I am installing a set of ceramic tri-y headers on my '66 convertible (289, C4). It came stock with a single exhaust so I am doing the brake line and flex hose replacement as well for the dual exhaust. My question is whether to order the bolt together exhaust out of a catalog like Virginia Classic Mustangs or C.J.'s Pony Parts or take it to a exhaust shop and have them fab up a dual exhaust. Anyone out there have any opinion or experience either way?

 

Catalog exhaust is generally more expensive but better built e.g. welds and overall quality. You can also pick lots of stuff like ceramic coated whereas most custom shops( atleast in my area) only offer standard steel and sometimes stainless. Custom would be a little cheaper, generally, but wont last as long.

 

I went to a local exhaust shop and he did a work of art. I also have a convertible and it made it more difficult to get a kit due to the extra bracing. He told me what mufflers to buy and I called summit and then brought them in to him. He did a h pipe and I can't explain how beautiful a job he did. I asked around and got multiple referrals and then spoke to each, at their shop, so I could see his work. I was looking for an experienced muffler man that worked on mostly hotrods and streetrods. I am very particuliar the way I want things done and he exceeded my expectations. Everytime someone looks under my car they ask me about it and who did it. I don't know if you would get that with a kit. I paid him $300 and I supplied the mufflers. I know I could have gotten it cheaper somewhere else but wouldn't have been as good of a job. Go custom and you will get what you pay for.

 

+1 custom
I agree you need to shop around and find someone who has done or has passion for vintage stangs.
Mine cost $500Aus ( say $390 US) for twin 2.5", mufflers, h-pipe and stainless tips exiting the rear valence. Sounds great, looks great and his weldingwas very neat. I also have referred him several customers after people have seen it and heard it.

 

depends on who does it i seen some places that use really cheap exhaust hangers and they rusted out fast

 

Mine i think was single and is now dual the problem is the rear axle vent used to hit the exhaust busting it as my shock were crap and the springs are old.

 

Just to let you know if you go down the catalog path, I bought my magnaflow dual xpipe 2.5 inch exhaust, usually $600-$650 depending where you look from http://www.performancepeddler.com/for $350 with shipping. When you check out put in the code EBAYROCKS for a big discount, I don't know if the code is still valid, I ordered a couple weeks ago.

 

I don't enjoy frustrating experiences, so I had a muffler shop (Midas) fab my dual exhaust system. I also bought their Ravin mufflers, and for ten years now I have enjoyed a great sound and the system has not rusted at all. I suppose a bolt together system is OK, but I find that a welded together system has no margin of error.

 

Thanks for the advice. I called a custom exhast shop here that stocks Flowmasters, Magnaflows, DynoMax etc. and the fabricator there said it would be $450 absolute max with Flowmasters and aluminized 2 1/2 exhaust. Magnaflows would be cheaper. Considering the bolt together ones in a catalog cost around $250 plus $65 for the hangers, I would rather pay someone the extra $100 for a good, welded together exhaust and save myself the headache of bolted together exhaust plumbing that might leak. So that is the way I will go. More money into the mustang!!!