n-14 side exhaust
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
n-14 side exhaust
Hello all........I just installed factory N-14 side exhaust on my 1970. Looks great, sounds awesome! My question is this, does anyone have any experience with the 1970-1973 side exhaust conversion panels. How did they fit up, did it require a lot of trimming, filling to fit. if anyone has a picture of hows this conversion panel looks installed on their car I'd love to see it! I don't want to chop my quarters and make the permanent fix so I can use the original 69 rear exhaust panel. Thanks for your help, Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,281
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Jim,
The conversion valance fit varies from car to car. Depending on how picky you are, you may or may not end up doing a little body work before you paint the valance.
Here's a 69 original side exhaust valance on my 71. Remember the original N-14 cars had a straight vertical seam.
Regards,
Alan
The conversion valance fit varies from car to car. Depending on how picky you are, you may or may not end up doing a little body work before you paint the valance.
Here's a 69 original side exhaust valance on my 71. Remember the original N-14 cars had a straight vertical seam.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 91
From: Skiatook. Oklahoma.
I used the Eckler's filler Panel. Like any Fiberglass part,I had to do some work to it to make it fit right. All the work was contained on the new panel,not on the Corvette. I had to build a flange at the former Exhaust area's. Screw's and "J" nut's where used to keep the lower part of the Panel secure and even with the lower Quarter.
Marty.
Marty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I bought the aftermarket panel Alan is talking about (with rounded ends protruding) from Ecklers. It was the worst fitting panel I have ever seen. It to do more body work than I ever would have imagined. Just making the panels fit flush was one issue - the other was Eckler's mold process allowed for 'short shots' in the corners, where the fiberglass had huge air pockets in it. Tisk Tisk Ecklers.
PS - nice car Alan
Marty - can you show pics of your fasteners?
PS - nice car Alan
Marty - can you show pics of your fasteners?
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Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Im not sure how stock your car is overall, but if you are concerned with originality and protecting future value, I would use the filler panel in your case.
I usually say to '69 owners that if they are going to make this conversion, be sure to do the bodywork (looking like Alan's car) rather than a filler, because that way it looks right and not cheaply added on. However, in the case of a '70, its flat out not stock, so if you keep the car where its very simple to replace the old valance and remove the sides if someone wanted to, I believe this would translate to value and attractiveness to potential buyers down the road.
Obviously if you intend to keep the car forever and never even sit in another Corvette (hello Alan), then disregard this message.
I usually say to '69 owners that if they are going to make this conversion, be sure to do the bodywork (looking like Alan's car) rather than a filler, because that way it looks right and not cheaply added on. However, in the case of a '70, its flat out not stock, so if you keep the car where its very simple to replace the old valance and remove the sides if someone wanted to, I believe this would translate to value and attractiveness to potential buyers down the road.
Obviously if you intend to keep the car forever and never even sit in another Corvette (hello Alan), then disregard this message.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 884
Likes: 45
From: Hardeeville, South Carolina
Jim,
Here is what the filler panel looks like on my 70 LT-1... and can be easily removed to go back to original if necessary.
I purchased mine direct from ACI
http://www.acivette.com/
The fit was Ok, but did need some minor adjusting around the "ear sections" to fit the way I wanted it.
Hope this helps..
Chuck
Here is what the filler panel looks like on my 70 LT-1... and can be easily removed to go back to original if necessary.
I purchased mine direct from ACI
http://www.acivette.com/
The fit was Ok, but did need some minor adjusting around the "ear sections" to fit the way I wanted it.
Hope this helps..
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
The aftermarket filler with squared ends for 70 and up looks much better than the 69 with rounded exhaust bezels. When I started my frame off - I ddi not mean to (sounds crazy huh 
) do a frame off. There was no monies even considered to re-purchase a correct square filler panel as I already bought the curved one years earlier. Now that I know how much time I spent making that curved one fit - sure wish I went the other direction. And they look a TON better.
) do a frame off. There was no monies even considered to re-purchase a correct square filler panel as I already bought the curved one years earlier. Now that I know how much time I spent making that curved one fit - sure wish I went the other direction. And they look a TON better.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 3
From: Mi.
I used the Eckler's filler Panel. Like any Fiberglass part,I had to do some work to it to make it fit right. All the work was contained on the new panel,not on the Corvette. I had to build a flange at the former Exhaust area's. Screw's and "J" nut's where used to keep the lower part of the Panel secure and even with the lower Quarter.
Marty.
Marty.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 3
From: Tampa / Ft. Myers FL
filler pix
In the process of a body off and conversion to factory side exhaust. I decided to fill in the panel myself, never really liked the look of the aftermarket filler panel. Still needs a little tweaking and finishing but coming along. I was a little nervous tackling this on my own, but with the support of the forum you can do most anything on your car. I'm keeping the chrome bezels just in case. It'll be an easy conversion back to original (easier than this part...)
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 91
From: Skiatook. Oklahoma.
On my '73, I used an aftermarket filler Panel and just filled in the seam.I don't really like the look. It looks like it's missing something. When I refinish the '73 shortly, I want to modify the panel to look like the 1969. I just can't bring myself to do it on the '70.
Marty.
Marty.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 53
From: Central MN
mariettavette.........Good timing for your question. As soon as spring arrives, I plan on putting the N-14 side exhaust on my '70. At this point, I'm in the research phase of the project. Anyway, I've been reading about the poor fit of filler panel. Apparently, it doesn’t matter who you buy the panel from, the fit is BS. Frankly, it surprises me that nobody can make a filler panel that doesn't require extensive "massaging" to fit properly.
Where did you buy your N-14 kit from? OEM reproductions, from what I've researched, run around $2,500.. On the other hand, fiberglass kits are around $850., but the covers are un-finished. I don't want to drop $2,500., but finishing the $850. set looks expensive and difficult to match GM's OEM look. What did you do??
Where did you buy your N-14 kit from? OEM reproductions, from what I've researched, run around $2,500.. On the other hand, fiberglass kits are around $850., but the covers are un-finished. I don't want to drop $2,500., but finishing the $850. set looks expensive and difficult to match GM's OEM look. What did you do??
