[JP_79Formula]

Any experience or comments on a Pypes crossflow system (SGF70) installed on a
normally aspirated firebird (79 formula) ? (are they still in business? the website is dysfunctional.)

i need an exhaust system back from a set of full length headers, want an x-pipe and single
muffler in the axle hump.

[autobahn]

I have them on my 78 TA, I'm very happy with them. I have another kit setting beside my 79 Camaro, that I'll install soon. Pypes had booth at the St.Paul Summer Natioals last summer,I talk with the rep so they are alive

[Flo]

Have this system with RacePro muffler on my 79 with 400 Pontiac engine and Doug headers. A little difficult to install, but I still think the perfect exhaust. Leaves little to ask for.
Greets
Flo

[2manyponchos]

Yes they are still in business. We're using their forums to discuss their exhaust =).

Performance Years Performance Exhaust Systems.

[car guy]

Unless they have gotten better in the last 5 yrs I say run for your life. The worst fitting exhaust and nightmare I ever got into.

[JP_79Formula]

I ended up buying and installing the SGF70.

the material is impressive, nice stainless.

most of the fit was ok, but one of the x-tube to muffler pipes
would not fit into the muffer AT ALL. it was a real pain. i ended
up cutting slots in the muffler cuff to get it in. not a big deal really,
but i expected better for the $$$

the only thing that I Really Didn't Like, was that the other x-pipe to
muffler tube had a junk weld job joining two sections of pipe to make
the tube. the other side was unitary. they brag about mandrel bent,
how great it is... great would have been getting a single piece instead
of a hack weld that will rust out...

it's a good design, nice material, but the quality control/workmanship
was disappointing.

a bigger complaint is the hooker super-comp headers. the driver side
collector doesn't run straight back, but slants outward toward the driver
door... That was a Major Hassle getting the rest of the exhaust joined
up with that...

[lester]

the fit is ok, but take it and have it put on. I put mine on, then after the t/a nats I took it and had it redone. they cut and redid a few pieces to make it fit higher and look alot better then the mess I had.

[bandit_fred]

I just put on a complete system (header back, x-pipe, violators, splitter tips) on my 79 TA and after sending it to someone to cut and bend.....it finally fit great. Now, before you think "It was installed wrong by an amateur", the guy that did it has owned an exhaust shop for 20+ years. I had to come up and OK all the work he needed to do before he would even work on it. It also hits the drive shaft when it's up on the lift. Anyway, I like the final result, but this kit was definitely not for the "Home garage" mechanic like they proclaim it to be, unless you have a lift, pipe bender, and a welder. I would have expected better from such an expensive kit.

[Bill Boyle]

I have personally installed the system on my 79 TA and I'm still working out the "bugs." I had difficulty with the splitters. Correctly positioning them was an ordeal. Most of the hangers were custom fabricated by me with a lot of trial and error. While I think the location is pretty good right now, I'm dissatisfied with the over the axle tubes for two reasons. First, they appear to long on the vertical. This length results in the 2.5 pipes that join them to sit too low to the ground. The transverse muffler is tucked up about as far as I can go with it, yet if I moved it higher in the axle cavity, the pipes would still sit too low to the ground. I plan on taking some photos and sharing them with PYPES looking for suggestions and or providing help to them for future changes on these pieces. The second fault, is the over the axle tubes, at least the one on the driver's side, is too close to the brake line block that feeds the rear disc brakes. Fearful of heat, I moved the block away from the tube a little, without damaging the lines, and added "mummy wrapped to the pipes to keep that area as cool as possible.

All the work performed on the installation which is simply clamped together right now, was done with the car on jack stands. It was tedious and would have been far easier to perform on a lift. It's a one man job; however, a helper would cut down on the amount of profanity spoken.

This was my first attempt at building an exhaust system. Would I do it again? Yes--now I'm much smarter.

[Flo]

Actually forgot that, also had to relocate the brake line block. Rear disk

[myckee]

I can't comment on the Pypes system, but about 10 years ago I bought a 3" Torque Tech system for my 80 Firebird. I took the system down to my local Midas and had them put it on. The tech loved it anhd thought it was fantastic. It took him no time to put on the car and it fits perfectly. Money well spent for me.

[David Holmberg]

Most of the systems are made to be "trim to fit". We have old cars and things have worn, been changed and modified. So it's better to have a little extra than not enough when you're fitting the system.

Most professionals know this, but the "stock replacement" types of shops are use to bolt on and go.

[Skip Fix]

FWIW I've used both the Dynomax mandrel bent 2.5" tailpipes and the Torque Tech 3" tailpipes and both were basically almost bolt on.
Neither has correct tailpipes for splitters but I am sure could be modified using the PYPES adapters as their system needs, or just making a similar cut there

[JP_79Formula]

David has a good observation: Most of the systems are made to be "trim to fit".

Sensible, and of course needed as you can always cut easily... but

My complaint is the workmanship and Quality Control were just not
up to snuff. One of the pipes on my system was bent so poorly that
it would not fit into the muffler sleeve, AT ALL. And then there was
the axle pipe that was hacked together from two pieces with a weld that
looked just terrible. they must have certified welders? to me the corrosion
on that joint will compromise the life of the system. And like others, i had
to move the brake line block, and the drivers side axle tube is way too close
to the fuel line, had to move the whole system to get even a little clearance.

Other than that, i do like the sound, material & design. The X-pipe is a nice piece.
The fit issues are a reasonable tradeoff for a bolt-on system. IMO the quality
control issues have no excuse unless this is marketed as a bargain-basement product.

[autobahn]

my advice with Pypes , would be to start at the axle ,secure and then work your way forward, the first set on my TA, I started at the headers and worked back, trim fitting and working back, by the time I got to the axle,they where a little to close to the forword side of the axle tunnel, a trip to Fleet Farm and a 12" x 2 1/2 coupler (trimmed to fit) and I had it. On the Camaro I started at the axle and worked forward, no engine yet ,so its not really proven but should work better