1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

[Greg F.]

I have a 71 small block (270 hp) and I call Gardners. I spoke with Eric today (extremely nice and honest guy!). He said they will have the die for the 2" exhaust for the 70-73's any day now. The pipes will be aluminized material. I searched the archives before calling him today. I asked about the wrinkles and the "flat spot" beneath the rear spring.

1. Eric stated the same that I read in some previous posts; they can do the "flattening" but only to a certain degree as he doesn't have the proper tooling. I think they are the only vendor doing this to any extent for a C3 system, so I'm guessing some flattening is better than none?

2. He stated that they are not welding the muffler to the secondary pipe as the originals. He said it's hard to get these systems to line up in the center of rear bezel area due to age of motor mounts and other variables. Also, he said it is easier to ship them this way. He said the muffler can be welded to the secondary piple once it is fitted properly.

My Question: Will this be ok for judging purposes and has anyone done this before? He is obviously the exhaust expert but I wanted to see if anyone had issues with welding the pipe to the muffler later?

Thanks,
Greg

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Greg,

With regard to the welding, I have put them up and positioned everything correctly and then tack welded them, removed them and completed the job on the bench. I would not like to weld around the gas tank or the fiberglass body. Good luck.

Ken

[Steven G.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Greg, Their was a recient discussion about gardners exaust system, As I recall, factory exaust used double wall pipe that is indicated by a seam line. If a judge overlooks this and other bending features you will do fine, but, don't bet on that, you will probably recieve deductions. When judged, you must recieve 10% originality to qualify for condition points, so a rusted original will score better than repro's. Until replacement exaust has been seen by a judge, expect deductions. Don't forget about stamping on mufflers for your corvette. Steve

[Greg F.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Greg, Their was a recient discussion about gardners exaust system, As I recall, factory exaust used double wall pipe that is indicated by a seam line. If a judge overlooks this and other bending features you will do fine, but, don't bet on that, you will probably recieve deductions. When judged, you must recieve 10% originality to qualify for condition points, so a rusted original will score better than repro's. Until replacement exaust has been seen by a judge, expect deductions. Don't forget about stamping on mufflers for your corvette. Steve

Thanks Steve. The system on my 71 is not original nor anywhere close to the right configuration (one pipe is held by a coat hanger).

My car is a nice driver but I want to put correct parts on the car with the hopes of getting it judged in the future. I need a new exhaust system within the next 1-3 months. I want the closest to the original as possible. I've gathered that Corv Central, Allens and Gardners are the closest and it seems that Gardners has the wrinkles and some flattening. I realize I will get deductions with any system since they it will most likely be aluminized as well. Any suggestions or direction when it comes to these 3 vendors?

Thanks!

[Michael G.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Greg,
Last month I install new aluminized 2" system from C. Central with welded mufflers. It had the flattened areas (upper area of pipe only) under the rear spring and strut bracket. I am not as familiar with the wrinkle issue but will tell you the fit was outstanding. There are no stampings on the mufflers and I'm not sure of the correctness of the tube seam. I was waiting for Gardner's to get the 2" system up and running but ran out of time when the last of my original system disinigrated. Mike

[Dave S.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

I have a 71 small block (270 hp) and I call Gardners. I spoke with Eric today (extremely nice and honest guy!). He said they will have the die for the 2" exhaust for the 70-73's any day now. The pipes will be aluminized material. I searched the archives before calling him today. I asked about the wrinkles and the "flat spot" beneath the rear spring.

1. Eric stated the same that I read in some previous posts; they can do the "flattening" but only to a certain degree as he doesn't have the proper tooling. I think they are the only vendor doing this to any extent for a C3 system, so I'm guessing some flattening is better than none?

2. He stated that they are not welding the muffler to the secondary pipe as the originals. He said it's hard to get these systems to line up in the center of rear bezel area due to age of motor mounts and other variables. Also, he said it is easier to ship them this way. He said the muffler can be welded to the secondary piple once it is fitted properly.

My Question: Will this be ok for judging purposes and has anyone done this before? He is obviously the exhaust expert but I wanted to see if anyone had issues with welding the pipe to the muffler later?

Thanks,
Greg

Greg,
First I think that fitting the mufflers/pipes and then doing a final weld off the car is a good way to go. It's more work but that way you will have the proper alignment.
There is a concurrent thread going on about LT-1 exhaust. You may want to rtead through it as the Gardners system is discussed.
I happen to be of the mind set that the 2" systems from 70 to 72 were NOT flattened like the 2 1/2 " systems were. 68 and/or 69 may be different as I cannot speak to that era. Some members feel diferently and apparently Gardners is one of them. The 2" systems also have the wrinkle bends at the header pipes where LT-1's don't. I have several original 70/72 2" pipes and a set of GM NOS pipes and they are not flattened so I'm basing my comments on that.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Dave,
Does Your 72 Has The Orignal Exhaust System On. If So Maybe If You Could Mic. The The Pipe At 6&12 And 3&9 Oclock To See If Theres Maybe A Slight Difference Maybe They Are Crushed A Slight Amount

[Dave S.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Dave,
Does Your 72 Has The Orignal Exhaust System On. If So Maybe If You Could Mic. The The Pipe At 6&12 And 3&9 Oclock To See If Theres Maybe A Slight Difference Maybe They Are Crushed A Slight Amount

Ed,
Those pipes are round. There may have been some minor flattening caused by the bending process but they were not flattened intentionally.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Thanks Dave, I Guess Theres Been Alot Of Question Reguarding The Small Block Pipes,and Whos Right Or Wrong But I How Gardner Exhuasts Get It Close As Possiable.

[Dave S.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Thanks Dave, I Guess Theres Been Alot Of Question Reguarding The Small Block Pipes,and Whos Right Or Wrong But I How Gardner Exhuasts Get It Close As Possiable.

Gardiner seems to have put the time and effort to do these systems as close as possible to original. The photos I have seen of the 2 1/2" system look super. They are to be applauded for taking the time to come up with this system.
They get their information from hobbyists like us so they can only make what they believe to be pipes copied from originals. Based on my experience and discussions with others I am not convinced that the 2" systems are flattened. They may be but I have never seen or heard of such a thing. Just one persons opinion.

[Jeffrey A.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

Like I stated in a earlier posting regarding, I bought a complete exhaust system for my 68 BB from Gardner and they did an outstanding job and every deal in every sense was reproduced corrrectly. Both Eric and his Dad are top shelve. After dealing with him it was extremely evident that quality and service is there top priority. Their pricing fare excellent as well. As we all know, you get what you pay for. Jeff

[Warren F.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

I've had a couple sets of OEM new old stock exhaust systems for '70 - '72 big blocks. Those pipes were flattened in certain places, they were double walled, they had the wrinkles in the outside bends, and were made of carbon steel. The only incorrect item on those is the pipes expanded bell at the end where the mufflers attached to. This was not as the original production system was with the intermdiary pipe being welded directly to the muffler.

I would think this system would garner as many points as any of the aftermarket exhaust systems.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 - Exhaust System update/question-AGAIN

If one is clever one can butt weld the pipes to the muffler and lose that bell shape. If one finishes the weld carefully the weld will be difficult to spot for a while. Once the pipes begin to rust the weld will become visible. Don't ask me how I know.

Of course that begs the question of where one can get NOS pipes and mufflers now days. At one time the mufflers available in SERVICE even came with the W and were painted with blackout paint. Go find some of those now days.