The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

[David P.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Dan,

I have removed the old exhaust system with the car on jackstands, and I intend to install the new system the same way.

It is a lot easier if you put all four corners up on stands.

Of course, it is much more convenient to use a lift!

Hope that helps.

Regards,

DAP

[Dan S.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

David

Yes it does help. Thanks for your response.

Dan

[Don L.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Original systems were welded from the factory. I'm surprised to hear after the nice reviews that Gardners exhaust systems are not welded.

Michael, you make an interesting point on the Gardner system not coming to you welded. My guess is shipping is the reason for the "some assembly required". I had no trouble welding mine, but I suppose there is some potential for the "clocking" of my mufflers to be a bit off vs factory assy. My AIM gives angle dimensions for muffler placement, so I feel fairly confident I'm within tolerance.

When I assembled mine, I first "dry fit" the entire system and scribed index marks on each joint after I had decided the fit was best possible. I then tack welded the mufflers to the tail pipes and put back on the car to make VERY sure I had it all right before doing the stick weld complete. I used the old fashioned stick weld to better simulate early 1970"s technology. When complete, my system fits the chassis perfectly and is symmetrical at the narrow point.

I did have the car on my 4 post lift while doing this task, so admittedly, it went together much easier than if I had been laying on my back.

I hope this is of some help to those considering this job....

[Terry M.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

I will have to check with an early adopter of the Gardner system (2.5 inch in this case) but I don't recall him talking about welding the muffler to the pipes. We had a lot of conversation about it because I wanted to see what it looked like.

BTW: You do know that the muffler seams on the Gardner system face inboard and the original muffler seams faced outboard? I hope I didn't get that backwards, but I know who will straighten me out if I am wrong. Of course some of us are hoping that Gardner turns that around.

[Don L.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Terry, you are right about seam orientation being i/board on the Gardner 2" system, at least when I bought mine last year.

• Gardner supplies clamps to assemble the tail pipe to the muffler. I chose to weld, wanting to better resemble OEM with what I could buy. Also, trying to duplicate the old school weld bead was FUN!
• The "cuff" on the inlet side of the Gardner muffler is too long. It measures approx 1.7". Novi judging informed me that OEM was <3/4" cuff.
• I knew when I bought the Gardner stuff that there were deficiencies vs OEM. I also knew that a fellow chapter member had bought an Allen set through Paragon that had a terrible fit and Paragon/Allen wouldn't help him.
  I've heard good things about the CC set up too. Just heard more/better things about Gardner that made me decide the way I did. (don't the CC mufflers have a much longer cuff and an extra bend on the inlet?) CC is less expensive, which may be a plus to some.
• I didn't know about muffler seam when I bought. I've since read and learned, but regardless, I accept the 6 point deduct I took on the aluminized Gardner exhaust system.

[Terry M.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

The early Gardner systems got a better point score in judging because it took a while to find some of the deficiencies. The muffler seam orientation escaped us for a while. I often tell the Advanced Judging Schools that the most important tool a judge has is observation. All too often we get carried away with minutia and miss the larger issue.

BTW: I was not trying to pick on the Gardner system. It is/was a big advance over what used to be available and has spurred other exhaust suppliers to step up their game. However, there is still a ways to go.

[Patrick N.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

I also went with Gardner. Customer service was great, the parts shipped without denting, fit was nice. Like others mentioned there are some differences but they all seem to have soom ills.

Good luck
Pat

[Thomas G.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Hey Guys,

Just want to set the record straight. We have the mufflers with the seam on the correct side. The seam was to the inside on both the 63-67 with the square stiffening seam for lack of a better word, to the outside. This matches our original. We offer this both in a stock and N-11.
The 1968 - 1972 also match our original. I am not sure if the limited number of N-11s in 1968 were set up like the 64-67s or it looked like a 69-72 with no square seam to the outside. If someone has original pictures of this and would like to share them that would be great.
We have a beautiful reproduction of this muffler as well with no seam to the outside but a seam to the inside. It is true that when we started the seam was not on the correct side. That is the way business works. The more information you gather the more you ratchet it up. We have had it correct for at least a year now.
We know what the corvette exhaust systems looked like. We have originals of every system from1953 - 1973 except the 56 head pipes and with the welded on flanges and the 1968 small block head pipes with the welded in 2" section so that is a golden oportunity for someone right now. If anyone has any questions about our product and and what the original pieces may have looked like please feel free to contact us we will be more than happy to share whatever information we have.

Best Regards,

Eric Gardner

[Terry M.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Hey Guys,

I am not sure if the limited number of N-11s in 1968 were set up like the 64-67s or it looked like a 69-72 with no square seam to the outside. If someone has original pictures of this and would like to share them that would be great.
Best Regards,

Eric Gardner

Eric,
Roy Sinor used to own a 1968 BB with original N/11 system. If he doesn't have pictures I am sure he knows where the car is at. Ring him up.

[Dick W.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Hey Guys,

Just want to set the record straight. We have the mufflers with the seam on the correct side. The seam was to the inside on both the 63-67 with the square stiffening seam for lack of a better word, to the outside. This matches our original. We offer this both in a stock and N-11.
The 1968 - 1972 also match our original. I am not sure if the limited number of N-11s in 1968 were set up like the 64-67s or it looked like a 69-72 with no square seam to the outside. If someone has original pictures of this and would like to share them that would be great.
We have a beautiful reproduction of this muffler as well with no seam to the outside but a seam to the inside. It is true that when we started the seam was not on the correct side. That is the way business works. The more information you gather the more you ratchet it up. We have had it correct for at least a year now.
We know what the corvette exhaust systems looked like. We have originals of every system from1953 - 1973 except the 56 head pipes and with the welded on flanges and the 1968 small block head pipes with the welded in 2" section so that is a golden oportunity for someone right now. If anyone has any questions about our product and and what the original pieces may have looked like please feel free to contact us we will be more than happy to share whatever information we have.

Best Regards,

Eric Gardner

Tom, I have a set of '68 N-11's. When the car gets out of the body shop, I will furnish you photos

[Dan H.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

I just received a set of N11 clamp ons from Corvette Central this week. They are going on a 71 lt-1. I'll let everyone know how the install goes......

[David P.]

Re: The Time Has Come-New N11 Exhaust for '67

Thaks again to all for the info. Thanks Tom for your clarification.

I elected to go ahead with the Corvette Central aluminized N11 with the pipes welded. Got free shipping for the holaday. I will report out when install is done.

DAP