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Opinions Please on Sidepipes.....

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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 10:37 PM
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Default Opinions Please on Sidepipes.....

Would sidepipes on a '71 or '72 Coupe either a SB or BB be cool? I think they look great.
Even considering that they were not even offered from the factory or as a dealer option in '71 or '72
Mark
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 10:47 PM
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Here we go again, guys! They are great for performance if you buy hooker sidepipes and use Turbo Spiral baffles rather than the stock hooker mufflers that go inside the collectors. Without the Spiral Turbo baffles they are not nearly as effective in terms of performance. You will also remove lots of weight if you are currently using exhaust manifolds, when you switch to sidepipes.

Last edited by Alexarz; Sep 12, 2005 at 10:56 PM.
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 10:53 PM
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sidepipes are a 10 on the cool scale
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexarz
Here we go again, guys! They are great for performance if you buy hooker sidepipes and use Turbo Spiral baffles rather than the stock hooker mufflers that go inside the collectors. Without the Spiral Turbo baffles they are not nearly as effective in terms of performance. You will also remove lots of weight if you are currently using exhaust manifolds, when you switch to sidepipes.
Not sure whar that means..."here we go again" from a newbie...anyway
I am talking about factory looking sidepipes. The Hooker set up is nothing more than headers with stright pipes on the side of the car...IMO not cool on a Vette.. OK on a Camaro...Truck ....too loud and obnoxious...
Mark
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by mbeeman350
Not sure whar that means..."here we go again" from a newbie...anyway
I am talking about factory looking sidepipes. The Hooker set up is nothing more than headers with stright pipes on the side of the car...IMO not cool on a Vette.. OK on a Camaro...Truck ....too loud and obnoxious...
Mark
Actually, Hooker offers two types of mufflers with their sidepipes.
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:10 PM
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It’s your thing do what you want to do, catchy lyrics.
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Z-man
Actually, Hooker offers two types of mufflers with their sidepipes.
I know ....most choose to leave them out.....
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:18 PM
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I was referring to the fact that this subject has come up 3 times in the 2 days I have been registered here. Why do you need other's opinions, anyway (especially since you are such a vette veteran among newbies)?
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:24 PM
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Actually, the factory pipes look even better on the '70 to '72 cars than the '69. That's because the the pipe covers stick out from the body side about 4 inches or so, and are very noticeable against the more body tuck aft portions of the front and rear fenders.

The rear aft portions of the front and rear fenders that are flared out for protection of the lower portions of the body, make the side exhaust covers look like they belong. They do not stick out so much and fit the contour of the revised body of the Corvette for 1970 model.

Factory side exhaust look very natural on the '70 to '72 chrome bumper cars, especially big block cars.
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexarz
I was referring to the fact that this subject has come up 3 times in the 2 days I have been registered here. Why do you need other's opinions, anyway (especially since you are such a vette veteran among newbies)?
I was unable to find it in a search.....not a veteren Vette person...just an average guy trying to figure things out. I do know what respect is though.
You seem to have a lot of good ideas and knowledge you will be an asset to the forum
Mark
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by early shark
Actually, the factory pipes look even better on the '70 to '72 cars than the '69. That's because the the pipe covers stick out from the body side about 4 inches or so, and are very noticeable against the more body tuck aft portions of the front and rear fenders.

The rear aft portions of the front and rear fenders that are flared out for protection of the lower portions of the body, make the side exhaust covers look like they belong. They do not stick out so much and fit the contour of the revised body of the Corvette for 1970 model.

Factory side exhaust look very natural on the '70 to '72 chrome bumper cars, especially big block cars.
Thanks very good point....I am looking at a BB 72 that needs an exhaust system and I like to keep Vettes stock looking especially with matching numbers
Mark
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:36 PM
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Factory sidepipes look totally fantastic on C3s, especially chrome bumpered cars.

They look like they belong on the cars BECAUSE THEY DO!!!!!!
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by mbeeman350
Thanks very good point....I am looking at a BB 72 that needs an exhaust system and I like to keep Vettes stock looking especially with matching numbers
Mark
I think factory side pipes look really cool....having said that, I have a set of factory side pipes sitting in my garage ...and Im trying to decide whether I want to put them on or not. My hesitation is that my car is a stock 70 SB coupe, matching numbers...Im not sure if I want to mess around with it at the moment.
cause I know you have to make a couple cuts in the fiberglass (near the rocker panels) to fit the factory pipes and covers on. and then there is the issue of the rear valence panel.

I was so keen to put side pipes on my car...but now that I have my car and the pipes Im in two minds.....cause I also love the original true duals rear exit.

There would be no question if the pipes and covers were already on my car....I wouldn't go back to duals!......

Let us know what you decide mbeeman.

You mentioned you are looking at a 72 BB....any pics????!!! and if it needs an exhaust system...I say go the 69 factory style side pipes!
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Old Sep 12, 2005 | 11:54 PM
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I agree I like the look of the rear exit dual exhaust too...I was not aware of any cuts on the body to fit the sidepipes
Can you elaborate?
Mark
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 02:55 AM
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Originally Posted by mbeeman350
..I was not aware of any cuts on the body to fit the sidepipes
Can you elaborate?
Mark
......it's a square inch cut at the back of the front wheel where the pipe bends to run along the side......the rocker mouldings or sidepipe covers should completely conceal the cut.....

.....I suggest you bite the bullet and pay the $2500 for the metal factory covers instead of buying the cheaper fibreglass ones....the metal covers will last longer and even if you go back to under car exhaust you'll get most, if not all, of your money back.....they're in huge demand........also fork out for SS pipes, not aluminized........

.....I haven't glassed in the rear valance because it hasn't been an issue for me.....nobody's picked on it as being out of place, general public as well as Vette enthusiasts, so I'm leaving the gaps with the bezels in place......

....GM got it spot on with the look and shape of the covers....it'll change the look of your Vette....much more squat and staunch....

....and I suppose, more importantly, the sound is wicked at idle and at WOT......and I can guarantee that if you rev up a Vette with sidepipes, the ricer sitting next to you will shat his daks.......
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 04:48 AM
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Originally Posted by standup
......it's a square inch cut at the back of the front wheel where the pipe bends to run along the side......the rocker mouldings or sidepipe covers should completely conceal the cut.....

.....I suggest you bite the bullet and pay the $2500 for the metal factory covers instead of buying the cheaper fibreglass ones....the metal covers will last longer and even if you go back to under car exhaust you'll get most, if not all, of your money back.....they're in huge demand........also fork out for SS pipes, not aluminized........

.....I haven't glassed in the rear valance because it hasn't been an issue for me.....nobody's picked on it as being out of place, general public as well as Vette enthusiasts, so I'm leaving the gaps with the bezels in place......

....GM got it spot on with the look and shape of the covers....it'll change the look of your Vette....much more squat and staunch....

....and I suppose, more importantly, the sound is wicked at idle and at WOT......and I can guarantee that if you rev up a Vette with sidepipes, the ricer sitting next to you will shat his daks.......
Not sure what daks are though.
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 05:00 AM
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Go with the side exhaust. It just adds the the great look.
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 05:16 AM
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i personally prefer the hooker style side pipes


Last edited by MJ355; Sep 13, 2005 at 05:20 AM.
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Jughead
Not sure what daks are though.
Must be a part of the seat!!
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Old Sep 13, 2005 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by MJ355
i personally prefer the hooker style side pipes

me too
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