1971 Mufflers

[Barry L.]

Where or who is the best vendor to get the correct mufflers for my 1971 CV?

Appreciate any info.

[Jim T.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I bought Walker original type mufflers for my 1968 many years ago. I know it has been over 25 years I have recorded in my maint book what the actual date of installation was. Very much pleased with them, both mufflers have held up very well with no rust or any other problems. Have the 327/350 4-speed in the 1968.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Did you get steel, aluminized, or stainless?

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Barry, There really are not any venders that make a correct muffler for any C1/C2/C3. Barry the original mufflers were from walker for C3's and they had a (W) embossed on the bottom, and the seam of the muffler faced the qtr. panels, and had the intermittent pipe was welded flush to the back side of muffler, and to add more, the bends in the pipe had wrinkles and was slightly flattened where the pipe runs under the rear spring.Wow a lot to take in. With the said, Corvette central makes a nice system that fits and can be had with carbon steel as the factory or aluminized with does not rust as easy. For judging reasons on any 70/72 the judges take about 6 to 7 points any way you look at it. The chrome tips also take a small hit even with the reproductions.

[Paul O.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Barry

Ed has made just a small error the seam on the muffler that goes the length of its body they both face the spare tire tub. I know I should not say this but at the present time for exhaust pipes aluminized pipes have a standard deduction of 25% of the points allotted. There are 8 points for originality allotted for the heat riser and exhaust pipes so the heat riser gets 1 to 2 points and then the rest go to the pipes. So that equates to ether a 1.5 or at 1.75 points we know we can not do .5 or .75 of a point so a 1 point deduction with a dot for an accumulation of the dot latter. So the best bang for the buck is the lowest price aluminized pipes you can buy would equate to the lowest point deduction. With that you would get all your condition points for a new system.

The reason I say buy the cheapest aluminized system is that a Gardner carbon steel system because of a configuration difference in flatting will cause a 1 point deduction. If your chasing points then spend the least amount if cost is an issue.

As for mufflers no one and I mean no one make a correctly configured muffler. There are also 8 originality points allotted with the current issues with them which is configuration and date plus sometimes finish. Would cause a 40 to 60% deduction which is a 3.2 or 4.8 with the dot accumulation here from the pipes would cause a 4 or 5 point deduction here.

Now that I have made this as clear as mud but I hope this helps in your decision.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Just curious about the reason no one makes a correctly figure muffler. I understand the w part but why can't anyone make them with the seam facing the quarter panels?

Thanks,


Bill

[Paul O.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Bill

The seams on original mufflers face the spare tire tub not the fenders. Gardner and a few other manufacturers have that issue fixed. But the end caps on the mufflers that are crimped in place are non typical factory production. Originals were are a smooth rounded crimp where today's are of a flattened crimp. Also most welds of the inlets are also not typical. Plus others have a non typical material used in construction.

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Bill

The seams on original mufflers face the spare tire tub not the fenders. Gardner and a few other manufacturers have that issue fixed. But the end caps on the mufflers that are crimped in place are non typical factory production. Originals were are a smooth rounded crimp where today's are of a flattened crimp. Also most welds of the inlets are also not typical. Plus others have a non typical material used in construction.

Thank you for the clarification Paul.


Kind Regards,


Bill

[J W.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Notwithstanding the seams and visual appearance of the mufflers, do any of the current C2/C3 repro mufflers have an authentic sound? Are some better sounding than others?

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Paul,

Do you have detailed pictures of an original exhaust system? Especially the mufflers.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Paul O.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Muffler photos

[Alan S.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Hi Bill,
I just tried to send you a PM but was unable to send it because your mailbox is full.
Regards,
Alan

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Hi Bill,
I just tried to send you a PM but was unable to send it because your mailbox is full.
Regards,
Alan

Just cleared some items out of my mailbox

Regards,


Bill

[Bill L.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

Thank you Paul.

Kind Regards,


Bill

[Patrick B.]

Re: 1971 Mufflers

I have a much simpler question for our exhaust experts. I just want some stock-type mufflers that will actually fit well on a 70 Corvette with
2 1/2" exhaust. Many years ago I bought Allen's stainless steel pipes and generic Turbo mufflers from a speed shop. The mufflers did not fit well enough to be able to put the chrome outlets on, but I didn't think the turbo mufflers were precision pieces anyway. More recently, when I wanted more of a stock sound, I contacted Gardner's but they would not sell mufflers, only complete systems. I bought Corvette Central stock type mufflers, and they fit even worse than the Turbo mufflers. Besides the chrome outlets not fitting the body cut-outs, I have to safety wire the pipes to the rear spring to keep them from dragging the ground.

Are there any mufflers that fit right with Allen's pipes. Has anyone tried a welded pipe and muffler with a stainless steel pipe. I think Allen's makes some welded systems. Has anyone tried them?