1969 Camaro Chambered Exhaust Experts

[427strato]

Paul, we just completed the restoration of my 69 Chevelle and we installed the Gardiner system on the car. It's a 375 hrs with a M22 and rubber floor mat with no insulation. Is it loud; it most certainly is, especially at idle. I'm 77 and still appreciate a loud exhaust. Everyone that has heard the exhaust so far really likes the sound, or they are just being respectful. I doubt most people drive their muscle cars more than a few hundred miles a year, at least in our climate, so some noise to me is acceptable. One of the disappointments when I purchased my new big block cars back in the late 60's was that they were not loud enough. At driving speeds in my original copo I could hear the M22 over the exhaust and this one is similiar. The Gardiner system is somewhat expensive however, relative to the cost of a restoration, it is not that bad. I also must add that they were great to deal with and this system does fit. We used all of their brackets and kept the originals, which will go with the car someday.

[Steve Shauger]

Just for clarification Paul, the best reproduction system available is Gardner hands down. Fit and finish are exact and excellent. The original chambered system has always been loud and obnoxious which has nothing to do Gardner just the original design especially on a solid lifter small block. My orange white stripe Z has a window sticker which list chambered exhaust and with a milder hydraulic cam and sounds better. I thought your intention was to get a system as close to factory, but that seems to change with your last post.

Hope you are satisfied with the system.