muffler system
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 11
From: Grafton MA
muffler system
Hi,
I have a 71 that I'm going to be putting an exhaust system on. The car currently has side pipes that i'm going to be taking off because I want to put the car back to stock. I'm curious what people think about buying a an exhaust system from somewhere like mid america/ecklers, vs taking it to a corvette restoration shop (which they'll probably use the same parts listed above), vs bringing the car to midas or another local muffler shop. I'm not really planning on having the car judged in the future so making it 100% stock to NCRS specifications is not a big concern. But on the other hand I don't want to spend money on something that is not correct and wish i had put the correct system on the first time around. I also don't want to do anything that would potentially hurt resale value. Just wondering how much it really matters.
I have a 71 that I'm going to be putting an exhaust system on. The car currently has side pipes that i'm going to be taking off because I want to put the car back to stock. I'm curious what people think about buying a an exhaust system from somewhere like mid america/ecklers, vs taking it to a corvette restoration shop (which they'll probably use the same parts listed above), vs bringing the car to midas or another local muffler shop. I'm not really planning on having the car judged in the future so making it 100% stock to NCRS specifications is not a big concern. But on the other hand I don't want to spend money on something that is not correct and wish i had put the correct system on the first time around. I also don't want to do anything that would potentially hurt resale value. Just wondering how much it really matters.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by bondoboy
The corvette central kits fit perfectly and they're easy to install.
Your local shop will probably just order from a company like CC and install it. You just need to decide who does the labor. Using a shop like Midas will not be nearly as close to stock as you would want.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by c3 in hawaii
also, Just got done installing their system on my '68. great fit with no hassles.. DON'T take it to a muffler shop unless you know the owner & workers. Must shops hire guys who think they know how but don't. My buddy took his 65 vert to a shop they ordered a muffler system for a 68 and installed it by cutting out the inside of his rear fenders. Buy four 3 ton jack stands to support the car on and do it yourself. Ask a buddy who knows more about cars to help. Its an easy job. G/L
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,771
Likes: 37
From: Sawyer MI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 4
From: Midland TX
Originally Posted by bondoboy
The corvette central kits fit perfectly and they're easy to install.
The only problem I have is one of the mufflers is a little high on one side. The bracket welded to the muffler is a little lower on that side so the muffler is higher.
Other than that it I like the system.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 793
Likes: 11
From: Grafton MA
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I friend of mine recommended a local muffler place....he did my friends Super Sport and he tells me the guy knows what he's doing and has done several older vettes before. He wouldn't be using parts from CC, ecklers etc....he would be bending his own pipes.
I've gotten some prices from other places that specialize in corvette restoration and the price was more than double...i'm pretty certain they would be getting their parts from a place like CC, ecklers etc.
Maybe the best bet would be for me to take it to a mechanic to remove the side exhaust system and put the original manifold back on. Then maybe I could do the exhaust myself if i got one of the pre-welded systems.
I've gotten some prices from other places that specialize in corvette restoration and the price was more than double...i'm pretty certain they would be getting their parts from a place like CC, ecklers etc.
Maybe the best bet would be for me to take it to a mechanic to remove the side exhaust system and put the original manifold back on. Then maybe I could do the exhaust myself if i got one of the pre-welded systems.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 663
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu Hawaii
Originally Posted by Jims79
DON'T take it to a muffler shop unless you know the owner & workers. Must shops hire guys who think they know how but don't. My buddy took his 65 vert to a shop they ordered a muffler system for a 68 and installed it by cutting out the inside of his rear fenders. Buy four 3 ton jack stands to support the car on and do it yourself. Ask a buddy who knows more about cars to help. Its an easy job. G/L