C2 Side Pipe Question
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
C2 Side Pipe Question
I have determined that my 66 Corvette ( L79 with cam ) sidepipes may not be legal for street use. I have no idea as to what pipes are on there now, and how to convert them to quieter side pipes. I have read many threads on how people love the sound, but these are just objectionable.
Can someone help me determine how to figure out what I have and help me find something more " street-able" and legal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Can someone help me determine how to figure out what I have and help me find something more " street-able" and legal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,995
Likes: 1,502
From: Prescott Arizona
Welcome to the Corvette Forum. Lotsa threads on sidepipes as you've found out. Can you post up some pics of the 'side pipes' that are on your car now, it might help us determine if what you have is factory or not.
The fact that you say they are objectionable makes me think they are aftermarket and that isn't necessarily the 'kiss of death' on side pipes. I bought a 65 396 Roadster a couple years ago and it had been a real 65 side pipe car from what
I could determine but over time the original pipes went away and one of the previous owners bought an aftermarket replacement. The consensus is that these were from Sweet Thunder (no long in business with that name) and they sounded
God-Awful, while they looked brand new and nearly identical to factory pipes. I sold them to a fellow Forum Member, who surprisingly still talks to me ;-). There are aftermarket companies that make what they call 'original sound' pipes, I just haven't gotten around to purchasing anything yet.
Where are you located, maybe a fellow forum member with factory pipes lives near you and you can here that sound first hand.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
The fact that you say they are objectionable makes me think they are aftermarket and that isn't necessarily the 'kiss of death' on side pipes. I bought a 65 396 Roadster a couple years ago and it had been a real 65 side pipe car from what
I could determine but over time the original pipes went away and one of the previous owners bought an aftermarket replacement. The consensus is that these were from Sweet Thunder (no long in business with that name) and they sounded
God-Awful, while they looked brand new and nearly identical to factory pipes. I sold them to a fellow Forum Member, who surprisingly still talks to me ;-). There are aftermarket companies that make what they call 'original sound' pipes, I just haven't gotten around to purchasing anything yet.
Where are you located, maybe a fellow forum member with factory pipes lives near you and you can here that sound first hand.
Mike T - Prescott AZ
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Original Sound Corvette Side Pipes
I have determined that my 66 Corvette ( L79 with cam ) sidepipes may not be legal for street use. I have no idea as to what pipes are on there now, and how to convert them to quieter side pipes. I have read many threads on how people love the sound, but these are just objectionable.
Can someone help me determine how to figure out what I have and help me find something more " street-able" and legal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Can someone help me determine how to figure out what I have and help me find something more " street-able" and legal.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,696
Likes: 3,090
From: Cottonwood AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
What makes you think they are illegal? Did you get stopped by the police? Back in the day that was quite common an I had to prove that the exhaust system was factory equipment to get tickets thrown out. I think today unless you are purposely revving the car to cause excessive noise most police will not bother you with your classic car and are more likely to stop you just to look at your car as has happened to me. 
