[dataway]

Soon I am going to need a complete exhaust system for my 68 GTO.

I just want very stock style system with the exception of 2 1/4" down pipes, mandrel bent at the manifold (standard logs), preferably stainless steel. Stock sound levels would be fine, or slightly louder ... but nothing actually approaching "loud". I realize that is pretty subjective

Looking for something with a decent fit and finish, and a proven record of actually fitting.

Thanks

[Cardo]

Ram Air Restorations. I have their system, mandrel bent, your choice of stainless or alumunized. I went with the mandrel up front, and standard tail pipes. If you get mandrel bent tail pipes, they have and extra joint that i didn't want.

[burd]

I wouldn’t Use Ram Air, they sent wrong parts to me and never made it right. They didn’t want to talk about THEIR mistake. It cost me a lot of money.

[dataway]

My main concerns are quality, fit and as close to stock in design as I can get.

[Bermuda Blue]

if you want a hassle-free installation and tolerable noise level, then its a simple choice

https://www.gardnerexhaust.com/exhau...xhaust-system/

You'd have to contact them regarding stainless and mandrel bends but i don't think they can provide that.

[Steve C.]

A system with mandrel bends a big plus.


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[shaker455]

I used Torque Tech but I think they are gone now & Pipes was a good runner up.
I have a local custom mandrel bent exhaust shop friend & I find his stock is better quality than the pre-bent systems you find online and ofcourse fitment dioes not compare

[Formulajones]

I used Torque Tech when they were in business.

These days I use Pypes and then use Dynomax mufflers with it.

If you want correct appearing down to the sizes and crush bends and clamps, then Gardner is where you want to look.

[Steve C.]

Look around if interested in a custom shop. Here is one....

United Exhaust Shop is one of the few muffler shops in the United States, and the only muffler shop on Long Island in New York with a Mandrel Bending Machine.

http://www.unitedexhaustshop.com/about/4579931589



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[dataway]

Any idea on the price of the Gardner stuff? I'm guessing it's not cheap.

Searching I found a few forum posts where people mention they made SS systems for them ... it may be part of the "concours" package.

It certainly looks like nice stuff.

On the plus side, they are only a two hour drive from my house, I could pick the stuff up.

[dataway]

Any of you guys that have purchased a Gardner system have a ball park price?

[Formulajones]

Been too many years since I bought one to give a current market price. I still have the system I ran on my bird 20 years ago and even back then it was several hundred dollars.
Even with the restorations I do, even stock stuff, everyone wants at least 2 1/2" pipe and mandrel bends with a performance muffler so I haven't used Gardner in a long time.

[Steve C.]

"Many people have asked why our website does not allow you to click on your exhaust system and order it directly. Numerous muscle car exhaust systems changed with performance, transmission or even build date. It is not practical for us to provide all this information on our website. We pride ourselves on personal service, and discuss all exhaust options with our customers thoroughly."

845-758- 8003

As a reminder their systems are built for authenticity, NOT performance.


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[dataway]

In my case, with a YS engine and standard log exhaust, I figured if I could get them to make me a 2.25" HO system ... but with 2.25 head pipes for standard logs ... that pretty much would be a performance system for my car

Right now after looking at the various options out there .... direct bolt on stock system like the Gardner looks pretty good. Specially with all the hardware included.

[Gastiresandoil]

Originally Posted by dataway

In my case, with a YS engine and standard log exhaust, I figured if I could get them to make me a 2.25" HO system ... but with 2.25 head pipes for standard logs ... that pretty much would be a performance system for my car

Right now after looking at the various options out there .... direct bolt on stock system like the Gardner looks pretty good. Specially with all the hardware included.

You can get the 2 1/4" downpipes from Inline Tube in the standard configuation for the stock logs. You can get the whole system from them as well.

[Cardo]

You won't be disappointed with the quality, that is for certain. I had one on my '66 GTO when i had it, and it was as an exact reproduction as you could get. BUT, the 2 inch head pipes really choked that engine. I wont buy another one because of the performance sacrifice. They wouldn't make me a set of larger head pipes at that time - 20 years ago.

[dataway]

Yep, I gathered from a few forums posts that I found, that Gardner isn't real forthcoming with deviations from their standard offerings.

While I'm at it ... what's the deal with the dead end pipes for cars with automatics? How necessary is that? I noticed InLine gets about $200 for systems for autos because of that.

And ... I have my standard logs opened up to 2 1/4", will a 2 1/4" pipe/flange fit on the logs or must I use a necked down head pipe?

I notice Inline has the whole systems ... not sure how they are bent, prices seem reasonable except for the auto car systems.

[DavesGTO]

72 GTO set up, concourse upgrade plus the Gardner exhaust tips shipped, just under 2k. Fits like a glove and looks great. If I ever need another system it will come from Gardner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Cardo]

That dead end pipe is considered a "J" pipe. It's for eliminating drone. The old Lincoln Continentals in the '60's had them too.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by DavesGTO

72 GTO set up, concourse upgrade plus the Gardner exhaust tips shipped, just under 2k...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not pickin on you, but the term noting a very high level of automotive detailing is Concours. The term is constantly butchered on this forum as well as being slaughtered by several national reproduction parts vendors in their lofty parts descriptions. One even likes to throw out the term NOS in same descriptions, though it's very obvious the part is a reproduction,

On the other hand, if all one did is order a bunch of repro parts over one's IPhone at the large gathering area in the airport or local hotel, one could use Concourse in the description