Side Pipe Installation
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Southern Illinois
Side Pipe Installation
I have read posts stating that some people have been able to bend the non-sidepipe car rocker molding brackets back, up, and out of the way for clearance while others have had to cut them completely off. Does this have to do with how the side pipes are made or is the clearance due to how the pipes are mounted? Can the brackets be bent back against the frame rails or do they have to be bent up? Any experiences you can share is appreciated.
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I cut mine about 36 years ago. If my memory serves me well, they are simply in the way/space that the pipes need to occupy. Maybe you can bend them, personally I don't know. 
Dennis
Dennis
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From: San Clemente CA
Check this thread, it might help.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...on-on-aos.html
You can either bend back or remove the current rocker panel brackets and then cut off the dog ear on the front fender. Do you have an assemby manual? The precise measurements for that removal I think is there.
Don
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...on-on-aos.html
You can either bend back or remove the current rocker panel brackets and then cut off the dog ear on the front fender. Do you have an assemby manual? The precise measurements for that removal I think is there.
Don
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From: Grosse Ile MI
You can bend them back against the frame and you'll have enough room to mount the sidepipes, however you might have some new rattles and vibrations to deal with due to the pipes contacting the rocker molding mounting brackets.
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Now we know what can be done. You could wrap each one with just enough "exhaust header heat wrap" and that should cure the rattle/vibrations issue. Dennis
Dennis
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I once had a 66 Coupe with sidepipes and the hangers bent out of the way. I think that would be preferrable in the event someone ever wants to convert it back to stock. I'm not certain you could get any of the newer, larger-diameter, aftermarket side pipes to fit by doing that however. You may have to stick with something close to the original GM sidepipe dimension. If your going for 3 inch dia sidepipes you will probably have to cut the hangars off.
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From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
I once had a 66 Coupe with sidepipes and the hangers bent out of the way. I think that would be preferrable in the event someone ever wants to convert it back to stock. I'm not certain you could get any of the newer, larger-diameter, aftermarket side pipes to fit by doing that however. You may have to stick with something close to the original GM sidepipe dimension. If your going for 3 inch dia sidepipes you will probably have to cut the hangars off.
My 1967 has the hangers bent out of the way. No problems with clearance with the factory pipes. Been that way since the 1970's.Now if you are getting your car judged..........
Larry
