C3 Side Pipes - 1973 BB
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
C3 Side Pipes - 1973 BB
Hello All,
I am in the process of ordering side pipes for my 1973 BB. I know there are a lot of opinions on this topic, however I am looking for insight. What are the best side pipes on the market for a 73 BB? I also need headers.
Thanks,
Bobby
I am in the process of ordering side pipes for my 1973 BB. I know there are a lot of opinions on this topic, however I am looking for insight. What are the best side pipes on the market for a 73 BB? I also need headers.
Thanks,
Bobby
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
You're right - you will get all kinds of opinions! I installed Sanderson headers on my '70 and the high performance mufflers from Sweet Thunder. Took it to the local exhaust shop and had them mate everything up. It's loud - like it should be!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 134
From: Bushkill Twp. PA
St. Jude Donor '17
Something to consider is how your going to patch the rear exhaust cutouts.
I was going to order the original style 69 pipes and covers. When I researched how people filled the cutouts under the bumper I found there is no straightforward solution. It appears that most people end up having a body/fiberglass shop fill these in and paint. I was ok spending the 2500 for the setup, but when filling the cutouts became a custom ordeal I decided to pass.
I was going to order the original style 69 pipes and covers. When I researched how people filled the cutouts under the bumper I found there is no straightforward solution. It appears that most people end up having a body/fiberglass shop fill these in and paint. I was ok spending the 2500 for the setup, but when filling the cutouts became a custom ordeal I decided to pass.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6,644
Likes: 479
From: OK
Not putting side pipes on our 73 BB corvette ......but I am putting side pipes on my 69SS 396.....I am building my own.
36" glass pack, two 3" mandrel bent 90s, the 3" is the exact same size O.D. as the glass pack......welding a cone shape to the inlet end of the glass pack so we don't have flow issues, all the materials used are exhaust tubing aluminized so, I won't have rust issues, and then welding the to 18" ends to the front and back of the glass pack....I need about 72" overall length you'd need much less. Smooth out the welds... We then will mock up the rest of the install.......remove them, get them coated flat black and reinstalled.
36" glass pack, two 3" mandrel bent 90s, the 3" is the exact same size O.D. as the glass pack......welding a cone shape to the inlet end of the glass pack so we don't have flow issues, all the materials used are exhaust tubing aluminized so, I won't have rust issues, and then welding the to 18" ends to the front and back of the glass pack....I need about 72" overall length you'd need much less. Smooth out the welds... We then will mock up the rest of the install.......remove them, get them coated flat black and reinstalled.
Last edited by 73Corvette; Apr 23, 2012 at 08:37 AM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 592
Likes: 55
From: Loxahatchee Florida
I have the super comp hookers painted black with spiral baffle mufflers with 7/8" holes cutout in the center.
They work very well and fit perfectly. They sound amazing and are not very restrictive like all the other muffler inserts.
You can hear them here:
They work very well and fit perfectly. They sound amazing and are not very restrictive like all the other muffler inserts.
You can hear them here:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Something to consider is how your going to patch the rear exhaust cutouts.
I was going to order the original style 69 pipes and covers. When I researched how people filled the cutouts under the bumper I found there is no straightforward solution. It appears that most people end up having a body/fiberglass shop fill these in and paint. I was ok spending the 2500 for the setup, but when filling the cutouts became a custom ordeal I decided to pass.
I was going to order the original style 69 pipes and covers. When I researched how people filled the cutouts under the bumper I found there is no straightforward solution. It appears that most people end up having a body/fiberglass shop fill these in and paint. I was ok spending the 2500 for the setup, but when filling the cutouts became a custom ordeal I decided to pass.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
I had Hookers on my small block.
Ordered a set of Doug's headers for the 496 swap due to concerns with Hooker quality. Will reuse the Hooker tubes and my STS baffles. Considering a hole in the baffles but have not made that decision yet.
Ordered a set of Doug's headers for the 496 swap due to concerns with Hooker quality. Will reuse the Hooker tubes and my STS baffles. Considering a hole in the baffles but have not made that decision yet.
Last edited by SteveG75; Apr 24, 2012 at 09:50 AM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Well all good insight.... so what is the "best" brand out there.... OBX and Hookers come up a lot.... I heard Borla is solid, however they do not make them for a 73 BB. I have cermamic headman headers on the car now... can I use those headers with new pipes?
