N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

[Ed S.]

I searched the threads for opinions / recommendations for vendors that sell good fitting and near authentic looking N11 exhaust systems. I need to replace the exhaust on my 64 (L67). Didn't find any recent threads, several going back a number of years included positive comments and recommendations for Corvette Central - members stated CC's N11 system was satisfactory in design & sound.

Does any one have any recent experience with vendor supplied N11 exhaust, and in particular CC? Would appreciate your opinion & recommendation. I am considering a carbon steel system.

Also - can you comment on the ease or difficulty involved in installing an N11 system (muffler welded to the exhaust pipe). At the moment I have my rear suspension and differential out of the car - I am assuming that with all those components removed it should be relatively easy to slide the pipe in with the muffler attached. Any suggestions that would make it easier would be appreciated.

[Joe L.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

I searched the threads for opinions / recommendations for vendors that sell good fitting and near authentic looking N11 exhaust systems. I need to replace the exhaust on my 64 (L67). Didn't find any recent threads, several going back a number of years included positive comments and recommendations for Corvette Central - members stated CC's N11 system was satisfactory in design & sound.

Does any one have any recent experience with vendor supplied N11 exhaust, and in particular CC? Would appreciate your opinion & recommendation. I am considering a carbon steel system.

Also - can you comment on the ease or difficulty involved in installing an N11 system (muffler welded to the exhaust pipe). At the moment I have my rear suspension and differential out of the car - I am assuming that with all those components removed it should be relatively easy to slide the pipe in with the muffler attached. Any suggestions that would make it easier would be appreciated.

Ed-------


For your purposes, I think I'd go with the CC system. However, their systems are aluminized, not bare carbon steel. I don't think their mufflers have the same internal configuration as original GM N-11 mufflers but most folks have reported being satisfied with the sound. I probably wouldn't be since I think I have a "finely tuned ear" for original Corvette exhaust sound but the only way to get that sound is an NOS GM system.

By the way. I think you'll find it much easier to install the rear suspension and differential BEFORE you install the exhaust.

[Donald H.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

Ed, I put the CC N11 on my 66. The fit was very good, and a nice sound.

They are aluminized and I'll gladly take a minor deduct versus the rust of a stock carbon steel set.

I'm bringing my car to Shippensburg, so if you are there you can see and hear the exhaust.

[Harry S.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

Ed, I used Gardner on my 63. http://www.gardnerexhaust.com/ Give them a call as the owner usually answers the phone, good people. You will need to weld the muffler on, great sound on a 300 hp car.

[Ed S.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

Thanks to all - great info -- you have answered my (basic) question(s). I think I have enough info to narrow it down to CC or Gardner now.

For Don: Thanks, see you at Shippensburg!

Harry - I will contact Gardner and talk with them.

For Joe Lucia: What is "aluminized" - is that an aluminum alloy? I need to call CC and ask them about their N11 systems, they advertise 3 different systems of N11 for a 64 on their website. One is listed as "carbon steel". The second is described as "deluxe" (what ever that is) and the third is listed as "aluminized" - no detail explanations of any of the three are provide on the website.

Since I posted my initial question I stumbled on an old thread (written about 8 years ago) in which one member highly recommended "Waldron Exhaust" as a company that reproduced an exact duplicate of the original N11 system - less copyright logos and or stamped data. I contacted Waldron - they explained that about a decade ago they and CC did a post mortem on an original N11 system and reversed engineered an exact duplicate of it. They did manufacture & sell it for a few years but have since turned the entire process over to CC. Hopefully, CC is not cutting corners on the process and still is selling the same identical duplicate system.

[Patrick H.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

Waldron was sold since the original thread, and CC kept the mufflers going.

Aluminized means that the pipes are carbon steel coated with aluminum. Virtually all modern cars are stainless with aluminum, so you've seen the look every day on the road.

For CC, carbon steel means that they will give you plain steel pipes that will rust if you want.
Their Deluxe system, if you read the fine print, usually includes hangers and other goodies. It's still the aluminized system.

[Ed S.]

Re: N11 exhaust for a 64 - Need Advice

Thanks again to all - this short thread answers a lot of questions with very good relevant info. I am sure others will benefit as I definitely have.