Side Pipe Installation Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
Side Pipe Installation Question
I just ordered a complete side exhaust kit from Paragon and was told that the bottom of the front quarter panel behind the front wheel well had to be cut to allow the pipe to exit from under the car. Can anyone confirm that this has to be done and if so, how much has to be cut (and how best to make the cut)? Instructions are coming with the kit but I would like to know in advance to let my heart begin to recover from having to make this ‘point of no return’ modification.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 437
Likes: 104
From: Birmingham AL
AL Events Coordinator
Thank you for the reference page. I didn't exactly understand it from the one picture but fortunately I ordered an assembly manual at the same time. Short version is that the body has to be cut.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
But, the page from the assembly manual made it clear that the body was supposed to be cut from the factory.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 7,117
Likes: 51
From: Dove Mountain Arizona
On mine I only had to cut the front tab. For some reason the pipe exited fine at the rear. It's an easy job. Use a hacksaw, save the tabs. You will most likely have to cut all the old metal tabs off also. Some have bent them to the frame but that did not work for me. 
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I installed sidepipes on my '65 in about '73. Funny, there were no AIM's that I knew about. No cars running around with factory sidepipes on them so I had to wing it. I cut all the rocker brackets off. Only the back half of the front tab. I do not recall cutting the rear at all. I saved every piece in a bag for possible re-install. There are no rear rocker pieces in the bag.
You didn't ask but when I put them on, nobody around had them. Now, many/most mid-years have them at considerable cost. If I could do it over, I'd leave the underneath pipes on it. Noise has nothing to do with that decision.
The cars may look meaner to with the "kick stands" but they look cleaner without them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 6,808
Likes: 24
From: Westport CT
the rocker brackets - tabs on my 65 AOS side-piped car are all bent out of the way, removal was not necessary and they can be bent back if the decision is made (by some future owner) to return to the lame-*** undercar exhaust.
[note - this post has been intentionally enhanced to get a rise out of the sidepipe haters out there]
[note - this post has been intentionally enhanced to get a rise out of the sidepipe haters out there]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I am certainly not a sidepipe hater. Just don't like to look like everyone else. I could probably sell my used sidepipes and covers today for more than I gave for the whole car in 1971.
Originally Posted by ctjackster;[SIZE="1"
[note - this post has been intentionally enhanced to get a rise out of the sidepipe haters out there][/SIZE]
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