Ktholin

I've recently completed the restoration of my 55 and would like the forum's input on the exhaust. The car is modified as can seen in the photo below with a fuel injected 283 and a four speed. The rest of the car looks pretty much original, except for a few things like the exhaust and side emblems.

The engine has headers and 2-1/4 inch pipes. The previous owner glassed in the outer exhaust ports and ran the exhaust out the back underneath the frame. You can see the original stock exhaust placement in the older photo below.

So, I'm thinking of running the exhausts underneath, but exiting just behind the rear tires, or restoring the original exhausts ports next to the rear bumper which I think gives it a cleaner look. I thought it would be fun to get your opinion on what you think looks best.







Current exhaust



Original exhaust



283 with fuel injection

Scott Marzahl

I would go with your plan of exiting behind rear tires and keeping the back looking clean

1955 copper

Your 55 looks great as it is so why deal with the body work and painting because most people besides (some) Corvette people would never know what was original anyway

C.T.

Beautiful car!

I'd go with the 'just behind the rear tires' - cleaner and no body work.

DZAUTO

The last year for exhaust exiting through the rear of the car (early cars) was 1960. With the new rearend body styling (aka 63-67 Stingray) for 61-62, the exhaust exited just behind the rear tires. I have a SB400 in the 56 and definitely needed better flowing exhaust. So I had a complete 2 1/2 system made (along with 2 1/2in manifolds). I had my muffler guy (which I've used for over 35yrs) make up the system and I took pictures to him showing how the 61-62 tail pipes were shaped. The result that he fabricated is perfect!
The reason that I had 61-62 style tail pipes made is because they are 2 1/2in and 2 1/2in pipe WILL NOT go through the 56-7 style exhaust bezels in the rear panel.
This same system should be nearly a bolt-on fit for your car (except for the very front since you have headers. You could use 56-60 style pipes/mufflers and then 61-62 style tail pipes.













Oh ya, by the way, I love how you have done your car!!!

Ktholin

Thanks! Do you know if stock 61/62 exhaust system would fit my car? That would be ideal. Of course I would have to have the front pipes modified to fit my headers. Do you know what pipe diameter 61/62s have? Also what mufflers you are using?

DZAUTO

With the optional engines (327) for 62, all 56-62 Front pipes and mufflers should be the same.
The differences are BEHIND the mufflers.
There are 56-57 tail pipes, 58-60 tail pipes and 61-62 tail pipes.
The pipe from the manifold to the mufflers is 2in and the tail pipes are 1 7/8in.
So, if you use 56-62 front pipes/mufflers and 61-62 tail pipes (and the appropriate hangers/brackets) everything should bolt together just fine.

If the car were mine-------------------AND IT IS NOT-----------------------I would return the CheVrolet script, with the gold V, and ADD a Fuel Injection emblem.

Ktholin

Would I likely see any performance degradation in going from 2-1/4 inch pipes to the stock 2 inch? I would keep the headers.

Thanks for the feedback on the side emblems. I am thinking of either replacing the original Chevrolet script with the large V, or going with the 57 Fuel Injection script on the side. Not sure which direction yet. Also curious what mufflers you are using on your 56.

wmf62

'conventional wisdom' opinion is that the exhaust gas is sufficiently cool by the time it gets to the outlets that there should be no noticeable effect on performance.

Bill

DZAUTO

If your engine is a fuel injected 283, then I seriously doubt that there would be a reduction in performance with the 2in pipe behind the headers.
The mufflers that I've been using on all my cars for MANY years are generic turbo mufflers which I have installed by the muffler shop that I have been using for about 35yrs.

I just do not have any good pictures of exhaust systems, including turbo mufflers, but this is all I have. This is my son's 68 Chevelle, our 70 Chevelle and the 56 Vette. It has never occured to me to take pictures of exhaust systems and mufflers on our cars.