had a FULL 2 1/2in system custom made for my 56 which has 61/62 style tail pipes (2 1/2in pipe won't go through the 56 ex bezels) and the mufflers are generic turbo mufflers. Fits and sounds great, ALTHOUGH, the clearance at the X-member holes is CLOSE.

Tom Parsons

jimh_1962

Allens

Ironcross

Keep in mind, in the 1962 model run. The 2 1/2" manifolds and exhaust pipes are as Tom explained... The '441 direct flow option with the round mufflers and cross over is standard equipment when the FI engine was ordered. but the 340 cars did not automatically get a crossover or round mufflers... . All OE mufflers have a 2" inlet and 1 7/8' outlet for the tail pipes.....therefore a full 2 1/2 system would not be correct for any 62...Mine is 2 1/2 stainless from the engine into the mufflers and 2 1/4 outlet and tail pipes out the back, definately not correct and bent it up in our own shop.....

Stainless Works in Ohio make excellent exhaust systems that even a 'Cave man' could install....

.

Frankie the Fink

I'll try to get a recording of the sound of off-road pipes when turning a touring lap in the '61 at the Sebring vintage racing meet in the first week of March.

The "technology-challenged" wife will be filming so it may or may not work out...its probably 80/20 bet the recording will be mostly her criticizing my driving...

Viking427

..probably as a result of you criticizing her film-making abilities


I'm surprised Allens and the others don't offer a true 2.50" manifold -to-muffler preformed pipe option for 56-62 by now. There's certainly interest in it. Regardless, as mentioned, the 56-60 crowd remains restricted to the OEM sized 1.875" tailpipes due to the confined space of the rear exhaust tunnels and bumper openings. Not sure it makes much difference on a street car since the hot exhaust gasses should have {cooled/contracted/off-loaded heat into the cabin} enough by the time they reach the muffler that the 1 7/8" tailpipes aren't much of a handicap.

69ttop502

Good one Frank.

csh15n

Is the crossover pipe correct for a '62 with the 340hp engine? The Parts manual lists the crossover for the FI and Spec. Hi Performance. Looks like I'll go with Allen's exhaust,

62Jeff

As far as I know it is. My 62, 340 horse car has the cross over and standard mufflers, and I didn't get any points deductions at Bloomington for having the crossover without off-road mufflers.

Fawndeuce

All '62's had the crossover, with the possible exception of the 250HP. I don't have my JG handy, or I'd check for you.
I've been trying to find out if you could get the 441 off road mufflers with the 300HP and Powerglide?



Paul

wmf62

all, except the 250?
Bill

Fawndeuce

You going to make me go into that cold garage to dig for the '62 JG Bill?
And where were those honeys in your avatar when you were showing me your ride, on break?



Paul

Frankie the Fink

Bill's 'back-up' honeys at NCRS this January were me and Plasticman...not a pretty sight! Lucky for you it was too cold for thongs!

DZAUTO

I failed to mention that when I removed the stock style 2in exhaust system from the 56 (with a SB400 engine) and replaced it with a full 2 1/2in pipe and muffler system, it REALLY woke up that 400. I just could not believe how restrictive the smaller pipes/mufflers had been!!!

Tom Parsons

69ttop502

I just looked in my 62 judging guide and Fawnduece is correct in that all but the 250 horse cars had the crossover pipe.


Bill

csh15n

I went ahead and ordered the exhaust system from allen's. Thanks everyone for their help

-Erik

narlee

Now I can never close my eyes again in fear that image might be there.

Fawndeuce

Thanks Bill, saved me the trip to the cold dark bat cave...


You think you're scared, I actually met the Plasticman half of the duo, he may have been thonged under his jeans and I didn't even know it!
Or worse !



Paul