sidepipes
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 15,340
Likes: 2,716
From: Close to DC
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
Re: sidepipes (dreamweaver)
The loss in power may not be noticeable, but the cool :D factor is very noticable, people will know you have arrived at the cruise-in.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,658
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
Re: sidepipes (Bluestripe67)
Another good question. Probably depends on whose sidepipes you use. I put some Allen pipes on my 427 car and noticed they use a larger diameter chambered pipe section than the old stock GM pipes. They appear to be a little less restrictive. But their bends are pretty restrictive (far from a mandrel bend). I have a hard time believing sidepipes would be more restrictive than the undercar exhaust, but I also wouldn't bet they are much less, if any less restrictive either. Probably a toss up. I love my sidepipes but as I get older I think I would like a nice mellow undercar system. However, it's work to convert an original sidepipe car to undercar exhaust . . . . and then I take it out for a Sat. morning cruise and forget all about it. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville MN
Re: sidepipes (dreamweaver)
Thank you all very much for your input. Decided to go with the sidepipes. Like the sound even at my advanced age.......don't think I'll ever grow up!
Being a new member to this forum, I am very impressed by the response and the genuine help you all give. Keep comments coming! :flag
Being a new member to this forum, I am very impressed by the response and the genuine help you all give. Keep comments coming! :flag
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood CA
Re: sidepipes (66427-450)
Hey 66!
Do you have the stainless works pipes installed? I ordered a set (2&1/2 inner cores) and got 'em a few weeks ago. I am going for the install this weekend or next. The pipes look much less restrictive with the mandral bends.
I AM looking forward to firing it up the first time!! :reddevil
Did you experience a noticable performance increase? :_dupe:
Do you have the stainless works pipes installed? I ordered a set (2&1/2 inner cores) and got 'em a few weeks ago. I am going for the install this weekend or next. The pipes look much less restrictive with the mandral bends.
I AM looking forward to firing it up the first time!! :reddevil
Did you experience a noticable performance increase? :_dupe:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 458
From: Ct
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Re: StainlessWorks 2 1/2 core
66 427-450 and 67StingrayRdstr
I just bought the StainlessWorks 2 1/2 ID inner chambered pipes as well (full stainless units) fro my BB - my thought was to take of my stock sidepipes and store them and run the 2 1/2's for louder sound (yes I like even louder then stock!) as well as higher performance. I don't know what the sound will be until installed and will let you know my opinion. As soon as yours are on - let me know what you think.
I just bought the StainlessWorks 2 1/2 ID inner chambered pipes as well (full stainless units) fro my BB - my thought was to take of my stock sidepipes and store them and run the 2 1/2's for louder sound (yes I like even louder then stock!) as well as higher performance. I don't know what the sound will be until installed and will let you know my opinion. As soon as yours are on - let me know what you think.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Re: StainlessWorks 2 1/2 core (66BBCoupe)
66BBcoupe & 67 StingrayRdstr
Regarding the stainless steel wool wraped around the 2.5" core.....
did you order full wrap(completely wraped with wool) ? 1/2 wraped? or no wool at all?
Me? I haven't ordered mine yet :) ....... I was going to order "no wool at all", and mine will be attached to headers.
Looking forward to your feedback regarding "sound"
Thanks - Mike
Regarding the stainless steel wool wraped around the 2.5" core.....
did you order full wrap(completely wraped with wool) ? 1/2 wraped? or no wool at all?
Me? I haven't ordered mine yet :) ....... I was going to order "no wool at all", and mine will be attached to headers.
Looking forward to your feedback regarding "sound"
Thanks - Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 458
From: Ct
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 ('68-'73) of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Re: StainlessWorks 2 1/2 core (66427-450)
I ordered full wrap as StainlessWorks advised me that the 2 1/2 ID core is materially louder then stock. Noise is in the ear of the beholder so I shall see.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Lakeville MN
Re: StainlessWorks 2 1/2 core (66BBCoupe)
66 BB & 67 stingray, I haven't ordered mine yet.. Would be interested in how the SS pipes compare to orginal. Thanks to all for response :chevy
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,658
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
Re: StainlessWorks 2 1/2 core (dreamweaver)
Me too! I thought Stainless Works selling point was they were suppose to be a little quieter than stock? Sounds like they have lots of options. :flag
Racer
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: East China MI.
Re: sidepipes (63Corvette)
Garrett,
-------Have been reading this thread wondering when someone was going to pop in with some real correct info(not just supposition).Have a good friend in Fla. that has one of the twenty(I think you probably know him) who chassis dynoed his L-88 with stock sidepipes and Stainless sidepipes.In his case he came up 80 horsepower stronger.My 390 also felt noticeably stronger with Stainless Works sidepipes over stock sidepipes.These pipes work!The horsepower isnt gained in the front pipe either,but mostly in the chambered section.
-------As well,Im sorry to let down any loudness freaks,but Stainless Works sidepipes are only marginally louder than factory,if at all.
-------Hope this helped.................Bill S
-------Have been reading this thread wondering when someone was going to pop in with some real correct info(not just supposition).Have a good friend in Fla. that has one of the twenty(I think you probably know him) who chassis dynoed his L-88 with stock sidepipes and Stainless sidepipes.In his case he came up 80 horsepower stronger.My 390 also felt noticeably stronger with Stainless Works sidepipes over stock sidepipes.These pipes work!The horsepower isnt gained in the front pipe either,but mostly in the chambered section.
-------As well,Im sorry to let down any loudness freaks,but Stainless Works sidepipes are only marginally louder than factory,if at all.
-------Hope this helped.................Bill S
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 442
From: Southwest MI
Re: sidepipes (olredalert)
............. In his case he came up 80 horsepower stronger.My 390 also felt noticeably stronger with Stainless Works sidepipes over stock sidepipes.These pipes work!The horsepower isnt gained in the front pipe either,but mostly in the chambered section.
thanks again - Mike