Mufflers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: East Greenbush NY
Mufflers
Hey everyone. I bought my C3 back in October.
I still have not put it on the road yet since it is still very much winter here in upstate NY. Anyway the mufflers on it are not the correct mufflers. They look like some kind of generic turbo muffler.
I am going to try and see if I can turn them to get them hidden up under the bumper but I don't really hold out much hope. I probably need to get new mufflers. I have looked at various brands and no one seems to list something specifically for the 74. I see a lot of 75 up and then 73 down. I know I can get the OEM style mufflers but I am wondering if anyone has any experience with them on how they sound and perform. IF anyone has any other suggestion I am open to them. I want them to be mostly hidden like the factory mufflers would have been though.
I still have not put it on the road yet since it is still very much winter here in upstate NY. Anyway the mufflers on it are not the correct mufflers. They look like some kind of generic turbo muffler.
I am going to try and see if I can turn them to get them hidden up under the bumper but I don't really hold out much hope. I probably need to get new mufflers. I have looked at various brands and no one seems to list something specifically for the 74. I see a lot of 75 up and then 73 down. I know I can get the OEM style mufflers but I am wondering if anyone has any experience with them on how they sound and perform. IF anyone has any other suggestion I am open to them. I want them to be mostly hidden like the factory mufflers would have been though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
It looks like they can be spun to tuck them up where they should be , if not do a search on this forum for mufflers and read through all the posts , there are several different brands of replacement mufflers and each has it's pros and cons.
Good luck
Good luck
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,559
Likes: 7,006
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
If you like the sound of them and they're still in good shape..../Spray the clamps with penetrating oil a couple times in one day, and loosen the clamps the next day. Then carefully use a propane torch (Keeping it away from the gas tank!!!!) to heat the connection....wearing thick gloves--yank on the mufflers until you are able to turn them so they are "hidden".....then tighten the muffler clamps..
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
If you replace them with the original style round mufflers, you will be able to see them under the rear valance. They are fairly large. Corvette Central offers replacements that fit 73-78 cars (which had the round mufflers from the factory) that are designed like the mufflers that came on pre-73 and post-78 cars. They are oval and much smaller, and a little more free flowing (it seems). I put them on my 76 last summer and I like them for what they are.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050G~~~
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050G~~~
Drifting
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,353
Likes: 44
From: Calgary Alberta
There's also a Magnaflow version of the mufflers I posted a link to above - same case size, better flow than regular CC ones, and they do sound great. You can find them on CC's website. Friend has them on a 65 (with 2.5" pipes and a big block though).
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
My advice: Don't fix what doesn't NEED to be fixed. There will be enough things for you to work on. Folks out driving will be looking at the RED paint 
....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone. 
If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone. If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,614
Likes: 347
From: No Where USA
My advice: Don't fix what doesn't NEED to be fixed. There will be enough things for you to work on. Folks out driving will be looking at the RED paint ....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone.
If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone. If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
Why wouldn't he fix something that dosen't fit right. There is nothing wrong with the tips. The mufflers were installed side ways and are hanging down.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Might not exactly fit you application, but something a little different outside the box.
Corvette Central part number 323005
Corvette Central part number 323005
Last edited by briankeery; Feb 11, 2014 at 03:15 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
If you want to go original 1974 round and bulbous/ugly here you go.
If you want to go Corvette Central "hideaway" this is the look.
I wouldn't fool about with those old mufflers. They are ****-eyed and will need to be cut and re-welded at the front and the tips cut and re-welded.
If you want to go Corvette Central "hideaway" this is the look.
I wouldn't fool about with those old mufflers. They are ****-eyed and will need to be cut and re-welded at the front and the tips cut and re-welded.
Last edited by Paul L; Feb 11, 2014 at 07:25 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
Smaller can mufflers like MagnaFlow, Flowmaster or even DynaFlow will increase flow and provide a richer deeper sound and provide a 5% to 10% increase in HP and Torque.
I do like the Monza Style mufflers from briankeery's car they are awesome looking and probably like Glass Packs in sound but only fit 1979 and later model cars.
I do like the Monza Style mufflers from briankeery's car they are awesome looking and probably like Glass Packs in sound but only fit 1979 and later model cars.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: East Greenbush NY
If you like the sound of them and they're still in good shape..../Spray the clamps with penetrating oil a couple times in one day, and loosen the clamps the next day. Then carefully use a propane torch (Keeping it away from the gas tank!!!!) to heat the connection....wearing thick gloves--yank on the mufflers until you are able to turn them so they are "hidden".....then tighten the muffler clamps..
If you replace them with the original style round mufflers, you will be able to see them under the rear valance. They are fairly large. Corvette Central offers replacements that fit 73-78 cars (which had the round mufflers from the factory) that are designed like the mufflers that came on pre-73 and post-78 cars. They are oval and much smaller, and a little more free flowing (it seems). I put them on my 76 last summer and I like them for what they are.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050G~~~
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....5Z50000050G~~~
My advice: Don't fix what doesn't NEED to be fixed. There will be enough things for you to work on. Folks out driving will be looking at the RED paint ....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone.
If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
....not the exhaust tips. If the exhaust doesn't rattle and works as it is supposed to, leave well enough alone. If it really bothers you, just take it to a decent muffler shop. They can fix that for less than $50 and have it done in about 30 minutes.
If you want to go original 1974 round and bulbous/ugly here you go.
If you want to go Corvette Central "hideaway" this is the look.
I wouldn't fool about with those old mufflers. They are ****-eyed and will need to be cut and re-welded at the front and the tips cut and re-welded.
If you want to go Corvette Central "hideaway" this is the look.
I wouldn't fool about with those old mufflers. They are ****-eyed and will need to be cut and re-welded at the front and the tips cut and re-welded.
Now if the weather would break up here so I can get out in the garage. It was a wonderful -5 this morning! Yay Upstate NY!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: East Greenbush NY
Update on this. I tried turning the mufflers today since it is finally in the 40s here in upstate NY. No dice. They are an offset muffler and I cannot get them to look right. I ordered up the Magnalow Hide-away mufflers for it.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 420
Likes: 4
From: Ft Myers Fl
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,892
Likes: 3,284
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I put my CC 2.5" system with mags on over 7 years ago and it still looks as clean as yours bwinterstine....
Best money I ever spent on the old crate...........
Best money I ever spent on the old crate........
...
