I'm in need of a new exhaust badly on my '62 Invicta. The whole system is probably original and is severly rusted with holes in places. The original exhaust manifolds are also pretty beat up, rusted and are starting to create exhaust leaks. I have a few questions and am in need of some advice. First off, is there a company that makes an exhaust kit for my specific car or something that will fit? I was checking out TA Performance and noticed that they had a 2.5" kit for a 63-65 Riviera. This looks identical to the current pipes that are on my Invitca. Will they fit? If not could they will little to no mods? Secondly, what should I do about my old/leaky exhaust manifolds? I really don't want to spend a fortune on this car by having custom headers made. What about the shorty headers for a 63-65 Riviera from TA Performance? They also look identical to my stockers. How much would these run me for just the "raw" models? Or should I just have my manifolds fixed, blasted, then coated with Jet Hot? PLEASE HELP ME! Thirdly, how would a pair of 40 Series Flowmaster's sound behind a stock 401 Nailhead? These are basically what I would plan on using for mufflers, possibly Dynomax Ultra Flo's. All the help and opinions are welcomed and are much appreciated. Thanks guys !
I have never seen exhaust kits made for the big cars. Usually you can go down to your local independant exhaust shop and have a system custom bent for the $300-$500 dollar range. Regarding the exhuast manifolds, if the TA manifolds are made for the Nailhead, they will indeed fit the exhuast ports on your heads, but you may run into a problem with accessory clearance. You might want to get some exacting dimensions from TA and take the tape measure under your hood. I would recommend getting your original manifolds fixed, or if you are in a high rust area, just try to score a pair in better condition off eBay.
Well, I don't believe that mine are too badly rusted. I don't even know where the leak is coming from, there could be a little hole or the flange could be warped. I haven't had alot of time on my hands lately. I think that getting them fixed, blasted, and then coated would probably be chaper than buying a set of shorty headers. Well, looks like I have to make some phone calls. Thanks!
I just purchased a set of duals from Classic Exhaust in GA for my '67 LeSabre-- I can't comment on fit yet since I'm literally in the middle of the installation! Quality appears great though. I'll send a follow-up with comments on fit. Price was $220 minus mufflers ($15 to ship). I ordered a set of Magnaflows which I'm hoping will sound OK. Once again I'll comment later on today, hopefully in a few hours...
Update: I've got a stubborn bolt so no completed installation report.. I've laid out the pipes though and it looks like it should bolt up no problem. Believe it or not, I actually thought about salvaging the original y-pipe and have the few pinholes welded up since this is my driver In the end, though, the thought of new duals (that's what I'd suggest-- and without "flats"!) was too appealing for the price and better performance.
Thanks Wild, I'm currently on vacation down in Florida visiting family so no worries on the update. Would you happen to have a website or phone number for that company? They probably won't have a system that will fit perfectly but hopefully will have something close. Again, thanks for trying! Now, to go boating in 100 degree heat :grin: !!!
Well, I located a phone number for the company. For some reason they are very hard to get a hold of. I have got in touch with a gentlemen there once but only had time to ask if they had a system that fits my car, they did although I wasn't able to get into the specifications of the actual system. Since then, I think it was the 5th, I haven't been able to get a hold of them again. One thing that concearns me is that some tornadoes spawned from the remains of Cindy and totally leveled all but the track at Atlanta Motor Speedway. I know Gainsville supposedly got hit pretty hard to. The company is somewhat close to Gainsville so I am hoping it's still standing. Thanks for all the help guys!
Aother quick question reguarding the original dual exhaust systems that came on '62 Invicta's. The pipes come off the manifolds and then go through the mufflers. Then the pipes travel along the frame rails and then go over the axle. They the go through another thing which crosses over the pipes. My question is this, is that "thing" another muffler or is it something like an X pipe that just crosses over the pipes? Thanks for the help guys, it's much appreciated!
If the "thing" in the back is large and goes across from left to right, it is your muffler. The other mufflers you refer to are really resonators; there will be one on each pipe.
Ok, thanks Bama. I were thinking the resonators were mufflers because that is what my '62 Chassis Manual calls them. So, there is only one muffler on the dual exhaust system? Seems kinda strange but I guess that's the way Buick built them. Thanks for the info!
