Anyone still have the original resonators on their '77Z28? Probably not. If so, take a picture and post it please.

Given I'm a 'stickler' for details, I've always noticed how at the factory, GM installed the resonators on the '77 - '81 Z28's at an angle, somewhat following the conture of the floor boards right above them.

They probably did this to gain the most ground clearance as these cars sit rather low.

Here's a pic of how I installed some Thrush mini-turbos on my car which I found to be the closest thing out there in size and sound to the orginal resonators these cars came with. The other picture is that of an unrestored low mileage '79Z28 (California car) that I had a picture of. Factory exhaust intack, you can see the angle of the resonators.

That's good info.I never knew any of the second gens came with 2 mufflers from the factory,i always thought they only came with the crossflow type mufflers,learn something new everyday.

Still need the pic ?

Still need the pic ?

Been awhile, but yes, I still need a picture if you have one - thanks.

Hope this will be of help. The photo is of the original exhaust on my '78 Z28.

Hope this will be of help. The photo is of the original exhaust on my '78 Z28.
why are they so low? is the front just hanging?

I think it's because I took the pic with my car parked in my gravel driveway where it slopes downward toward the front of the car and toward the right and possibly an optical illusion just due to the angle I took the picture at. They aren't actually as low as they appear in the pic. I do have to be careful going over speedbumps though.

Been awhile, but thank you for the picture. I positioned the new mufflers I installed on my Z the same way as the originals were positioned. Slightly turned upward on the inner side of the resonators. I assumed they did this to maximize ground clearance.

Seems minor to most I'm sure, but you don't usually see people position the mufflers correctly in the way I described when replacing them on their '77 - '81 Z's. GM positioned the resonators the same way on the '78 - '81 trans ams. The '77 trans am still had the old style cross-flow single muffler placed horizontally behind the differential.


Hope this will be of help. The photo is of the original exhaust on my '78 Z28.

I have a '79 10th Anniversary Trans Am. When it came time to replace the mufflers, I wanted to position them exactly as the factory had done (tilted, as you described). I distinctly remember this as I worked for a large Pontiac dealership during the Summer of '78.

The installer tried his best to talk me into placing them horizontally. He did finally agree to install them correctly, but couldn't understand why I wanted them back as original.

They are exactly as they should be now.

Post a pic if you have one Lee, i'll do the same.

How I installed my new mufflers, angled, as they came from the factory this way.

How I installed my new mufflers, angled, as they came from the factory this way.
Adam,
Great job!
I didn't notice this before. About a year or two ago I restored the exhaust on my 79 Z28. The resonators had rusted out and the "Y" between the cat and them had pin holes.
The Walker resonators are close in size, so I save my original tail pipes and had them welded on. They don't have the correct "Y" for a 79, which has a flange at the cat Vs a ball fit, so I cut off the ball and had the original flange welded on. Then I cut off the tabs on the "Y" that locate the mufflers on the pipe to get "that angle" for the resonators.
I then cut the slots on the front inlet of the resonators to line them up.
I cleaned abnd repainted the original clamps.
After enerything was welded like from the factory, I had to lower the rear axle to get the muffler/ tailpipes in place.
It came out great.
If I knew how to post, I have 9 before and after pictures.

Adam,
Great job!
If I knew how to post, I have 9 before and after pictures.
See if this works;
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration2_zpsfc32fbfa.jpg
http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration3_zps7990124c.jpg
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration4_zpsbce45497.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration5_zps005f2d33.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration6_zps29c46a2c.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration8_zps36b9455d.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration1_zpsbb93d4f5.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6
http://s795.beta.photobucket.com/user/glava2876/media/Camaro%20Z28/100_01122.jpg.html?sort=3&o=16

I'll get them to post up so you dont have to click the links above. Easier to look at.

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration2_zpsfc32fbfa.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration4_zpsbce45497.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration3_zps7990124c.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration5_zps005f2d33.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration6_zps29c46a2c.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration8_zps36b9455d.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/Z28exhaustrestoration1_zpsbb93d4f5.jpg

http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy234/glava2876/Camaro%20Z28/100_01122.jpg

Jonesy, Thanks!

Nice work and nice '79 Z Jonesy. Maybe a small detail to some, but I think these Z28's look the best with their factory exhaust setups vs. some of the aftermarket stuff out there that many people go with.

I noticed you have the correct semi-flat black finish on the tail pipe tips. Bravo! another correct detail. The assembly manuals state that approximately 16 inches of the tailpipe end should be painted semi-flat black.

Nice work and nice '79 Z Jonesy. Maybe a small detail to some, but I think these Z28's look the best with their factory exhaust setups vs. some of the aftermarket stuff out there that many people go with.

I noticed you have the correct semi-flat black finish on the tail pipe tips. Bravo! another correct detail. The assembly manuals state that approximately 16 inches of the tailpipe end should be painted semi-flat black.
That is actually my exhaust that Jonesy made easier to view. You are correct about the semi black paint -those are the original tail pipes which were separared from the original resolators and welded to the new ones. So the finish, including drips, is the way that it was done at the factory.:bowtie:

Nice job on the exhaust. I too, like the original exhaust set up, at least from the resonators back. I regret tossing my tailpipes from the resonators back when I had the resonators repaced. They rusted from the inside out. I tried to get the shop to end the pipes like they were from the factory. Although the intentions were there, the end result was not exactly what I wanted. Getting back to those original resonators, I loved the sound. How does the resonators from Walker compare? Also, I agree that the pipes were painted black at the end. However, upon delivery of my Z in '79, I do not recall that detail. Could the undercoating applied by the delear hide it?

Yes, that is Glens exhaust, I was just trying to help. I do have the original exhaust on my 79 Z/28 also. I can take pics of it if you like.

Nice job on the exhaust. I too, like the original exhaust set up, at least from the resonators back. I regret tossing my tailpipes from the resonators back when I had the resonators repaced. They rusted from the inside out. I tried to get the shop to end the pipes like they were from the factory. Although the intentions were there, the end result was not exactly what I wanted. Getting back to those original resonators, I loved the sound. How does the resonators from Walker compare? Also, I agree that the pipes were painted black at the end. However, upon delivery of my Z in '79, I do not recall that detail. Could the undercoating applied by the delear hide it?
That's way my resonators rusted ...from inside out. I was mad because they looked great up to the point that I started seeing the holes.
The Walker resonators IMO sound exactly like the originals. Not sure about the undercoating, but the paint is pretty darn thick and seems to have stayed on pretty good for 34 years and 30k miles.
One thing that maybe could have resulted in some painting differences is which factory they were built? Mine was a Norwwood build?

seems there would be more ground clearance with them mounted level

seems there would be more ground clearance with them mounted level
You are correct, but they are positioned to be sort of parallel to the floor pan/ drains to keep them from hitting?
I wondered why they didn't just go with some sort of transverse resonator since that space is avialbale as on the earlier models.
But, for what ever reason, GM wanted them at that angle and they have a slot on the ride of the resonator inlet that lines up with a tab welded on the side of the "Y" pipe between the cat and the resonators -so to be "factory" it has to have that strange angle.

Interesting info about the tab on the resonator having to line up with one on the Y pipe. Didn't know that existed. I thought GM just positioned the resonators at an angle to follow the conture of the floor board which allowed for better clearence. At least on the inner portion of the resonator.

All pictures of original exhausts are welcome. I too kick myself for simply tossing out my original tailpipes when they required replacing. The muffler shop tried to replicate the original angle cut tip, but it's not exact.

I don't think anyone is truly reproducing these tailpipes (I mean exact to the originals). 2.5" diameter that reduced to a 2.25" dia. where it attached to the resonators, and of course the unique 'long-angled' cut tip.

I have checked with Waldron Exhaust who assured me they would recreate the tailpipes to factory specs., but I have my doubts. they also mentioned that the tailpipes can only be recreated in a two piece design.

Who knows, maybe theres still some NOS ones out there somewhere.......