Stock exhaust for 1970 W30 convertible

[442]

Anyone have a recommendation on a good source for a reproduction stock exhaust for a 1970 W30 convertible? Looking to come as close to original as possible.

Thanks for any info.

[Cameo White]

Take a look at Gardner's, for OEM style exhaust. I was told by the guy putting mine on they are the best, down to the exhaust hangers. May be a bit pricey, though.

[70Post]

What he said...Gardner Exhaust if you want a pretty much "dead on" repro of the original system. We put one of their systems on a '67 442 recently and it went on WITHOUT A HITCH....not one thing had to be cut or trimmed in the slightest. Not cheap...I think the '67 system was over $1100 (it had some upgraded coatings on a few parts which cost a little extra). This system may have cost more than the later ones as it also had the chambered tailpipes that weren't on later cars...probably cost a little more to manufacture.

[Bluevista]

Depends on what the car is used for, major judged shows it could mean something, as long as it looks good otherwise. That's a lot of money for pipes and mufflers, is that for stainless?
I just put duals on my Vista and it was less than 300 dollars with an X-Mas discount. It fit very nicely on the first try with no alterations and everything's even and straight, the smoke comes out the ends and it sounds good. All aluminized pipe and came with the mufflers, clamps and universal hangers (wagon muffler and tailpipe hangers aren't repo'd). It's from Classic Exhaust in Geneva Ohio, about 45 minutes away from here so I paid no shipping and keep the local economy going. It took one day to make and my wife picked it up on her lunch hour.
Not associated with Classic Olds.

http://classicexhaustinc.com/

[oldsconv]

Gardner is the absolute best, but around $700 for my 70 SX with 455. I have seen the Parts Place in Chicago sells them now for $300 for a set, but have not bought any yet. No idea of the quality or fit, but they have the version for with and without notched rear bumper.

[442]

Thanks for the insight guys, I got a price of around $770 for the complete system, with the option of upgrading to the "concourse" edition for another $120.00. They told me they have correct reproduction hangers, clamps, etc. I've seen an eBay listing claiming correct exhaust system bent as per GM's reference cards for $399.00. Still debating.... On another note, does anyone know if the 1970 442 W30 came with a heat riser valve for the exhaust manifold?

Thanks again for all the help.

[70Post]

No--70 cars did not have the internal metal flap in the P side manifold (or the other side for that matter). They just used the metal shroud/tube assembly that sets on/over the P side exhaust manifold....tube goes up to the air cleaner snorkel.

I agree on spending that kind of money for a stock system. I'll probably never do it just for the reason that there are a lot better systems out there from a performance standpoint, for less $$ also. That said, if it's a hardcore type resto aiming for original looks, Gardner can't be beat. They are good people and sell a quality product.

[68Tom]

If I recall correctly, I got the exhaust for my '68 442 from The Parts Place. It was deemed as "correct." Well, according to the guy who put it on, it was far from "correct" and actually required a fair amount of work to get it on. I look at it this way, you could spend money on the Gardner system or on labor for someone to get it to fit correctly. If I had to do it over again, I'd just by the Garnder as it is actually "correct" and just install it myself.

[442]

Thanks again folks, I think I will bite the bullet and go with the Gardner exhaust, my intention is to restore the car to factory original / show quality with an occasional sunny day drive thrown in here or there.

[mugzilla]

On the subject of judging ...

Some 442s' came with open exhaust ...

Replacing a straight pipe with a muffler is required to run one on the street and strip ...

Or am I wrong about the whole open exhaust thing ..?