Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

[Troy P.]

I have heard many stories from members who have wrestled with installation of reproduction exhaust systems for 53, 54, and 55. I have also heard from three members who were lucky enough to have gotten their parts from Chevrolet dealers back in the 1970's and they report those systems go in with ease.

Can anyone recommend a supplier for 55 V8 cars that makes a system that fits well and is as close to original as they come today? I appreciate your input.

[Jim L.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

Troy, what specifically doesn't fit well?

FWIW, a couple of years ago, when I (finally) needed to replace the original exhaust pipes on my '54, I got nice looking and nice fitting replacements by just letting a competent muffler shop copy the originals. If I ever need to replace the remainder of the pipes on toward the rear, I'll almost certainly do the same thing again.

Jim

[Cathy S.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I purchased my set from CC. All was good. Nice pipes

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

My experience with a CC set for a 54 indicated the pipes (including those welded to the mufflers) didn't fit right. Needed to do all sorts of twisting and turning and compromising to get them to fall into the proper locations relative to the body and chassis. I've heard the same from others. I'm hoping to avoid that with the 55 project.

[Cathy S.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

My experience was much better

[Peter B.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

Troy,

I recently replaced the exhaust on my 67 with a Gardner system. The fit was perfect. They provide a clamp at the rear pipe to muffler connection for fit up so I need to get it welded to be correct. Here's a link to their exhaust system for a 55. Great customer service, you can't order online, they want to talk to you first and verify what you need before taking the order.

Good luck.

Pete

http://www.gardnerexhaust.com/1955-corvette-exhaust-system.html

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I'll look into that. Thanks for the tip Pete.

anyone use Gardner for a C1?

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I see Gardner does not have the header pipes welded to the mufflers as the OEM C1 systems did. Not having them welded gives you more freedome to twist and turn the system to line it up but you then have to do the welding yourself to make it factory correct.

[Chris S.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I used CC for #3803
fit horrible....
the head pipes are not bent correctly
they dont fit to the exhaust manifold correctly.
lots of pushing and prying and forcing them......

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

Chris, same experience I had and have heard from others with 6 cyl cars.

How long ago did you buy the set? Perhaps Cathy got hers recently and they have improved...hopefully.

[Chris S.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

6 months or so.....

[Larry C.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

Couple years ago, I loaned my original exhaust system and my NOS exhaust system (header pipes and off-road mufflers, as they already had NOS tailpipes) to Gardner Exhaust Systems. In return, I received their reproduction tailpipes for my 1962 340 hp. All I can say is that they were adamant about getting everything as exact to original as possible.

Good folks and would be worth talking to.

Larry

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I have a wire welder so I guess I could put up with welding the pipes to the mufflers like the OEM system. Not sure why they don't do this. The CC system comes with the pipes welded but as discussed above has fitment issues.

[Troy P.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I spoke to Eric Gardner today and I think the reason they want to talk to you rather than advertise the prices on their website is because their price is 225% ($445) more than the Corvette Central system. I'm confident they make a nice system and it is clear they are doing the research to find original parts to copy and original drawings too. But one has to weight the significant cost difference and the fact that the pipe is not welded to the muffler into the decision.

BTW, Eric says the 55 V8 muffler drawings he got from the Hershey archives shows round "off road style" mufflers like those used in 56-57, not the oval mufflers common on 53 and 54 6 cylinder cars. Anyone out there with original 55 mufflers still on the car that can clarify?

I know several people who have thought they had NOS 53-55 6 cyl mufflers and pipes bought from GM in the 60's and early 70's but they were really NORS. The oval mufflers did not have the convex ends like the originals.

[Tom A.]

Re: Reproduction Exhaust Systems that fit

I've used Gardner for years on other GM cars before they came out with their Corvette exhaust, they are great and easy to install. I just received their first 57 Corvette F.I. exhaust. I've been working with the for almost a year on this exhaust. They would not build until they could find every piece NOS to set up their jigs. They are fanatical about getting it right and it shows in their quality and installation. They are the best if you want it right.