Ok now Iam doing a new exhaust system to a 70 chevelle 396 car whats your input on a good system I was pushing towards stainless steel with x pipe I want it to look some what original but with a little twist better preformance I have looked to the Borla, Flow master and Magna Flow systems.
I want to use 2 1/2" system I think the 3" system is rather large. Can some of you post some pictures of your systems? rember my car still has the original exhaust on it now and is getting old and has surface rust on it now I have factory manifolds on it no headders.
Thanks

are you going to put headers on it? I have heard many people have had good luck with the Summit headers, less then $100 last I looked. I put on the Summit x-pipe ($79 in 2 1/2 I think) with the Summit turbos ($20 each) a couple months ago and they work great. I find the x-pipe really smooths out the exhaust compared to the standard dual exhaust I had before. And for the price of the Summit turbos you really can't go wrong. You could do the x-pipe, summit turbos, and a set of there headers for about $200. You also would need to order some collector fittings for connecting the headpipe to the headers/manifold. Just my opinion - get a whole new exhaust system for the price of a pair of flowmasters. Then again if you really want stainless steel instead of aluminized, you would have to go a different more expensive route...

Good luck!
Brad

2 1/2" flowmaster system with stock exhaust manifolds and 30 series mufflers.

I went with coated Hooker headers, Torque-Tech 3" system with 3" Delta 40 Flowmasters.

I went with Pypes - ceramic coated the whole dang system, looks awesome:

Pic below is the whole system, obviously not installed yet. I don't have the installed pics downloaded yet, sorry.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Xtreme70SS396/Pypes1resized.JPG

I went with Pypes - ceramic coated the whole dang system, looks awesome:

Pic below is the whole system, obviously not installed yet. I don't have the installed pics downloaded yet, sorry.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/Xtreme70SS396/Pypes1resized.JPG


Looks very nice. Let us know how it fits.

Fits fine, it's just a pain in the A** to do by yourself 18" off the ground....

That is pretty much the system I was thinking of getting.I decided to get the one with the cutouts after the X pipe.Also thinking ceramic.Did you weld or clamp?Will also be doing it on my back.So the fit is good?I was concerned about tailpipe clearance with the 3".What Pypes mufflers did you get?Sound?
Bucksnort57
70 SS 454 Chevelle
57 2dr s/w nostalgia drag
57 Nomad
04 CC/SB 8100 HD
01 Cherokee
81 Shovel

See this post for more info: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90800

Basically, I love it. Fit was good, and I was able to work around some issues with my car and hanger locations. Tailpipe is AWESOME as a one-piece unit like they do. I used the stainless steel band clamps.

I got the 18" street pro's - quiet inside, loud out back. On the above post I'm working on getting a sound clip made to post it, won't be for a few days though.

Thanks for the info,Mark.Was thinking of the 3" system.Don't really need it now but you know how plans go for down the road(bigger cam,heads,etc).Gonna upgrade the headers also.What are you using?The stainless bands sound good to use.I'm pretty good with the mig but accessibility might be an issue.

Bob, I'm using Hedman elites with 1-3/4" primaries. Fit is fantastic. FYI, I got that brand because they are coated inside and out - not all are coated inside.

We put 3'' on our 70 and it really isn't worth it, harder to fit and as far as sound the 2 1/2 sounds better its got that little bit of tin can sound where the three inch doesn't. If you check out picture #49 and 79 you'll see the clamps from jegs#30732 muffler preformed band clamps, they look like chrome so I tool some scotch brit{red} to them also I went after the pipes with nevr-dull and they really look good. The system is a flowmaster force #exhaust system and hangers #flo-17107 those have the old strap look. flowmaster 50 series 3 chamber single outlet hooker competition ceramic coated headers 2'' tubes 30'' long 3 1/2 collector mufflers#942553 headers#hok11035 this is for a 69 454 440 horse the pictures don't justify how good those mandrel bent flowmaster look and how nice they fit the whole system will stand up by itself laying on the garage floor, just another idea for you Rob.

Rubadub,

I could - no wait, I DID - spend a ton of time drooling over those chassis pics of yours. WOW, that is magnificent to say the least!!! Awesome pics, you should do a post just on those if you haven't already. When you look to sell, give me a call ;)

Xtreme, thank you for the compliment that makes an old guy feel good so I took your suggestion and posted in body shop, I guess I posted it right, have a good one Rob

Thanks for reply,Mark.I like the sound of the Hedman Elites being coated inside and out.
Rob,Mark is right.Super job on the chassis and jig.Not fully sold on the 3"system.I know they will be a PITA to fit.Your 2 1/2 Flowmaster system is enticing.

Rubadub,

Can you tell me if you had any issues with the Clutch Pushrod running in to your headers? I'm starting to do a swap and I've got this problem. If not, I'm going to buy the same headers you have. Any problems getting at the oil filter?

Cluch isn't in it yet, good question, I do know that It will be a centerforce brand when I put it in, light foot pressure Rob

I went with 2.5" tails and can't imagine how tight 3" would have been. The system starts at 3.5" adn reduces along its length, which is fine. As the gas cools it looses pressure. Also use HUGE 22" muffs which are wonderful pressure reducers. 2.5" tails are a bunch more stealthy. But that's my system and is quite irrelevant to the original poster....

The first reply using Summit components is a perfect system for a 396. You really should be using a 3" inlet/2.5" outlet X pipe , as it is best to maintain the collector diameter into the X. It acts as a torque tube, and that's not so bad is it? I;ve used the Summit $19 muffs and they are fine. If you wanted higher quality components, that's OK, but 3" into the X, 2.5" out to 2.5" offset/offset mufflers ( almost required if you want good fitting tailpipes - and I BELIEVE? that the Summit muffs are offset/center only)). Option 2 is the American Thunder system by Flow with an X pipe. I think you can get the system without the Flowmaster mufflers if you prefer a non hollow barrel sound.