C3 side pipes worth it??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Since this could be a 10 page thread if we keep going on about sidepipe perfromance,I haven't first hand played with them so all my knowledge is reading other peoples exp,Install your sidepipes and enjoy them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 119
From: St. Charles Mo
CI 5 & 8 Veteran
Originally Posted by onelifeoneride
are they worth it or not? i really like the way they look.
One thing I know first hand is that they make the car a hell of alot easier to work on.
Bullshark
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by I'm Batman
Yellow? That you? Some of those misspellings look very familiar...
We can do without yellow but I have to admit I kinda miss Tony.:o And yes, get sidepipes. Call Summit for stainless Hookers and spring for the STS baffles. If you don't want to spend that much now I'd wait.
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Brett Foote
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
If you like the look of factory sides and HP loss doesn't really matter, check out ebay for a used set. There are some great deals if you just keep watching. I got a set of original OEM chrome covers (with the fiberglass insulators) and a brand new (still in the box) set of Sweet Thunder sidepipes for $900 + $90 shipping. Granted, the covers are not show qual and will need to be re-chromed someday...but it all looks and sounds great. I also sold my old set of pipes with glasspacks and Ecklers fiberglass covers for just over $500. If that's the way you want to go, there are some good deals on used parts out there.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by pef427
which inserts have the least amount of HP loss.-P
I've heard mixed reviews on everything and never a side-by-side comparison. You've got hooker mufflers, max flows, sweet-thunder, sts.
I have the STS turbo mufflers (auger style) but not on the car yet. Do a search and you'll find tons of info.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...depipe+inserts
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
Side Pipes
I have a '70 with side pipes and they are great. I got them as
a kit from Ecklers. Cost under $850 or $1200 depending on what
you desire. The covers are fiberglass - cool to touch - and you
paint your desired color. I painted black.
Not original but great looking and fun on a good budget.
a kit from Ecklers. Cost under $850 or $1200 depending on what
you desire. The covers are fiberglass - cool to touch - and you
paint your desired color. I painted black.
Not original but great looking and fun on a good budget.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
Well I for one was NOT worried about max HP when I put mine on. I think that a lot of people do it for the looks/sound. I definately did it case they look mean. And it's so much cooler inside the car now. Makes a big difference for those of us with no A/C. Plus they look so cool! I got the Hooker SuperComps from JetHot in the stainless finish for just under a grand. Not super shiny like the chrome ones but the price was right and they look great. I'm running the STS baffles and the sound is not that bad. It'll scream at WOT but at cruising speeds it's just fine.
-CR
-CR
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,709
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
Originally Posted by Corey_68
Deal is '69 OEM sidepipes w/ original muffers are restrictive.
Hooker/Stahl, etc side mounts flow REALLY well if you use an appropriate muffler/baffel, or open headers.
Hooker/Stahl, etc side mounts flow REALLY well if you use an appropriate muffler/baffel, or open headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: Nederland Texas
I pulled the inserts out before shipping the pipes to Jet Hot. They are a rod with a cap on one end and spiral fins down the length. The cap faces the engine and cuts a 4" pipe down considerably in the middle. Any idea which ones I have from this description? There isn't a name brand on them.
-P
-P
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 1
From: Nederland Texas
OK. I followed a link to another thread and saw a pic of the STS baffles. Thats what I just took out. It a real attention getter with the modded 427 but I think it has to be restrictive. The center tube is a solid 1 1/2 so now the 4" pipe is reduced to 2 1/2. Plus the boat-prop blades along the outside. I'm gonna try straightpipes. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,043
Likes: 674
From: FL
Originally Posted by pef427
OK. I followed a link to another thread and saw a pic of the STS baffles. Thats what I just took out. It a real attention getter with the modded 427 but I think it has to be restrictive. The center tube is a solid 1 1/2 so now the 4" pipe is reduced to 2 1/2. Plus the boat-prop blades along the outside. I'm gonna try straightpipes.
4" diameter minus the center 1.5" does not equal 2.5". Remember, we are talking area, not diameter. Area = pi*r^2 for a circular area
4" diameter = 12.57 square inches
2.5" diameter = 4.91 square inches
1.5" diameter = 1.77 square inches
4" diameter with center 1.5 blocked = 10.8 square inches or 2.2 times the area of a 2.5" pipe.