Hello all - I know there have been a lot of fitting issues on here with Corvette Central's exhaust kits and would like some feedback on my current situation if possible.

Last year, I purchased 2.5 duals from CC and installed it on the car along with some other upgrades. The pipes purchased mated up to the stock exhaust mani's and everything was very close to the tranny, but overall ok. With my recent engine build, I decided to go the 2.5" collector aftermarket mani's and contacted CC for the intermediate pipe that would be 2.5" all the way back to the next set. The gave me their recommendation and I specifically asked again if they were sure it would fit the trans since it was for a 4 speed and they said yes. Over the weekend, I dropped the engine in and went to hook up the exhaust and it is not even close! It is actually worse than the first one I bought from them as the bend is only a fraction of that one (see below). The pipe wont even clear the trans both in vertically and horizontally! I know the raised exhaust ports on the heads could have a little impact, but that much? I contacted them and they said that this was the first time they had ever heard that it wouldn't fit (I seriously doubt that). I asked if there were any inconsistencies in the bends with their pipes and they said they are all the same (again, seriously doubt that).

They will take it back, but what are my options at this point? Should I take it to an exhaust place and see if they can bend it a little more?

For those interested in the engine

 

Starting to look like I may be screwed

 

They sent me the wrong intermediate pipe on my 82. I went back to them twice and then ended up cutting my old down pipes coming off the manifold and welding it to the new exhaust. I would advise the same, harbor freight has the cheap mig welder for $90 and it's worth every dime for things like this

 

^^^

 

I'd return the pipes to CC and take it to a local shop. Let them custom bend what you need. Yah, it's a hassle because you have to haul it there, but a lot of the local shops love working on classics.

 

And I must say, you did a beautiful job on that engine

 

Yeah, I remember years ago, I took my Roadrunner down to a muffler shop with just open headers for a complete exhaust system. The techs got into a pretty serious argument over who got to do the job!

Scott

 

This may be a stupid question as I can't really tell from the pictures, but are you putting the correct pipe on the correct side? The one on the passenger side is straighter than the one on the driver side due to clearance for the linkage.

 

I guess it is back to fabricating some new ones then. If I am gonna spend $300, they are gonna make a whole new set instead of making the CC ones work! Only problem is last time I did that, I had two inexperienced kids that literally took all day to connect the mufflers to the exhaust (not kidding). When they tried charging me for it, I told them where to stick it . I will have to find a new place.

Thanks. That was my project for the winter. I started around the first of the year. A lot of set backs, but for my first rebuild, I'd say it went pretty well (pending it starts up and runs ok ) After a few hours of wrestling with the fan shroud last night, I decided to spring for an aluminum radiator and free up some room (bad design)!

No worries - I would assume that is the correct pipe. The other one is bent the opposite way and would go right into the transmission instead of around it. Below is a photo of the other side compared to the correct bend. I just don't understand how CC can tell me they never had a problem before - I am obviously not the first person to hook up 2.5" exhaust straight back on a C3. I still think this one was not bent correctly.

 

Maybe they sent the wrong part with the right part number? It happens.

Scott

 

You would think, but when I called them, they were very brief and didn't really want to entertain that idea. I think this has happened more than once to them. I checked the passenger pipe this morning - that one doesn't even bend right to connect with the next set of their pipes! Oh well, send them back, I guess.

 

And I was considering a set of their pipes for my car... Maybe not so interested now.

 

my kit had crush bends. how did you get mandrel bent pipes from them?

 

The other pipes were not and crushed at many points - didn't even realize it on these until you pointed it out

CaseyJones - if you are going from stock manifolds out, the kits are not that bad. If you have any kind of mods, they don't fit well. There are others out there that are much better for the price, though.

 

You asked for feedback. You may not like it but here's mine. You make mention of exhaust manifold change and raised exhaust ports on the heads. I take this to mean you changed heads too. Correct me if I'm wrong. If this is indeed the case, your part application is incorrect. As corvette central builds factory replacement exhausts, it sounds as if you will need to have those pipes from the manifold to the intermediate pipe custom bent. I used there intermediates back. Fit was perfect. I custom fabricated from headers to intermediates. Probably the route you will take too.

 

Some things for our cars are better off purchased locally. And one of them I feel is an exhaust system. It's about fitment for your particular car. Crawlin' under the car, risking metal in the eyes, cutting & welding next to the fuel tank/lines.......Let someone else do that. No?

 

No worries - all feedback welcome

The only change with the heads is a .300 of an inch raise in exhaust ports. That doesn't even come into play when the pipes themselves are bent wrong everywhere else. The raise can be accommodated easily if the bends were correct.