C3 side pipes worth it??
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
C3 side pipes worth it??
just wondering if you guys have opinions on sidepipes. are they worth it or not? and if so any brand reccomendations??...believe it or not my 73 has a juiced up 327 in it not the 350/454, i bought it that way....soooo i dont know if that can sway your opinions but i just wanted some info on sidepipes, cost, brands etc. i really like the way they look.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
I LOOVE mind, I couldn't imagine my car without them. They are Hooker side mounts w/ JCL inserts.
Video of the sound --> http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...07498824be.htm
Video of the sound --> http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...07498824be.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 5,772
Likes: 694
From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Funny you should ask.
From the C1/C2 side today. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497421
From the C1/C2 side today. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497421
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
yeah ive been reading people are conflicting reports here of power loss/gain so what IS THE DEAL?? or are these assumptions restricted to certain brands or set ups? to be honest my cars 30+ years old i drive with it easy so if im gonna lose some power for better looks and sound than thats ok with me....
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Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by onelifeoneride
yeah ive been reading people are conflicting reports here of power loss/gain so what IS THE DEAL?? or are these assumptions restricted to certain brands or set ups? to be honest my cars 30+ years old i drive with it easy so if im gonna lose some power for better looks and sound than thats ok with me....
Hooker/Stahl, etc side mounts flow REALLY well if you use an appropriate muffler/baffel, or open headers.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,453
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by l88rocket
all the l-88 race cars where hollow sidepipes no guts to them,and that was a differnet time,the exhaust systems back then weren't like they now.
A member here dyno'ed his car with open Side mounts vs JCL inserts (baffels) and the difference as a mere 12hp.
The L88's still managed some 600hp+ in race trim w/ the side mount headers, so if they are restrictive they still get the job done. Almost every race car to some extent has exhaustr exiting from the side including the C5/C6R race cars. While the may not have a radical bend they aren't 100% straight and do have to make 45-90 turn to exit out of the side. The added benefit is added ground clearance.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,222
Likes: 643
From: Orange County Ca
Originally Posted by Sky65
Funny you should ask.
From the C1/C2 side today. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497421
From the C1/C2 side today. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1497421
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Originally Posted by Corey_68
A member here dyno'ed his car with open Side mounts vs JCL inserts (baffels) and the difference as a mere 12hp.
The L88's still managed some 600hp+ in race trim w/ the side mount headers, so if they are restrictive they still get the job done. Almost every race car to some extent has exhaustr exiting from the side including the C5/C6R race cars. While the may not have a radical bend they aren't 100% straight and do have to make 45-90 turn to exit out of the side. The added benefit is added ground clearance.
The L88's still managed some 600hp+ in race trim w/ the side mount headers, so if they are restrictive they still get the job done. Almost every race car to some extent has exhaustr exiting from the side including the C5/C6R race cars. While the may not have a radical bend they aren't 100% straight and do have to make 45-90 turn to exit out of the side. The added benefit is added ground clearance.
Dynoing a car with sidepipes open and with inserts may only have a 12hp differnce and jcl inserts are more to kill sound db's at a race track,but if you compared sidepipes to a full exhaust on street car,there is proven losses,Plus a 600 hp race engine isn't going to be very differnet.my 706 made 1058 hp with open headers and 1030 with flowmaster race mufflers.
I just think if you are going for look then there great,if you are horsepower hungery they aren't the trick deal
Last edited by l88rocket; Sep 13, 2006 at 09:51 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
I guess like everything else in life, this is relative and depends upon your perspective. If you take a 75 w/the stock 2-1-2 exhaust, I'd bet any sidepipes were less restrictive. However compared to a well constructed 3" pipe full dual exhaust, then perhaps they are more restrictive.
So my reply to this question is yes
.......... and no. 
Good Luck!
So my reply to this question is yes
.......... and no. Good Luck!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by l88rocket
L-88 race cars don't run inserts so it's all open header.
Dynoing a car with sidepipes open and with inserts may only have a 12hp differnce and jcl insets are more to kill sound dbl's at a race track,but if you compared sidepipes to a full exhaust on street car,there is proven losses,Plus at 600 hp race engine isn't going to be very differnet.my 706 made 1058 hp with open headers and 1030 with flowmaster race mufflers.
I just think if you are going for look then there great,if you are horsepower hungery they aren't the trick deal
Dynoing a car with sidepipes open and with inserts may only have a 12hp differnce and jcl insets are more to kill sound dbl's at a race track,but if you compared sidepipes to a full exhaust on street car,there is proven losses,Plus at 600 hp race engine isn't going to be very differnet.my 706 made 1058 hp with open headers and 1030 with flowmaster race mufflers.
I just think if you are going for look then there great,if you are horsepower hungery they aren't the trick deal
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Here is just my $O.O2 on this.
Real Side Pipes such as HOOKER will flow as well as an under car exhaust system if you use a good flow through muffler system such as the STS Baffles. Now by using such a baffle system it will sound louder to the occupant of the car simply by the location of the exhaust outlets and how the baffle works where as an under car system transmits the exhaust all the way to the back through a muffler and then past the car which gets the sound effects further away from the occupants.
Another item that has not been mentioned is the fact that if you run side pipes it will help in a couple of areas one of which is to help keep under car temps down thus lowering the temp inside of the car and floor board areas for the occupants. Second that it will unclutter the underside of the car and make it easier to do repairs without the exhaust system in the way.
Just a couple of thoughts lol.
Real Side Pipes such as HOOKER will flow as well as an under car exhaust system if you use a good flow through muffler system such as the STS Baffles. Now by using such a baffle system it will sound louder to the occupant of the car simply by the location of the exhaust outlets and how the baffle works where as an under car system transmits the exhaust all the way to the back through a muffler and then past the car which gets the sound effects further away from the occupants.
Another item that has not been mentioned is the fact that if you run side pipes it will help in a couple of areas one of which is to help keep under car temps down thus lowering the temp inside of the car and floor board areas for the occupants. Second that it will unclutter the underside of the car and make it easier to do repairs without the exhaust system in the way.
Just a couple of thoughts lol.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by l88rocket
L-88 race cars don't run inserts so it's all open header.
Dynoing a car with sidepipes open and with inserts may only have a 12hp differnce and jcl insets are more to kill sound dbl's at a race track,but if you compared sidepipes to a full exhaust on street car,there is proven losses,Plus at 600 hp race engine isn't going to be very differnet.my 706 made 1058 hp with open headers and 1030 with flowmaster race mufflers.
I just think if you are going for look then there great,if you are horsepower hungery they aren't the trick deal
Dynoing a car with sidepipes open and with inserts may only have a 12hp differnce and jcl insets are more to kill sound dbl's at a race track,but if you compared sidepipes to a full exhaust on street car,there is proven losses,Plus at 600 hp race engine isn't going to be very differnet.my 706 made 1058 hp with open headers and 1030 with flowmaster race mufflers.
I just think if you are going for look then there great,if you are horsepower hungery they aren't the trick deal
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Brattleboro Vermont
hi doing frame off an i got manifolds ported smoothed with sweet thunder side pipes better flow but not stall or hooker but cooler an less pipe to deal with an its a 73 have fun do what you like .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 0
From: Mo
Originally Posted by SHAKERATTLEROLL
And what may I ask is this 706 in Who built it and location?
A pro street 37 ford coupe,I built it.used to race the car,and this winter turned back a street only car,I had the motor so I took it part freshed it and detuned it a little.
I'm in missouri
Last edited by l88rocket; Sep 13, 2006 at 09:45 AM.