Side exhaust conversion kits?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 100
From: Phoenix AZ
Side exhaust conversion kits?
Quick question about converting a 65-67 Corvette from straight thru exhaust to factory side exhaust. I see that Ecklers and Corvette Central have "complete" kits that have all the parts required to do the side exhaust conversion. Is one company better that that other..or are they pretty much the same? Any other companies out there? Which kit would be better: the aluminized or the stainless? Thanks in advance!!
Last edited by Dicecal; Oct 21, 2006 at 07:49 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
I used the kit from Ecklers to convert my 66 from under car to a pipe car. I used the stainless products. The pipes turned out to be Allens pipes in my kit. Everything was included and fit properly. Check first if everything is available. I have heard the covers are in short supply recently. Don't forget the rear valence will have to be changed. Also if your radio does not work now don't bother fixing it. 
They are loud but they are great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dennis
They are loud but they are great!!!!!!!!!!!!Dennis
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 100
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Dennis Beck
I used the kit from Ecklers to convert my 66 from under car to a pipe car. I used the stainless products. The pipes turned out to be Allens pipes in my kit. Everything was included and fit properly. Check first if everything is available. I have heard the covers are in short supply recently. Don't forget the rear valence will have to be changed. Also if your radio does not work now don't bother fixing it. They are loud but they are great!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dennis
They are loud but they are great!!!!!!!!!!!!Dennis
Last edited by Dicecal; Oct 21, 2006 at 08:10 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 60
From: Buffalo New York
The pipes are bent nicely and fit is good. I used the 2.5" pipes. The argument over (or lack of it) regarding any HP gains has been discussed at end here. Check the archives. Bottom line seems that side exhaust does not gain you anything in the HP category but more gains in the 
category. I first had my pipes installed on to my tired 327 NOM. I then swapped for a zz383 from GM Performance. I added Patriot block hugger headers so my connection to the original Allens pipes could not be made. I went to a guy who does custom exhaust and he cut the pipes, bent and added new stainless pipe to fabricate my sidepipes to the Patriot headers. Good luck with the conversion if you decide to go for it. I love mine and would have it no other way. Here are some pics of the fabrication.
category. I first had my pipes installed on to my tired 327 NOM. I then swapped for a zz383 from GM Performance. I added Patriot block hugger headers so my connection to the original Allens pipes could not be made. I went to a guy who does custom exhaust and he cut the pipes, bent and added new stainless pipe to fabricate my sidepipes to the Patriot headers. Good luck with the conversion if you decide to go for it. I love mine and would have it no other way. Here are some pics of the fabrication.
Last edited by Dennis Beck; Oct 21, 2006 at 08:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 100
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by Dennis Beck
The pipes are bent nicely and fit is good. I used the 2.5" pipes. The argument over (or lack of it) regarding any HP gains has been discussed at end here. Check the archives. Bottom line seems that side exhaust does not gain you anything in the HP category but more gains in the category. I first had my pipes installed on to my tired 327 NOM. I then swapped for a zz383 from GM Performance. I added Patriot block hugger headers so my connection to the original Allens pipes could not be made. I went to a guy who does custom exhaust and he cut the pipes, bent and added new stainless pipe to fabricate my sidepipes to the Patriot headers. Good luck with the conversion if you decide to go for it. I love mine and would have it no other way. Here are some pics of the fabrication.
category. I first had my pipes installed on to my tired 327 NOM. I then swapped for a zz383 from GM Performance. I added Patriot block hugger headers so my connection to the original Allens pipes could not be made. I went to a guy who does custom exhaust and he cut the pipes, bent and added new stainless pipe to fabricate my sidepipes to the Patriot headers. Good luck with the conversion if you decide to go for it. I love mine and would have it no other way. Here are some pics of the fabrication.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 38
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Just completed my installation last night on my 66 L79 roadster - waiting for the paint on my rear exhaust panel to complete.
I used the Ecklers setup (the pipes actually came with Corvette Central stickers) - ordered last March and the side covers just came in a few weeks ago - one has a mark all the way down and since they are in such short supply I went ahead and used for now - Ecklers is going to exchange when the covers are in better supply. The fit and finish was good, but like all installations anymore, the covers/mouldings/fastners are a real pain to get correct and look good - we took alot of time fitting as needed - came out super and is very correct!
I can tell you one thing, this is the way a mid-year should sound!
I fired her up last night around 9:45pm and took a short drive - what a change! I forgot what sidepipes really sound like inside the car as it has been many years since I have had a midyear with side exhaust. The heck with the radio! My C6 daily driver radio is there when I need it, but not when I drive the 66!
I have a complete undercar system with very few miles since the car received a body off - also a OEM rear exhaust panel - red that I may sell - if there is interest, let me know, otherwise I will put in storage for another project.
I used the Ecklers setup (the pipes actually came with Corvette Central stickers) - ordered last March and the side covers just came in a few weeks ago - one has a mark all the way down and since they are in such short supply I went ahead and used for now - Ecklers is going to exchange when the covers are in better supply. The fit and finish was good, but like all installations anymore, the covers/mouldings/fastners are a real pain to get correct and look good - we took alot of time fitting as needed - came out super and is very correct!
I can tell you one thing, this is the way a mid-year should sound!
I fired her up last night around 9:45pm and took a short drive - what a change! I forgot what sidepipes really sound like inside the car as it has been many years since I have had a midyear with side exhaust. The heck with the radio! My C6 daily driver radio is there when I need it, but not when I drive the 66! I have a complete undercar system with very few miles since the car received a body off - also a OEM rear exhaust panel - red that I may sell - if there is interest, let me know, otherwise I will put in storage for another project.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
Originally Posted by Rons65
Just completed my installation last night on my 66 L79 roadster - waiting for the paint on my rear exhaust panel to complete.
I used the Ecklers setup (the pipes actually came with Corvette Central stickers) - ordered last March and the side covers just came in a few weeks ago - one has a mark all the way down and since they are in such short supply I went ahead and used for now - Ecklers is going to exchange when the covers are in better supply. The fit and finish was good, but like all installations anymore, the covers/mouldings/fastners are a real pain to get correct and look good - we took alot of time fitting as needed - came out super and is very correct!
I can tell you one thing, this is the way a mid-year should sound! I fired her up last night around 9:45pm and took a short drive - what a change! I forgot what sidepipes really sound like inside the car as it has been many years since I have had a midyear with side exhaust. The heck with the radio! My C6 daily driver radio is there when I need it, but not when I drive the 66!
I used the Ecklers setup (the pipes actually came with Corvette Central stickers) - ordered last March and the side covers just came in a few weeks ago - one has a mark all the way down and since they are in such short supply I went ahead and used for now - Ecklers is going to exchange when the covers are in better supply. The fit and finish was good, but like all installations anymore, the covers/mouldings/fastners are a real pain to get correct and look good - we took alot of time fitting as needed - came out super and is very correct!
I can tell you one thing, this is the way a mid-year should sound!
I fired her up last night around 9:45pm and took a short drive - what a change! I forgot what sidepipes really sound like inside the car as it has been many years since I have had a midyear with side exhaust. The heck with the radio! My C6 daily driver radio is there when I need it, but not when I drive the 66! 
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Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 2
From: East Fremantle Western Australia
Originally Posted by Dicecal
Quick question about converting a 65-67 Corvette from straight thru exhaust to factory side exhaust. I see that Ecklers and Corvette Central have "complete" kits that have all the parts required to do the side exhaust conversion. Is one company better that that other..or are they pretty much the same? Any other companies out there? Which kit would be better: the aluminized or the stainless? Thanks in advance!!
There's a guy in my club with GM OEM in his 66/427 and they soun "dull" compared to mine....Regards, Gary (Perth, Australia)
