Kustom8

I would go SS first,then the ceramic,then the chrome,or SS headers,and the chrome side tubes.Before you order these....shoot me a pm.
The SS headers are back-ordered all over from Hooker,and waiting since AUGUST for the first sets my supplier can get their hands on,but they are the better way to go,if you are wanting a shiny appearance.
I will say this about chrome tho.....My side tubes are original,and chrome,and have been on the car for close to 35 years,and still shine swell.My headers are custom one offs,and chrome,and they are pretty good,but turned alot during cam break in.I recommend to all people getting the chrome....DO NOT break in a flat tappet cam w/the new headers,cause they will change.
Kevin

NBC3

Here's my 76 with ceramic Hookers and Steel Shields. BTW, Steel Shields - best money I spent on the car. I've had the cheese graters and got the tattoos. Since I went with these - no issues. I can drive from Fredericton to Halifax and put my hand directly on them.

Bangkok Dean

Cooooolllll..............I always wondered why M J wore a glove on one hand

TimAT

This video is right after I got the car. At the time it was 10.5 compression and I had done nothing as far as tuning. There's nothing in the tubes- open exhaust. I have a video but I'd have to link to another site and that's a no-no. So here's the vid:


Now, it's 12.5 compression, and the tuneup has been worked properly. The headers on the car now are Jet-Hot Sterling. Zero maintenance, and sound is a little better (IMHO) with the increased compression.

Kustom8

Tim...love the sound of the BB!I bet it does sound better w to 12.5 to 1s!Bet it feels better too!
Here's the other side of the spectrum.Here's a SB 302 11 to 1 after cam break in,and aluminum heads.Broke in w/the single DP,then put my 6 duece intake back on.
Sorry for being a hillbilly...Well...no I'm not.

auavette

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/memb...8-img-0876.jpg

Jet Hot, Sterling Silver coated with Steel shield and STS baffles uncapped.
This on a 496 with a 8-71 blower

Red73

Here's mine>>>>

hunter2008

What type of headers are they and did you have to cut anything out of the sill plate and the bottom of the fender to install the side headers

hunter2008

hi red73 what type of header are those and did u cut any of the bottom of fender and sill plate out i have a 76 vette with a 350 4 speed and am go to install side pipes on it

hunter2008

hi l was wondering what type of header that is and do u have to cut the bottom of fender and sill plate out i have a76 vette 350 4 speed

Duke94

They are most likely the Hooker Headers. If so, no cutting of the body is necessary. In some installations, it may be necessary to trim up the bottom of the rocker panel to clear one of the pipes. On my 78', I had to trim only one side.

Gary

Here's one page of the instructions.

hunter2008

thanks for info duke94 l think i will get the chrome hookers and side pipes also what muffers did u use and are they loud and can u put sheilds on after installed thanks again

Duke94

I have the STS Spiral baffle and it's not to loud. You can talk to a passenger at speed with no problem. Yes, you can add the heat shields anytime (but do it BEFORE you get a leg burn). The guys that have the chrome headers have complained that the start to rust quickly at the welds. Mine are the ceramic coated ones and I have not had any rust problems in 7 years but they never see rain.
The shields that I have are from Cobra Stuff.

http://www.cobrastuff.com/

Chambered

Stainless pipes will turn blue if they get really hot, chrome does not have this tendency if it is a good quality chrome job. Semi trucks always use chrome stacks, not stainless for this reason. You can also ceramic coat the inside of your chrome pipes which will shield a lot of the heat transfer from the outside chrome - the OE truck manufacturers are doing this now because of the ultra-high exhaust temps the new emissions diesels are causing.

Question on the heat shields you are using - what is the required length of these? These shields are made for the trucking industry out of polished SS, & in a few different lengths & perf patterns, solid too.

I also manufacture sidepipe muffler inserts that are designed to slip inside the 4" Hooker sidepipes, & they are chambered & flow very high sCFM's: http://www.classicchambered.com/clas...html#corvettes . Scroll up a little when the page loads. I build them with either a 2.5" or a 3" core. The 3" versions are BRUTALLY loud!

retrodude

I disagree... I have a set of stainless side pipes on my big block and they don't blue at all. Right where they come out under the car and bend, they get a little yellow tint to them. I just put on a buffing wheel on my drill and it's as good as new. Hookers will cost you about 1700.00 new. I got mine from a place called xs-power for 1/2 of the Hooker prices.
I have a couple of other posts on here about side pipes. Lots of good info and comparisons.

dariopop

I would go SS , I have chrome and they have held up pretty well. Next set will be SS, these are about 4 years old and I live in New England ( lots of salt) also it's a daily driver.These pipes have around 40,000 miles on them out of the 350,000 on the car itself. Love the STS baffles and have recently add a set of Dean's covers ( a necessity ) . Get LOTS of thumbs up as I drive by!!

Corey_68

I have had Chrome Hookers on for 5yrs now and no bluing, running STS baffles and Dean's covers. All highly recommended.

autoist

How do you get the inserts out of the Hooker pipes?

hunter2008

r your side pipes 4 into 1 or r u running headerers on the head or manafolds

hunter2008

also where do u get the pipe from manufold to side pipe