Need a mail order exhaust system that actually fits

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by CJay, Oct 7, 2015.

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  1. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    My new 70 GS-455 needs a complete exhaust. Just need a stock exhaust for manifolds. Who makes a kit that will bolt on and fit? Normally, I would just call Eric Gardner and get one of his systems, but this car really isn't worthy of it.

    I ordered a exhaust system from a guy in Hemmings. "Guaranteed to fit". Well guess what? At least he managed to get one pipe right...So now Im back to square one. And now I have to find some resolution with this vendor in Ohio. So in the interim, what's out there that wont break the bank?
     
    CJay, Oct 7, 2015
    #1
  2. Mark Demko

    Mark Demko Well-Known Member

    Check TA Performance, or the GSCA
     
    Mark Demko, Oct 7, 2015
    #2
  3. knucklebusted

    knucklebusted Well-Known Member

    What is your budget? Talk to Torque Tech (Keith Blythe) and get a set before he retires. He doesn't have down pipes but you can get them from TA. I got the head pipes and tail pipes from him in 2.5" for my 350 car. I've had a 3" set on my 455 car for more than 25 years!
     
    knucklebusted, Oct 7, 2015
    #3
  4. mrolds69

    mrolds69 "The Cure"

    Jason, can't say how good they are, but Classic Exhaust + Waldrons claim to make systems that fit. What new 70 GS 455?
     
    mrolds69, Oct 7, 2015
    #4
  5. Mike B in SC

    Mike B in SC Well-Known Member

    Mike B in SC, Oct 7, 2015
    #5
  6. moleary

    moleary GOD Bless America

    Jason, This is a good guy, not sure if he handles the BUICK down pipes, ask him. https://www.ramairrestoration.com

    I presume you have already reached out to Kieth?

    Cheers! MO
     
    moleary, Oct 7, 2015
    #6
  7. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    I used one of those guys you mentioned. Upon closer examination, the mufflers they supplied are the short, turbo style- 17" shell length. Which is fine, but they don't work with stock pipes. they're about 5" away from the inlet of the tails. The factory mufflers according to Rock auto are about 5" longer!

    The only other issue is the right side down pipe is about an inch or so too short, so when I put the pipe and muffler into position, the pipe hits the crossmember. We'll see how good their guarantee is tomorrow! I should of called Torque Tech.

    I bought this POS GS-455. Eventually they all wind up in my driveway! :bla::laugh:

    http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?301515-See-these-cars-find-me!!!
     
    CJay, Oct 7, 2015
    #7
  8. Xporcelli

    Xporcelli Gold Level Contributor

    Ordered/installed 4 T/A kits. 2.5 and 3 inch-all fit great. Most recent was a 2.5 kit for my '70. Did 1 Flowmatser kit, fit fine but did not care for the look of the tailpipes.
     
    Xporcelli, Oct 9, 2015
    #8
  9. Buickone

    Buickone Founders Club Member

    Keith told me a few months ago that he was out of the downpipe on the LH side and by now I'd guess is out of the RH too. But can't a muffler shop make these? My 3" set with all hangers and muffs ran me 630.00 delivered.
     
    Buickone, Oct 9, 2015
    #9
  10. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Well, the system I bought from Classic Exhaust doesnt fit for anything. I received the longer mufflers today so I can actually hang it all. Because of the way the left headpipe is bent, the muffler is crooked front to back. The front part of the muffler is lower than the back. The left tailpipe is bent in such a way that the pipe exits under the trunk drop off at an angle. Like the pipe isn't bent quite enough. The pass head pipe hits the crossmember so I cant even put the muffler in place to attach the tailpipe on that side. I think the problem is that the guy bends these kits up with a pipe bender and a bend card. Its close, but not close enough

    So the only options I have are a generic muffler shop exhaust or Gardiner. Either way, Im spending $900 on an exhaust for a $900 car. A stock, factory style, CNC bent exhaust for our cars doesn't seen to exist anywhere other than Gardner.

    I miss the days when you can just walk into an auto parts store and buy a Walker exhaust
     
    CJay, Oct 13, 2015
    #10
  11. BUICKRAT

    BUICKRAT Got any treats?

    Jason, you're not missing anything on the walker exhaust. they are now offshore and quality has gone out the window. None of the systems fit properly, and on numerous occasions I've had to cut off and re-index the flanges. Not to mention the pipes are paper thin and will rust out in 2 years...
     
    BUICKRAT, Oct 14, 2015
    #11
  12. TORQUED455

    TORQUED455 Well-Known Member

    How about a local muffler shop with the old spec cards and pipe bender?
     
    TORQUED455, Oct 14, 2015
    #12
  13. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    Just called my local guy and he said $500 cash will get it done with mufflers complete. It looks like it'll be making the trip to the exhaust shop. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to do it yourself.

    As an update, the mail order exhaust guy said he would refund my money.
     
    CJay, Oct 14, 2015
    #13
  14. TORQUED455

    TORQUED455 Well-Known Member

    So that leaves 400 bucks in your pocket, enough for 6 more cars lol
     
    TORQUED455, Oct 14, 2015
    #14
  15. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    :laugh::laugh::laugh:
     
    CJay, Oct 14, 2015
    #15
  16. Brian Albrecht

    Brian Albrecht Classic Reflections

    T/A all the way. Recently put 2.5 on my '69 car. Fit was way better than Torque Tech 2.5 I had installed on my '70. Dave Tumas recommended...thanks Dave
     
    Brian Albrecht, Oct 14, 2015
    #16
  17. 54Rich

    54Rich Silver Level contributor

    I got mine from the Parts Place, stock, best price I could find, fit perfectly.

    $299 :)
     
    54Rich, Oct 14, 2015
    #17
  18. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    $299? And it fit perfectly? No $%^$!! I didn't know they sold exhaust systems. What did it look like? They don't have a picture on their website. Im gun shy now
     
    CJay, Oct 14, 2015
    #18
  19. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    The parts place carries pypes systems. Not sure about any other systems they carry.
     
    alec296, Oct 17, 2015
    #19
  20. dmruschell

    dmruschell Well-Known Member

    I would stay away from Pypes systems.

    I bought one 2.5" system with down pipes for a 455 while my 350 was still in the car. My mechanic (wrongly) thought that the 350 and 455 had the same manifolds and opening placement. So, the system went in, but not without a LOT of massaging. Then, the 455 went in, and the modified downpipes had to be remodified to fit. There were also some other issues with the installation that I chalked up to installer error. So, I bought another system plus downpipes to properly install myself.

    The new system had the exact same fitment issues as the system I removed: downpipes hitting the crossmember in order to be properly aligned with the rest of the system. Another shop ended up reusing my old system including my old downpipes and then using pipe sections from my new downpipes to make the system work. It doesn't look super pretty if you're under the car, but it doesn't touch anywhere, and I was able to get my money back for the second system. If I get some spare $$, I may try T/A performance's exhaust, though it sounds like there may be some fitment issues with that system based on another post in this thread.
     
    dmruschell, Oct 17, 2015
    #20
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