Hey guys, i was wondering what the factory l-79 chevelle exhaust consisted of, i have heard it was the same diameter pipes as the z-16 which i believe is 2.5" duals out to 21".5 mufflers, i have also heard it was a chambered system like the optional exhaust for 69-70? Any help would be greatly appreciated

It was a dual system the same as the 396 in terms of diameter and routing. Of course the specific takedown from the manifolds were different but there you go.

1969 was the only year they offered the chambered system and by then the high performace 327s were available only over the counter or courtesy the wreckage of late night street racing.

What year of Chevelle are we talking about WRT L-79s? I'm sure RichL79 could add a lot of good to this thread :thumbsup: Lots of other can as well.

i was talking about the 1965 l-79 in chevelle and el camino, so there was no chamberd exhaust in 65? What about resonators?

i was talking about the 1965 l-79 in chevelle and el camino, so there was no chamberd exhaust in 65? What about resonators?

Give RichL79 a chance to respond as he is our resident expert on the '65 L79 and the owner of perhaps the nicest one in existence.

Yes, the L-79 engined cars came with a 2 1/2in exhaust system. BUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, the L-79 engines in all Chevelles had the log style exhaust manifolds (the ones which went under the spark plugs).
There was NEVER a 2 1/2in ex manifold on Chevlles (with a SB). NEVER! The ONLY 2 1/2in ex manifolds for a SB was for the 62-65 Corvettes and full size cars. They were the Ram Horn style of manifold and a Ram Horn manifold WILL NOT work on a Chevelle! Thus, even though the Chevelles with the L-79 engines had 2 1/2in ex pipe, the pipe was reduced down to 2in where it connected to the ex manifold.
The latest best example of a Chevelle with the L-79 engine that I've seen recently was at CB07(??????), it was a 68. Actually, there were two. One was a 4sp, the other was the HD 3sp. Both were very nice, correct cars.
Unfortunately, I did not think to take a picture of the 2 1/2in pipe where it was reduced down to 2in at the manifold! DUH!

Tom is correct, the manifolds all had 2-inch outlets. The pipes had a 2-inch connection and widen out to 2-1/2 inches almost immediately. The head pipes are 2-1/2 inches all the rest of the way to the mufflers. Original style pipes have a flat spot near the oil filter canister and transmission cross member for additional clearance. The tailpipes are 2-inch pipes. In '65 resonators were installed in the middle of the tailpipes along side the rear frame rails and the pipes exited at the rear bumper. The resonators were STANDARD with the L79. The resonators were not included in the '67 and '68 L79 exhaust systems.

By contrast, the Z16 used tail pipes that exited to the side just behind the rear wheels and as such did not include resonators.