Guys and Gals: This is my second post. I realized a dream many, many years ago when I bought my first Corvette. It was a 1969, 350/350 4 speed T-Top in Lemans Blue. Naturally, I wish I still had it.

Fast forward to now and the long dormant (but not unappreciated) Vette bug is back in full force. I AM going to buy a '73. I've spent the last three weeks looking at every '73 ad I could find. There are a couple I've looked at that really have me ready to get it done.

They can be seen at these two web addresses.

1. Google Gateway Classic Cars, pick Chevrolet and Corvette and it is the Orange one for $17,995.00
2. [url]http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com/corvette-49347.html go to page two and click on #348LOU

Number two is worlds different from number one in it's paint and look but I like it a lot.

Now here's the question. My wife and I drive back and forth to Tallahassee from Panama City Beach quite a bit. About two hours. Cruising I-10 in either one will be fantastic.

ARE THE SIDE PIPES TO LOUD TO ENJOY THE DRIVE????????????

Thanks.

 

If you want people to see something on the forum, don't ask them to research it. Just provide the link: (unless its a non-supporting vendor/item)

http://gatewayclassiccars.com/chicag...ette-S280.html

Its in their Chicago showroom.

and: http://www.usedcorvettesforsale.com/corvette-49347.html

 

Thanks Vettebuyer for the links. I'm not real good at anything on the computer except market stuff.

What about the loudness of side pipes. Any thoughts on that?

 

I just added factory sides to my '69 roadster. I'll say they are louder than I would prefer, and they are supposedly the GM "quiet" ones.

They look good, though.

 

Quieter, carry on a conversation sidepipes = negative horsepower - push the loud pedal and little happens.

Better flowing sidepipes = Dam, that's louder than I thought it would be

Free flowing sidepipe inserts = Yeah Baby - Loud Pipes Save Lives

Sidepipes are difficult to achieve the best of both worlds so you'll have to decide what compromise you're willing to make. The aftermarket Hooker and similar designed headers offer the ability to try different inserts (mufflers) The reverse flow will cost you 75+ horsepower but they have a nice rumble, not too loud and are what most people go with for a cruiser that they don't try to run very hard.

Glasspack inserts are louder but in my opinion (too quiet) the middle of the road. They still restrict the exhaust but not as bad as the reverse flow but it's there.

STS baffles, Hooker max flow and Vettepacks (what I run) are loud but flow with minimal horsepower loss.

Modifications to the rocker panels is always a possibility and something to consider with the price of the two cars you're looking at. A simple muffler change from stock can get you a nice rumble out the rear but you don't get the look of sidepipes. Pros and Cons to both so the best thing is to make a side by side list and see which side wins.

Since you're looking at stock styled engines with factory manifolds you can also go with the factory styled side pipes with a few "Quiet" versions available and some performance ones. The original covers with cost an arm and a leg but there are Fiberglass reproductions available at a fraction of the cost but they aren't chrome.

Good Luck,

Eric

 

How loud you think the pipes are may be directly related to how old you are. If your in your 20's or 30's too loud is usually just right.
If your in your 40's or 50's sides are gonna be too loud after about an hour.
60's and any side pipe is likely too loud.
After 70 your going deaf anyhow so loud pipes don't matter anymore

I like my Hooker side pipes with STS baffles, but after and hour or so at highway speeds without the fatmat megamat in the doors it began to get fatiguing. Now with the sound deadening material in the doors two hours is more like the limit. However they also have these cool noise attenuation devices (earplugs) that work well, or so I've heard.
I figure by the time I'm 70 it won't matter anymore for me.
See what inserts are in those side pipes or listen to it running that will tell you more than anything.

 

side pipes ARE louder because the sound is right at the back of the seat, however, one person's "too loud noise" is another's symphony (i'm in the latter group)

You can make them quieter, but you'll still have the smell and noise right at your shoulder.

That said, you won't have your feet cooking and the interior of the car hotter than it is with sidepipes... in all, it's a balance.

A couple weeks ago, I pulled up next to a couple guys riding harleys with loud pipes.... they were joking with me about how they were feeling old because their bikes were so quiet compared to my dynomax inserts - I said if it was too loud that perhaps they should swap their bikes for an electric wheelchair

But they did have a point, it is loud - especially to the folks on the outside. Inside the car - it's riding in the maelstrom

 

Agree. I loved the look and sound of my factory sidepipes but did a lot of stop and go driving. The exhaust smell got to me after a while and I do not run them on my current '69. Just something to think about.

 

We just installed factory sides on our 69 L46 a few months ago. She looks fantastic and sounds loud but not overwhelmingly loud. (I'm not familiar with the hookers nor do I prefer the looks over the factory sides so I can't comment on those.) I will say that I could see some people getting tired of hearing the constant drone of the pipes during longer periods of highway driving. For me, I enjoy the pipes as our car is not a daily driver and I like the sound through each gear shift.
As for choosing a car, I recommend picking the car that grabs you most and worrying about the exhaust later. You can always go back to install/uninstall the exhaust you prefer.
Good luck and have fun.

 

leave the factory set up on .then put on side pipes with a electric cut out .go back when ever you want.side pipes look the best but but but your call.

 

I just drove 1000+ miles in two days with my 69 BB with the Oversize Sweet Thunder Factory style sidepipes. Loud? Oh Yea, but bearable. I had Hooker super comps with Max flow inserts before these, and it was extremely tiring to drive it more than 150 miles or so at a time.

 

Exhaust are an afterthough when buying a used C3. The concern is finding something that's has a rustfree birdcage/frame and a straight body with minimal fiberglass repair.

One advantage to side pipes is that it makes it easier to work on in terms of trans removal, and most any sort of rear suspension/differental work.

 

WHAT !!!! OK.. I would not have a C3 without them.. Tha lines beg for sidepipes..... I do have lotz of earplugs.. mostly for wind noise though....

 

I use mine for a DD all summer long, its a little louder than I thought, but like everyone said you are basically sitting on them. I love em and it was the best upgrade I have done and don't regret it all. you can still carry on a conversation and I don't mind it for a hour or two straight driving. I am very curious to hear the difference between the hooker comp style compared to the original style, hopefully this summer I can compare them side by side and hear the difference. I think they both look amazing.

 

I bought the Sweet Thunder inserts for my Hookers and yeah, I get comments both for and against the decibel level. I'm used to the rumble so the noise only reminds me that the car speaks with authority. It ain't hybrid or SUV quiet for a reason.

The biggest concern I have is more from the smell of unburned hydrocarbons from low-speed cruising and since I run them without shields, burning the ankle when wearing summer shorts. Putting shields on, would fix the burn issue.

As far as the smell? The carb's idle and transition circuits can be tuned a little tighter. Currently, I limit my exposure by rolling up the windows or avoid crawling in city-style traffic. I love the Western US for all the open spaces that we enjoy.

 

I wrapped my inserts with header wrap - and the temp of the exhaust pipe is never more than 140*, which would still burn you, but it'd take a bit before it did damage. Of course, if you put skin on the tubes going into the insert - well, you deserve to get burned

 

Thank you all for your input. Still haven't decided but I have come to believe they look best on a black Vette.