Robin, my own personal pref is to buy OEM spec/configuration pipes/mufflers and then get them assembled and clamped together, complete with OEM spec hangers and such. Basically, what someone with some hand tools and the vehicle on a lift could accomplish in an afternoon without having to go to a muffler shop for anything. Might even need a tubing cutter or hacksaw to get the rear "over the axle" pipe cut up, but they should come out in one piece if the vehicle is on a lift of some kind.
I haven't looked lately, but it might be possible to get some of the pipes from Walker or similar via NAPAa (from what I've seen, unless they've changed vendors, the NAPA number is a Walker number, just a differently-colored tag). Walker was/is an OEM supplier so that kind of stuff would be preferable as it will fit "right". In the back of the catalog, there is a pictoral list of the hangers too. I think all of that could be on their website, or at least a parts lookup section.
I also understand that the some of the "bend to spec" repro suppliers might use different gauge pipes, so shopping around and checking with other members can be an asset. These vendors might also have a choice of tubing stock too, from normal to stainless, with appropriate pricing differences.
One other source might be checking around with some of the older -- and privately owned -- auto supplies in your area that might have carried OEM replacement pipes in the past. This is something you'd need to do in person and NOT over the phone as you'll want them to get out the old catalog and look up the numbers to see if they might have any left. You might be surprised with what you might find too! Unfortunately, Imperial stuff might be harder to find than other brands, but NORS items such as that would be neat to find. Pricing? Might all depend on how well you "get on" with the owner.
One day, before heading to the Arlington Swap Meet, I stopped at a local auto supply like that and scored a muffler and tail pipe for a '70s car I have plus two NORS Street Hemi mufflers. Pricing was very good too! You might be able to do some of the "culling" from the Yellow Pages listings over the phone, but showing up in person usually works best.
There are still some of these older auto supplies in Fort Worth, Dallas, probably Denton, Decatur, and other outlying small towns. Happy hunting!
With regard to muffler shop systems, the quality of what you get can be "all over the board". Many want to use what they have instead of what you might want, even if you make it plain what you want beforehand. Everything will be welded together and might not be bent as the stock pipes were (possible clearance issues). Plus, if something goes wrong or hits, you HAVE to go back to them. Mufflers will be generic and not OEM spec too. Some are better than others, but I still like the systems that I can fix myself that are clamped together (with high quality clamps--there's quality issues there too!) and are OEM configured. Some people really don't care about what's underneath as long as it's legal and reasonably quiet, but others want to see factory configurations under there too. Just depends on what you're looking for. It's out there somewhere, but it might take a little more effort to find the OEM factory configured items.
Back to the Home of the Forward Look Network