[camerjeff]

As the heading asks has anyone installed a Waldron's Exhaust system? If so how was the sound? Fit?

The local muffler shop exhaust system that was put on my 67 Firebird Sprint by a previous owner sounds like a 300 I6 Powered F-150 to my ears. Looking for something that sounds and looks more Stock.

https://waldronexhaust.com/product/1...ingle-exhaust/

Any other suggestions?

[DANTIP]

I don't have experience with the OHC engine but I did have a great experience with Waldron Exhaust. I purchased a system for my '72 T/A and it was a pleasure installing and the fit was exceptional.

I have since bought other systems from them and they continue to impress.

Good Luck!

[camerjeff]

Thanks for the quick reply, and the quality OK! Any opinion on the sound? And what style muffler did you choose? OEM, Mild, or Imposter?

[Jeff Hamlin]

I too have heard all good reports on them.
I was heading that way but wasn't a fan of the "Y" pipe.

[camerjeff]

I was going to try and keep my Stock Y-Pipe as it is in good condition, just need pipes & a decent sounding muffler. I remember the few stock cammers I have owned sounding more like a Jaguar E-Type than a Ford F-150, so that is the sound I am going for.

I will give them a call and see if they can make a system to fit the Stock Y-Pipe. Thanks for the feed back.

[65 421 TODD]

I put a complete OEM factory style Waldron's exhaust system on my 1956 Bel Air. Really nice system and their customer service is EXCELLENT!

[camerjeff]

Thanks, I did not know they were located less than a 2 hour drive from my house, this may work out nicely

[camerjeff]

Well they say there system will bolt up to a stock Y-Pipe, so I think I will go for it, 8 week build time, and I can pick it up (or $150 shipping but they have to make the main pipe in 2 peices) so 3 hour round trip it will be. I will let everyone know how it works out.

[63 bomb]

I got their y-pipe for my OHC, then had them make the rest of the system for the '63 Nova with a glass pack muffler and tied the two together. I wanted something a little louder than stock to begin with so I am very pleased with the end result. It sounds like a mini Cummins at idle.

[north]

I put a Waldron on my 69 Sprint ragtop several years ago. I use them for all my work except where Gardner offers it (A body and F body high perf cars). It went on with almost no tweaking and fit perfectly. I was quite impressed because the Y pipe could easily have been a major PITA but it went on with no issues. same thing going around the trans and the convertible bolt on hump brace. Space is tight around the muffler and the dump (between the quarter and the leaf). And anyone who sees my posts here knows I'm OCD about as built exhaust fitment, this one went in like NOS. They provided stock style original hangers but my originals were nice so I left them in place.

Sounds nice to me with no leaks and not that cheap muffler sound some systems have. It sounded much better than what was on the car when I got, cheap old muffler shop arrangement. That being said I have no reference as to what they sounded like new.

If the car was an automatic I would have gone for a Firebird 400 style stock dual set up (two head pipes, crossover muffler with 2 inlets and two outlets) but the clutch linkage makes two head pipes impossible so I went the bone stock route.

[camerjeff]

Thanks North, I actually ordered a system from them a few weeks ago, and I am close enough to pick it but they haven't completed it yet. I purchased system without the Y-Pipe. And they did ask what model & what transmission the car has, so that leads me to beleive they know what changes need to be made between the auto's & manuals.
Also on manual trans Sprints I used to run both pipes down the drivers side until after the Transmission, then I would find the best spot to cross the inside (rear) pipe over.

[north]

I believe there were no difference between autos and manuals on Sprint Firebird exhaust. However the absence of a clutch linkage allows for more space exiting the exhaust manifold area down to the floor.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Without question the exhaust between ST & MT varied.
'66 had real noticeable differences and from there on there were minor changes made.

[north]

Jeff, you are correct in general about Sprints but not 69 Firebird Sprint. I just looked them up Sprint exhaust in my 69 MPC.
1969 Firebird: no distinction for transmission, every components are same regardless.
1967-68 Firebird: muffler and head pipe the same regardless of trans but tail pipe varies by transmission (Y, intermediate and rear exhaust pipes are different by model year 67 and 68)

I wonder why the tailpipe varies on 67-68 birds by transmission, seems strange? Wonder what the difference was. The 69 system uses all the same parts as the 68 (tail pipe is same as 68 automatic)

Tempest Sprints:
1966… Auto and manual share Y and intermediate exhaust pipes, manual cars use round muffler style but automatic used normal oval muffler. Early automatic used same rear exhaust and tail pipe as manual cars but later ones switched to a smaller diameter (2”) and a corresponding muffler.

1967…. On automatic cars the system carries over from late version 66. Only change is addition of wagon tailpipe for that model availability. Manual cars get a nearly complete overhaul and two versions (one with smog pump). Only carry over is Y pipe. Round muffler replaced with traditional style and non smog cars get a resonator (manual only). I guess 4bbl engine was only available on wagons if auto trans equipped since no wagon tailpipes listed for manual trans.

1968: new Y pipe (same as 68-69 Fbird), auto and manual all the same except muffler which is trans specific. No more wagon tail pipe but now short and long wheelbase intermediate pipe. (No resonators). Tail pipe is same as one bbl version.

1969: same as 68 except new pn for tail pipe and new listing for optional pipe extension (chrome same pn as auto trans GTO). Tail pipe is no longer same as one bbl version.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Early on I wasn't able to find some of this information and I learned from my mistakes. When I had ordered my very first system for the '66 I was sent an AT setup and never gave it thought, but knew something was not right. The AT 4BC exits on the PS and based on what little info I had at the time finally realized this but had already paid to have it installed. Another expensive lesson learned

[north]

The complexity of those early Sprint systems indicates that Pontiac really took the sound of them seriously.

[camerjeff]

I only owned one 66 Manual trans Sprint with the stock exhaust system intact. All they others had been either hod rodded with glass pack's or just replaced with a cheap local muffler shop replacement.
On that 66 Tempest the exhaust sounded very much like a Mark II Jaguar. It actually sounded very nice. I hope my Firebirds exhaust will sound something like what I remember.