I am thinking about ordering an exhaust kit for my chevelle. the only question I have about these kits is after you install them yourself is it required to get them welded?

I put on a 2.5" kit from Flowmaster for my 70 Chevelle with headers and no welding was required, but I did have to take it to a local muffler shop to have the passenger side head pipe tweaked to fit after I installed it.
In process of restoring the car back to all original and purchased a Gardner exhaust, which should fit like a glove with stock exhaust manifolds.

I would say depends on the kit u get. One thing though u can probily hire it done as cheap as u can buy a kit that will fit right. The kit I used cost about 300 and I am very happy with it. I didnt save any money but I wanted put on the way I wanted put on so I had to do it, the shops wanted to weld and I did not want it welded solid so I did it my self. Mine being a 4 speed I wanted the oppshion of easy pipe removal for better access for future clutch or trane work. Some may disagree but I would recomend to run away from h pipe kits I think it is unnessary and makes fyture repairs harder. Just my opinion. Good luck on it.

I ordered a flowmaster 2.5" kit for my 70. The only problem I had was with the H-pipe. It would not clear the driveline with out a little persuasion. Other than that it was an excellent fit.

Just ordered a kit from Torque Tech. 3" all the way back to the rear. can't wait to get it. The guy said it should bolt right on.

I put the 2.5 Flowmaster kit on the 70 and it fit nice.Man,I love that Flowmaster sound!!:D

I have a Torque Tech 2.5" system on my car and the tailpipes want to point inward. I contacted TT and they said I had the system installed too high up. I put it as low as they suggested and the pipes came close, but the system was hanging really low. I tried adjusting, tried original mount points (pipes hit the tires), tried just about everything...left pipe still points downward and inward slightly. I just bought another system from Stainless Works and the pipes look like they will fit better. Exhaust tips look awesome and fit well. Hope to find out how the rest fits when it warms up.

Just ordered a kit from Torque Tech. 3" all the way back to the rear. can't wait to get it. The guy said it should bolt right on.

Of course the guy said that. Would you have bought it if he said "Yeah, you'll have to mess with this for a few hours, beat on the pipes, have another one bent, and then it'll do fine." :D
BillL

I have installed both Flowmaster and Torque Tech kits. Both kits are nice and fit well. They can be difficult, get a buddy to help out. Both kits do not need welding but when welded they are stronger. I also like using upgraded hangers not the type supplied with the kits.

You can bolt the kit on your car and drive it to a muffler shop to be welded. My muffler shop (Bartosh Muffler in Wichita Falls) even lets me help in the work. If your a real Gearhead, you need to make friends with a good muffler shop. :thumbsup:

Good Luck :D

Lots of guys are running pypes performance kits here as well don't forget them. I have there 3 inch kit hangen out in my garage

Consider using band clamps for the mufflers - makes 'em easy to change out if you don't like them.

I agree and was going to say the same thing. Welding your exhaust system means its typicaly permanent. I dont like that and have seen several times where you can get just as good of a seal with band clamps and still be able to remove components when should you ever change your mind. I have never been a fan of completely welding an exhaust system.

Yes, welding is permanant, that is the point. A good muffler man can remove welded joints with a torch and not destroy the mufflers or the pipe. I have built cars with Flowmasters and then had customer's who are less than hardcore gearheads, freak out because their car is too loud. Okay, change the mufflers out, no big deal. I get free flowmasters that way! :D LOL!

Keep this in mind, a bolted and clamped system can move around and sometimes rattle. I have seen it happen.

Here is another tip I like to use. I like having flanges welded to the back of the mufflers and front of the tail pipes. Use the header type pipe flanges in either 3" or 2 1/2" and I seal them with aluminum gaskets. The purpose for this is the ability to drop the system and do maintenance if needed. Very nice if you have drop a transmission.

I get pretty involved with my exhaust systems. To me they are pretty important, lots of guys scrimp on this part of a car.

Good Luck!