56 Cad exhaust systems

[CCH #24961]

Has anyone purchased an exhaust system from Classic Exhaust in Geneva, OH.  Are they good systems, are they quality products?

CCH #24961

[P W Allen CLC# 20193]

Chris, They are very good as far as I'm concerned. I had a long tail of woe a few years back with a certain veder from Florida that I won't bother to repeat now. The 53's with the Dynaflow (Twin Turbine) have special exhaust pipes coming off the manifolds. I called Classic Exhaust about this and they were very familiar with the the special pipe bends. They supplied me with a set that fit like a glove. I got the aluminized pipes and was very happy with the quality. I would buy from them again without hesitation.

Paul

[Walter Youshock]

I, too, dealt with the Floridians.  After $300 of custom bending on their $1,000 dual stainless setup for my '57, it is correct now.  My local shop made LOTS of $$$ from their and their customer's "mistakes".  A soon as I took the car in, they knew exactly who supplied the pipes.

Perhaps they were fed to the alligators.  I know they were reported to both Hemmings and ebay.

If I had it to do over again, I'd use Classic Exhaust.  I have yet to hear a bad comment about them.

[Doug Houston]

I'll add my cheer for Classic Exhaust. The guy in Florida never seemed to get a system right, and when it didn't fit, it was YOUR fault. I have three of his systems n my cars, and none of them went right on without problems. The rear (transverse) muffler on my 38-60s has the mounting brackets in the wrong place. Not bad products, if only they'd fit.

I'm going to order a stainless system form my '56 convertible some time soon. Those cars (This is my second one) go through exhaust systems like a hot knife through butter.

Back in the 50's and 60's, the first '56 needed a new system every year. You could mark the calendar for when you'd need a new system.

[Otto Skorzeny]

 Hi Chris,

I haven't used Classic but instead used a company called King and Queen Muffler. I don't know if they are still in business but their system went in flawlessly as if it were made by the factory. I'll see if I can find their contact information.

I kid you not. I had never installed an exhaust system in my life and their custom made pipes were perfect and I had it completely installed in just a couple of hours.

I ordered the aluminized system. It was $303 including shipping. It's been installed for 7 1/2 years without any problems, leaks or rattles.

If you're trying to choose between aluminized and stainless, I'd recommend the Aluminized. That's a whole different discussion but suffice to say it's less expensive and just as durable as the SS for the kind of use you'll be putting it to.

Obviously you're not going to be driving around in the snow, salt and ice so no need to spend the extra money on the SS.



Here's the contact information i have for them:

King & Queen Mufflers
PO Box 423
Plumsteadville, PA 18949

215-766-8699 ph
315-766-4982 f

[Roger Zimmermann]

Obviously you're not going to be driving around in the snow, salt and ice so no need to spend the extra money on the SS.

Exhaust systems are not rusting from outside but from inside because of the aggressive by-products of combustion.

Roger

[Otto Skorzeny]

That doesn't fit with my experience. I had a Dodge Dakota for 15 years and 231,000 miles and never had to replace a single component except for the catalytic converter.

In fact, I've never had to replace mufflers or pipes on any vehicle I've ever owned except the '56  Cadillac. That was a rusted mess when I got it in 2001.

When I lived in Cleveland ,Ohio as a kid, my parents had to replace their mufflers and pipes every two years due to the rust from winter driving. Since we moved to Atlanta in 1980,  they haven't had to put an exhaust system on any vehicle they've owned. One was a 1980 Toyota pickup that they had for 23 years.

The systems are not rusting from the inside out.

[jaxops]

I used the Florida guy in question and found out that the mufflers were missing a few chambers (meaning that they were made cheaply). The pipes seemed fine and have held up well, but the car sounded like "PT-109."  Everyone thought I had a "glass-pack"in there!   I had to buy 2 local mufflers and have them installed by a local shop.  The noise was definitely reduced but the car still runs on the loud side.

[CCH #24961]

Guys,

Thanks for the info, I pulled the trigger on Classic Exhaust this morning.  I had a long talk with the owner Scott, he is even going to meet me half way and personally deliver the system to me.  Price: $300 plus $30 for the hangers, etc. this is an aluminized system no resonators.

Forrest, you never have exhaust problems becuase doesn't your significant other own a muffler shop?

Chris

[Otto Skorzeny]

That's true but I still haven't had to replace anything due to rust. I love living in the south. It's 70* today!

Their shop actually does more brake repairs than muffler work. The largest portion of their muffler work is putting those stupid noise maker mufflers on punks' Hondas and Toyotas.

$330 is a pretty good price I think.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I used the Florida guy in question and found out that the mufflers were missing a few chambers (meaning that they were made cheaply). The pipes seemed fine and have held up well, but the car sounded like "PT-109."  Everyone thought I had a "glass-pack"in there!   I had to buy 2 local mufflers and have them installed by a local shop.  The noise was definitely reduced but the car still runs on the loud side.

I bought a stainless system from the "Florida Guy" some years back.  The mufflers are most
certainly missing proper baffels internally because my '55 Caddy sounded like a hot rod when they
were installed.  The fit was not very good either.  Since I paid over $1,000, I called and complained
and was told that "after you run it for awhile they will carbon up and be quiet".  What a load
of mis-information.  (I would use another expression but this a "family forum").

I really don't know how he stays in business.

Classic Exhaust is a good outfit -- good product at a fair price.

Mike