If anyone is looking for an outstanding and I mean outstanding exact reproduction exhaust system for your 68, these guys are to deal with. Finding a original set of exhaust are nearly impossible to find, and if you do, they want your first born. I was the first customer with their system. I selected them because of the level of detail and they had an for an original 68 (bb) pipes to work with. I was going for a top flight award with the NCRS with my 68, and nobody during my research came close to their system. I thought I would post this thread for those that my interested in exhaust system that is correct without breaking the bank. Heres is there link.

http://gardnerexhaust.com/1968-corve...st-system.html

 

Looks great! Do they sell the exhaust systems with the rear pipes welded like OEM? What material do these use?

 

No they do not come welded, my buddy who is s welder, welding a bead right where the muffler and pipes meet. The pipes i wanted where alumimized coated, ( OEM where not) I wanted them to last, the few points i lost on the judging field was enough to worry about. One thing else, is that the clamps that come with this setup are 69 style not 68. 68 are a little different gullotine style type. I can pm you a pic you what one. hope this help.

 

It is a good exhaust system... Probably the best out there as far as reproduction exhausts go, but it is still not entirely accurate.

Forgetting for a moment that the pipes are aluminized (and never were from the factory), the head pipes for 1968 and 1970-1972 big blocks and LT-1s are spot on... Best part of the whole system.

The rear pipes aren't flattened through the bends as the originals were which is which is easy to recognize although the bends are done with the correct "wrinkles" as he originals were. The rear pipes need to be welded to the mufflers, but that isn't a bad thing as it allows the alignment to be adjusted for each individual car.

Mufflers are probably the worst part of the system. Crimped bead on the ends of the muffler are not the same configuration as on the original. Seam on the outer casing of the muffler is on the outside rather than the inside. Seam running the length of the outlet pipe where there shouldn't be one. No centering tab for the exhaust tip as on the original. No "W" on muffler casing (this one is understandable as it is a trademark issue). I was told the internals were changed to make it louder than the original, but I haven't cut one open to verify this.

All in all, a good system, but there is much room for improvement. Tom and Eric Gardner take a lot of pride in what they do and like to do things right so I'm hoping that they will address most of these issues at some point.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

Well Said

 

Hi,
I looked at the Gardner Systems too. They ARE very nice!
I noticed that the way they are currently designed the weld at the muffler will be about 2" in front of the muffler. I've read that the original weld was right at the body of the muffler... is that so?
With Richard Fortier's factory typical chrome exhaust tips, and the Gardner exhaust, wouldn't it be nice now if someone came up with the little metal 'flag' that was on the pipe coming out of the muffler that acted to align the tips.
Regards,
Alan

 

Hi Alan 71. To my knowledge where the muffler and pipe meets you are correct. As far as 2" goes, I am not sure. I can check my 68 NCRS JM to verify it. Richard is a great guy, he knows me well, we did a lot of business together on my 68. He started making reproduction tips about a year ago. I had my orginal set. 68 Tips are a one year only thing, like most things on a 68. I like you idea about the metal flag

 

Alan

I found a picture that shows the muffler meeting the pipe and the weld that I did.

 

Hi jla,
Thanks for the pictures.
I'm still curious about the placement of the weld originally. Perhaps Gardner has it in the typical placement.
Regards.
Alan

 

Hi Alan, I will see what I can find out , I also have a friend of mine that owns a L88 and is NCRS member and is extremely knowledgeable our 68's. Stayed tuned and I will send you a PM.

 

Alan

Here is a pic of a factory weld. It seems it is welded right to the end of the body. So all original muffler systems were welded at near the body.
This is a pic of an original muffler from GM. It is welded right at the body. I looked at all my other pics of small block original set ups and they too are welded at the body. It looks like you are correct about the welds at the body. Hope this helps.

 

The photo above is correct... The weld is very close to where the pipe enters the muffler. The pipe on the Gardner muffler was left a little long to facilitate welding, but it is quite easy to adust the length with a cut off wheel. Factory was less than a half inch or so and the weld covered most of it.

Great photo of the muffler. I've never noticed the part number on my original set taken off of a 1970 LT-1. There is a part number tag on both the muffler and exhaust tip, but I must admit I've never seen that stamped number. Very interesting... I'm going to check that out.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

Hi jla,
Thanks very much for the update and picture.
Still curious about the typical location of the long seam on the muffler... in-board or out-board?
Regards,
Alan

PS: I just put Richard Fortier's chrome exhaust tips on my 71 this morning, (well 1 of them); they're really something!!!!

 

Alan,

I've seen a fair number of original exhaust systems on 1968-1972 cars over the years. From what I have observed, original mufflers have the seam inboard (both pointing toward the spare tire carrier). The current aftermarket offerings from just about everyone point outboard. The ironic thing is that the mufflers are mirror image... If you swapped the mufflers side to side and then welded on the hanger bracket, you'd have this issue solved.

No doubt... I recently ordered three sets myself. Now there is a guy who knows how to make reproduction parts. About the only criticism that I can offer is that the chrome might be too good for an NCRS or NCCB restoration, but even that's really reaching...

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

Hi Stan,
I believe you're right about the chrome itself. The surface preparation is a work of art though!
GM's suppliers certainly had a way with chrome.
Regards,
Alan

 

Alan


Richard is a first class guy to deal with. Richard and I did a lot business together on my 68. I had my original air lid cleaner but need to be refinished and silk screen restore. The flash chroming he did was great. The NCRS judges where very impressed with it. I hope the info I have posted has been helpful.

Jeff

 

Stan,

Didn't want to hijack the thread just want to let you know that we have been doing the mufflers with the seam to the inside now for just about a year.

Thanks

Eric Gardner

 

Eric,

Thanks for the update and good to hear about the mufflers. I have four cars currently in the shop that are going to need your exhaust systems at some point in the near future!

As I mentioned, I know you and your dad take a lot of pride in what you do. My guess is that you'll have just about all the details squared away before long which will make a great exhaust system even better.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

 

Hi Eric,
Thanks very much for the update!
I did talk with you about your system when I was deciding what to buy. I decided to buy a welded system since I don't weld and getting the pipes/mufflers to a shop seemed like it could well be a problem for me.
I continue to tell people about your systems since they are so close to original.
Regards,
Alan