Chevelle ls exhaust?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Chevelle ls exhaust? 72' Chevelle LS swap with headers. Like to ask what others are using for exhaust. Did you use an exhaust kit, buy seperate pieces or have one custom made? Also, anyone think the clamp systems work ok rather than welding? I think I want to use a 2-1/2" system with an X pipe and fairly quiet mufflers. Any suggestions?
Having a LSx (Gen III/IV) engine in any car makes no different for the most part, Exhaust is Exhaust.. your choice should be dependent on Engine HP, what you think is loud or not, muffler able to preform, material and your Budget !
But for my recommendation depending on HP, I would start with 2.5" tubes, a X or H in it and what every muffler you prefer (performance or sound). I prefer a welded system.
I myself used Edelbrock Header, 2.5" tube w/H pipe and 40 series Flowmaster on both my Chevelle and Nova.. pretty typical for any performance car.
I used a Flowmaster American Thunder system/kit on the Chevelle. For the Nova I had muffler guy custom made from scratch.
BC
But for my recommendation depending on HP, I would start with 2.5" tubes, a X or H in it and what every muffler you prefer (performance or sound). I prefer a welded system.
I myself used Edelbrock Header, 2.5" tube w/H pipe and 40 series Flowmaster on both my Chevelle and Nova.. pretty typical for any performance car.
I used a Flowmaster American Thunder system/kit on the Chevelle. For the Nova I had muffler guy custom made from scratch.
BC
Not a Chevelle but I'm running the Pypes 2 1/2" system with x-pipe and street pro mufflers. I'll be running Doug's LS swap headers when the LS goes in soon. I definitely would not buy the Pypes sytem again due to some fitment issues and customer service issues, it will stay only because it's already on. If I had it to do over I'd go Flowmaster or have a custom 2.5" system built.
I had a local shop make me a 2 1/2 inch custom exhaust with magnaflow mufflers. The pipes are crush bent (I know), but my 4200 lb dakota goes 13.1 at 107 with a bone-stock 6.0 LS truck motor.
At first, I had the same 2 1/2 tubing with dynomax mufflers, but the drone was awful, so I had the shop change to the magnaflow mufflers.
It is quiet, without drone, and doesn't seem to affect performance.
The tubing and labor was about $400, the mufflers a cost about $80 each from ebay.
At first, I had the same 2 1/2 tubing with dynomax mufflers, but the drone was awful, so I had the shop change to the magnaflow mufflers.
It is quiet, without drone, and doesn't seem to affect performance.
The tubing and labor was about $400, the mufflers a cost about $80 each from ebay.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Thanks guys for the information. I think the 2.5" with either x or H pipe and Magnaflow mufflers will work for what I want. Probably have to clamp the system so that I can drive to a shop and have it welded.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 242
Likes: 4
From: Alabama
I have two different vehicles I have used the full band clamps on instead of welding . It has worked really well for me . The one thing I like about it is if I have to do any mods I can remove the clamps to remove the exhaust system and put it back when I am done . It is pretty solid put together with the bands . Just something to think about for another option .
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Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 54
Likes: 1
From: Calgary Alberta Canada
I went with the stainlessworks ls swap exhaust and their headers and I'm very happy with the results. It's loud but it's behind a TSP 630HP 418 that's has a pretty nasty idle. Still quieter than the previous magnaflows behind my 540. No real drone, at least nothing audible over the tire/wind noise lol. Best part is it still sounds like a nasty small block/stout big block, not like a swapped car so it's a nice surprise when you open the hood.
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I've got Edelbrock headers and Magnaflow 2-1/2 exhaust system on mine. People love the way it sounds, but I don't like the resonance it has at cruising speed (around 1800 rpms). I plan on eventually adding J-pipes to the system to get rid of the drone. Here's a link were it was discussed https://ls1tech.com/forums/cadillac-cts-v/1629371-cure-drone-1-4-resonance-pipes-aka-j-pipes-aka-helmholtz-tubes.html
What have you guys been paying for a full exhaust? I just finished my swap in my el camino. I need from the headers to the rear bumper. Every shop I've talked to here in okc area has been $500-600 labor not including mufflers. So I've been debating if I should buy a full kit off eBay and install it myself which would be around $400, buy some bends and fabricate it myself, or take it some where. Before I was ready for it I had a shop that was $220 labor and piping. Plus whatever the cost was of the mufflers I wanted. But I called to get it done now that I'm ready and of course they are out of business. I just want something on there quick and cheap so I can get it on the road. I'd like to have a full 3in mandrel bent custom system but not in my budget right now.
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 157
Likes: 3
I used the Hooker swap headers and the Pypes 2.5 inch x pipe system on my 71 Chevelle. I have the Street Pro mufflers.
Fitment and install was easy and neat. I used band clamps on my system. Have not driven this car much yet as it is not completed but so far I like the sound.
Fitment and install was easy and neat. I used band clamps on my system. Have not driven this car much yet as it is not completed but so far I like the sound.
Typical cost around where I live is $600-800 for a basic setup of 2 1/2" with either Flowmaster or Magnaflow's... add in the cost of SS and Jet Coating.. it could run +$1500 with all of that stuff. Labor should run around $300-450
One thing to consider.. most Muffler shop will do standard bends.. if you by a kit with Mandrel bends tube... that would be a plus. (unless the shop is setup to do Mandrel bends) You could buy the kit and DIY or have local shop install it.. if they would do the labor for a good price.
One thing to consider.. most Muffler shop will do standard bends.. if you by a kit with Mandrel bends tube... that would be a plus. (unless the shop is setup to do Mandrel bends) You could buy the kit and DIY or have local shop install it.. if they would do the labor for a good price.
I used the Hooker swap headers and the Pypes 2.5 inch x pipe system on my 71 Chevelle. I have the Street Pro mufflers.
Fitment and install was easy and neat. I used band clamps on my system. Have not driven this car much yet as it is not completed but so far I like the sound.
Fitment and install was easy and neat. I used band clamps on my system. Have not driven this car much yet as it is not completed but so far I like the sound.
Thanks for the info bczee, thinking I may just do an eBay kit and install myself. I do want to eventually go turbo, so I'm still tempted to break down and buy a tig and practice on the exhaust.
