Ok, Bigchief spent some time on the phone with me yesterday and educated me on a stock rebuild, Thanks Bigchief!!
so , I think I have a clear direction and spent some time today at a motor shop that I think I may use for the rebuild.

This 69 vert ,350, 2 barrel came with a single exhaust system. the standard muffler is tucked up between the gas tank and the rear axle. We always thought to just keep it that way, between friends and comments that I've read here suggest that duel exhaust is the way to go

Why?

If I do switch it over, where will the 2 pipes run? where will the muffler/s sit?

Pro's and con's?

thanks bill v

I used the stock 400 dual exhaust on all my 'birds, including my 350 'birds.

Pipes run back to resonators that mount under the rear seat floor pans, then extend to a crossover muffler in front of the gas tank, then pipes run out, over, and down between the body and the rear springs.

Then for finishing touches, install stock chrome splitters that exit downwards each side in front of the rear bumper.

Excellent system, nice rumble, not too loud, not too quiet. Stock!

You can buy kits for the whole works, but I found it much cheaper just to have a local custom shop make one from scratch. They still have all the patterns in their computers. I think a 100% custom, installed system, was about $400 out the door. Kits are in the $300 - $350 range, plus shipping. (expensive). Much faster and cleaner to have the pros do it. And a whole lot less naughty words said along the way.

thanks 68.
I found an article duel vs single

after reading it. it seems to me that you would do it to " let the motor breath, gain some hp through efficiency and an appealing sound? is that correct?

the ressonators are there solely for appealing sound I presume
how would I get a sense of what they would sound like between the different units?
Ps, I'm sure the wife Does Not Want Loud

I'm thinking I'm going to take care of the exhaust before pulling the motor for rebuild. is there anything wrong with that order?

I realize this is exhaust 101 and not a challenge for you guys

thanks for your time

bill v

I would do the exhaust last, not before the rebuild. But I'm sure you could do it either way.

The resonators make the system a bit quieter, and sound nicer. (in my opinion)

My wife has the same system on her 'bird, and has never complained.

A buddy of mine has the identical setup, but without the resonators. His is definitely a bit louder (10% - 20%? maybe) than mine with the resonators.

Neither of these setups are as loud as you'd get with a Gardner exhaust or anything like that. They are much more stock and on the quieter side.

Could you post a picture of your master cylinder, the side on which the lines attach? If you could, I'd appreciate it.

Amervo, I presume you posted this in the wrong thread, right?

No, not wrong post. Your car has been in your family since '79, and stored since '90, before Al invented the internet. After he invented the internet, many things changed. I wanted to see what you a pre-internet master cylinder looks like. So if you had a moment to post a picture of where the brake lines attach, I'd appreciate it.

As for an exhaust system, 2.5” true duels have more flow than transverse muffler systems. I spent 10 years of extensive exhaust-system research before I had this system built, specifically on x-pipe technology. Late model LS, yes, but on Pontiac engines, x-pipes don't net more hp/flow than h-pipes. But an x or h nets more hp/flow then separate pipes. Also. the h-pipe fits tighter under the car, but some like exhaust systems that hang low.

Two owners of Pypes systems that were installed by professional exhaust installers (one was a Pypes install) took their cars to my guy for a refit. They fit much better, but not as tight under the car, with the installer pointing out that he only do so much when working with substandard, half-assed manufactured chit.

From the headers back, this system was $300, and I supplied the mufflers. The guy specializes in custom-bent race exhaust for over 30 years; he makes his own reducers, claiming they are dyno-documented to outflow any reducer on the market. Crimped pipe is fine, documented by many 11-second cars with crimped pipe.

...

here is a few

that didnt work

hope that helps. i still have the unit stashed away. if you need a good photo on the bench just let me know

thanks for the help with the exhaust.

I'm gonna wait on the exhaust until motor is done, Hopefully I'll pull the motor soon and get that started but, It is still hunting season, hard to get me to do anything Sept to Feb. The firebird has been the first thing to get me to even think about doing something else.

Bill v

hard to get me to do anything Sept to Feb. The firebird has been the first thing to get me to even think about doing something else.

Hmmm, have to talk to Mary about that Bill!
But I think I know what you are talking about...
Cal

ok Cal. that's enough! I'm sitting in a tree right now laughing

Dual 2 1/2" - crossover and w/lbm's and youll be happy

My car was slightly louder with the longbranches than with the Doug's headers.

68, what do I ask for to make a system like yours?

Do you have a pic of your exsaust system you can post?

My neighbor has a muffler shop, so Im planning on talking to Dave but, I'd like to have a better understanding of what I might be asking for .

Thanks bill v

Go to ramairrestorations.com

They'll have all the parts you need.

68tpls400, PM sent

thanks bill v

OK, so we're on our way to finishing up this system. The exhaust guy ordered a stock cross flow muffler today. Should be set to drop off car next week for install. Dual, resonators, crossflow muffler and tail pipes. No split tips, I figured that I can add those later since there so much to do with the body, suspension and everything else.

I will start a thread about The front suspension so I can start to understand and wrap my mind around what needs to be done.


Bill V

Well, finally have the new exhaust in place. Nice call 68, the Mrs loves it. went with the stock system, resonators and cross flow muffler.

I did not put tips on yet, figure well wait until we get a little further along in the process.

Thanks
bill v

Happy to help! the Mrs. and I both love the sound of ours too.

some final pics