exhaust advice
 

I am getting close to being done with restoration of my 1969 L78 396 Nova. My goal is for car to be stock appearing other than headers. I want to exhaust to look correct with the correct tailpipes and transverse muffler. I know Gardner makes the premium correct system, but they are expensive and I would hate to have to cut up the head pipes for my headers. I also have heard the stock transverse muffler did not flow very well???

I did look at the Pypes system and it looks ok other than it has a "Welded can" looking muffler that does not resemble anything stock. Inline tube is also building nice systems, but nothing for Nova yet.

Does anyone know of a system that:
- has stock appearing muffler and tailpipes
- Muffler flows better that stock
- is affordable

Thanks, Kevin

I used the Waldron stock system on my 70 L78 Nova. Took 8 weeks to get with stock transverse muffler. Look and fit is very good. Reasonable price and shipping. Earl

Not a crossflow but
I used this on a '68 BB nova with hooker headers.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/flo-17129
I sold the Flowmaster mufflers and used Dynomax ultra flows. Stock looking mufflers
http://www.dynomax.com/ultra-flo-sta...tered-583.html
No fit issues at all. Good sound.

I had the original manifolds into a Garner system on my 70 L78 Nova and it ran like a turd.
Got some Hookers and the Flow Master system and what a difference.

exhaust..
 

The Gardner system is the best for a concours or original car...hands down. They offer a deep tone system, that has a good sound.

Check with Sully about the system on his L78 Nova...it sounds great.

The stock cross flow will be restrictive...

-wilma

I highly recommend Classic Exhaust in Geneva, Ohio. They have an aluminized system for your application that is stock and will use a turbo or free flowing muffler if you chose. System is $380.00

I just used one of their systems on my 67 Impala and it fit like a glove, absolutely no issues. They asked if I wanted stock, quiet mufflers or turbo style..

Great product...

Classic Exhaust Inc.
805 Pro-gram Parkway
Geneva, OH 44041

Rich

I went a somewhat different approach on my 69 Z. I built the engine to conform to PS rules which also limits exhaust upgrades stating 2 1/2" maximum diameter, stock muffler configuration, and "H" and "X" cross overs are allowed.

I used the Pypes system. Stainless steel, "X" cross over, mandrel bends, and stock transverse muffler configuration. However I took it a step further and spent the time grafting stock reproduction 2" tailpipes coming out of the muffler so when looking at the car, the system appears stock.

Here are sound clips

This car still had it's born with exhaust system with just the muffler being changed to another GM deep tone replacement. At this point the muffler is already over 30 years old so I think it's somewhat blown out and raspy.

https://youtu.be/SDMeBoQpf58

Here is the new Pypes system with their 2 1/2" tail pipes

https://youtu.be/5dTNw93VPEQ

Here is the system after I grafted in reproduction 2" tailpipes for a stock appearance, and it actually tamed down the noise a bit which was a bonus.

https://youtu.be/IZ0HlEY7b74

I can tell you from my own testing, I have another F-body that I also run in PS. I started racing that one with a reproduction Gardner exhaust system (transverse muffler) I later changed that car to a Pypes SGF70 transverse exhaust system as well (like above) and with no other changes to the car at all, it picked up 4 tenths ET and almost 4 mph. Some of the gain is the advantage of mandrel bends, "X" cross over, and the slightly larger 2 1/2" pipe, but the muffler was also a big improvement with a straight through design. As far as transverse mufflers go, the Pypes, and the Magnaflow replacement are both similarly designed and actually flow exceptionally well. Hope that helps.

Thanks all for the advice!

Flowmaster makes a nice system for the camaro from the headers back. That should also fit on the nova. May have to redo the tailpipes or let them exit like the camaro does.

My 69 l78 nova has stock engine with 2 1/8 super comps with thrush cross flow muffler,( 2 1/2 in and out).with muffler shop bent 2 1/2 pipes. I'll try and make a clip later today