Allen's Chambered Exhaust on a 1980 4 speed car?
#1
Allen's Chambered Exhaust on a 1980 4 speed car?
I am planning to replace the exhaust on my 80 L-48 4 speed. The car is all stock and I don't want to put headers on it. The original exhaust is on its last leg. Huge holes,rusted through, turn down tip missing on one side. The car actually sounds really good with all the exhaust holes (Very deep tone burble) but its about to fall off. I am considering going with the Allen's chambered exhaust. I called them up and they were very courteous and helpful. I am trying to decide whether to keep my stock cross member and install the '80 to 82 Off Road' Allen's Chambered Exhaust. Or retrofit the car with a 79 and older true dual style cross member.Using the older style cross member would allow me to install the "68 to 79 Standard' Allen's Chambered Exhaust. Both systems have 4 mufflers but the 80 to 82 Off Road system has shorter mufflers up under the car due to space limitations of routing both pipes on one side. I plan to add an X-pipe to smooth the exhaust tone. Has anyone heard both systems? Is it worth the trouble and expense to change out the cross member? I have seen videos of the 68 to 79 Allen's Chambered Exhaust on Youtube. It sounds really good. Have not heard the 80 to 82 set up. I don't mind loud I just want a really deep exhaust note. The factory 2 into 1 back to 2 has a very smooth sound. I have considered going with a factory Y up front but with a single 3 inch chambered muffler splitting into a factory style Y pipe and then to the rear chambered mufflers. To my ear the 2 to 1 to 2 exhaust sounds deeper. Using an X pipe will hopefully accomplish the same deep tone
#2
Le Mans Master
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There's a fellow that sells flanges to allow one to make their 4 speed cross member removeable. I bought a set and am planning on doing the conversion myself/with my husband. I don't imagine it should be a real big expense to pay someone else to do it if you brought them as much of the 79 crossmember as you can get. Perhaps you can get a 79 cross-member from an automatic car and save some trouble over getting it out of a 79 manual transmission car.
Last edited by Priya; 04-24-2019 at 01:08 AM.
#3
Drifting
Member Since: Aug 2016
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I'm assuming you will be eliminating the CAT,,,, useing factory size y-pipe likely won't effect the sound,,, ( and give you the X-pipe effect you desire ) ,, try fitting a chambered muffler in the space the CAT was located,, useing a duel outlet muffler at 3" , then run the pipes to your desired exit location,, a good pipe bender can make it all,,, you likely will use steel pipes with a low cost impact on your wallet,
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
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Priya (04-24-2019)
#4
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
a crossover of any type wont make it sound deeper (muffler type may)
#5
Le Mans Master
An 80 crossmember is already removable, even for the 80 and 81 4-speed. Why not put in an aftermarket crossmember?
#6
There's a fellow that sells flanges to allow one to make their 4 speed cross member removeable. I bought a set and am planning on doing the conversion myself/with my husband. I don't imagine it should be a real big expense to pay someone else to do it if you brought them as much of the 79 crossmember as you can get. Perhaps you can get a 79 cross-member from an automatic car and save some trouble over getting it out of a 79 manual transmission car.
#8
I'm assuming you will be eliminating the CAT,,,, useing factory size y-pipe likely won't effect the sound,,, ( and give you the X-pipe effect you desire ) ,, try fitting a chambered muffler in the space the CAT was located,, useing a duel outlet muffler at 3" , then run the pipes to your desired exit location,, a good pipe bender can make it all,,, you likely will use steel pipes with a low cost impact on your wallet,
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
#9
I totally agree. The x pipe, H pipe, or Y pipe does HOWEVER put a stop to that flapping BRAP sound that no doubt we've all heard on cheesy 12 inch Glass-packed dual exhausts. Muffler type... Yep You nailed it there too. At least I know what I don't like at this point. Flowmaster type welded mufflers give out a RASPY Harsh tone I don't care for. Turbo mufflers sound like a family sedan exhaust to me and the dreaded flappety brap of glass packs is my worst nightmare. Some of the better made longer glass packs from Summit Racing sound pretty decent with a cross-over.
#10
Le Mans Master
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I have always been so obsessed with 2 and 1/2 inch dual exhausts that I've never had the guts to "PAY" for a factory 2 into 1 front Y pipe. So I suppose that's the last frontier in my quest. My L48 is stock with cast iron 2 inch exhaust manafolds. One lessen I finally learned was that tubular "headers" ruin the sound hands down . Sanderson cast iron headers sound incredible (If you have 800 bucks to drop)
#11
Whoops failed to read your post before I said same. Why? Just the aggrevation of wrestling rusty seized bolts or paying someone else to do it. But if I had to do it to obtain the sound I'm after It would be worth the 200 extra bucks for the cross member if I had the patience to self install.. I have heard that unless the OEM duel exhaust hanger is used (attaches in front of the Cross member) you get annoying rattle. So that's more cash too.
#12
I'm assuming you will be eliminating the CAT,,,, useing factory size y-pipe likely won't effect the sound,,, ( and give you the X-pipe effect you desire ) ,, try fitting a chambered muffler in the space the CAT was located,, useing a duel outlet muffler at 3" , then run the pipes to your desired exit location,, a good pipe bender can make it all,,, you likely will use steel pipes with a low cost impact on your wallet,
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
If your wanting a exact sound you have experienced from a specific brand, you will need to buy that exact item,,,,,, So many factors to consider
#13
Le Mans Master
Whoops failed to read your post before I said same. Why? Just the aggrevation of wrestling rusty seized bolts or paying someone else to do it. But if I had to do it to obtain the sound I'm after It would be worth the 200 extra bucks for the cross member if I had the patience to self install.. I have heard that unless the OEM duel exhaust hanger is used (attaches in front of the Cross member) you get annoying rattle. So that's more cash too.
In the end, I wound up buying sidepipe headers off of Craigslist instead, but @Bee Jay had done something similar with the same muffler using the spare tire cavity on his car. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...w-exhaust.html
I hope that helps.
Last edited by Bikespace; 04-24-2019 at 09:17 PM.
#14
Burning Brakes
I totally agree. The x pipe, H pipe, or Y pipe does HOWEVER put a stop to that flapping BRAP sound that no doubt we've all heard on cheesy 12 inch Glass-packed dual exhausts. Muffler type... Yep You nailed it there too. At least I know what I don't like at this point. Flowmaster type welded mufflers give out a RASPY Harsh tone I don't care for. Turbo mufflers sound like a family sedan exhaust to me and the dreaded flappety brap of glass packs is my worst nightmare. Some of the better made longer glass packs from Summit Racing sound pretty decent with a cross-over.
Last edited by PainfullySlow; 04-24-2019 at 09:24 PM.