M.A.D. Chambered Exhaust

[gary b.]

Got my m.a.d. magazine in hand, & i'm ready to order a
chambered system for my "78" bone stock motor. auto. trans.
First i need some answers, please.
1- Do i just need the order number for my year vette,or do i need
anything else to get the correct system?
2- Magazine says "for off road racing use only" what doe's this mean? I know the cat. converter will be no more, but where i live,
there's no emmision's checks, so no problem.
3- Doe's the system bolt right up, or is there any mod's to make?
4- Will this system make the motor run cooler or hotter?
5- I remember Heidi saying she lost some low end power with her
system, can this be corrected?
6- Would anyone recomend "thermoglass exhaust wrap"?

Sorry for so many questions, but, i know there's alot of knowlege
here at c.a.c. to steer me right!

Thanks for all your advise & help! Gary.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

MAD ordering

I think all you will need is the correct order number. State exhaust manifolds or headers.
Off Road Racing Only covers their butt.
System should bolt right up, with maybe a few slight tweaks, specific to your vette, to get it to fit nicely.
I did not notice any difference in running temperature, but I've only had the system on since November, not through a summer season yet.
Low end torque loss, can be gained back with tuning...I just have to stop driving the 78 long enough for Kenny to be able to do it.
Never tried exhaust wrap...it may help to prevent heat radiating up into the interior through the floor.
Heidi

Others please jump in with more detailed advice!

 

[Tom73]

Gary,
I would give Mid-America a call and ask them the questions. They should be able to answer all the fit questions.

tom...

 

[MaineShark]

I can't comment on the chambered exhaust, but I ordered an exhaust system from MAD, and it arrived 4 days later. Not bad turnaround. It's going on the car Friday, if the weather is decent

Joe

 

[sscam69]

Dont do the wrap thing. Its a reall PITA if ANY kind of fluid falls on it. Pretty much takes a while to burn off. Speaking from experience. Also promotes corrosion when wet.

If you decide to get headers save yourself the trouble and get them already coated.

Frank

 

[gary b.]

Thanks alot everyone, for your input. It doe's help!

Heidi, what kind of tuning is Kenny planning on doing to restore
the low end power loss?

Thank's, gary.

 

[gary b.]

F.Y.I.

In case anyone is interested, i just got a reply from
Jody Kalber , from Mid America. The chambered exhaust IS a
direct bolt on!
The system comes with everything except, the original
mounting brackets.
Could i use the ones that i take off the stock system?
Thanks, Gary.

 

[Shawn's 78]

Gary,
I too will be ordering the MA Chambered system for my 78 next week. They (and Heidi's comments) were very helpfull in making my decision. And for the price (on sale for $250), the complete set up can not be beat.
Let me know what other brackets you needed to purchase in addtion to what you may have on your car (for installation).
Shawn
PS - I also decide to install an "H" pipe set up to help with the low-end torque. Jegs has them for $37 (pipe and clamps). I might expect a small amount of pipe cutting (nothing that a good hacksaw can't fix) in order to fit with the new system. That will also cut out some of the "poping" sound with the straight pipes.

 

[77vette]

A word of caution to anyone planning on doing this where they still have state inspections even though Emissions inspections are no longer required. I live in Va. where they still require state emmissions, but no emmissions inspection on cars 25 years or older. I had true duals installed (no cats) on my '77 vette and took it in for my annual state inspection. The inspector went nuts on me for altering the exhaust which is a federal offense and would not pass it until I converted back to stock exhaust with cats. I hope no one else goes through this, but I should have checked before hand. Oh well, live and learn.:duh

 

[Bob Chadwick]

This is a much discussed topic. The Imperial Federal Government sets the law and delegates the enforcement to the states to do so as they see fit.

Even though an inspection is not required, the feds require that all emission equipment be maintained on the car. Failure to do so can subject you to a fine.

 

[mvftw]

I'm in the same boat as 77Vette, I'm in NY and still have emissions. I also need a new exhaust and would love to have a true dual with xover pipe. But that's Not going to happen, so I'm debating on a stock (2-y-pipes) or duals with 2 cats:crazy

 

[MaineShark]

Unfortunately, "dual with two cats" is not any more legal that "dual with no cats." Any modification to the existing emissions equipment is prohibited.

But, enforcement is generally far more expensive than the fine can hope to recover, so it is rare for the Feds to take an interest. That leaves you at the state level, where they can refuse to give you an inspection sticker, if you do not have your original equipment. Around here, they don't really police it that heavily, so I don't worry about it.

Joe

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I'm in the same boat as 77Vette, I'm in NY and still have emissions. I also need a new exhaust and would love to have a true dual with xover pipe. But that's Not going to happen, so I'm debating on a stock (2-y-pipes) or duals with 2 cats:crazy

I'm in the same boat. I put duals with dual cats.

 

[born2saw]

I need to do something with my exhaust this spring & am having trouble deciding. I have several options: keep it original, keep it nearly original & go with y pipe to high flow cat to y pipe (anyone know how well this works?), true duals with dual cats, or true duals without cats. There is no inspection of any kind in Indiana so I'm not too worried about getting fined, but I like to feel I am environmentally responsible. I want more of a rumble & would not be upset with a small boost in performance. I do not think my car is ready for chambered exhausts.

All comments are welcome.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I have been very happy with 2 1/4 inch pipes, dual cats and Delta 50 Flowmasters.

http://home.attbi.com/~jchadwick/exhaust.htm

 

[mmvette80]

I from NY and have no emissions on my car at all. They were gone before I purchased it. Get this, before NY changed the emission test to where they have a camera and stiffer fines for the shop, my car used to pass. It still will pass but no one is willing to overlook the cats because of the fines they could recieve. This is priceless, it will pass but it wont. So close yet so far away.

 

[mvftw]

bobchad, do you notice any hp gain with your setup. That is what i want to do, if it's worth it. Otherwise it's 2-y-pipes

 

[Bob Chadwick]

Nothing on the bottom end, perhaps a little on the top but then I don't run it there. Others will disagree claiming a noticeable improvement.

If I were worried about the smog Nazis I would go with bigger pipe, the y's, a single cat and the Flowmaster Delta 50's.

You will find that the current cats are much more free flowing and will likely make an improvement over stock. I would do the research and perhaps spend a little more to make sure you get the most free flowing cat you can find.

Bob

 

[77vette]

As I mentioned before, because of the smog patrol here in Va., I had to revert back to stock with some minor tweaks. My new exhaust system came from Corvette Central which is 2 1/2 in. Y to Y , with hideaway mufflers (all aluminized) and the High Performance catalytic converter. I am pleased with the sound and the performance.

 

[mvftw]

77Vette, what was the minor tweaks? I'm planning on getting the same setup also from CC...