side pipes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
side pipes
I have had a nice set of side pipes listed for sale for about 4-6 weeks now and no real interest generated as of yet so I'm thinking of putting them on mine. The reason I Was going to sell them was because I would have to change out a brand new exhaust system including ceramic headers that are less then 1 year old and I would need to buy a new set of headers for the side exhaust. The other reason was because of the rear valiance not being solid as it has the outlets and trims for the dual tips. My vette is a 72 convertible. So I am wondering how many have side exhaust with a rear valiance for the pipes instead of changing to a solid valiance? pics are nice to see as well.
Thanks Rodney
Thanks Rodney
Last edited by rod7515; Feb 20, 2013 at 09:25 PM.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,998
Likes: 6,214
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Switching to sides and leaving the stock holes there will be completely unacceptable to you. They look awful and it doesn't take a Corvette person to notice there's something wrong there.
You can buy a filler panel that comes with "ears" that extend to fit in the holes, but that doesn't look completely right either. The holes will need to be filled and the stock seam extended down to make it look like the GM design of the 69 stock sides.
You can buy a filler panel that comes with "ears" that extend to fit in the holes, but that doesn't look completely right either. The holes will need to be filled and the stock seam extended down to make it look like the GM design of the 69 stock sides.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 649
Likes: 8
From: COOKEVILLE TN
My '73 had the hookers with the exhaust holes when I bought it. I bought some rectangular fog lights for the holes and was going to use them as backup lights. Never hooked them up though..........this method was quick & dirty but, not for everybody and some will have something to say about it ! It looks better than the empty holes, plus they have a blue tint and my '73 is blue.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,458
Likes: 331
From: Indy Indiana
I actually removed the sidepipes from my 70 and put in a stock front to back exhaust. the biggest part of the project was installing the back panel with the cutouts and the bonding strips, buying the tips and bezels etc.. biggest pain was the matching paint and clear coat that had to be done on the back panel.. it was a big project and a big financial project also.. it is nothing you can do on a Friday night..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 967
Likes: 109
From: Europe, Germany
First days I drove this way around 
Second I tried this, just closed the regular bezels and took them back on
Third I have added the panel with the ears, sorry looks like I never had take a pic as the ones above
but the plan is to buy a regular side pipe panel and glass the rest.
Second I tried this, just closed the regular bezels and took them back on
Third I have added the panel with the ears, sorry looks like I never had take a pic as the ones above
but the plan is to buy a regular side pipe panel and glass the rest.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
Hmmm.. on reflection I guess I'm unclear on a concept. If you're driving so slow that people notice two small holes in the back of your car (or worse, don't see your tail lights because they beat you)... then your problem will not be solved by fiberglass fillers.
Personally, I'd suggest a larger boot size so your matting of the thin pedal happens faster. Failing that, I'd suggest something in a 427 size with some kind of forced induction.... trust me on this, my paint job looks terrible - however, I've yet to have anyone notice, comment, or even point at it. Instead, they all get this big silly grin (which matches my silly grin that's tattooed on my face everytime I drive it) and say things like "that's the best sounding 'vette ever" or "that is the most awesome vette I've ever seen"....
Personally, I'd suggest a larger boot size so your matting of the thin pedal happens faster. Failing that, I'd suggest something in a 427 size with some kind of forced induction.... trust me on this, my paint job looks terrible - however, I've yet to have anyone notice, comment, or even point at it. Instead, they all get this big silly grin (which matches my silly grin that's tattooed on my face everytime I drive it) and say things like "that's the best sounding 'vette ever" or "that is the most awesome vette I've ever seen"....
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Man I can't wait for spring!!!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 255
Likes: 3
Thanks for all the comments so far. My biggest issue so far is that the car was also just painted and the color is a custom mix. At some point the car must have been hit in the rear and the rear valance was totally changed in order for it to be reused. When we did the paint the body man spent lots of time trying to bring back the original seams. My worry is that if I bought a new one it wouldn't fit up very well and I dont plan on reworking any more body. Maybe I can have him just make small plugs/doors for the holes, remove the chrome trims and see how well we can hide the openings that way. In any case I am going to try the side pipes to see if I like them on the car. I will try attaching some pics so you can see what I am working with.
Thanks
Rodney
Thanks
Rodney
