Headers and Exhaust on COPO Camaro

[Chevy454]

Jeff:

Here's what I found. From what I have saw, if you are running anything but the original manifolds, get them Jet coated! It's not quite as shiny as chrome (which I like), but looks killer, and will be so forever. I believe there was a ZL-1(?) at the Reunion that had a set of Jet coated headers...check your pictures and see. The ceramic coating is Ok, but it won't keep it's look, and even when new, they don't hold a candle to the Jet coated headers in the looks department.

Now, for exhaust systems. This is where it gets interesting! This is largely based on which muffler(s) you want to run. No one, and I mean NO ONE, makes a mandrel 2.5" system that uses a stock looking transverse muffler...well, I think Stainless Works told me they could bend me up a system, but I would have to leave the car for a couple of weeks, and it would set me back about $2500! And that wasn't even stainless pipe! Flowmaster has a 2.5" mandrel bent system that uses their transverse muffler (which is what we currently run), but is made for headers. No big deal, just order a 45 and 90 bend from JC Whitney and make yourself some headpipes. But, if you can live with running dual mufflers in front of the axle, darn near everyone carries mandrel systems from 2" to 4" in diameter. The only other way to go is to go with a factory correct system from Gardner, which is first class, but is as crooked as a dog's hind leg...just like the factory.

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