Can '69 side pipes be put on an '81?

 

Physically...yes. Legally...check state laws...emission equipment might need to stay in place..

 

It would be pretty tough to do with Cats. The pipes might have to make a couple of 180 turns to feed into the sidepipes. Not going to help power output.

cc

 

Yes they can and they will sound and look real nice on your car. You may have to slot the back of the frame for the back mounting bolt though. I am pretty sure GM eliminated the slot on the frame in the later C-3's. The other problem you may have is your State inspection if you live in the USA. Not knowing where you are from since you never filled that information out in your profile like many of us I can't help you there but as in most states in the USA if your car came with catalytic converters they must remain on the vehicle. In some states once a car reached 25 years old the car can be registered as a historic car with historic license plates eliminating inspection anymore. Some owners will then add side exhaust to these cars but an historic car is not an everyday car to be driving around all the time and in some areas the law may be inforced more then others. Some areas of the USA depending on where you live have no state inspection. If you are lucky enough to live in one of these areas I guess you can do what you want with your car.

 

I'm not completely sure how all of this internet stuff works but I appreciate your response. I just love hte way side pipes look. I really don't know if I should specify "69" or any year that side pipes were used. I thought they had baffles so the legal issues would be solved. I went to a custom exhaust shop and htey can make up pipes for me but htey can put the heat shields on them.

 

I'm not completely sure how all of this internet stuff works but I appreciate your response. I just love the way side pipes look. I really don't know if I should specify "69" or any year that side pipes were used. I thought they had baffles so the legal issues would be solved. I went to a custom exhaust shop and they can make up pipes for me but htey can put the heat shields on them.

 

NICE CARS!!!
I appreciate your response. I really don't know if I should specify "69" or any year that side pipes were used. I thought they had baffles so the legal issues would be solved. I went to a custom exhaust shop and they can make up pipes for me but they can't put the heat shields on them. I live in PA but only drive the car in good weather about 5K miles a year. I think I could register it as an antique or classic to get around the inspections but I was told I can only drive it in daylight. I am also concerned about either my wife or I getting branded as we get out of the car so I was looking for the heat shields.

 

Give one of the Corvette Suppliers a call like Corvette America. Tell them exactly what you have under the hood and they should be able to set you up with what you need. I see you live almost next door to me in Pa. Pa has garage inspection. There you may have a problem having a set of side exhaust on your car. If you register it as an antique you should be able to get around what you plan on doing. In N.J. antique cars don't require inspection if tagged with antique plates but as I said driving around with these plates is not for everyday driving. Some areas may inforce the law a little firmer then others depending on where you live. I would go online to the PA (DMV). They should have some information about registering a car as a antique as far as what is required in your state. By the way Corvette America is in PA. Off the record they may be able to tell you exactly what to do in your case. Oh by the way. Do you have any idea what these side exhaust pipes and covers are going to cost you? If not you are in for a big surprise. They are not cheap. I haven't checked on the price lately but I would bet they are somewhere between $2k and $2.5k now for a C-3 Corvette. When I bought them for my 73' back in 82' the complete set cost me if I remember correctly about $520. During the 70's they were dirt cheap if I remember correctly in 71' I paid somewhere between $200-$300.

 

Ok, if you live in PA (I am a licensed inspection mechanic in PA) Side exhaust is not a problem, DEPENDING ON WHAT GARAGE YOU GO TO. If you go to Pep Boys they will flag anything non stock. The big thing is the emissions equipment after 29 years (as i understand it) you get a pass on emissions..I have a 75 which came with emissions from the factory and I can tell you, the only "emission" equipment on it is a pvc valve. I don't even have an emissions sticker on the car. Another factor is what county you live in..some do not require emissions inspections yet.