[68ragtop]

Originally Posted by PurelyGTO68

The pipes are flattened on top (side nearest the floorboard) at the transmission crossmember. Might be a 4 speed thing. They have to fit the exhaust manifold flanges before forming the flat section because they won't slide on after the fact. With the flat section in place...the pipes tuck up nicely into the reliefs formed into the crossmember. I will try and get a photo for you.

Mine fit nicely, 4 speed. But I don't think I have any flattened areas. But again, I bought mine many years ago. Not as refined as the newer gardner systems. I recall talked to him a while back & mentioned something about black head pipes too, but maybe that was a ram air/ HO thing only.

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by 68ragtop

Mine fit nicely, 4 speed. But I don't think I have any flattened areas. But again, I bought mine many years ago. Not as refined as the newer gardner systems. I recall talked to him a while back & mentioned something about black head pipes too, but maybe that was a ram air/ HO thing only.

Looks like you are correct. Their website says that HO (and thus RA) manual trans cars had 2 1/4" headpipes where standard engine and automatic models had 2" pipes. The HO and RA manual trans exhaust systems had the flattened portion to clear the crossmember I suppose. Here is a link to their website. You can see the area that is flattened.

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