I have a new to me 1970 Corvette Convertible with a small block.

I want to add a LT1 type hood and factory SidePipes. When I talk to the Corvette suppliers they tend to say “Yes we sale them but we do not have them in stock. We can order them for you”.

I was told that the SidePipe Covers are taking a while to get.

Who makes these SidePipes and hoods??

 

For side exhaust they used to make them in house Corvette Central.

https://americansportscar.com/produc...8-1972-bb-lt1/

 

Thank You PJO.

 

I have seen ACI's hoods and they look well made.
https://acivette.com/

 

There are a number of sources for good quality hoods. I feel that ACI (American Custom Industries) makes the best hand laid hood, why Lee Bumb Composites and Corvette Concepts both make high quality press molded hoods. If you're not familiar with the difference, press molded parts are smooth on both sides, like factory hoods, rarely have any air bubbles in them, and cost more. Hand laid glass is much like the hull of a boat, with a very course backside with exposed glass fibers, often have pin holes that appear when sanding and need to be filled, but are much more cost effective. It seems that hand laid glass is taking 2 to 4 weeks these days, while the press molded parts are taking months, especially from Lee Bumb!

The factory style side pipe covers are made by Paragon Corvette. They have the parts for the covers cast using the original GM molds. Availability seems to vary for them. The covers are made up of multiple parts, that need to be cast, chrome plated, painted and then assembled, which is part of the reason that they cost about $2500 for the pair. Because the covers are so expensive, and often back ordered, most vendors don't stock them, and instead usually have them drop shipped from the manufacturer. A couple different companies make the actual pipes, with various sound levels pipes available from different manufacturers.

 

They are well made. When I picked up my L-88 hood from their facility they were kind enough to give me a tour.

 

YOu can also shop for used on Ebay or at our forum but in the end you end up paying almost the same as for new repro's after any repairs or rechroming. If you want chrome stay away from the fiberglass covers. If you plan on color matching the fiberglass is you best bet, not my cup of tea. I dont like it when the whole car is the same color




the chrome cover are franken covers from 3 different sets repaired and rebuilt. There is a fiberglass insulator underneath that they are screwed adn bonded to. I had to repair those but you can get a new set of insulators from Paragon for $650....as of 2 years ago.