Today I went by local shop and asked how much to replace duel exhaust 2.25 (2 1/4) pipe with Flow-masters. Or fix existing pipes that are not lining up that I can not do myself.

$420 to replace everything.
$45 a side to fix existing.

What do you think???

 

If they are installing it it doesn't sound bad opg wants nearly as much for the less expensive flowmaster kit plus shipping

 

local rapco muffler here wants $350-400 for exhaust from manifolds back, with flowmaster mufflers, i was gonna order the pypes exhaust -$397, plus down tubes-$119, from summit, its 409 stainless, figured it will last longer for a few bucks more, figured about 100 bucksto get installed.

 

I bought factory stock a couple years ago made by Walker. I paid 60 ea. for the down pipes and 35 ea. for the tail pipes. I already had my own mufflers (Brulin) and put it on myself and then took it and had it welded up for like 50 bucks.

 

Kind of a drag, nothing rely wrong with what I have other then one hanger bracket broken in the back and them not lining up the the redone motor. Maybe it was the new motor mounts, different angle of the Thornton re-pops, or combo of both.
And I am sure it would be different if the H pipe was not holding them from moving separately.
Anybody know the benefits of a H pipe?

 

Today I went by another shop referred by the paint shop.
I stated, I would like to get a price on a set of 2.25 inch duels.
They asked, manifolds back? Yes, I reply-ed. What kind of car? 72 Cutlass. They asked, Big block or small? Yes it is a big block, 455. They looked at each other as one said, "ya its 2.25 in." (like I did not know what I was asking for in the beginning) Well it has that cross over pipe, the same one said. I responded, No, it has w/z exhaust there is no cross over. But it does have a H pipe. So how much would it be, I asked. As the fat guy left to go out side with is buddies, that really looked busy doing nothing.
"$700 depending on which mufflers you want." the younger (mid 30's) guy stated.
I was thinking to myself, I just asked for a price? How about giving me a price for both then? So I asked, what is the difference. He responded, One is more factory and about this big. The other one is smaller. NO, what is the price difference? Flo-master are about $125 each, and the other about $80. Again my thoughts, what part of the $700 is that?

I continued with the I have already got at quote for $420. He responded these are going to be right, no rattling, bends in the right places, this guy has being doing it for 31 yrs. I am thinking. then why didn't he give me a price?

No, books, or computer to look up prices. Just through out a number and hope it sticks?

I just relaxed a little and said, nothing is really wrong with what I have. I think the motor mounts made the angles off. I tried pulling, an prying, but I just can not get it to line up because of the H pipe. He said, "Just cut the H pipe then." I responded, "then I will have a exhaust leak to fix." He said, "If it hooked up right, anyway!" I thought, "A##hole." You just lost a sale.

I can not understand, or my be it is just me from my days as the Ace Hardware guy. I asked the costumer all the pertinent questions first, before trying to sale them something. And I did not pull a price out of the sky. Nor try to demean someone else work.

Any thought on your end???

 

The place that did the machine work on my 455 in my 57 Olds suggested a place to me today. I made an apointment to go in tomorow. The guy I talked said he wanted to put it on the lift while I am their and then we can talk about what I expect to get. He will walk me through it then give me suggestions and when we reach an agreement then he will give me a price. I liked the way he approched it now we will see what the price is. The first place I tried just said around 800 buck we will need it two days call it you want it done

 

Let me know how is goes.
I really do not know what kind of work the Mexican shop is going to do for 420. Last time I had them put just a muffler on a car for me, it was right at the price I called a shop on the other side of town that had good prices long ago. It was on my wifes car. Just a cheap-o.
Sometimes I do not mind paying good money for good work, but I will never know when the shop acts like a**holes.

 

Sounds a bit spendy to me. Here in the Raleigh area Henry's Mufflers just did mine last year....2 1/2 pipes with balance crossover in standard tubing. Even welded on my exhaust trumpets exactly where I wanted them. Complete system $250.00. You might want to shop around.

Regards,

Fred

 

For 700 bucks you could order a 3" set that was made for your car and be better quality. You would just have to install it.

 

Hamm36, your experience sadly was a bad one. I agree that they should have asked more questions, looked up parts and completed a real estimate, maybe even on paper (imagine the concept!). I asked for an estimate for new exhausts for my '77 Cutlass from the factory down tube, splitting after where the cat should be into two generic mufflers similar to flowmaster 40 series then to two exhaust pipes. 2.25 inch stainless all the way. The price they gave me was $325. I think location and their labor rate may make a difference, but your initial estimate does sound a little bit high, even though you are getting much more done.

 

I will start calling people tomorrow from work if I can, for sure Thursday. I was hoping the in person thing would have been better, but I guess not. I really could see $500 on a complete nice system. But paying Mexicans $420? I am going to go back by and ask to see what type of metal they are going to use. As well, make some phone calls during business hours.

The thing about my project is I am looking for parts when I find that I need them. Only the interior I am getting a little here and there along the way.

 

Has anyone had any expierience with some of the chain exhaust shops, like
Meinke? I was going to take my '72 455 up there to see how much a new system would be, but I have never had any work done by them.

 

My exhaust system is being installed today. The owner of Brodeys Eric is a real nice guy and is a hobby rod builder. He put the Olds on the rack and we spent abuout a half hour going over routing, (X frame installs are a little more difficult then most. I am going with 2.5" mandral bent exhaust all the way back to just behing the real wheels then dumping down at an angle to the outside. The connie kit prevents me from going out the back too close to the ground. All stainless with long straight thru glass packs. I am going for the 50's sound. I want the big 455 in the big old Olds to suprise the chebby boys when I leave then in the dust. Sweet. $600.00 out the door.. PS I will post pictures of the complete car sometime this week

 

I made some phone calls today, one place said $700-800. Of the several places I called, and went by in person only one place said, "$550 for aluminized pipe." "It will last forever," he said. And we would need it for 2-3 days. I was really surprised. No one had said anything about the pipe bing aluminized at the $700 price tag?

Let me know what you think. $550 sound more realistic and they wonted plenty of time to do it. Not 2 hrs.

Meinke? We used to have one around here long time ago.
I just got in contact with a neighbor with a 68 Nova, and he said Midas did him right on his Nova last time he need a exhaust repair. He even said the shop that quoted me $420 tried to raise there price when his car was on the rack. Now, ya'll see what kind of business' are around here.

 

I picked up my 57 today from Eric at Brodeys. Manderal bent. Beautiful job, no butt welds all pipe was fitted and welded both sides matched on the outlets. He left it on the rack and walked me throught the whole process. Charged me the 600.00 plus tax that he committed to. Would recommed him to anyone. With 2.5" pipes and the 24" glass packs it really breaths. Left about 2 blocks of rubber when I left his shop. Will post pictures of the old boat doing a burn out this weekend. Looks nuts comming from a low rider. I consider the 600.00 well spent

 

Good for you! That feeling of elation when you drive your car for the first time after a major change that affects the performance and/or feel of performance can't be beat!

 

Great to know it went well for you.

I called Midas (national chain)today and they side $550 for galvanized 2.25 and $40 more if I want the H pipe. Stated they cannot do 2.5, it buckles on the tight bends over the axial. Looks like in this case of exhaust the national chains might be the way to go in North TX.

citcapp, at your recommendation I did a search for mandrel exhaust and closest I found is in Huston that is 6 hrs away.
I have seen some down sides to going bigger on the exhaust system. My motor is basically stock. Although I did not ask that question in the thread, it would have been nice if someone chimed in on the pro's and cons of the different size exhaust.

 

get on the internet go to the yellow pages and type in exhaust systems with your state and zip code. Find someone who mandral bends. I checked in our area and the guys who did mandral bends charged the same and can do 2.5" lot less restrictions

 

I didn't see where anyone asked.

If the tubing is too large for the application, the exhaust gases cool too quickly leaving condensation inside the system. This causes it to "rust out" prematurely.

If it is too small, the gases create a "bottleneck" because they cannot exit quickly enough.

Not much difference between choosing carb and exhaust sizes.

On dual systems, a properly placed "H" pipe lessens the effect of the "bottleneck" by letting some of that pressure escape to the other side.

Norm

 

As far as pricing goes, I went to get a muffler 3 90 degree prebent fittings, 3 clamps and 4 feet of 1.5" tubing for the genset on my truck. I'd have to go back and check reciepts, but I think all said and done I had some where around $60 tied up in that and a couple houurs farting around town finding the stuff. I probably would have had better luck in a small engine shop, but any way that was just the parts. I would call around, but It wouldent hurt to ask around about the "mexicans" also. When I am in chicago, or other areas where I run into a cocentration of them, I have found them to be relatively honest, very industius and quite capable. At the risk if sounding racial or profiling or what ever they call it, I would rather them work on it than others. As a generalization sp?. People are people and car people are car people. Is there something about them that bugs you?

 

Why not buy one of the mandrel bent kits that are on the market? I think you will be more than happy with it. If you are not in a hurry I might be able to work out something to install a kit for you.

-Richard

 

Norm, thanks for the positive feedback. I have noticed some condensation over the past couple weeks. Since I have only broke the motor in a month or so now.

My motor is basically stock (Norm, you might remember the cam speck I put up in another post), but running extremely well. It has 2.25 on it now. So, I am thinking that is the best size to go with. What do you think Norm, or anybody else???

Richard, I sure appreciate the offer on doing some wielding. As the photo shows the Naner-mobile (yellow) is not street legal. This is part of the dilemma it would not be feasible to get it over to your shop unless you are around the corner. I did take it out today to run it, and I had to let off of the throttle to get traction. I also took some parts over to Enduro Coatings that you told me about. Parts will be ready Wednesday. I hope to get invited out to your place soon. I did see you posted different photos on another web site when I was looking up Mandel bent exhaust.
How is your project going???

csstrux,
"I just got in contact with a neighbor with a 68 Nova,.... He even said the shop that quoted me $420 (Mexicans) tried to raise there price when his car was on the rack." I have other issues, but this is not the forum for that. I did give them a shot at a price. Just makes me wonder when a someone does have negative feedback from someone I trust.

 

hamm36 there are two muffler shops I have used in the Dallas area that I have been very pleased with. It has been several years since I used Pronto Muffler Shop in Plano. They are on the east side of 75 on the service road just north of 544. The other is John's (maybe spelled Jon's) Muffler Shop here in Rowlett. Jeff is the guy that owns the place and is a great guy. I have used him since I moved to Rowlett. He is a really laid back guy and does not get in a hurry. If you go on Saturday, get there early because he is a small shop and really gets busy. I am usually reluctant to recommend shops but I have had really good experience with both of these places. Hope this helps.

 

If I am making a few $$ off the work and you throw in some gas money for the truck we could work out something to get it trailered over here. Like I said though if may be a little while. I am not touching anything until I am driving the 66. Its comming along. Working on building the center hump. What pics did you see on another site? Personally I would not run less than 2.5" on a 455ci motor even in stock form.

Here is an old system I made from scratch on a 10sec on motor 98 TA street car. And everyone says you can't run true duals over the axle on these cars.

 

Redoldsman, I do thank you for your service to our Country. I called Pronto last week, I used to work at 75 and Park they had good prices in the 90's, they wanted $700 also if I remember right. Another place in Plano wanted $700-$800 they said. For Rowlett there is the trailer thing again. I called the places in Plano just to get an idea of going prices.

Richard, you sure do good work no dough about that. I am not in a rush to get it done, it has been a month since I have noticed it, and a couple weeks after deciding to do it. I have been waiting on door hinges as long. I agree with Rob in Sachse that it should be done before paint. My finders and hood are at the paint shop they have been there about six weeks, and I went by last week and they are ready for color. Meaning they will be ready for the car soon. I am not in a rush, but I don't want the paint in the can to start curling.
I think the photo I seen you are working on the Transmission hump. I have being looking a lot I could be wrong.

 

Things have really gone up. The first car Pronto did for me was the first 72 Cutlass convertible I had in about 1984. I don't remember what they charged but it was less than $200 but I had my own mufflers. They did a 74 Big Block Corvette for me in 1986 and I think it was like $250. That included 2 1/2 inche pipes and mufflers. They also did my current 72 Cutlass convertible in 1993. I probably still have the invoice in my file but it was nowhere close to $700. I took it back to have an H pipe put in and they did not even charge me. I wonder if the ownership has changed. Too bad they were so expensive because they were a great shop. gearshead78 lives out here close to me. I have not been over to see his shop and car yet because I have been too busy. He does some awesome work. Good luck with your car and thanks for you recognition of my service. It is very appreciated when somebody does that.

 

I know this is an old post couple weeks now. I asked my motor builder what he thought, he said 2-1/4" would be fine for my application. Can you believe he also recommend the jerks on Garland Rd that quoted me $700. He was one of six people I asked in person, and I told them all the same story. Most of every one said, "that is high" I don't know what the deal was they always had good prices and good work.
I took it to Midus and they cut the $590 price to $480 I did not ask them too. All new 2-1/4" aluminized, H pipe and flow-masters. We'll see tomarrow how it looks.
When I get it finshed I will be sure to go down Garland Rd a couple times.

 

I'm not sure where this thread is going, but I'll throw in my two cents. I am restoring a 69 Cutlass S, bought a set of 350 Hooker headers, bolted up flawlessly, then bought an exhaust kit out of Summit Racing for $149.00. 2 1/2" mandrel bent aluminized steel and fit perfectly. They even fit perfectly in the bumper cut outs. I was amazed! Fired her up and such beautiful music to my ears. Throaty under throttle and rumbly at idle. I eliminated the clamps since I had a welder, but you could leave the clamps instead. Spent about $355 give or take....