69 Z, Headers, VS Stock Manifold and Chambered

[Chevy454]

Well, since you asked, Pete:

Factory chambered = Crap

It all depends on what your are going after. Nothing beats the sound of chambered, but the factory system is restrictive...and I mean WAY RESTRICTIVE! Flowmaster offers a 2.5" mandrel system which uses it's own "interpretation" of a transverse muffler, or Dynomax sells a really good transverse muffler that looks fairly close to stock and flows really well, but you'll have to bend the rest of the system yourself. BUT, if I was gonna put exhaust on something that won't be submitted to a tech inspection(!), I would buy the chambered system they offer for the new Camaros/Firebirds. The system is mandrel bent, but is a LOT bigger than the original chambered of the '60s. It supposedly adds power to the late model F-bodys, and is supposed to sound AWESOME, so it must be pretty good, because those late model guys won't buy ANYTHING without seeing what it did on a chassis dyno. That, to me, would be the best of both worlds: the sound and look of chambered, but built using today's technology.

As for tips for your Z-28...I have no idea about tuning it, but don't be afraid to REV THE PISS OUT OF IT! Don't worry, your ET's will thank you for it!