Putting exhaust on the 55 chevy and had some questions and want opinions?

[55gasserkid]

Well transmissions and diff are in the car! Now I am on to exhaust.

I picked up some flowmaster 40s and now I am deciding on where to exit my exhaust. The rear is a good option. But I have been there before. I was thinking about just infront of the rear tire and I wanted some feedback from you guys before I make my decission. I guess the only real concerns are exhaust fumes and exhaust gasses on the rear aluminum wheels? Opinions and ideas welcome.
Jay

[Ricks Garage]

Your car would look good with 3" stainless (flattened slightly) coming out at an angle and pointing to the rear tires.

[Bigchuck]

Dump it just behind the wheels, barley protruding down below the 1/4.

[55gasserkid]

Originally Posted by Bigchuck

Dump it just behind the wheels, barley protruding down below the 1/4.

Didn't think about this one! Hmmmm? Got a pic? or any pics of exhaust possibilities?
J

[Black_Sheep]

I have Flowmaster 40's on my '69 440 GTX and they are are LOUD even with full exhaust out the back. Dumping the exhaust in front of the rear wheels will make it even louder. If you like setting off car alarms and rattling windows as you drive by, go for it...

[55gasserkid]

Originally Posted by Black_Sheep

I have Flowmaster 40's on my '69 440 GTX and they are are LOUD even with full exhaust out the back. Dumping the exhaust in front of the rear wheels will make it even louder. If you like setting off car alarms and rattling windows as you drive by, go for it...

lololololol

[squirrel]

If I were doing mine over again, I'd run the exhaust out the sides at the very back. Now they go under the gas tank and straight out, not too far apart from each other.

[rayd]

Had exhaust dump in front of rear tire on a 56 two door sedan. Was a little louder - that was ok. But, windows down at a stop and the breeze in the wrong direction and exhaust would come in - just enough to be irritating.

[outlaw256]

ive built 5 55s and i always either run them straight out the back or turned them out right behind the r. wheel.but i liked the straight out the rear best. looked more traditional lol.

[55gasserkid]

Originally Posted by squirrel

If I were doing mine over again, I'd run the exhaust out the sides at the very back. Now they go under the gas tank and straight out, not too far apart from each other.

Jim do you mean behind the rear tires at the side?
J

[tommy]

A lot depends on the style of your car. I have Flow master clones on my old one. I run mine to the bumper but I kick them out to the corners of the bumper and turn down. You have to look to see them.

My tastes have changed over the years. We always had to have chrome "pencil tips" out under the bumper back in the day. Now I'm inclined to hide the exhaust by keeping it up high and turning it down with only the very end of the pipe showing from behind. If you have a cam in it it really looks cool to my eye to watch the exhaust pulses puffing out towards the ground. JMO

I don't care for exhaust in front of the wheels. It was a cheap way out and took no talent to run it this way. I always think he ran out of money and did it that way to save money. I think that's why it is popular... it's cheap I like to listen to my pipes....I don't like being drowned out by them.

I'll always remember when I took it to my first cruise nite. Somebody asked is that a 6 cyl? So I reached in the window and started it up. One of the guys said "whoa!! that ain't no 6 cyl" That gave me a grin.

[squirrel]

Originally Posted by 55gasserkid

Jim do you mean behind the rear tires at the side?
J

yeah, behind the rear tires, and right below the back of the bumper. But pointing out sideways, instead of straight back.

[Torkwrench]

Here are a couple pics of my 55. The rear wheels do collect a little bit of exhaust soot, but not enough for me to worry about. There has been no problem with exhaust entering the car at all, no matter the conditions.

Originally the tailpipes went straight out the back, and soot would literally cover the entire rear end of the car. This would extend from the top of the rear fenders/trunk lid to the bottom of the rear bumper, and from the centerline of each taillight, from side to side. All it would take to cover the back of the car was about a 15 minuite drive.

In addition, with the shorter tailpipes, it weighs slightly less , so it goes faster. You know what they say....Ounces add up to pounds, and less pounds add up to quicker E.T.'s.

[Sumfuncomet]

I think behind the rear tire is fine, I used two mufflers and two resonators from spintech, 3" duals with crossover pipe, 700 horse blown motor, wasn't unbearable at all. I have had turndowns before in front of rear axle...awful, drumming under car, blows dust and dirt everywhere. I think you have a good plan.

[55gasserkid]

Thanks for the ideas and pic fellas. Still undecided. Better sleep on it!
J

[todztoyz]

Behind the axle, not before. You gotta have alot of motor to make side exit not sound like bubbly. Out the back gets all your cylinders singing together. Don,t turn down too much as you'll look like Pigpen.(dust cloud) I like em just barely visible without the flashy tips. jmo

[yruhot]

I've had several systems on my 56 and started straight out the back, and then did up an old school trailer to tow behind the 56. Left a lot of condensate crap all over the front of the little camper trailer. So I went back and came off the headers with two 50 series flowmaster. 21/2 pipe and I was told three chamber mufflers. Nice rumble with out all the noise, then an X pipe, I was a little sceptical but it seem to help my low end torque some. Spun tires farther.lol. then they exited right behind the rear tires pointing almost straight down but not quite. Kinda angles rearward. Really looks and sounds sweet. Can't see them from the sides. OK my two cents worth.YRUHOT...............Doug

[5Wcoupe]

I did this set-up on my '57.
Has these alternate dumps just behind X.
Could use for cut-outs or just leave plugged but very nice fit all around.
Made by PYPES

[rat nasty]

5Wcoupe looks good and i know they sound good! I've installed prolly 5 "X" pipe systems 2.5"-3.5" summit sells and they fit/sound great! the pypes stuff is good quality stuff too

[55gasserkid]

Thanks for all the ideas and support so far. Pics have been really good too. Does anyone have a pic with the exhaust coming out behind the rear wheels? Just asking because it seems that there really isn't a lot of room back there with the leaf springs and all.
J

[61falcon]

had flowmaster 40's dump right before the rear axle on my Falcon for a couple of years. It got anoying on long drives plus the fumes made my clothes stink. i added tailpipes and am much happier now.

[hotroddon]

Mine were just in front of the rear wheels too


And I did this one that way too - but with a 638" motor we went 4" and notched the body so they wouldn't be too low

[55gasserkid]

Well for now I went out the side just infront of the rear tires. Looks pretty good and sounds good too. Went for a ride and really only noticed once the exhaust smell when the wind was blowing forward at a stop light but it really wasn't that noticeable. so for now that is the set up. Thanks for the ideas! J