1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

[John G.]

I'm starting all over on this so that I can more appropriately title my post and have better pics.

The three pics are from my '61 and the screen shot is from on-line. It has a 270 HP 2x4 CU engine and 4 speed built mid-March 1961. I believe that the only major deficiency is that it should have round mufflers. Minor problems are the coarse thread clamps and the grounds that need replacing. So is my thought that all I need is basically two correct mufflers and no other major items that need replacement. Thoughts?

[Patrick S.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

The round mufflers that CC and others sell today are NOT the same as the originals. The originals have 2 tubes inside and sound different than todays straight thru mufflers. NOS original mufflers are expensive!

[John G.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

I doubt I can find NOS mufflers that would be usable and "affordable". Two areas: how do the ones readily available fit and what do the judges think of them? Any idea how many decibels above the original round mufflers are the easy to get ones?

[Pat H.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

Get the correct nuts for the header pipes. I got mine from Paul Mazut. The Corvette houses ones are not right for judging.

[John G.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

Any thoughts on the mufflers?

[Pat H.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

John, The reproduction mufflers are not as original but the ones from Corvette Central seems to fit okay or at least they did on my 59. There are slight differences in configuration, however I wouldn't worry about that. The new systems are aluminized and there will be a standard deduction unless you black them out, which I did. I used high temp header paint (spray cans). When judging chassis, the judges are looking for some blackout on the system and the top side (when looking from underneath the car) should be natural. I painted the entire system

If you check with CC, they use to make carbon steel systems, but they will probably rot out long before the aluminized ones. Mine have been on the car for 20+ years and I drive it.

[Patrick S.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

I bought a CC system for my 62 FI after the originals rusted thru. The system looks nice and fits good. The problem I had was with the sound, very harsh, sounded like a truck. I went to the oval mufflers from CC and they sound better and fit good. Probably won't do any more judging.

[Dino L.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

The CC system fit well and head good gaps throughout, with one exception....the split at the x on the passenger side would not line up, I had to bolt the clamp upside down to use only 1 clamp on the passenger side, everything else fit perfect....albeit it took hours to line it up working from the top, cant imagine installing it from under the car!

[John G.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

Nice unpainted fiberglass - which mine was like that.

As best I can see from reviewing pics online all the vendors seem to be selling the same mufflers which is not unexpected. At the next sale I order the hopefully correct round mufflers. Thanks for point about painting - I would likely just have done a 100% spray out with high temp paint.

[Patrick S.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

I don't think any one makes a correct round C1 HP muffler.

[John G.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

So close will have to do. Also looks like I need a crossover pipe since it's a '61 270HP.

[Pat H.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

Yes, 270 and 315HP definitely had X-overs. I'm not totally sure on the 275 Fuel cars, but the manual is in the garage.

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1961 - what exhaust parts do I need for judging

The ground straps are attached to the clamp with jamb nuts. The ground strap is added to the clamp after the nut for the clamp with a second jamb nut. A jamb nut is half the height of a regular nut. See the options section in the back of your AIM.