National Chevy / 1949-1954 Chevy dual exhaust kit

Anyone used this kit? $600...debating if it is worth the money or not.

 

look's like a complete kit.

 

I used it on my 49 several years ago. It worked and sounded great but the fit could have been better. I took it off when I pulled the motor to put into my new 51 and am thinking I am going to have it re-bent so it hangs better.

 

What do you mean hangs better. Is it tucked up under thecar nice, come out the rearend nicely?

 

Been watching these "kit" exhaust systems for years - have yet to see one fit where it should.

 

I think for the money having an exhaust shop make one is the best way to go. Usually you can explain exactly what you want and it comes out really nice. you choose your mufflers and where you want them. the bolt on kits are just not usually the best fit and require mods anyhow.

i have had quite a few exhuasts run for v8's with duals and it usually runs about 250 to 300 bucks and has always been what I wanted.

 

How loud is this kit? Is it still fairly quiet inside the car just cruising down the road?

 

If those are porters... Those alone are 180 bucks...

 

Yeah, looking at the kit, the headers are $250, mifflers $150 or so, gaskets, linkage, and having a shop bend all your pipes at $75 an hour, I think the kit is a fairly good deal.

 

Those are not Porters, just the same or similar color. Did you ask what gauge the pipes are? I had my exhaust done here in town, fifteen years later the pipes are perfect, aluminized steel. You'll get what you pay for, those mufflers look like cheap gl***packs.

If you want it done right go to a hotrod recommended shop you'll save money in the long run.

 

The answer is yes.

When I first had my exhaust system installed it was identical to your kit on a '49 1/2 ton, '56 235 engine, Fentons, 30" cherry bombs. Not too loud until you decelerated and it would give a nice rap.

I later decided to go with an 'x-pipe' and that quieted down everything. I'm thinking after 15 years there ain't much packing in those gl*** packs, in fact I don't know if they were originally 'packed' with fibergl*** or steel.

 

FWIW, to do a single exhaust on a late model, not counting a converter, sourced through Rock Auto, will cost you about $250-$300 give or take (Y, intermediate, muffler, tail). So $600 for a dual system kit isn't too bad.

 

Thats what what I was thinking, exhaust work around me isn't cheap. It runs $75 + an hour. By time I buy mufflers, headers, etc.... and have some one do the work I will be in more than $600. I can put this on in my garage and if I have to have a pipe tweaked, no biggie. I am leaning towards it if it is good quality pipe. I am going to see if I can buy it minus mufflers and choose my own.

 

can you find out what gauge the piping is? interested in this also

 

Im going to call there on my break. I will post it up as soon as I find out.

 

seems high to me. the manifolds are probably the only thing worth anything. id take it to a good muffler shop tell them what you want andd how you want it.and you get to pick your mufflers. i dont think id want to spend 600, for mufflers ive never heard.and my shop (the one i use) welds the pipes all around at each connecting point. no leaks. and they only charge about 150-200. not bad and i dont have to get under it at all. i can also get the car back in a few hours.thats the one thing we dont do here at our shop.

 

Just spoke with them. They do not know the gauge and told me they are not able to find out. He said if you don't drive in the winter they should last a while. You can buy it without mufflers for $520.....

 

I did not notice that the kit came with headers. this makes it a bit better and slightly more desireable. I like that you can put it on in your garage and modifiy it for your own needs. but man 520 with out muffs still sounds a bit steep.

 

ya those arent porters .. sorry

 

I just called a few local exhuast shops that are good and do custom work. Time and materials is what they charge. They told me in the $400-$500 dollar range and that doesn't include the headers.

 

how much are you willing to pay to have it done right?

I say buy a set of Fenton split exhaust manifolds , for about $250. then take it to a shop. your were quoted $400-500 for pipes.
say its $500. ( per your quote it might be less )
that's $750.00 installed.
the kit is $600 plus shipping, not installed. AND the muffler shop is going to weld all those joints.

I can only speak for myself, but I would be willing to pay an additional $150 to have it done right.

also does the kit allow the pipes to go high over the rear axle? you'll need that if your car is lowered.

all the best on your project.
David

 

I wonder how they fit up over the rear end. My car is dropped 4-5"

 

Here is pictures from them selling on Ebay. The mufflers don't come painted, and they charge a flat $60 fee to ship anywhere.

 

Hey Cody, my two cents would be to buy the fentons and mufflers and have a good shop bend and weld the rest, think you will get a better fit and less effort and you will know it clears the rear end. But sometimes its nice just to buy and bolt but not worth the price difference.

Good luck man

 

How is your car coming along? Any new progress pics?

 

Heres some info on that kit from the ChevyTalk boys.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/s.../2164753/hl/NCA+exhaust/fromsearch/1/#2164753

Personally I picked up a set of Fentons from Patrick's, a pair of Porters (great guys over there and used my Alliance discount) and a box of 2" pipes and bends from Speedway and fabbed up my own system.

~ Carl

 

I agree with Happy Hoppy. Fentons and porters and have a good shop do it right. if there is a problem later on any good shop will stand behind their work. 4 to 5 hundred isnt bad for the amount of work that goes into a well executed exhuast. but like I said earlier I have had duals run really nice in the 2 to 300 range. but Im not in the same town as you so that makes a difference.

Or the Next option is to buy a bucket full of exhuast bends in the size you want and a couple sticks of tubing and get out the hack saw and welder and make one for yourself. if you can have the patients to install a universal kit on your car you can build your own exhaust!!!!!

 

hahaha CederHolm was on my wave length as I was typing

 

Yeah man its coming along....I have finished most of the drivers side metal work and floors, going to post some pics soon. Now to turn it around and do it all over again. Hey do you remember if you had to modify the trans tunnel to clear the th 350 in your old car?

Thanks and good luck with the exhaust, oh and by the way I think I convinced the lady to go to torque fest this year, may 5th is my bday so that helps......if all works out we should get together.

 

Yeah, for sure. We will be out there all weekend. You will be glad you went, hell of a show. Give me a call and we can hang out, grab some food and stuff. I ended up selling my car before I ever tackled the floors, sorry I'm no help there.