side pipes mufflers
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Florida
side pipes mufflers
My 81 vette has side pipes and it is getting too loud even for me. They are quite old. I really dont want to replace the whole side pipe setup. It looks like I can cut the old mufflers out and put new ones in. I have looked around Summit, Jegs and so on. Nothing except a set of hooker mufflers. I dont want glasspacks. I dont need chrome. Any ideas on a way to go. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
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From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
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From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by Mako72
If you want them quiet keep them "capped"
Personally, it defeats the purpose so mine are UNcapped.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Florida
The pipes are one piece. They bolt to the stock iron headers, come down outside the car along the side. There is a cover over them. The mufflers are part of the pipe. I would have to cut them (mufflers) out and install new mufflers. My wife had them put on when she bought the car new in 80. We were not married at the time so I dont know if they are stock or aftermarket.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
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From: Conroe Texas
sounds like a gm offroad side exhaust muffler. sounds like mine are the same as yours, mufflers are pretty shot. mad has a stainless steel set for $700, a little pricey, but they run from the exhaust manifolds to the tips all in stainless. should last a lifetime.
Parrothead
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 48,231
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From: Margaritaville Embassy
St. Jude Donor '08-'09,'13, '14
Originally Posted by 71rdster
Are you talking factory side pipes, or headers with side pipes? Most header side pipes have removable mufflers that can be replaced.
Orville
Orville
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by Markm10431
81's didnt have side pipes. I think the last year they were factory was 73
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
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From: Carmichael CA
Yeah...sounds like the OEM chambered exahaust pipes. They shouldn't be too loud with the cast iron exhaust manifolds. Do yourself a favor and just replace the donut shaped gasket which goes between the exhaust manifold and exhaust pipe. Those things can burn out in just a couple of years...and the nuts come loose too which will make it nearly as loud as open headers. I would do this quick fix first since the donuts only cost like $10 for two and you can replace them yourself. Be very careful with the nuts...you will need a swivel joint and a deep socket to get to a couple of them...especially the one by the starter.
If replacing the gasket doesn't do the trick, then it's not a total loss since you will have two new gaskets and will know how to easily remove the pipes so you can put something else in there....the actual chambered pipes come complete...you don't have to do any cutting...and they are $500 from
Ecklers
If replacing the gasket doesn't do the trick, then it's not a total loss since you will have two new gaskets and will know how to easily remove the pipes so you can put something else in there....the actual chambered pipes come complete...you don't have to do any cutting...and they are $500 from
Ecklers
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
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From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/corvett...pes_68_74.html
Is an aftermarket that makes them in a few sizes. I don't know how loud they are.
I cut both ends off mine to take a look. The pipes are twin tubes seperated lengthwise with 2 plates with holes in them, making 3 side by side chambers. I didn't see any insulation in them.
I stuffed ceramic blanket in the first side chamber and it quieted it down. The exhaust goes down its own pipe past this open chamber, now stuffed with insulation chamber.
Cut off the front where the pipe goes in, stuff it and weld the plate back on.
Is an aftermarket that makes them in a few sizes. I don't know how loud they are.
I cut both ends off mine to take a look. The pipes are twin tubes seperated lengthwise with 2 plates with holes in them, making 3 side by side chambers. I didn't see any insulation in them.
I stuffed ceramic blanket in the first side chamber and it quieted it down. The exhaust goes down its own pipe past this open chamber, now stuffed with insulation chamber.
Cut off the front where the pipe goes in, stuff it and weld the plate back on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 568
From: Conroe Texas
Originally Posted by corvtt1969
69 was the only c3 with sidepipes, 68 didnt have them
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Originally Posted by Markm10431
81's didnt have side pipes. I think the last year they were factory was 73
Orville
