its finally time to put a true exhaust system on our 56 sunliner.  Found a guy locally who does really great custom work - done cars for sema, magazine cars, etc., and has a great reputation locally.  But I have a few questions, and since I wasnt around "back in the day", he was asking me questions I cant answer, since im not too familiar with the terms... can you all offer any insight?

Engine is a 292 with blue thunder intake, holley 390 carb, ford-o, and a mild to moderate cam from mummert... i can get the exact specs if needed, but i dont think it matters?  Car currently just has downpipes into smittys that dump in front of the rear axle...  questions:

Im assuming (per other thread) that 2" is sufficient?

Guy recommended aluminzed vs. stainless due to cost vs. benefit for how we use the car... He uses 14ga aluminized, which i guess is thicker than most....he claims that it should last probably 8-10 years with the fair weather driving we do... thoughts?

He asked if I wanted it to "rap' or "pop"?  I dont know the difference.... can anyone describe it to me?

I think that im going to use Brockman Mellow-tones instead of smittys as most people say they have a "fuller' sound, and are a little smoother.  Thoughts or experiences?  I know some people use resonators instead of packs, or flowmasters, etc, but im looking for more of a traditional sound....

Can anyone describe the difference between steel packs and glass packs?  I want something that sounds "healthy" and makes a bit of noise, but isnt deafening... we frequently strap my 2 year old son in the back (car seat, of course), and now it is too loud/droning....

What impact does length have on sound, etc?  Any length recommendations?  Brockmans have body length options of 9.5", 17", and 22".  Im assuming that the body length is whats important, not overall length?  Any idea the max dim that would fit in the stock location on a 56 sunliner?

Anything else I should be aware of or consider?  Any nd all help is really appreciated; I just done have enough experience in this stuff to know the differences.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL