Pypes system and Hotchkis rear sway bar on First gen firebird (i'm sorry)

[68byrd]

First off I'm sorry about this thread. I know there are proably some other threads about this. I've searched for a while and I can't find any. Mabe you guys can give me some forum search tips also. Anyways, I have a '68 Firebird with a Hotckis TVS kit installed. The tail pipes interfere with the rear sway bar. I would like to install a mandrel bent 2.5" system from Pypes on the car and was wondering if anyone has seen if the kit will clear the Hotckis rear sway bar. I know that alot of you guys don't like the rear sway bar. I've read the arguments for and against. I would like to install the bar and see how it drives myself before discarding it. The car has the stock 8.2" rear axle. Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated. Both with the exhaust and seaching forums. Thanks again.

[silver69camaro]

Well, if yours does not fit, it probably wont fit on others either. If the bar is just for testing purposes, put turndowns on the mufflers for now until you make up your mind about the swaybar. If you decide to keep the bar, you'll have to modify those tailpipes or buy a different set.

[Chevy]

Sorry Byrd folks prolly can't comment not because they don't want to help but because so few run a rear sway bar in first gen f-bodies. Have you checked with Hotchkiss to see if there is an exhaust system they can recommend that will work with the TVS? If you do and they can give you some options, it would be great to post here for others, and if you have a few choices others here can chime in on pros/cons, their experiences, etc.

Good Luck,
Paul

[Hotchkis]

Hi,

We do a lot of R&D at out install center with different exhaust systems, but unfortunately we have not tested a Pypes system with one of our complete TVS kits yet. We know it does work with Flowmaster and most other complete systems, but the Magnaflow does not fit with the rear bar. We went on the Pypes website and looked at some pictures of an installed system on a 1st gen Firebird, and it looks like it would be very tight if it did fit.

There are lots of opinions floating around about rear bars, but it sounds like you have the right idea. For most street driven 1st gen F-bodies on high performance rubber, the rear bar creates a more responsive driving experience. Definitely try it first. As for the exhaust, please let us know what you find.

[68byrd]

Thanks for replying guys.

Hotchkis,
The system that is on the car right now has Flowmaster mufflers with a center inlet and an off-set outlet to the outside of the car. Do you know what muffler configurations are used on the systems that fit? I will look myself also. Thanks for responding.

[CarlC]

With mine and the Hotchkis bar fitted, an offset in/center out muffler with Flowmaster tailpipes fits fine.

[68byrd]

CarlC
Thanks for responding. Do you have a pre-made system? If so, which one? Thanks again.

P.S. I looked at your website. I love seeing guys modifying and making their own systems work. Your car looks great.

[9t8z28]

Can anyone post a picture of what this kit looks like installed on an first gen?

[68byrd]

There are some pics of a 69' Camaro with a 2.5" Pypes system installed on this thread in the exhaust section.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37138&highlight=pypes

[9t8z28]

There are some pics of a 69' Camaro with a 2.5" Pypes system installed on this thread in the exhaust section.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37138&highlight=pypes
Sorry, I should have been more specific.

I meant to ask, does anyone have any pics of the Hotchkis sway bar installed on a first gen?

[CarlC]

I never could get pre-made systems to fit properly, so custom it is.

However, there is only one place to put dual mufflers on a 1st gen. This limits where the rear/exit of the muffler will be located. For the Flowmaster pipes to fit right they need to be on a center-outlet muffler. If you have a side outlet you may need to have a muffler shop bend the pipe to fit.

I have pics from an earlier Camaro Performers where John and the boys at Hotchkis mounted the bar in the Camaro. I'll dig it up but it won't be for a few days, and it may not have the Flowmaster pipes. There was a transition period where the car had hand-bent tailpipes.