[Jim Cody]

I purchased a 2 1/2" Stainless Steel system from PYPES for my 73 GrandAm. The down pipes do not fit. The drivers side tail pipe does not fit. It binds on the spring. I was told by Chris after I bought the system that it was not an exact fit and that I should have known that the system would need modifying. I brought the passenger side downpipe which was 2" too short in the vertical and had an interference fit with the modulator on the transmission to Muffler Man in Kenmore New York. They tried to bend it correctly but it just collapsed. I also thought the downpipe was stainless but it is actually aluminized steel. I ended having to pay another $45.00 to have a new pipe bent up correctly to fit. I then had to have the drivers side pipe re-made $45.00. Now we get to the tailpipe. I will be bringing it to Muffler Man today to have them put a radius dent in the pipe so that the pipe will clear the spring. I am not the first person with a 73-76 "A" body car to bring a system to Muffler man to have it modified. So, I now recommend just going to your local Muffler shop and have a system made for your vehicle.
Original Pypes System for your Unpopular "A" Body $479
New DownPipes $100
Gas to Shop $20
Hours of agravation 25
Still not done
Custom aluminized system at Muffler Shop $300
You do the Math

[Jim Cody]

I brought the tailpipe to Muffler man last night and they looked at it. They couldn't put a dent in it. They cut off the polished 22" chrome end I had welded on and we talked about it for awhile andthought maybe I could roll the tailpipe away from the spring and then have the tip re-welded on. I went home and tried this. There is no clearance to roll it from one side or another, one way it hits the spring, the other way it hits the control arm. The parts sold to me will just not work. I'll have to have a new tailpipe bent, $100.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by Ccass;

Jim, You purchased the system in April of 2007. In the Pypes 2007 catalog there is a note that says your tailpipes must be modified for a proper fit on 73-77 A-body cars. Your salesperson Stacey probably told you this since she has known this for several years. And you yourself said I told you the same thing. At that time, the downpipes were still aluminized, not stainless. You paid for aluminized downpipes. As far as the downpipes not fitting, I'll make the same offer I make to everyone else. Bring the car to us and if they don't fit properly, we'll install a new set that will fit for no charge and cover you for your expenses. If they do fit properly or there is something unique about your particular car that prevented the installation, then you pay for the installation and parts required. Also, you could have just returned everything for a refund. When your muffler shop saw there was problems, why did they continue? If I was an 'expert' I would have immediately determined that the system was not for your car and would have made another recommendation.
.

Is Pypes planning on a specific '73-'77 A body system?

[moegoat]

I have a 73 Grand Am w/ 4spd, it has headers. I used the 64-72 2 1/2 Flowmaster kit. The instructions say "fits 64 to 74", not really. The 73-77 A-Body uses a center outlet muffler & a uniquely bent tail pipe to help clear the spring & axle on it's way up & over. I had very little problems with the Flowmaster system, but it is very tight going up & over the rear toward the wheel side of the car, very close to the springs on both sides. Every now & then I have heard a tinny rattle in the rear but only when I am reaming the PI$$ out of the car banging it through the gears. I have never used a PYPES system so I cannot say good or bad. I think the system cost me less than $400.00. But it is for headers & is a H pipe that is more suited for a higher RPM application. I rev my built 400 to 6500 RPM, big cam big nuts.

[77 Canamman]

Originally Posted by 77 Canamman

Is Pypes planning on a specific '73-'77 A body system?

[Jim Cody]

If you checkout the latest Summit catalog PYPES has parts and complete systems in there now. I noticed you can buy the downpipes that they say are specific to 73-74 GrandAms but these are the ones they sent me and they don't fit.

[Laguna454s3]

The 73-77 were factory offset in / center out mufflers, 68-72 are offset/offset. The exhaust pipes from 68-72 should fit. The tailpipes also need a few inches more length at the end to exit from under the bumper.

The rear (and front) suspension geometry was improved for 73 so the tailpipes are slightly different.

Several after market exhaust companies need to address this issue and make the correct tailpipes and stop trying to sell a 'fits all' package.

Your local independent exhaust shop is your best bet at this time. They can bend pipe to fit different muffler lengths and configurations or set it up as factory.

John

74 Chevy Laguna 454 4 speed
75 Hurst Olds W30 455
76 Chevy Laguna 400