SS exhaust for C3s?

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Apr 21, 2011 | 01:21 PM

ndirishr1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,090

Likes: 8

From: Indianapolis Indiana

SS exhaust for C3s?

I am looking at putting a new exhaust on a 70 454 and was wondering if any of you had experience with SS exhausts. By one report I saw an opinion to avoid SS on C3s because of rattle problems due to heat expansion and heat radiation into the passenger compartment. The heat seems like it is easily handled with wrapping the pipes from headers back to end of passenger compartment. Any comments or personal experience?

Apr 21, 2011 | 02:58 PM

garage-ghost

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 2,220

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From: www.Z16.org North/West Pennsylvania

I put a set from Mid America on my 72 LT-1 and love them. No problems here.

I don't see where they would be any hotter than any other exhaust except the OEM double wall pipes.

Apr 21, 2011 | 03:07 PM

Mike Ward

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2001

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That report consist of lots of bad science, myths and misunderstandings- ignore it.

Apr 21, 2011 | 03:15 PM

larryg3

Drifting

Joined: Apr 2008

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From: Antioch IL

I had SS exhaust on my 81 vette with no issues.

Apr 21, 2011 | 03:44 PM

milo30

Drifting

Joined: Feb 2008

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From: Arlington texas

Today they have a lot of options for heat problems between insulation in the passenger compartment to several heat shields that can be put under the car between the compartmetn and exhaust

Apr 21, 2011 | 03:52 PM

Derrick Reynolds

Team Owner

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From: In limbo

St. Jude Donor '13-'15, '17 thru '22

I have a '70 vert with 454 and SS exhaust. I sometimes get a very minimal rattle for a minute or two when the car is warming up. I have decided I will chase that down when it becomes the biggest issue with my car, in other words, when pigs fly. I have no other problems with it.

Apr 21, 2011 | 04:30 PM

Duane4238

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2009

Posts: 1,124

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From: Western New York

Go and get yourself a SS exhaust system. You won't regret it. I put on a SS system from Allen's quite a few years ago and have never had any heat problems, rattles, loose pipes, etc. I don't know where all that crap comes from, but I think it's from guys who don't have SS and just want to get a rise out of others. My system has been on so long, I can't remember when I installed it. I've never had to tighten or readjust anything. It was a 4 piece system, 2 front pipes and 2 rear pipes. I put on Dynomax Super Turbos and SS tips. Did it all in my garage with the car on jackstands. Haven't done any exhaust system work in years and don't plan on it. To give you an idea of how long ago it was, the 4 pipes cost me $220 and the mufflers were around $70.00 a piece.
Duane

Apr 21, 2011 | 05:20 PM

ndirishr1

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 1,090

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From: Indianapolis Indiana

thanks for the feedback

frankly it sounded like bunk to me as I have a difficult time understanding why the coefficient of expansion or the heat transfer rate would be that much different then aluminized steel

here is the source in writing for your enjoyment...
http://www.corvettecentralexhaust.com/about/

I have a 68 with heat wrap around the pipes from the manifold past the passenger compartment which is good advice for any C3 as it does reduce the heat load to the interior and also reduces the chances of frying the starter coils

my vote would be for SS, SS is more difficult to clamp but not impossible