Another 72 LT1 renovation question

[Patrick H.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

The Gardner pipes are still not completely correct in configuration even though they have "more correct" bends, and cost at least twice as much more. In addition, they use the same muffler so you don't gain anything there.

Again, if just the standard deduction is used, an aluminized system gets you the best points-per-dollar, especially if you were going to drive the car.

[Mark E.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

It's understandable nobody reproduces a double wall exhaust system with the wrinkle bends. But it would be nice (and not much more costly) if the CC system used mandrel bends.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

It's understandable nobody reproduces a double wall exhaust system with the wrinkle bends. But it would be nice (and not much more costly) if the CC system used mandrel bends.

There have been discussions with them regarding this.

[Dick W.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

Why would mandrel bends earn fewer deductions than compression bends when neither are original?

The original pipes appear as mandrel bends.

In the late '80's or early '90's a couple of us approached Walker about reproducing the correct pipes with mufflers attached. Minimum order at that time was over $100k. Time to move on to the next brain phart.

[James S.]

[James G.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

200 people at $500 a set gives us 100k proabably 500k now...
I mean I would pay 1500 for a set of original take offs or more... so $500 is not too expensive, we could kickstarter or do something of the like where the project goes ahead once there are 200 committed, I would be in for a 4 sets for our family, any bigblock car would be the same after the head pipes additionally the 73 L82 uses the same mid pipes and swaged head pipes as the 70-72 LT1 although I have multiple sets of NOS double wall swaged head pipes plus the original sets on my car and my brother's 73 L82.
_MG_1449.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

There have been discussions with them regarding this.

Since this discussion, I ordered a CC exhaust (see my other thread about this) and it has mandrel bends. CC says they began using mandrel bends a few years ago.

[Ron G.]

[Erich M.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

All,

Interesting discussion. I know how rare the original LT1 exhaust system is and that it is impossible to get a correct replacement. Just curious, does anyone have an idea of approximately how many original LT1 exhaust systems exist installed on cars? My car still has a functioning complete original exhaust system and I take pains to preserve it.

Erich Meyer
Original Owner 72 LT1 Bowtie & Top Flight

[Joe L.]

Re: Another 72 LT1 renovation question

Here's some pictures from my '70 LT-1's exhaust system. It is the Corvette Central aluminized system with welded mufflers that Patrick mentioned.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]100186[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]100187[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]100188[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]100189[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]100190[/ATTACH]

Leonard------


Are these pipes centered in the transmission cross-member orifices? They don't appear to be from what I can see.