Pipes, then wheels later on! 
wheels or side pipes
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
wheels or side pipes
have a little money to spend on the vette, I'll be putting on some new calipers first off (see the holy cow thread).
that will leave enough for headers and side pipes, or some torque thrust D's. , car has rallies now with rings that won't stay tight, and stock exhaust with a few small leaks.
thoughts either way???
any vettes with rallies and pipes ?
that will leave enough for headers and side pipes, or some torque thrust D's. , car has rallies now with rings that won't stay tight, and stock exhaust with a few small leaks.
thoughts either way???
any vettes with rallies and pipes ?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
I went through a similar thought process not too long ago..
After reading a gazillion threads on pros/cons of sidepipes, and watching every corvette sidepipe video on youtube, I still went with the wheels.
The sound seems out of this world [on videos], but every post regarding poor fitment, power loss depending on mufflers, possible smell coming in the car etc was enough to make me stick with my inexpensive Corvette Central exhaust. I have a set of undercar headers in the basement, and someday they will be apart of the package.
There is now a set of Torque Thrust II's in one of my bedrooms [yes there are many uninstalled parts in the house].
Sidepipes are real cool, but Corvette Central exhausts are pretty inexpensive...just saying.
After reading a gazillion threads on pros/cons of sidepipes, and watching every corvette sidepipe video on youtube, I still went with the wheels.
The sound seems out of this world [on videos], but every post regarding poor fitment, power loss depending on mufflers, possible smell coming in the car etc was enough to make me stick with my inexpensive Corvette Central exhaust. I have a set of undercar headers in the basement, and someday they will be apart of the package.
There is now a set of Torque Thrust II's in one of my bedrooms [yes there are many uninstalled parts in the house].
Sidepipes are real cool, but Corvette Central exhausts are pretty inexpensive...just saying.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 7
From: Providence Rhode Island
If you get side pipes dont get the chrome hookers. I did and they started rusting in three weeks and now 3 years later are really a mess I have them off ready to be sent out for ceramic coating Im hoping that the chromex finish will look good
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke Va.
Remember that if u do sidepipes that you really should do some body work to get rid of those exhaust "holes" under rear bumper. Nothing worse than a vette with side pipes AND the holes!!!! Just sayin' it's more $.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 7
From: Providence Rhode Island
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 261
Likes: 7
The filler panels aren't that much better, IMHO, and significantly add to the expense. If you're painting anyway, why not, but otherwise.... It's not like you're fooling anyway anyway with that oddly shaped filler panel.A set of decent 17" wheels and tires will be the better investment here, and provide significant appearance, safety and handling improvements. Sidepipes will not do any of that to the same degree, and will probably be not that much cheaper.
Terrorizing Orange Cones
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,572
Likes: 17
From: Northern CO
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Well it's your car why not get what you want most, unless the wheels you have are a safety issue,
I love my side pipes but love them more wrapped in ugly header wrap, Okay I tell myself it lends a race car look
but you can reach down and hold a hot pipe without getting a burn, side pipes will brand you at least once and make getting in and out a little more acrobatic
Wheels, I believe in keeping classic looks classic and while a few companies make old school looking wheels in new larger sizes our c3 suspensions were not made to work well with real large wheels with rubber band tires, no, just because your suspension and or ride is stiff doesn't mean it handles well.
The only other thing on wheels is to each their own but why do some people put the big old chrome ghetto pimp wheels on c3's????
I love my side pipes but love them more wrapped in ugly header wrap, Okay I tell myself it lends a race car look
but you can reach down and hold a hot pipe without getting a burn, side pipes will brand you at least once and make getting in and out a little more acrobaticWheels, I believe in keeping classic looks classic and while a few companies make old school looking wheels in new larger sizes our c3 suspensions were not made to work well with real large wheels with rubber band tires, no, just because your suspension and or ride is stiff doesn't mean it handles well.
The only other thing on wheels is to each their own but why do some people put the big old chrome ghetto pimp wheels on c3's????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
if it wasn't for looks I'd drive the old suburban ...LOL
I have a friend thats giving me a filler panel. if I go with wheels I will stay with the 15's, I don't care for the big wheel look on older cars.I do plan to paint the car in a motion theme next year.
I have a friend thats giving me a filler panel. if I go with wheels I will stay with the 15's, I don't care for the big wheel look on older cars.I do plan to paint the car in a motion theme next year.