1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

[Frederick H.]

For 1963 March build 340hp:
After reviewing numerous threads on mufflers (and blackout), I was unable to find where it mentions any visual or performance differences in the N11 off-road mufflers vs standard (other than the audible differences). My passenger side muffler has a small hole in the usual place from not driving the car regularly enough to heat up to normal operating temp and would like to fix before Otcober judging. The exhaust system has light surface rust but good otherwise.

Options?;

1) Patch hole with JB Weld and hope for the best?
2) Order new mufflers from ? Gardner, Corvette Central... (I tried Allen's but phone number in previous thread no longer works).

Quanta no longer has the asphalt-based blackout material so will use chassis paint in generous doses from Eastwood unless there are other recommendations.

Thanks in Advance.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

N11 is listed for 1963 in the NCRS Spec. Guide, but ZERO installs! When I ordered my 340 HP SWC in early February there was NO exhaust option available, but had there been any kind of performance exhaust option available I would have ordered it for sure. I did initially order KO wheels, but when the dealer called back and said they were not released and there was no estimated release date I instructed them to delete RPO P-48 and resubmit the order. My SWC was built in mid-March, sequence number just short of 11,000.

...bottom line is that the rear exhaust pipe/muffler assembly in '63 was the same for all 360. 340, and 300 HP (w/MT) engines. N-11 may have been planned for '63, but was never released. My thought it that development of the muffler was so late that the option was cancelled for '63 because it was known that the joint polarity for '64 was reversed, so there was no point building only a few sets for the remainder of the '63 model year.

With just a small hole in what is apparently the original right hand rear exhaust pipe/muffler assembly I would not recommend you replace it. As to whether you should attempt to "hide" it with epoxy and/or blackout I'll leave that recommendation who has experience judging Mech II. If you do nothing I doubt if it's worth more than a point or two ding.

Duke

[Mike M.]

Re: 1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

if carlton the "peckerhead" was still the 63-4 team leader, id suggest smearing a little doggie poo over the hole. the sight of feces always elicited the GAG reflex from peckerhead, in which case he'd ignore the poo patch. seriously, I'd leave well enough alone. mike

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

Ha, that's exactly what I was thinking Mike (except not being quite as harsh with the poo patch - wait, maybe my son's dog left something in the back yard ). I will take Duke's and your suggestions, add the blackout, and leave as is. Gonna get dinged for the non-welded pipe/muffler connection anyway.

Thanks.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

If your muffler is clamped to the pipe rather than welded, then it's a replacement muffler. That's how both GM and the aftermarket did standard exhaust muffler replacements. My original RH muffler rotted out in 1968 at about 50K miles. I had a buddy who worked in a muffler shop so we installed dual glass packs. They sounded great and even better by the mid seventies with about 100K miles when the interiors had mostly rotted out. After I got a ticket for "excess noise" I replaced the glass packs with clamp-on Walker OE replacements.

I did consider the off-road system since it was supplied as the pipe/muffler welded assembly - exactly as installed at the plant. I didn't even know about the reversed polarity back then, but I discovered they wouldn't fit my SWC since it has the deep wells under the seat and needs the '63 specific rear pipes with the jogs to clear the deep wells. The list price was $97 per side, and I got a trade discount from a local dealer.

I should have bought GM's entire inventory of those off-road assemblies instead of GM stock!

Duke

[Frederick H.]

Re: 1963 Performance and Visual Differences N11 Mufflers vs Standard

Ha - I think we all have that regret of not buying up the original OEM stuff when it was available. I will probably look at Corvette Central or Gardner to get the pipe/muffler assembly after judging in October. My car is also a March build 340HP with the wells under the seats.

Thanks,
Fred