Tailpipes for 73 Cutlass

[77-442]

What size tailpipes are you folks running, has anyone bought pre bent pipes? (Magnaflow, Walker, Flomaster) how did they fit, etc.

Thanks, Jim

[sledhead2]

Here you go

http://www.rocketracingperformance.com/products/Engine-Trans/products_exhaust.htm

I have to redo mine one day Rocket says their system will fit no problem. I would trust them they eat and sleep oldsmobile.

Have never delt with them but have never heard any bad on ROP

[77-442]

Thank you for the info.

Jim

[PSU442]

wonder how much the system goes for.... i've never been happy with my duals, too sloppy. this might be a better option.

[W451973]

Unless it is SPECIFICLY made for a 73-77, it will not fit. I have tried MANY prebent 68-72 tail pipes and NONE of them fit due to the shock, spring perch and upper trailing arm location compared to the 72 and older. Best bet is to have a local shop make them for your car.

[PSU442]

so i emailed Rocket Racing & Performance a few weeks ago asking about prices of their exhaust systems and, after repeating my request a few times, I eventually got a quote. This doesn't include the cost of the mufflers nor cats (both of which you can order with the system) but I'm guessing this applies to all 73-77 olds....

2.5 HEADER BACK W/X NO MUFFLERS $305.00
2.5 HEADER BACK W/O X NO MUFFLER $278.00
DOWNTURNS 2.5 (PAIR) $25.00

I told them I wanted the exhaust to be as stock looking as possible (whatever that means, I know) and they recommended the downturns. Until a member around here tells us the 73-77 systems are a piece of cake to install and rock-and-roll all night long, I still think a good local exhaust shop is the way to go.

[73431Cutlass]

I have 2.5 Flowmaster tailpipes made for the 68-72 yrs. Only thing I have problems with is right around the rear. They rub on my 73 but never did on my 76. I transplanted these from the 76 to the 73 and are about 10 yrs old now. When on the 76 they came straight out the back and were fine just a trim on one side only to be even. On the 73 I had to shorted them a good deal, due to the difference in bumpers. I then added cow bell tips to give it a little snazz and keep the hot exhaust and stains off the bumper.

[Hurstolds1973]

I have been puzzled by the same question. I think I am goin with the local pipe shop 2.5 stainless with cross over & flowmaster mufflers. I was thinking about the flowmaster kit but afraid it may be a generic setup and I dont want to fuss with it at this time.. Joe

[77-442]

I saw a 74 Pontiac Lemans with the Flowmaster tailpipe kit for the earlier A body cars, and using the center outlet mufflers, it fit without any problems.

Jim

[texxas8902]

I had 2 1/2 tail pipes but they had to be custom made and exit in the non stock location behind the rear wheels. Not where I told the muffler man to put them. I'm picking the car up at closing time and he says to bring it back, he will fix it. So a couple of months go by and I take it back and leave it again. I pick it up, it exits like stock but doesn't have the 3/4 cut on the tips like a factory correct tail pipe. I TOLD him I wanted the 3/4 cut and he forgot. Muffler guy is pissed, I'm pissed. :mad: He says bring it back and he will fix it, of course it's closing time again. I get under the car a couple of days later and this m@#%erf^*%er had cut a big chunk out of the rear upper control arms to get the 2 1/2 pipes to fit. I was ready to head up to that muffler shop with a 12 gauge. My wrenchin' bud intercedes and takes the car back up to the guy. He says the 2 1/2 won't fit and exit in the factory location with out the control arms being cut, but don't worry, the arms are still plenty strong with the pieces cut off. He thinks it's fine, he's done working on my car. He is not fixing it again. Girlfriend at the time was a lawyer, she wrote some letters to the shop and the Texas State Attorney General. Got a couple of new upper control arms with new Energy suspension bushings and new 2 1/4 tail pipes... and that a-hole still didn't put the 3/4 cut on the 2 1/4 tips. If you live near me, I can tell you where NOT to go. The sad thing is besides the tips my system is a work of art. All exactly symetrical, urethane bushings mounting it all, perfect looking welds. I think I paid about $260 including the flowmasters.

[zodiacblue442]

I had my total dual exhaust system on my `73 442 done by a local exhaust shop... the best (and the most expensive :eek: ) in town. 2 1/4" custom bent pipes with H-pipe welded in, Dynomax Super Turbo mufflers (love the low mellow rumble) and Walker `73-`77 GM A-body pre-bent tail pipes. The pipes come straight out the back, and I put stainless steel angle cut tips on. Looks pretty sharp I think.

[73CS]

My buddy owns a muffler shop (cool for me) and I know he got my 2 1/4 pre-bent pipes that fit perfectly for under $25 his cost, from his supplier. Now I have a stock 350 for which the 2 1/4 is plenty big. For my application it was cheaper to purchase vs the labor time to bend larger pipe, and I was getting a good deal so I had, and still have no complaints. After a big block upgrade I plan to go larger. He says He does (bends) them in two pieces then welds them together. It ensures a fit with no interferences. He has put a lot of pipe under mid 70's heavy metal, so I will always go with a reputable muffler man vs store bought because I can stand under the car and point at the muffler shop. Plus if you get a good one you can tell them the sound you want the car to have and they can recommend the best system to achieve it.:D

[442MUCH]

I've got a 2-1/4" system. The 1970 W30 had 2" so I think I'm OK. Here are a few pictures of my system. I've got Walker Super Turbo and no "H" cross over. Of course, my exhaust was installed in 1993 so I may not have all the up to date stuff. I also had the tailpipes follow the body and I told the guy who installed the system that I didn't want chrome tips..."Just cut them off just beyond the bumper so it won't discolour the chrome. I'll start at the manifolds and work my way back. Excuse the condition underneath. I haven't cleaned it in a while.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2528.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2526.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2518.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2525.jpg

[442MUCH]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2520.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2523.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2510.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2512.jpg

[442MUCH]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2513.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v417/vttedrm/DSC_2515.jpg

[PSU442]

ken -- that it a tight exhaust system, looks great. and i like the angled tips. i wonder if it's possible to have angled down pipes with angled tips as well. does that make sense?

[ragz442]

Nice pics Ken, she still looks good and solid underneath. I know I've said this before, but I love that blue!

[W451973]

Now thats nice. Nice and tight, fits the body and no queerass tips.

[442MUCH]

Thanks guys. She works good for a 14 year old system. :)

[GT73]

Eventually I will install stainless steel pipes, 3" right through with stainless steel flowmaster 70's (made for big blocks) mufflers, my '73 does not require any catalytic converters.

Best to custom bend them to match your existing pipes rather than go with pre-bent pipes.

Also, its the best to have a cross pipe ('H' pipe, installed across the rear) to aid with back pressure for the ultimate set-up.

[Hurstolds1973]

My H/O is at the exhaust shop today. 2 1/2 pipes with flowmaster muffler . I'll post picks after I take it for a ride tonite.... Any one going to OC Maryland for the Hot Rod week in October? Joe

[Hurstolds1973]

Dangggg Flowmaster 40 series is louder then I thought at idle! Down the road sound sweet not to much noise. Maybe I just gotta get used to them??????? Joe