Dual Exaust suggestions/Advice (1971 Electra w/ 455)

[johnnyrock70]

Hey folks,
I'm looking to replace my single stock exaust with a dual exaust on my 1971 Electra with a 455. Its a stock 455 with NO modifications or changes to the carb or cam, etc..
I am looking for somewhat quiet mufflers. But, I DO WANT some type of throaty sound. Just not on the level of flowmaster throaty.
I've had 40 series flowmasters on a 455 in my past, and it sounded great..but this is a cruiser, and I am seeking a sound that is quieter than the flowmasters.
I hope you guys can catch my drift for what I am looking for.
Any suggestions/advice is welcome and appreciated!
PS - also, any suggestions on pipe diameter (2", 2.25", 2.5"???)
thanks! - JohnnyRock (Virginia USA)

[60FlatTop]

I have a pair of Hushpower mufflers on my '64 Riviera. I NEVER want modified stuff on my cars. I made the concession on the Riviera and couldn't be happier with the sound. 21st Century Exhaust in Florida has the best prices.

2900 HIGH RIDGE RD. #05 BOYNTON BEACH, FL 33426 US - map it
Phone:	(800)276-6399

[NTX5467]

Personally, I like Walker Exhaust products. As Walker is an OEM supplier, I've always felt (and haven't been disappointed) with their longevity and fit, pipes and mufflers. NAPA has them, too, as the NAPA part number usually is the same as the Walker part number (in their catalog). I ALSO like pre-bent pipes rather than "muffler shop" bent, generally.

As you'll be needing the full system on both sides, you might check Waldron's Exhaust for such a system. I believe there have been favorable comments about their products in here. Pipe "gauge" and "fit as original" are two KEY criteria. I've seen some "muffler shop" systems which people paid good money for that were not nearly as good as a factory system in fit and longevity. Another KEY thing is to get hangers as close as you can to the factory items. They'll look right and last better, from my experiences.

I suspect the pipe size, generally, would have been 2.25" from the factory. Another reason I like Walker products is their catalog listings, with details as the hangers noted, too. You can find their catalog online, too, but at this point in time, I suspect about all you might find available for your Electra would be the muffler and tail pipes.

Having pipes with a factory exit location is important to me, too. I've seen lots of things over the years and they just seem to detract from the overall look of the car, with all due respect. That, generallly, would have been a slight kick-up curve and then the pipe points down at about a 45 degree angle, with the end of the pipe finished with a cut parallel to the ground (which CAN become highly important in "not dragging" when negotiating a steep driveway or going onto or off of a roll-back tow truck). I always thought the "funky" rear tip cuts on the '77-'81 Z-28s to be "different", until I noticed that that last bottom angle was what was needed to keep the pipes from dragging when going on or coming off of the roll-back tow truck's bed -- the little things.

As somebody observed years ago . . . "It's better to have a quieter, authoritative exhaust note than one that's easily noticed from across the parking lot". AND for a Senior Buick, the "quieter, authoritative" sound is more appropriate. Back then, each GM division had their own exhaust note orientations, with Oldsmobile usually having more rumble than others, by observation.

I'd check the Walker online catalog to see what the physical size is for the OEM mufflers (specs are in the rear of the catalog -- total length, case length, inlet, and outlet pipe sizes).

One other thing I like are CLAMPED exhaust systems. That way, if one part needs replacing, it doesn't take a "gas wrench" to do anything that I might desire to do in my own driveway (with appropriate jack stands and such!!). Just be sure to get the better clamps with the larger u-bolt as the thinner ones can stretch - - - I found out about that, too.

Just some thoughts,
NTX5467

[Pete Phillips]

I have N.O.S. mufflers and resonators for a '71 Electra with dual exhausts, if interested. From old Buick dealership parts stock.
Pete Phillips, BCA #7338

[old-tank]

Anything louder than what Pete is selling would surely give that "testosterone effect", but rear seat passengers would hate you if anything other than a short trip --- the drone at 65 mph will be very annoying.
(my 75 Olds is back to stock).
Willie

[buickapollo455]

loud, chamber tube mufflers, 2.5 inch customs front to back have 72, custom pipes, never go resonators ever, loss of 20 hp mufflers 10 hp, go with high flow mufflers, or chamber tubes, not glass pack too much back pressure.