Is my only option Midas, Mieneke, Muffler shops to get a custom bent pipe?

Valiant needs a Manifold back to muffler pipe. No Auto store lists such a pipe anymore.

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1970 Valiant.. my sons Daily Driver
1975 CJ5, fiberglass body,350/345Hp chevy
1985 chevy stepside pickup, Original Owner
1989 Volvo 240: Original Owner
OTHER TOYS: http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm

Well, sure, if you want sloppily-bent, low-quality pipes and mufflers for too high of a price, you can go to a place like that. You'll get much better quality work and much higher quality parts if you find a reputable local independent custom exhaust shop instead.
Right, they've been N/A for a long time. Custom-bent is the way to go. It's better anyhow; it means you can upgrade to a larger (2") pipe.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Accurate Exhaust has what you need:

www.accurateltd.com

That's what I ordered.

--Walt Jackson

i second that, accurateltd.com . fits perfect. ron

Look at waldron exhaust dot com...they list entire exhaust systems for alot of our cars....I've ordered from there for my Valiant and was very satisfied....nico

Thanks for the link.

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1966 Dart GT
1965 Barracuda

Dan, what percentage of Midas and Meineke shops have you visited in North America for service? What was the vehicle that you used to evaluate the shops that you visited? You did visit and evaluate a large percentage of shops (at least 50%) to come to the conclusions you state? When was this study done? Your statements ARE based on a scientific study, right?

Just because someone works for a large nationwide chain, does that automatically mean they have no skills and only do crappy work? Just because someone could open their own shop, does that automatically grant them skills to only do excellent work?

I am an ex exhaust shop technician. Yep, I have worked for independent shops as well as both of those big yellow M's. No, I did not check my skills at the door when Midas hired me, in fact when I was there we did quite a bit of custom work for everything from hot rods to exotics, with many happy customers.

Tony, the best thing you can do is to interview the tech before you hand over your keys. Ask about their experience doing custom work. Most (not all) techs are "car guys" too, and will happily talk to you about your car and other cars they have done, some even keep pictures of what they have done. I would prefer a local shop (either independent or large chain) as they are right there if there is a problem.



TopHat

Enough never to do it again. I also don't need to buy "remanufactured" parts or Fram oil filters or Chinese toasters in every state and province to know it's a bad idea.
Heh, funny man. I'm sorry you took offence at my post. My advice was based on the nature of the corporate chains themselves, not at any particular people — some of whom are quite skilled — who might work at any particular shop.
Nope. But the employees at the large chains have to operate in accord with the policies of the large chains, and the large chains trade on speed and (advertised) price rather than quality of parts. Which is fine for the very large percentage of car owners who don't know or care anything more than "the car needs exhaust work" and just want it done as quickly and inexpensively as possible.

It's kinda like Burger King: there's nothing to stop an aspiring chef taking a job at Burger King 'cause he needs to pay his bills, but no matter how amazing his mad skillz are in his own kitchen, no matter how capable she might be of making you an exquisite, perfect braised pork loin sandwhich on chiabatta…they're working at Burger King and they are confined to offering you what's on the menu.
Nope. Read what I actually wrote.
So then you know all about the "quality" of Midas' own-brand mufflers, then.
Very good advice.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

also as someone with some training in data collection, you dont need a 50% sample for a study
i am happy with the work done at a independent shop back in illinois, never went to any of those other places...he bent mine to the specs of the stock one and it hits the torsion bar on occaison (just a slight rattle at wot sometimes) because i put in a bigger pipe, live and learn, next time ill have them run it as straight as possible.

Not really a good analogy. Most Midas and Meineke shops are a franchise, yes they have to honor the national advertisements, but that is usually where the "menu" ends. I can call many suppilers and parts stores for "non menu" items my customers may desire, BK is not really allowed to run to Food Lion to fill a custom order.

I recently had occasion to purchase a stick of 2" exhaust pipe for a project I am working on. I called NAPA and they sent me a 12' stick with a Walker sticker on it. That pipe was half as thick as some leftover pipe I had from Meineke, and rusted much much faster. I wound up going down the street and talking the Meineke in to selling me a stick of their pipe, much nicer thicker and aluminum coated, for less money. Yep most of the 1 year mufflers from the M's are crap, it is a 1 year muffler. The "lifetime" mufflers they sell are a decent stock replacement muffler. The nice thing is almost any shop will let you bring your own muffler, or tip, or whatever, try bringing your own ground beef to BK. Half of the shops I worked in even stocked stainless pipe, for those who desired such things.

Remember Dan, just as you keep food in your fridge by being closely involved with traffic safety research, I keep food in my fridge by actually servicing the under hood and under car needs of the general public.


TopHat

I too am reluctant to go to these shops as Dan is. The quality of pipes they use, usually stinks. Yes, they guarantee the Mufflers but the Pipes fail before the Mufflers so you pay again. Then they torch off the clamps and charge you for new ones. so I do not have a love for these places. That is why I was looking for an alternative. I do my own exhaust work on my other cars because I can buy the pipes. I will check the Sites provided .

_________________
1970 Valiant.. my sons Daily Driver
1975 CJ5, fiberglass body,350/345Hp chevy
1985 chevy stepside pickup, Original Owner
1989 Volvo 240: Original Owner
OTHER TOYS: http://home.no.net/ebrox/Tony's%20cars.htm