For my application the purpose of the balance tube was not to gain much in the performance department (who knows, maybe I got 1 or 2hp), but to help with the sound. Stahl actually tested the pipes with and without the balance tube in. At idle (and in his garage) there is not much of a difference in sound. I notice more of a difference from 4000 rpm up.

Funny you mentioned the quads, Stahl ran that idea past me!

 

Oh OK, thats a good reason to do it that way.

I have a crossover that runs under the trans, doesn't look nearly as good as yours and then there's the ground clearance issue. Works good though.

 

System looks great!

I've got Stahl headers on my 502, but need to redo the side pipes. Anyone have a source for short radius 3" bends? I am using 3" Moroso Spiral Flows (2 per side) for the side pipes. Also thought about using oval pipe for crossover.

Dave

 

Is that super-long crossover tube really necessary?

 

Where in PA are they located?

 

I would say the super long crossover tube really isn't necessary, but I do believe it made for a much better exhaust note at high rpm and a slight change at idle. I wish I knew if it did anything to horsepower, but I don't. Perhaps when I have it put on a chassis dyno, we might try removing the crossover tube for one run.

 

I am glad that Jerry finally redesigned his C3 side exhaust header. I bought a set of his previous small block side exhaust headers a couple of years ago and one side fit perfect and the other side was about 1 1/2" too low.

When I contacted him, he told me that it must be my car, but to send them back to him anyway. After shipping them accross the country, he called to say that it fit his jig perfect. When I tried to explain that the car has never been wrecked, had new motor mounts etc and that the Hooker Super Comps that came off the car had fit perfect, he started to tell me how crappy Hooker was and how they didn't understand engineering.

Now since I had spent more than a thousand dollars on his headers and a lot more on repop covers (not from him), I asked if could raise the one header's exit up an inch and a half. Jerry then replied "No" and shipped them back to me. I had to have a buddy who builds race cars in Arizona fix the header, which is bullsh*t considering they were supposed to be "custom" made.

I have never heard of anyone running his big-block side exhaust headers having any problems, but after I had my fitment issues others with small blocks chined in with similar problems.

I truly hope he has fixed the small block fitment issues if there was one. I love the way my car looks with the side pipes and the sound with the spiral baffles.

Eric.

 

This is why I didn't go with Stahl's, when I was doing my research last year, a $1,000 and "no customer service" if you have an issue wasn't worth the risk. I went Headmen's and fabbed my own sidepipes, tips out of 3" mandrel bends/STS baffles and custom fitted under the 69 OEM covers, not optimal performance but good enough for me

 

b71vette, could you send me a list of the bends/pipes you used for the side exhaust? I want to do something like yours, as I will prob be going the cheaper route also. where did you buy your supplies? I have a couple of pics of your setup already, and this is the only route I will be able to afford for now.

 

AWESOME looking set-up. Sthal can be difficult to deal with but, he knows how to design exhaust systems. I would think that you would want to Jet Hot coat these ASAP to make them last as long as possible. The paint Stahl uses is OK but 2 years down the road it will be failing based on my expiriences with Stahl products.

 

bbeck - I couldn't locate the parts list but I will look for it over the weekend.

Witz - you have an awesome Stahl set-up: definitely superior to my homemade set , hope you didn't think I was trying to overtake this thread, just proud of what I accomplished in my garage.

 

B71Vette - didn't think you were trying to overtake the thread You have a very impressive set-up, too. In fact it was your posts and sound clips that turned me on to STS baffles. I actually showed your photos to a guy at a local shop and he was going to build me a similar set-up, but in the end, I just wanted to squeeze out every last hp I could after dropping $12K on motor.

 

wow! $12k in the motor - what are the specs?

 

b71vette...when are you going to make me a set of those pipes???...christmas is near!!

 

Rollin' Thunder & B71Vette - how about some pics???

 

Dart Little M Block, Dart Pro I Heads - ported, Hydraulic Roller Cam, Internally Balanced, 10.4:1 Compression.

Here are a few photos and dyno sheets (these were with the old headers) - http://69rebuild.shutterfly.com

 

Witz nice work from stahl, Are the headers cermic coated or is that the factory finish? I called them yesterday in regards to my 81 4spd they couldnt give a yes or a no if they will work with the stock clutch linkage? Quality work makes me want to call them back. Headers for the 81 are also in the 1000$ range

 

I plan to have the headers jet-coated next year. Currently, they are painted with something that Stahl has been using for a long time. He said it will hold up extremely well, but to expect road rash to take its toll after a couple of years on the lower exposed sections. That said, the paint looks great and seems very tough (I have hit it a time or two with a wrench with no effect). I have about 1500 miles on it so far with no discoloration, flaking, peeling, etc.

 

Witz have you any contac person over at Stahl? I would like to get a sraight answer out of them on the clutch linkage, before i think about changing my exh sys.

 

Very sweet looking setup. And I am impressed with the cleanliness of everything. Magnificent!