New Pipes

Put "Mabel" into an exhaust shop yesterday afternoon. At one point there was a full dual exhaust on that car, but it had seen better days. The passenger side was missing everything from a point upstream of the muffler, and what was left of the tube had been crushed mostly closed. The crossover tube was still there, a.k.a equalizer tube or "Y-tube" as they were calling it in the shop. So called (I think) because it attaches to a Y who's other ends are the coupling to the exhaust manifold, and the downstream exhaust tube. So it's right there.

As a result, a lot of exhaust from the passenger side manifold was being pushed back upstream, through the crossover tube, and out the driver side. But there was still plenty coming out the holes on that side. Not to mention that the crossover itself was almost completely rusted away at one point. Driver's side was in better shape. The muffler and tubing was mostly there, minus any tip on the end. There were some dings dents and holes, not to mention missing brackets, but at least it was there!

The shop we used was Beyond Repair in Everett. These guys are close to my house so we could drive her right there. If you're wondering why we decided to get new pipes put in so early in the process, our trip from home to the shop provides the best explanation I can give. I was upstairs when dad started her up (in the garage, which is downstairs.) She was so loud the whole house was literally rumbling, and the oak floor in my bedroom was vibrating my feet like a massage chair. When I got downstairs dad had already pulled out, but the cloud of smoke *in* the garage (thanks to the nonexistent tailpipes) was thick like fog. Rolling down the street not only are we getting a nice blue deaths-head of smoke out the back, but it comes out all four wheel wells too. Hilarious and awesome in it's own way, but not practical.

Beyond Repair turned out to be a great shop, and they do more than just exhaust. We'll probably be back in there now and again for work, or just to get advice. They were enthusiastic about working on this car, and they did great work. In and out, in a couple hours, and for a great price. Our thought going in was to put a pair of Flowmaster 50 series in there, or something similar, but the owner at BR happened to have a pair of old school Smitty glass-packs that were $80 a piece to the Flowmaster ~$130. I'm no expert, but a couple of the car guys coming through that shop were drawn to those Smitty mufflers sitting out like magnets. And when it was all said and done, the sounds was that nice mellow rumble we were looking for, so the risk ended up being worth it.

All new tubing, brackets etc., and a pair of chrome tips, courtesy of the shop, because all this car needs is more chrome. XD I've got pictures of the car up on the racks going in, but forgot the camera on the trip to pick her up. I'll try to grab a couple from underneath some time soon & get the whole set posted.