[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

True, but he is replacing headers and the R/A flow better than the stock manifolds, however the '70 455HO used non R/A manifolds as well..

this was what I was replying to:

Originally Posted by OVERULD

What style manifolds came on the D-port 455 - was it a log type manifold or the RamAir style?

[sts]

so how is this one going?

[OVERULD]

Still waiting on the manifolds to arrive. They shipped last Thursday from Central Connecticut Coatings; should arrive tomorrow. Got it scheduled for install this Friday - local friend has nice shop behind his home with drive-on lift.

BJ

[OVERULD]

Everything finally came in and has been installed! Had an issue with the brackets for the muffler hangers, but Eric Gardner stepped up and got it handled ASAP. Fitment was perfect with the exception of the look of the chrome exhaust tips. I remember them being more tucked up to the body and turned inward slightly towards the center. Here are some before and after pictures with some different views of the tips. Also, a couple links to the before and after sound clips at idle. Give me some input on the tips - best way to adjust them or just leave them alone? Thanks for the input guys.






































Here is the tip hanger and bracket - any ideas on best way to adjust it or tweak it to pull the tips up and in towards the center?













And here is a link to the BEFORE sound bite: https://youtu.be/BRu-1KxwNDg

And here is a link to the AFTER sound bite: https://youtu.be/4Rb5v6gOf2o

Thanks,
BJ

[Formulabruce]

Same system here, I used the original frame bolt on brackets with the original rubbers. Im not sure why yours heads down that much. I am betting youll need to rotate the tail pipes "Up" some where it goes into the muffler. There are some close ups of mine on this vid, which I made for Gardner. Its been referenced, but not on their site as I recall. Good luck, and looks good so far!
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=Kx3hN1kTvZo

[77 Canamman]

Sounds fantastic. The tips should be an easy fix.

[DOC]

hard to tell from the pics but if you lower the muffler just a hair will that allow you more room to rotate the exhaust tips up? When I had the cross flow muffler on mine, it seemed to sit lower closer to the sway bar.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by OVERULD

Everything finally came in and has been installed! Had an issue with the brackets for the muffler hangers, but Eric Gardner stepped up and got it handled ASAP. Fitment was perfect with the exception of the look of the chrome exhaust tips. I remember them being more tucked up to the body and turned inward slightly towards the center. Here are some before and after pictures with some different views of the tips. Also, a couple links to the before and after sound clips at idle. Give me some input on the tips - best way to adjust them or just leave them alone? Thanks for the input guys.



And here is a link to the AFTER sound bite: https://youtu.be/4Rb5v6gOf2o

Thanks,
BJ

Sounds much deeper and even, I love it ! Love the color too

[OVERULD]

Here is a good video I found that shows an original 455 SD T/A with original exhaust. This is the way the tips should look I believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qt9Zkdr39wo

And here is that same car, I believe, on the strip. Tips look just like I remember them on my Formula.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulyDOeKwh_s

BJ

[OVERULD]

Still trying to get the new chrome tips to look proper. I took this video explaining my dilemma. https://youtu.be/Se92FrbtQgY

You can see the way the tips currently hang by looking at the photos above. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks,
BJ

[Formulabruce]

Great Video explanation!
While Installing one on a local guys car, we found that the muffler was a bit high and bent the end tabs that go through the rubbers up top. At same time we bent the "tabs" on the exhaust pipe "up" . This allowed a slight rotation of the tail pipe and a slight drop of the muffler. I will try to get some pics of mine.. Good luck!

[OVERULD]

Thanks Bruce - after staring at it for a while on Saturday, I came to the conclusion that some metal will have to be bent to make them move where they need to go. Would love to see how your tabs and pipes are lined up if you get a chance to get some pics.

Thanks,
BJ

[Formulabruce]

Happy to Report I found the problem. I noticed your muffler was near vertical, which is cannot be as its much to close to the Differential Cover, although I did not see that part in the video. I did screen capture your top install and posted it below with some other pics of mine. I believe your top "clamp/tab " is on backwards on both sides. Take a look at the pics and see what you think. I assume you have seen my video of the rear of my car. Yours can look just like that, which is exactly stock, tips tilt in some and up close to the tail panel slight upward clearance curves. Also I installed New GM replacement exhaust systems on these cars in the Late 70's at the GM dealership I worked at. I had some very picky Firebird customers, this is why I chose a Gardner system for myself. Good luck, hope this helps, "There are ONLY Solutions "
PS: You may have to move the "intermediate " pipes slightly ahead to allow the muffler to rock forward and get the tail pipes dialed in.

[Bentwheelbob]

I think FB nailed it - the muffler hangers are installed backwards. The picture below is the Gardner system on my 1973. You also need to rotate your tips in to approximately line up with the indents in the rear valance.

[OVERULD]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

PS: You may have to move the "intermediate " pipes slightly ahead to allow the muffler to rock forward and get the tail pipes dialed in.

Thanks Bruce; excellent post! When you refer to the intermediate pipes, are you referring to the over-the-axle pipes that feed the muffler?

Originally Posted by Bentwheelbob

I think FB nailed it - the muffler hangers are installed backwards. The picture below is the Gardner system on my 1973. You also need to rotate your tips in to approximately line up with the indents in the rear valance.

Bob, yep, that's the correct tip look I'm going for. Thanks.

BJ

[Formulabruce]

Yup, Over axle pipes may need to slide ahead a bit to keep the exhaust pipe from touching the intermediate pipes. This will allow a slight "rake" forward to your muffler, which in turn allows the tail pipe some more upward movement. Good luck !

[OVERULD]

I'm happy to report that the exhaust tips are now perfect! Bruce - you nailed it. We turned the hanger tabs around and were able to get the correct geometry to give us the right look. I didn't have time for decent photos today but I'll get some posted up in a day or two. We also used a couple of muffler stands with some wood blocks to help us support the tips in the correct position after we loosened everything up and reversed the tabs. Once we tightened everything up, it all stayed in-place.

Thanks PY!

BJ

[Formulabruce]

Great News! Keep some wax on those tips if you drive it much and you'll be very happy with it. Mine is like 6 years old , haven't touched it. Nothing like a nice tight stock dual exhaust look !

[Tom Hand]

What a beautiful setup! I like how it all fits tightly and tucks correctly and all the hangers look stock. i know the sound will be awesome too.
Thanks for all the detailed pictures and the other information provided to fix it so everything is right.
Tom

[Greg Reid]

Off topic but...what's the story on the miniature truck?....or is that a very large engine hoist?