Advice on a new exhaust system?

[James Watkins]

I drive a 1979 Chrysler Cordoba, essentially completely stock. It's running the original 360 with the 4 barrel carb, even still has the lean burn on it. I have considered having a new exhaust system put on, or putting one on myself, for a while now. I would imagine the stock exhaust system with the stock cats and manifolds is fairly restrictive. I really could use a recommendation on what setup would be best to open up the exhaust while still maintaining a good level of volume. My car is in good enough shape that it still looks classy and I really don't want it to be loud as of yet. What do you guys think would be a good setup to loosen up the flow without sacrificing the quiet factor too much. If you can give me a ballpark price, with labor costs just in case I decide to have a professional do it, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

[bajajoaquin]

Your beat bet is probably to go to a local muffler shop and get a quote for duals using stock mufflers.

 

[cbarge]

Being essentially a B body,go with an Accurate dual exhaust system or B body system from Summit.
Order the kit for a 74 Charger.
It will fit with some minor tweaking depending if you are doing logs or headers.
For noise level Super Turbo's in a long body will keep the noise down but still have a nice burble.
Much better than spending 7 or 9 hundred dollars getting a shop to bend the pipes,etc.
Hope this helps.

 

[Snotty]

Your local Smog Laws might play into your decision, so check those first.

I had a '79 set-up like yours. My local Exhaust man removed everything from the manifolds back. He ran 2.5" pipe to a Magnaflow exhaust, single, to a "Supercat," then out to the rear. Ran very well. He did remove the "pre-cats" that were on the car. That caused me some concern for the Smog Test, but the technician did not know they were supposed to be there so it passed. Passed when I sold it as well.

I wanted to go duals, which came on the E68 motors of the same year, but I would have had to go to the California Referee every other year to win that battle with the Smog Technician.

At the same time I had the heat riser removed; totally unnecessary in Bakersfield, CA.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

Your beat bet is probably to go to a local muffler shop and get a quote for duals using stock mufflers.

I agree 100% my '79 Magnum GT is all stock with E58 package. It does have cats on it with mufflers. It does have a surprising good tone to it. It was replaced before I purchased the car.

My '69 Grand Prix needed new exhaust from motor back. The exhaust shop had it done for $350 plus tax. I picked the mufflers out. He listened to me and with his 30 years of experience and guidance made me another happy customer.

 

[78Brougham]

I've got a '79 300 My muffler guy did the whole system with Magna Flows for a couple hundo. Sounds great.

No need to spend all kinds of cash on a specialized system. Ask around, parts stores, club meets, cars and coffee I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction.

 

[CanCritter]

duals arent always all their cracked up to be.....

 

[65sporty]

My Father in Law took the 65 to a local guy I know. It turned out good.

 

[cbarge]

TTi on my 68 Newport.

 

[Snotty]

duals arent always all their cracked up to be.....

It's a preference thing, and I prefer them.

 

[cbarge]

It's a preference thing, and I prefer them.

They are my preference for reducing engine temps, improved fuel ecnomy (if you can stay off the go pedal),and a gain in torque and HP is a plus.
The H pipe on the TTI makes the exhaust quieter than you think.

 

[bluefury361]

I'm not sure if TTI offers a system for your car, but if so, go there and don't look back. I always buy them with out mufflers and use a pair of OEM style aftermarket mufflers. TTi supplies everything you need to install the system yourself. Clamps, hangers, hwd etc.
A word of advise. If you have a system fabed and installed locally, insist on a clamped system instead of a welded one. If they refuse, move on.

http://www.ttiexhaust.com/

 

[James Watkins]

I've got a '79 300 My muffler guy did the whole system with Magna Flows for a couple hundo. Sounds great.

No need to spend all kinds of cash on a specialized system. Ask around, parts stores, club meets, cars and coffee I'm sure someone will point you in the right direction.

Probably a good idea, Im on a fairly tight budget so I am gonna take my time with it. try to get the best bang for my buck.

 

[James Watkins]

Your local Smog Laws might play into your decision, so check those first.

I had a '79 set-up like yours. My local Exhaust man removed everything from the manifolds back. He ran 2.5" pipe to a Magnaflow exhaust, single, to a "Supercat," then out to the rear. Ran very well. He did remove the "pre-cats" that were on the car. That caused me some concern for the Smog Test, but the technician did not know they were supposed to be there so it passed. Passed when I sold it as well.

I wanted to go duals, which came on the E68 motors of the same year, but I would have had to go to the California Referee every other year to win that battle with the Smog Technician.

At the same time I had the heat riser removed; totally unnecessary in Bakersfield, CA.

I may do a similar setup, I live in Texas so all I need for yearly inspection is to pass safety. Its still somewhat illegal but I imagine it would be unlikely anyone would come after me for it. Unless I was driving around downtown with open headers or something.

 

[James Watkins]

Being essentially a B body,go with an Accurate dual exhaust system or B body system from Summit.
Order the kit for a 74 Charger.
It will fit with some minor tweaking depending if you are doing logs or headers.
For noise level Super Turbo's in a long body will keep the noise down but still have a nice burble.
Much better than spending 7 or 9 hundred dollars getting a shop to bend the pipes,etc.
Hope this helps.

I will be looking into that, thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Pete Kaczmarski]

If you are lucky for new aluminized exhaust from motor back w/o resonators and lower cost stock style mufflers it will cost you $350-$400 at a custom shop. If you find a company to send to you it will be $800-$1000 plus what happens if the pipe needs to be tweaked etc. If you have any dairy farms nearby you can see if they have any used milking stainless pipes but you would be limited how much to bend (angle) but it will last forever and maybe lowest cost. But I would talk to the pipe bender first to get their level of competence in bending this pipe.

 

[Snotty]

I may do a similar setup, I live in Texas so all I need for yearly inspection is to pass safety. Its still somewhat illegal but I imagine it would be unlikely anyone would come after me for it. Unless I was driving around downtown with open headers or something.

In California, cars 1976 and newer must pass Smog Emissions, as well as a "Visual Inspection." Everything is supposed to be factory, which was why I was worried about the pre-cats being gone. My Cordoba failed an inspection once because the fresh air pre-heater tube was gone from the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner. I was astounded!!! I asked how the emissions test was? He said it didn't matter, no tube, FAIL!!!

I also had to reinstall the Lean-Burn system every time. I had removed it for a Mopar Performance system, and used a dual-snorkel air cleaner. Had to go or FAIL!!! Bunch of crap!! That car ran clean!!!

 

[65sporty]

In California, cars 1976 and newer must pass Smog Emissions, as well as a "Visual Inspection." Everything is supposed to me factory, which was why I was worried about the pre-cats being gone. My Cordoba failed an inspection once because the fresh air pre-heater tube was gone form the exhaust manifold to the air cleaner. I was astounded!!! I asked how the emissions test was? He said it didn't matter, no tube, FAIL!!!

I also had to reinstall the Lean-Burn system every time. I had removed it for a Mopar Performance system, and used a dual-snorkel air cleaner. Had to go or FAIL!!! Bunch of crap!! That car ran clean!!!

It's funny how you can't legally modify the emissions system even though the car will run better and cleaner. I have heard lots of stories about the run around guy's get trying to make a older car pass Cali emissions.

 

[cbarge]

This system from Summit is for headers and back.
1974 DODGE CHARGER Summit Racing® Header-Back Dual Exhaust Systems SUM-680140.

For the price,261.99 --worth getting and when at your exhaust specialist,he can cut the crossover and weld in front pipes to mate to the kit.
Did that to my 73 wagon.
Bonus is you can do headers if you want later down the road.
I had done this before and used the Summit kit on other Mopars. (68 Dart GT 'vert and 74 Challenger Ralleye 360)
Fits very well and the two piece tailpipes make adjustments a breeze.
TIP: snug all the pipes up and check for any rubbing or banging.
Once set,tack weld the pippes in place and air ratchet down the supplied clamps.
As I mentioned the 74 Charger and the 79 Cordoba are both B bodies and have the same 115" wheelbase and the kit will fit.
Hope this helps

 

[cbarge]

For reference since my wagon is a B body same as your Cordoba.
Top pic shows where the crossover was cut.
Second pic if you look closely see where the new pipe was welded to the front pipes going to the manifolds. The welds further down on the intermediate pipes is where the headers would have been.