[cujo]

Matrix, What size xcelerator mufflers did you go with?

[matrix]

I used the 18" mufflers. There is no drone at all, which is very important to me. You can actually look thru these mufflers. Its just a slight bend from the entrance to the exit with a perforated baffle. I suppose some of the quiet can be attributed to the X-pipe.

[70lemanscov]

and if you dont mind what did ya pay for the shop work??

[cujo]

I have not installed this system before, but I looking over the installation instructions on the Pypes site and there is a definite front and back to the X-pipe set-up and they say you might need to cut the front X-pipe and install/remove a section straight pipe to get the alignment right for your existing headers. I am not sure what may need from the mufflers back, but I hope this helps. I will be ordering my exaust and installing it soon, so I would be interested in how you make out with this install.

[matrix]

Cost me $235 total for the install. 3hours at $70 per, tax, and a few bucks for hangers. i think that is a very fair price for bending the tailpipes in several places and hanging and welding everything. And that is in D.C. dollars. Hopefully cheaper in other areas of the country.

[ricky dean]

I'm about to buy a 2.5 system with crossover for a 69 f-body with ram air restorations manifolds. Does anyone have any feedback on the fit?

[FireGoat_Ben]

I am getting ready to install a 2.5" system on my '70 with the RA manifolds. I will report my success/failure regarding this as soon as it is done. Mine were ordered very recently, so maybe I won't have the problems experienced by others....we'll see.

[Ccass]

I just got back from GTOAA and while I was there I received 4 compliments and 2 disapointed customers in regard to our exhaust systems. Some of the cars were there so I got to see the installations. From reading these varied responses and GTOAA reviews you would have to assume that there is a flaw in the mfg process or people are getting completely different pipes. How else can one person say the fit was great and another say the fit was poor? I can tell you that the mandrel bending process is extremely precise and we have yet to see a mis-bent pipe. That being said I feel most of the problems stem from the nature of the exhaust installation process. Everyone seems to visualize 'their' way of installing a system. Example; Some installations we saw had the mufflers tucked way up behind the floor board area like most Fords. Looks great, but way higher than oem and not the way we designed our system. Another example was with a customer who had aftermarket air shocks on his car and the air valves prevented the tailpipes from mounting properly. He thought his air shocks were oem so he couldn't figure out why the tails didn't fit. This seemingly slight change can cause the entire system to appear that it will not fit therefore creating a frustrating situation. This is just two examples.

Also, beware of exhaust experts. I have witnessed first hand butchering of our exhaust systems because they are used to a certain brand and have developed a routine that is thrown off by a new or different brand.

Our exhaust systems have been successfully installed on over 500 GTO's and probably another 500 A body cars. Unfortunately, we are at a great disadvantage in helping with most installations because we can't see the installation. Pictures are invaluable to us when you are having troubles. I think we have resolved every fit issue when being supplied with good pictures.

[Ccass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Half-Inch Stud:
Butt, I still cannnot get the Pypes fit the 68 GTO:

Tailpipes hang low after rear tire.
Tailpipe gooses hit frame when I raise the tail exits to rear bumper.

Mufflers point straight ahead, while the tail fit may be best if they angle toward the drivershft.

Header pipes are farther apart or too inboard from X-unit, depending on X-unit flip.

Presently the whole system is suspended, but nothing is aligned for fit-to-be tight. I'm afraid to tighten anything until I know the system will close.

HELP!

HIS <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mark, You are right around the corner! Let us do the install for you if you are having that much trouble.

[matrix]

I am not one to beat a dead horse so this will be my last post on this subject. I have been respectful and factual in my posts and will continue to. As I stated earlier the headpipes and X pipe were fine but the tailpipes that I received for my 70 GTO did not fit. Whether they were bent wrong or mislabeled I dont know, but I do know they did not fit. I have installed many A body systems over the years. In fact the first exhaust system I ever installed was on my first car a 72 Buick Skylark, when I was 15 years Old in 1983. Tailpipes are not that complicated. There is only so much turning, twisting , and repositioning that you can do. My expert certainly didnt butcher the system. He bent each tailpipe in two places to get them to fit properly. He bent them as little as possible so as to not totally defeat the purpose of the mandrel bending with his standard type bender. Thanks to everyone for their advice and good luck with your installations!

[Ccass]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by matrix:
I am not one to beat a dead horse so this will be my last post on this subject. I have been respectful and factual in my posts and will continue to. As I stated earlier the headpipes and X pipe were fine but the tailpipes that I received for my 70 GTO did not fit. Whether they were bent wrong or mislabeled I dont know, but I do know they did not fit. I have installed many A body systems over the years. In fact the first exhaust system I ever installed was on my first car a 72 Buick Skylark, when I was 15 years Old in 1983. Tailpipes are not that complicated. There is only so much turning, twisting , and repositioning that you can do. My expert certainly didnt butcher the system. He bent each tailpipe in two places to get them to fit properly. He bent them as little as possible so as to not totally defeat the purpose of the mandrel bending with his standard type bender. Thanks to everyone for their advice and good luck with your installations! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Matrix, I did not mean to infer you butchered the installation. My appologies if you took it that way.

[Tom Vaught]

Quote:

"Our exhaust systems have been successfully installed on over 500 GTO's and probably another 500 A body cars."

No wonder you could afford to buy those expensive cigars in Royal Oak on 12 street and
Main Thursday night!

Thanks for the good time with you and your guys!

Tom V.

[428GTO70]

I just got done hanging my tailpipes for my 2.5 system in my 70 GTO thru the cutouts. I started with tailpipes because I knew it would have to be placed perfectly first, and the rest be built off them. I was having problems with the factory hangers because the pipes would hit above the axle when trying to bring them up high enough. To remedy this I moved the extra little hanger(which was NOT included in the Pypes kit which needs some attention ccass) that connects to the main hangers down about 2 inches with longer bolts and spacers. This did the trick, the tails come out the rear opening perfectly and also run up inside the quarters where they are supposed to. Right now I just have the tailpipes and mufflers in and will finish the install tomorrow, I just have to plumb the x pipe in between the headers and mufflers and then tighten it all up. I will try to post pics when I am done. Also the rear tailpipe hangers that were included were not for a 70-71 installation and would have hung right below the valance if it didnt have cutouts. Another thing you guys may want to look into Ccass. Not trying to be a pain, just trying to give constructive criticism to get things right for everyone. Besides that its looking good! Just required some minor hanger mods for me.

[Darrell]

428 I just ordered mine and I would love to see the pictures of the hanger extension you had to make.

[shotgun]

I thought something was missing(as you conformed in my post,thanks).I would also like to see some pictures also.
Chris I could swing by with the missing pieces if you want to see them.

[Half-Inch Stud]

I'll call...

HIS

[428GTO70]

Well, I finally got around to taking a pic of the hanger piece and how I had to drop them down a little with spacers. Its not glamorous, but it works for now. At least you can see what the factory hanger piece looks like(rusty part)

[quicksilver97ta]

Nice pic 428, I should have re-read this post before I started my install as I had the same issue. That original rusty piece pictured was not present on my car. Instead, the bottom half of a muffler clamp was suspended by the two bolts. I used longer bolts also, which dropped the rear of the mufflers. This helped in the clearance of the frame/shock tower above the axle and dropped the pipes infront of the mufflers as they were right on the floor boards. I still want to see if I can rotate the tailpipes inborad more to provide more clearance at that problem area over the axle and rotate the exits up higher into the quarters. Also same deal with the rear-most tailpipe hangers as mine exit below the valance. I don't know what other type of hanger would provide for a different position. 428 please post a pic of that rear hanger area at the quarter when you get a chance.

[428GTO70]

Its hard to get a picture when its all installed, very cramped. I did my best. This pic shows what I did whith the tailpipe hanger I got with the kit. I drilled out the rivet holdind the the piece to the rubber hanger, then I drilled a hole to put a bolt through and then I bent the piece of metal into an L shape to act as a hanger all by itself. Then I bolted this piece to the original thick tailpipe hanger that bolts to the frame that has 2 sliders in it to adjust height and side to side. There is no rubber to pad anything now but it turned out very nice and is very straight. Im just hoping it holds up with the vibration.

[428GTO70]

And here is a rear pic of how the tailpipe fits up in there very nicely. I still have to get it to a buddies shop to get it on the hoist and weld it up. I will then straighten the mufflers too, the driver side one is angled down a little bit in the middle so it will look perfectly even from the back.