i have a 77 el camino and i want to throw on true dual exhaust. i was looking under the car and couldnt see how i could install them. any of you know a way?

Click on Forums at the top of the page, scan down to Drivetrain & Performance, click on Performance Modifications and scan to read those dealing with your question. :)

Any muffler shop can do it if the transmission cross member has the "hump" on each side for the exhaust pipes. I've been told that some cross members don't have the "hump" on each side for duals. If you don't have both "humps", it's boneyard or aftermarket time because you won't have any ground clearance if you try to go under a straight cross member.

1973 thru 1977 were the same basic bodystyle with cosmetic differences. I could be mistaken, but I believe 74 was the first year for the Catalytic Converter as mandatory (maybe someone has a parts or options list book to check). If this is the case, 73 was the last year that true dual exhausts were available as a factory option. If you are ordering the parts - order the duals for a 73 and they will bolt in place with little or no modifications.

As Bgstk stated you will have to check for the double hump in the transmission crossmember. If it does not have the double, you will have to find a 73 donor car in a bone yard. Regal, Cutlass, and Monte Carlo should all be the same. I believe Thm 350 and Thm 400 crossmembers were also the same (again - check the parts books for verification).

I am going on memory here of my 73 Malibu - but that was many years ago . . . . . it's gettin' a little fuzzy . . . . .

'74 did not have a cat.

Jegs listed the Flowmaster set up I put on the 76 I have and the 80 I have, for a 1972 Elky / Chevelle. They fit.

Some 74s had a cat. I know. 75 or 76 became mandatory.

Hello all,
I recently had a local (east of Oklahoma City) muffler shop install dual exhaust under my '77 with the single hump transmission cross member. He just routed the driver side exhaust (I used the stock exhaust manifolds) around the stock location under the oil pan to bring it back under the passenger side under the single hump. Then he just brought the pipe back a little and angled it back to the driver side so he could run a turbo muffler on it and exit it out the back. I seem to have good clearance underneath but I may be cursing it if I have to remove the drive shaft! He ran 2 1/4" aluminized pipe with turbo mufflers and it has a nice deep tone without being obnoxious (I'm getting too old for loud noise :-P )
I hope that helps!

you could always just notch out your old crossmember, take a torch cut out a section where the DS pipe needs to go the take some metal and box in the cut you made. Here's couple sites i found describing what i'm talking about.

modifying crossmember 1 (http://www.darklair.com/monte/howto/howto.cmember.html)

modifying crossmember 2 (http://www.angelfire.com/80s/monte/transmis.htm)

Hello all,
I recently had a local (east of Oklahoma City) muffler shop install dual exhaust under my '77 with the single hump transmission cross member. He just routed the driver side exhaust (I used the stock exhaust manifolds) around the stock location under the oil pan to bring it back under the passenger side under the single hump.

Mine was like this when I first got it (76 Elky). I didn't like the exhaust going around the front of the oil pan. To me, it seemd like it would create a lot of heat and the oil would brak down quicker and run hotter than it probably should. Its just my way of looking at it. I didn't actually have any real problems with it that I remember. It just looked wrong to me.

I think GM did this with some cars and most of the 90 degree 6 bangers they put in cars now days.

Mine was like this when I first got it (76 Elky). I didn't like the exhaust going around the front of the oil pan. To me, it seemd like it would create a lot of heat and the oil would brak down quicker and run hotter than it probably should.
That's a good point. I would have preferred going straight back from the exhaust manifold but was too afraid to mess with the tranny cross member. Since the General ran it that way stock, I just figured it should be OK. I hope it's not cooking the oil too much!

If you're putting the duals on just for looks or sound, then the "wrap around" method will work. If it's for better performance, breathing, low end, etc., then it seems to me that you're wasting your money with the "wrap around" method. You're creating a lot of exhaust restrictions on the drivers side cylinders as opposed to the passenger side. It will afftect the way the pipes scavenge the exhaust, thereby affecting how efficiently the motor runs. Where will you put the H pipe? But, if it's just for looks or sound, why not have him split the system behind the transmission into two mufflers or even split the exhaust pipe after the muffler so that you have dual outlets? Either way, I would either get the right crossmember from the boneyard or cut the "hump" as mentioned above because it will be a much cleaner installation.

if you go to www.geocities.com you'll find the correct crossmember (dual hump) for your el comino for about $219. so you can run 2 seperate duals the right way.

Just one last note. My truck sits at factory height. I installed the Flowmaster system in it with no modification to the factory crossmember. I've gone over some pretty good sized speed bumps and lots of dips and have never dragged that side or any side for that matter. True duals with single hump crossmsmber.

Also the 73 Elkys all have the dual hump crossmsmbers. If you have a junk yard locally see if they have a 73 Elky. Steal the crossmember from it if you'd like.

Thanks, again a novice and I did not know that about the 73's. my pick your part had 1 83 in it last week end. I'll have to call around.

if you get the dual hump crossmember jegs sells a 2 1/2 dual kit for 170 bucks that is custom manderal bent includes all hardware and fits extremly well. I love mine

Hey Mike,
Thanks for the info. I went throught my Jeggs book but could not find the tranny mount for the dual exhaust. What area was it in or did you see it on line and where did you find it. I want one. for my 85. Thanks jon :)

the jegs rep had the part number for me when i ordered my exaust kit

just out in the junk yard and saw a dual hump crossmember their # is 208-524-4452

Mik, Thanks I called the junk yard in Idaho and they don't have any elky's. What car did u c it on, that way he can find it fo me and give me a price and ship it to me. Thanks again for the post and how's the weather up there. It's cold here...about 60 degrees. Jon

its on a cream colored chevelle think its a 75 its the only 73-77 the got lying around if you have any probs I CAN GET THE CAR # ON MON OR TUES WHEN I GO IN TO TOWN GOOD LUCK.

Thanks I'll call them and c what's up for the price and also call jeggs to c the differance.
How's your car coming along? Jon

:D just picked up a 73 ss shell pretty complete for 150 bucks probably 90% by july but a project is never realy trully done

My wife tells me when I finishe this elky I'll have to buy another since this is my hobby and I'll have nothing to do. Except honey-do-lits around the house.
That'a why I'm taking my time why my baby. :thumbsup:

sounds like you have a understanding wife just make sure you keepthose recipts come tax time