When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Well, mine doesn't have an objectionable noise level, drone or whatever you want to call it. That's because of the factory, GM pipes and the fact that I have an engine with a standard camshaft. It's my understanding all the aftermarket pipes are noisier. I don't know. Don't have them but I've heard some that are very loud.. At steady cruise, without accelerating, it's pretty quiet even with the window down. Now, if you goose it...............................
Which of your cars has them? The bigger the engine the louder they are.
My BB had them when I first knew of the car back in about 1976 but they were not installed at the factory but pretty sure they were ALL original replacement GM pipes back then. I usually drive 85 0n the freeway here but anything over about 55 they were obnoxious.
This is true. I mentioned that in my post. I have a base engine. A SHP engine (same size) will make more noise because of the valve timing.
My L79 has old factory pipes and actually seems quieter at 65+ at a steady speed w/ no top (conv). My ears ringing when I got back from extended trips led me to the plugs...
I still enjoy full throttle runs through the gears around town & hasn't been enough to make me change them. Is definitely louder with the HT on.
I say if you want them, then go for it. I think they look and sound great. I like how they bring down the side of the car, making it look lower. And...… how many cars actually came from the factory side exhaust????
Drive your dream, no matter what everyone else says.....
If no, why not make the car become what you really wish it was from the factory? It can always be put back to its factory spec. It's not like you are going to throw out the perfect under car exhaust, rear panel, and sill plates.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Yup, nothing like sitting in traffic breathing in the fumes as they woft up at idle. Your clothes reak, your woman will hate you, but that's ok because you won't be able to talk to her while driving anyway!
Had them for years on my 66, went with full length headers and 2.5 inch pipes out the back with turbo mufflers. Way more power and a great sound.....just not in my ears......"say what?"
It sounds like there are many things at play when it comes to how the sidepipes sound on our cars - specific engine, type of sidepipe, etc. I bet a lot of it also has to do with a specific person's hearing sensitivity. We've taken our car on numerous long trips and the noise has never bothered us. My car sounds like a NASCAR at startup and with revs, but out on the open road while running at any speed less than 85, it's very tolerable even enjoyable. That said, I grew up riding 2 stroke dirt bikes, shooting almost daily and driving turbo-charged John Deere tractors with straight pipes...so I've always gravitated to noisy habits! Hearing loss (and sensitivity brought on by that) might play into how the tone sounds to everyone a little bit differently. Fortunately my hearing loss is still fairly minimal!
Yep I agree with the others...talk to someone who has had them on their car for a while for long trips etc. My friend put the "extra loud" ones on his 64 and regrets it for the noise in the cabin- impossible to talk to a passenger.
A good set of coated headers with 3 - 3.5 inch pipes tucked under the stock covers is a great way to go. Yes, they will fit. Not only will it look great, it will perform way better than the overly restrictive stock GM side pipes.
As far a noise goes, there are some aftermarket pipes that are silly loud and others that are civil. Just depends on what you like. Go look at Classic Chambered Exhaust.
In my opinion, if you have lived with a car with side pipes and you drove it regularly you would not then go through the effort to add them to a car that didn’t come with them. To the earlier post on your spouse/SO hating you for the sound and stink, wait until they get out of the car and burn their leg. The N11 option will give you better sounding, but not louder exhaust without all the other bs. No thank you, but I am going with dual 3” pipes on my coupe. Nice!
In my opinion, if you have lived with a car with side pipes and you drove it regularly you would not then go through the effort to add them to a car that didn’t come with them. To the earlier post on your spouse/SO hating you for the sound and stink, wait until they get out of the car and burn their leg. The N11 option will give you better sounding, but not louder exhaust without all the other bs. No thank you, but I am going with dual 3” pipes on my coupe. Nice!
I've owned pretty much every combination of small block, big block, coupe, convertible, with and without sidepipes. All I can say is it's a personal decision on what the OP wants. I liked them all. I hope the OP can disregard the posts by those that have NEVER owned a car with sidepipes. The OEM sidepipes have fiberglass insulators between the pipes and the covers. They DO NOT get hot enough to burn your legs, but those that have actually owned a car with them knows this.
My '65 does NOT have sidepipes, nor do I want them (ie: not original and incorrect for the car). But, if that is what you want, do it.....you only go around once in life! I saved the photo below of a "piped" '65 that was otherwise a match to my "not piped" '65.
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by 1snake
I've owned pretty much every combination of small block, big block, coupe, convertible, with and without sidepipes. All I can say is it's a personal decision on what the OP wants. I liked them all. I hope the OP can disregard the posts by those that have NEVER owned a car with sidepipes. The OEM sidepipes have fiberglass insulators between the pipes and the covers. They DO NOT get hot enough to burn your legs, but those that have actually owned a car with them knows this.
I've owned pretty much every combination of small block, big block, coupe, convertible, with and without sidepipes. All I can say is it's a personal decision on what the OP wants. I liked them all. I hope the OP can disregard the posts by those that have NEVER owned a car with sidepipes. The OEM sidepipes have fiberglass insulators between the pipes and the covers. They DO NOT get hot enough to burn your legs, but those that have actually owned a car with them knows this.
That is correct. Now Hooker header and side exhaust are a different story.
My '65 does NOT have sidepipes, nor do I want them (ie: not original and incorrect for the car). But, if that is what you want, do it.....you only go around once in life! I saved the photo below of a "piped" '65 that was otherwise a match to my "not piped" '65.
Much smoother, cleaner and aero dynamic looking without them!!!
02-22-2019, 05:32 PM
