Does anyone know how the original stock dual exhaust exited the car? I have some flowmaster tail pipes I got from Summit that are really long, and they exit below the quarter panel roughly a third of the way back from the rear wheelwell to the bumper, then sweep straight back parallel to the ground, where the exhaust shop cut them right below the bumper. I think they are too long. Which way did the original ones point, how far did they come out? Also, I have seen the chrome tail pipe extentions that split into two each side in the Classic Industries catalog. They look as if they would attach where the pipe heads straight back just behind the rear wheel, then would extend down roughly halfway between the rear wheel and bumper and would angle down about 45 degrees. Is this stock? Any help is appreciated.

I think the 'straight back parallel' with the ground are correct for 1st gens. The 'halfway between the rear wheel and bumper and would angle down about 45 degrees' is a second gen thing with the splitters. I would also like to see what an 'exactly' factory appearance is.

Mine are factory appearance as documented in the illustrated parts book and as present on my car at time of replacement. See photo "Exhaust 4".

Parts book

Exhaust photos

Angled down, oval tips, bottoms cut parallel to quarter panel, exiting slightly behind the rear of the rear wheel well. Dimensions were taken from the original exhaust system, which was still in place. See photo "Exhaust 7" for new tailpipes.

The only difference was that the factory tailpipes had a wide, flared end and that replacement tailpipes did not. Mine were flattened but not flared so do not present quite as wide a side profile.

According to the parts book, the "TA style" splitters were available.

I see no reference at all to rear exit tailpipes for any first gen Firebird.

Very interesting! Have not bought my tail pipes yet. Is there a good source for the original style tail pipes and/or the oval tips? I see that the splitters were not offered in 69, just 67 and 68?

I don't think my set-up is original, but I think it looks the best for '68s.



In my opinion, of course.

I realize it's not a primary reference source, but Lane Exact Detail features the splitter tips on the '68 models and the oval tips on the '67 models.

Does anyone have a factory photo from a '67 or '68 PHS packet?

I have not found a source for original or identical replacements, although JC Whitney sells oval tips that could be cut to angle.

I didn't think my Photo from my PHS packet showed the exhaust, and wasn't going to look, but I checked, and sure enough, it shows the exhaust, and it shows the car with the splitters!

They come out just a few inches past the rear wheel and only about 2 inches max below the sheet metal and the angle of the bottom of the tips of the splitters follow the angle of the bottom of the sheet metal... not parallel to the ground.

I haven't gotten tailpipes on mine either... but thanks to your question Vikki... I'll now be going with the splitters, much like Nash...

If I get a chance, I'll try to scan the image...


Thanks - Brett!

This is from a book I have. Same as Brett

Jim G. 67 conv 400

I haven't spent the money on a PHS packet. You all saying they send a photo of what your car looked like (with your options)?

What about that 350HO that spent its life in a strage shed? should have the original dual exhaust, I'd imagine....

No, just a generic vintage Pontiac photo of the model year, coupe or convertible.

Some are taken at the GM Tech Center, others at the proving grounds.

My tailpipes aren't cut parallel to the ground, my camera was tilted when I took the shot. D'oh! They do roughly parallel the upsweep.

Roderick, can you provide a photo or two?

The photo in the '68 PHS does not show the tailpipes.

My '68 has original style and they look like the ones Vikki has on her '69 above.

Z, you mean the one that fellow here was selling last month that had the storage shed built around it? You are right, it should indeed have the original tubes on it since it hadn't been driven in 37 years. Did he post pics?

I think Gardner is the best source for stock exhaust, but Pypes and Ram Air Restorations sell systems also. Stainless Works sells a 3" system for header cars. Original style '67-68 splitters are avaialble, but I think they cost around $280. They are a complicated, but poor design.

Exhaust is the last major thing for me to tackle so I've been studying it. I should be getting one of the first prototype 2.5" X systems from Ram Air Restorations made to fit under the convertible bracing. I'd like to run splitters, but not the factory 2", $280 dollar versions.

Has anyone adapted the later style TA splitters to a '67 or '68?

yes, that's the car I was referring to- here's the thread
/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000462
I can't see the pictures when I'm at work, so I don't know if you can see the tailpipes.
If not, perhaps Roderick may be willing to post a photo...?...

John, I'm pretty sure Bjorn uses a later style splitter, but not sure what year it was for etc?
I believe he got them off eBay? We'll have to check with him when he get's back... I know a few others that have gotten them and use them also... I'll have to check with them.

I do believe the splitters were optional and had to be ordered, but they are very distinctive to the Firebirds. This is why I'd like to use them...

John, I hope you will document your exhaust as well as you have the rest of the build when it comes to that time! I'd love to see that system go in and how it looks when your done!

But I've seen many with the standard style single tips that come down in the same location and manor
as these, but single pipes..

Doh, he cut off the image right at therear wheel just as it looks like it would have shown the exhaust. Maybe we can ask for a couple pix?

Brett!

Ain't that sumpin? I wait until I go to work to look at the pictures because they load ssssoooooo slow at home.

Will do Brett. My next check-in with RARE is immediately after Labor day so it will be a few weeks. I should have the car back by then with new wheels!

Maybe this will work,if not someone PM me with your email address and I'll send the pictures to you to post on the site. [img]http://67headrest.jpg,copyofDSCN1958-th.jpg,parts290[/img] Take a look at the angle in which there cut.

Lets see if this will work. web pagewww.flickr.com/photos

Didn't work...please email to yellowbird@thefirstgensite.com and I'll host and post.

It seems to be working now. web pagewww.flickr.com I'll post more later.

It doesn´t work with web page www.flickr.com .

You have to click on Roderick´s first mentioned web adress (three columns higher). It´s open now to public access.
Funny lower edge (3rd pic), doesn´t seem factory like to me...

That's a scavenging tip. Roderick, is the profile round or oval (looks oval), and does the pipe narrow seamlessly just above the edge of the quarter?

WOW The only original 1968 exhaust tip in existance! Did they bend the quarter like that at the factory to get the pipe to fit? LOL

Jim, that car was folded very hard. Things are a bit out of place.

Here is a photo of my car's exhaust system when it was replaced. The resonators had been replaced with pipe, but the tailpipes were still there. I can clearly see the flared end, the tailpipe on the left appears to have the scavenge cut, but I don't see it on the other.

The tailpipes are on the left edge, and right in the center. Unfortunately, there are no side views.



Here is a view from below that clearly shows the scavenge cut:



Here is the only photo I have that shows the side view of the original tailpipe exit:

More photos,Vikki your right the profile is oval and the pipes start to narrow 4 inches from the end of the pipe.Looks like 2 inches is visible from the edge of the quarter panel. web pagewww.flickr.com

Those photos are great!

Yours might have shifted a little due to the crunch, or just due to tired hangers. I don't believe they originally extended quite so far into view.

Please, please document everything...shock bolts, spring mounts, shackles, tie rods, tires, valve caps, every bit and piece, no matter how insignificant it may seem. There are very, very few 100% original cars remaining and I doubt many of them will be coming apart.

What was the reason why they did this ovalizing of the end tip? Was it because of manufacturing technique? But then again wouldn´t it have been easier to simply cut them off?

Those were purpose-made. They were expanded from the tailpipe material. The second angle cut aided scavenging using the wind from the rear tires.

Vikki the oval tips were made that way to allow clearance between the fender and leaf spring as you’re probably familiar with. When I had to remove my transverse muffler it had one of the original tips with the scavenging angle cut. The other was a replacement that didn’t have it, both were oval to a length of about four inches. Wish I kept that stuff now.

See ya next weekend. For now

Tom

Thank you all for your help on this topic. I never thought there would be 35 responses. The photos of the exhaust on Vicki's '69 are priceless! Thanks again. Look for my 400/4spd/3:55 posi car in the online car show soon.
Strickman