Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

Mid-America Chambered Exhaust

  • Thread starter Thread starter L82Shark75
  • Start date Start date
L

L82Shark75

Guest
Has anyone got the undercar chambered exhaust from Mid-America Designs installed in their Shark? Are you satisfied? Was it easy to install. I have Dynomax Ceramic Coated Headers I got from Diabolical Performance, and may have to weld. I don't weld though. Would it be possible to use a flaring tool and just some stainless steel clamps?
 
I installed the Walker kit from Mid-America this past spring. It was a fairly easy install though one of the manifold pipes needs to be bent a little but since you have headers this won't be a problem. The chambered section extends about 1 inch through the front of the crossmember so you'll need to connect with your headers from there, whether that's with a custom pipe or what. If I remember, I'll take a pic of the crossmember when I get home and post it for you. I've considered throwing headers on mine as well.
 
The chambered system that was on my car when I bought it looks like the MAD one in the catalog. It was REAL easy to get off, and putting the new 2-1/2" system w/ Dynomax super turbos was ok. The old one's hanging up in the barn.

I had to use a kid to "prop up" the pipes, but nothing major. Get another set of hands to help for the routing of the pipes, and get the car at least 20" or so off the floor. It saves a lot of cussin'.

I took the system off because it was TOO DAMN LOUD. I know I ****ed off a bunch of folks in saying that, but I'm coping with hearing loss as it is! Couldn't hear my favorite Jethro Tull cd's. Besides, the other 1/2 owner (wife) said "Out with it". The idle and lower rpm operation was ok, but if I got on it, the car just vibrated. It was big fun the first few months or so, but got old in the fall when the t-tops went on. For a 3 to 4 hour trip- forget it.

One odd isue was the resonance the chambers made on the back package area and the "astro" vent damper under the rear deck. I would actually have things on the floor of the package area vibrate. All from a weenie L-48 engine.

Noise levels are fine with the super turbos, and I still get the lumpy sound at idle. WOT noise isn't bad anymore, and I can fianlly hear the induction "moan"

Besides, the wife's happy. That's worth everything right there.
 
One thing I forgot- you have a catalytic converter on your car (should)- 75, right? 74 was the last year w/o.

Technically, the cat should go back on, but it depends on your locality. That complicates things, I think.
 
I want chambered exhaust...

...or at least I think I do.
I really don't want to be annoyed while driving, though! I don't usually 'get on it' much (L48, too) so I don't think that'd be much of an issue, however I do drive the 78 every day. I usually play the stereo loud enough to drown out my tune-less voice.

Eric, speak up about your chambered exhaust and please tell us (me) how it sounds and how you like it.
Heidi

Al, would you be willing to part with your chambered exhaust if it is still in useable condition? If so, I would be interested.
H
 
Follow the link Len posted above to see more discussion about chambered. I think it's no secret that I love mine and it, like Len's, has mellowed slightly since installation. One of the unexpected benefits which I didn't mention in the other thread is that you no longer have those mufflers hanging down on either side of the spare tire.

BTW, I forgot to take photos but I'll be in the garage all day today and will be sure to snap a couple.

As for the vibrations that smurf talks of, I have none of that whatsoever. I can't, however, attest to what it sounds like with the tops on since I don't have any;).

- Eric :w
 
Thanks 1970 Stingray!

I read the thread you brought up for me...it has lit my fire again!
Heidi
 
Re: Thanks 1970 Stingray!

78SilvAnniv said:
I read the thread you brought up for me...it has lit my fire again!
Heidi

Go Heidi! :upthumbs

-Eric:w
 
Yes, I would love to part with it. My wife would love it, too! It's hanging in the barn, dry and safe...

A couple of things regarding the noise level comments... remember I have a hearing loss issue!

1) The chambers are not shielded, like they are on a true side pipe set. They sit right under the car, kind of under where you sit. The chambers on a real side pipe setup are stuck on the side rail, outside of the body. The rail "decreases" the sound entering the car (vibration analysis). There is an aluminum cover over the real side pipe muffler, which does deflect the sound down and out from the car. So, all in all, the side pipe set would be loud, but not as loud to someone INSIDE the car. One thing I was going to research was to ask a muffler shop to create some upper shields for the chambers like on a cat. converter or exhaust to deflect noise down. For the cost and originality, I went to the dyno-max system which is noisy enough for us. Spent the whole afternoon cruising the Finger Lakes yesterday, and the noise level was just fine!

2) You said you "don't get on it". That's the best with this setup. I LOVED the sound of the pipes at idle and "reasonable" throttle, say to 1/2 to 2/3 throttle. WOT, ouch! My 11 year old son loved it, period. He was quite upset when we "took off the racecar exhaust". This kid also fell asleep at turn 1, Watkins Glen, two years in a row at the NASCAR race.

3) The set fits up very neatly under the car and is a professional fit and appearance. Yes, it does sneak right into the area by the spare, and is really not visible from the rear unless you get on the ground.

4) My "vibration" may be specific to my car. I still have a small amount of noise from the "astro ventilation" damper on the rear deck. However, it was more noticeable with the original side pipe system. WIth the dyno-max, it is only at idle.
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom