ADVICE ON EXHAUST SYSTEMS??

[Mr. Chevy]

Anyone have advice on what type of exhaust system to run on a stock L78 396 solid lifter cam, 11:01 compression motor in a 70 Nova SS with factory stock exhaust manifolds & smog system?? I am thinking of changing mine. Currently I have true dual exhaust running thru 2 1/2 diameter aluminized, mandrel bent pipes with mufflers similar to a Flowmaster but an off brand called Shuttleworths. I have the factory correct bends on the tailpipes exiting where they should behind the rear tires. I "jumped" on the car last night coming home from a cruise and discovered that my left side tailpipe about a foot from the outlet was getting weak in one area and "blew" out a hole about the size of a quarter, now creating a slight exhaust leak. My buddy has a 1968 Chevelle SS 396 car and the same thing just happened to him, how ironic!! My system has been on the car for about 7 years. I only drive the car on nice, dry summer days and go to and from cruise inns and local shows.

I have a friend that owns a Midas shop in my area. He suggested I keep the same set up I have now but replace the mufflers and tailpipes. He suggested I use Raven brand mufflers that Midas carries. He stated that they have excellent flow characteristics much better than a Flowmaster and have a very healthy, deep, loud rumble to them. I do want something I can hear the compression and cam through nicely. I have entertained the thought of putting a factory style Gardner Exhaust system on the car, but I am not sure. For performance and sound I would like to keep it the way it is with true duals thu 2 mufflers. I think the Gardner system may quiet the car up even from what it is now.. I know Gardner systems are very good however. Anyone have any suggestions on mufflers?? Has anyone had any experience with Raven mufflers?? Any opinions on Flowmaster, Dynomax or any other nice sounding performance mufflers?? I have went to the different websites for Flowmaster, Dynomax and Gardner and listened to the "test sound clips." I do not like the old glass pack sounding mufflers.. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated... Thanks Rich