LET IT BREATHE!

Project X’s new ZZ632 big-block needed to breathe, and this do-ityourself stainless exhaust kit was just the ticket to make it happen.

- STEVEN RUPP

Finding an off-the-shelf exhaust system for your current hot rod project can be, well, problematic. The issue is that your new exhaust system must deal with a lot of variables, from engine location to header choice, and to make it more challenging, it has to wind its way around a lot of parts such as the rear suspension. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a bolt-on kit perfect for your application, but chances are you won't.

That leaves two choices: Open your wallet wide and have a custom system built, or grab a universal exhaust kit from Summit Racing, break out your tools, fire up your welder, and make a semi-custom system of your own.

Our problem was nobody makes a kit for our recent ZZ632 big-block swap into our 1957 Chevy called Project X. The biggest issue we had was the over-the-frame headers that were going to require some serious work to route and get back to a pair of mufflers. The ZZ632 moves a lot of air, so we wanted to run 3.5-inch pipes, and the perfect builder's kit turned out to be Summit's Universal Rod Builder Exhaust Kit (PN SUM-670243) made from 409 stainless steel.