66 sidepipe conversion
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66 sidepipe conversion
I was wondering if converting my '66 roadster to sidepipes involves anything special in terms of cutting off the rocker moulding mounting tabs. I planned on swithcing mine over, but noticed a guy on E-bay selling the mounting tabs that he cut off when converting to sidepipes. Is this necessary? I don't want to cut anything off the car.
Thanks,
Allen
Thanks,
Allen
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: newton IA
you have to cut the tabs off to put side pipes on. The cut is made behind the molding so it isnt visible with the molding on. Keep them and they can be reinstalled if you ever change your mind. You will also have to cut or bend back the metal tabs that the rocker molding attach to. The factory cut them but I have heard of people bending them back so that they can be pulled into place if needed again. You can find a diagram in the AIM that showes where to cut the tabs. good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Central Arkansas
I had another 66 Coupe years ago that was converted to side pipes and they just bent the tabs out of the way so the side pipes would install. Didn't seem to be any issues with this while I owned it. These were factory GM sidepipes however. Not sure if a lot of the aftermarket, larger diameter ones would clear as well. I would try this before cutting them off as it leaves you a slightly easier option of converting back one day. And if they are a problem, then you can cut them off later. Unless you pull the body you can't cut the whole tab off as they run up and across the top of the body channel.
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Thanks guys for your responses, if I do have to cut, I will save the pieces, but may try bending first, I am going to take the body off, so maybe I can remove them without cutting. So if a car came from the factory with sidepipes, it didn't have the rocker moulding tabs at all?
Last edited by jmurrayent; Jan 24, 2006 at 08:16 PM.
Race Director
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From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
Originally Posted by jmurrayent
Thanks guys for your responses, if I do have to cut, I will save the pieces, but may try bending first, I am going to take the body off, so maybe I can remove them without cutting. So if a car came from the factory with sidepipes, it didn't have the rocker moulding tabs at all?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
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From: Buffalo New York
Allen,
I converted my 66 to side pipes two years ago and I love it. There is however one other slight modification that you will have to make. The leading edge of your existing rocker moulding attaches to a small area at the base of your fender just in front of your doors. The side pipe will be coming out from that area and this part of the lower fender will have to be cut because it will be showing now without your old rocker moulding installed. It's an easy cut with a hacksaw blade and is out of sight after it is cut off. One other issue I had was on the passenger side pipe. My old engine with under car exhaust did not have a heat riser on the passenger side exhaust manifold. I installed Allen aftermarket pipes and the pipe would not line up right without the heat riser or one of those heat riser spacers in place. I also got a new rear valence and replaced the old one with the cutouts for the old exhaust tips. Since that time I have swapped that motor for a zz383 and we made a custom stainless exhaust from the headers to the Allen pipes. Enjoy those pipes they are awesome.
I converted my 66 to side pipes two years ago and I love it. There is however one other slight modification that you will have to make. The leading edge of your existing rocker moulding attaches to a small area at the base of your fender just in front of your doors. The side pipe will be coming out from that area and this part of the lower fender will have to be cut because it will be showing now without your old rocker moulding installed. It's an easy cut with a hacksaw blade and is out of sight after it is cut off. One other issue I had was on the passenger side pipe. My old engine with under car exhaust did not have a heat riser on the passenger side exhaust manifold. I installed Allen aftermarket pipes and the pipe would not line up right without the heat riser or one of those heat riser spacers in place. I also got a new rear valence and replaced the old one with the cutouts for the old exhaust tips. Since that time I have swapped that motor for a zz383 and we made a custom stainless exhaust from the headers to the Allen pipes. Enjoy those pipes they are awesome.
Last edited by Dennis Beck; Jan 24, 2006 at 09:53 PM.
