Gardner Exhaust

[jeffschevelle]

I bought 3 sets all at once from Gardner back in 2011, and had the following issues:

1. 66 Chevelle 396 long tailpipe hangers were an extra charge, represented to be "exact" copies of originals, but were not even in the remote ballpark of being correct. They look nothing at all like originals.

2. 66 Chevelle 396 long tailpipes were bent wrong at the axle hoop, resulting in them hitting the trunk floor at the back. I had to take them to a muffler shop and pay to tweak to fit.

3. Mufflers for the 66 and 67 Chevelle 396 were supposed to be just like originals, but are not shaped like originals on either end. Originals are convex (puff out) on the ends. Gardner's are flat as a pancake on the ends.

4. When I ordered I specifically said the exhaust head pipes needed to be made longer on the back end so that I could cut them and the muffler in-flow pipes, so they could be welded just like the originals (which have a very short muffler in-flow pipe only about 1/2 inch long, and the headpipes go up inside the muffler). He said they would make them several inches longer so I could do that. When they arrived all the head pipes were cut the same as any other Gardner system, which is substantially too short to permit cutting the muffler in-pipe off to put the weld at the correct location. I called and complained but was told that they did not like to make them to be welded!!! I said that was something he should have told me when I ordered, rather than telling me it would be done and then simply not doing it.

5. The muffler-to-tailpipe U-bolts are larger diameter than the factory bolts. I also complained about that, and was told they deliberately do that becuase the larger bolts are stronger and hold up better. I thought I was supposed to get an accurate reproduction of the factory hardware, not what some else decided would be "better."

So needless to say I came away feeling a bit frustrated with having spent that much money only to still have something that DOES NOT look completely like the factory system. Perhaps there have been some improvements by now ...

[Verne_Frantz]

Jeff,
I think the problem might have been that they were given a set to copy that was already a replacement or inaccurate set. In other words, they got fooled into copying something that was not correct in the first place. They bought a set of resonator tailpipes from me at Carlisle and they were VERY cautious about checking the original stamped part numbers and other details. I had to ASSURE them that they were NOS. There was no doubt in my mind that they were "trying" to do the right thing. That's just my experience.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[Steve Shauger]

Jeff, the issues you point out is valuable feedback. I would expect those issues to be researched and those improvements to be incorporated into their reproduction systems once validated. I had a similar issue with strap type clamps being used on over the axle hangers for early camaro chambered systems. Initially I felt I was met with skeptism when discussing this issue with them, but in the end they did reproduce the strap clamps.

It's hobbyist like you that help clarify and uncover the intimate details of how these car were really built and not someone interpretation. Personally if I'm buying the best reproduction part available I would hope the manufacturer would listen and learn from new uncovered details. Thats how producers of reproduction parts differentiate themselves from their competition. I know Gardner has done this in the past, and I do like their product.

[P.J.]

Decided to install a set of Garner chambered exaust on my 1970 L78 chevelle ss
The trips to the corner grocery store will never be the same.


PJ

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: P.J.</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Decided to install a set of Garner chambered exaust on my 1970 L78 chevelle ss
The trips to the corner grocery store will never be the same.


PJ </div></div>

Your SS look familiar...have you had it at PSMCDR?

I like those Ontario Plates.

Ryan

[KENNY PASCOE]

Picking up 2 systems from them tomorrow and ordering 2 more . Great guys to work with and by far the best in the industry ... KP

[P.J.]

Ryan
yes I was there a few years ago it was the first time to show the car. Won Trophy
PJ