I just bought my first firebird, it is a 1969 350 automatic. I want to install dual exhaust on it and I was wandering if anyone could give me an idea of how or where to look to get the info I need.

i would suggest a weld in exhaust, rather than a bolt in. i have mine all welded. and it bolts to the body and the headers... you can always have someone fabricate the pipes for you and you can buy mufflers from Summit (that is what i would do) don't forget to shop around and make them chase your price

I agree about the weld in exhaust. You can have one custom made by a local shop and installed for less than the catalogs, and there are plenty of shops around. I had mine done last year and would absolutely do it again. Get referrals, though, and try to pick a shop that does customs, because they can fit it perfectly for you.

Under $500, installed and warrantied, fully welded, with dual resonators and a dual crossflow muffler, and repro hangers, from manifolds to tailpipes that exit under the quarters:

nice where did you get the hangars?

Welded is the way to go. A little more coin but well worth the money. Nice job!

I got my hangers from Next Generation, which is local for me, but they are readily available through the catalogs as well.

The welded was cheaper than I could have bought the catalog kit for, and they kept at it until all the clearances were perfect.

Well I am only 16 and don't necasarilly have lots of money. Are there any other suggestions you guys have?

Sure. Go to your local muffler shop, an independent, not a chain, and get an estimate. Mine cost more than a basic exhaust system because I used replica hangers instead of generic or shop made; I had both resonators and the dual crossover muffler installed; mine is a convertible and it is quite a bit of work to fit the 2.25" pipes above the x-brace. You can get a full exhaust system for half the price, and still get good performance, sound and quality.

Has anyone tried the Dr. Gas X pipe? I know it's not original, but it is supposed to help performance while reducing the drone noise.

All the X pipes I've seen make the exhaust too low.

Thanks for all the help guys, I will look for a local shop around town.

Bigdog,

I use Royal Muffler in Lee's Summit, I used
Dynomax Super Turbo's p/n 17734. Bought online from Auto part express 80.00 for both delivered
to my door. Royal muffler custom fitted & welded in my exhaust on my 67 400, 2.5 inch with h pipe,
to mufflers, to 2.25 exhaust. 265.00 I can send you pics if you want. Good Luck
Mark

Mark,
It would be great if you could send me some pictures,

Thanks

I have just one more question, adding dual exhaust wouldn't take away form originality would it?

Some came with factory dual exhaust. My 400 did. Your exhaust system will eventually need to be replaced again anyway, so go with what you can afford and what works well now. If you are ever concerned with being completely correct for restoration, you can have a repro exhaust system created. And if your 'bird originally came with single exhaust, you may like your duals too much to change back.

Just make sure you get a good installation that gives you ground clearance as good as factory, so you don't drag the mufflers on curbs.

thanks

Vikki, what are you doing driving over curbs??? Playing Duchess of Hazards?

Here in Michigan we have some of the worst roads in North America...I mentioned curbs, but we have potholes big enough to kill a truck tire on a 20" rim, and they eat mufflers, too. And in the new subdivisions, they are too cheap to do proper curb cuts at the driveway, so there is a 5" or so drop where the driveway meets the street.

I lost part of my old exhaust system on a washboard dirt road heading to Next Generation.

I have also been known to go off-road (and off-ground) on many occasions

I drive a 4WD truck year round. Even the Firebird has been off-roading a bit while I was working on a jobsite.

The information I have that all 400 had dual exhuast which came standard. It was available on 326 v-8. Standard on HO and 400

the code was 481

It appears from the parts index that all '69 Firebirds except 6 cylinder and 350 2bbl had dual exhaust.

Your 'bird will run better with a dual exhaust system, regardless of manifolds or headers. It won't take too much away regarding originality. These cars are meant to be driven & enjoyed, why not go duals?

Steve

Mine was a 326 2bbl and had single exhaust. I know it had single exhaust because there's a backing plate on the hanger mount behind the rear seats on one side only. This is a testament to how custom built our birds are. You'd think they would have backing plates on both sides just in case it would get dual exhaust down the assembly line. I cursed GM for not spending the extra dollar to put on both backing plates since there is no way to reach the back side. I ended up just screwing into the sheet metal which appears to be surviving.

I put duals on my 6 cyl. The split manifold was begging me to do it. I have no regrets. The second piece of pipe, muffler and hangers were cheaper than the y pipe.

Gerry

The OE dual system on the FGF had the transverse muffler, if you are trying to keep a stock configuration.

Common practice at your local muffler shop might be to run it without the rear crossover muffler, unless you specify differently, so make sure you know what you want and discuss it with the shop before agreeing to any work.

The large transverse muffler will also tone down the decibels a bit... might make a difference to neighbors and car alarms.

If you are running a 2bbl, and plan to keep it that way, remember that too little backpressure can also be bad.

also,most muffler shops dont carry the transverse muffler for duels any more.the shop i use to work at use to have alot of them but they were all made into muffler art.loli had to eliminate the transverse muffler on my 69 bird.

I want to keep the car pretty original, except for putting in a new carb, but I also want it to be kinda loud, the neighbor factor doesn't matter that much becuase my neighbors don't exactly love me so I don't really care about keeping the decibel down.

The muffler shops can order the transverse muffler if you want it. It took two days to get it in. The exhaust has a nice low note that sounds like a big engine, it's quiet enough while cruising but nice and rumbly at idle and during hard acceleration. It adds a crossover, which you would otherwise have as an option for a straight dual exhaust.

The '69 Firebird 400s had both resonators under the rear seat and the large transverse muffler, as shown in the photos above.

Vikki,

I can hook you up with a company that'll cut your curb down to 1" for about $250.00 if you're interested. PM me for details. The results are fantastic. My cars are much happier now that I can take the turn at 45 mph.

- Jake

Thanks, Jake. We don't have a curb at our house, it's an old farmhouse with a gravel driveway. Several of the relatives do have that problem so I'll pass the suggestion along and let you know if they are interested