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I want to get the side exhaust for my 69 but the OEM is rather costly. Has anyone had any experience with the fiberglass reproduction? I really like the factory look pipes that is what I am after.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
The fiberglass isnt chromed and it doesnt look great painted the body color. If you go with the fiberglass investigate some of the chrome paint or something along those lines first before you buy. Other than that it fits okay and is a cheap solution until you find a good set. I searched for used and combined 3 broken *** sets to make one good one. You may find a used set here. If you go used check the fiberglass insulator at the rear and the front. They are 3 pieces of chrome bolted to the fiberglass insulator and the insulators will crack and break at the joints of the chrome pieces
The fiberglass isnt chromed and it doesnt look great painted the body color. If you go with the fiberglass investigate some of the chrome paint or something along those lines first before you buy. Other than that it fits okay and is a cheap solution until you find a good set. I searched for used and combined 3 broken *** sets to make one good one. You may find a used set here. If you go used check the fiberglass insulator at the rear and the front. They are 3 pieces of chrome bolted to the fiberglass insulator and the insulators will crack and break at the joints of the chrome pieces
don’t just look at how they look on the car think of your poor legs that one time or another will definitely get burnt lol
You only get burned with side pipes that aren’t covered. The factory pipes have chrome/fiberglass covers that protect the hot pipes and stop you from getting burned. You can pretty much put your hands on the cover and not burn yourself.
The problem is that the covers alone are expensive. I replaced my fiberglass covers with chrome ones but they were 5X the cost. But the look is beautiful especially if you like originality. The fiberglass covers are good looking and OK if originality isn’t critical.
Fiberglass
Chrome
Bkerns if you are interested I might be selling my fiberglass covers. Ike
The factory side kit will set you back some coin big time. These are the Eckler side covers, they come gloss black gel-coat and are paint-able, i just go with what ever color the car happens to be, these are 45 years old now. My side exhaust rusted out years ago so mine are just to fill the space between the flares.
Finding a good chrome paint might be a problem tho, can fiberglass be powder-coated?
Hope this helps.
The factory side kit will set you back some coin big time. These are the Eckler side covers, they come gloss black gel-coat and are paint-able, i just go with what ever color the car happens to be, these are 45 years old now. My side exhaust rusted out years ago so mine are just to fill the space between the flares.
Finding a good chrome paint might be a problem tho, can fiberglass be powder-coated?
Hope this helps.
Originally Posted by general ike
You only get burned with side pipes that aren’t covered. The factory pipes have chrome/fiberglass covers that protect the hot pipes and stop you from getting burned. You can pretty much put your hands on the cover and not burn yourself.
The problem is that the covers alone are expensive. I replaced my fiberglass covers with chrome ones but they were 5X the cost. But the look is beautiful especially if you like originality. The fiberglass covers are good looking and OK if originality isn’t critical.
Fiberglass
Chrome
Bkerns if you are interested I might be selling my fiberglass covers. Ike
I have not found it bad. Possibly by the fact that it’s a convertible? Also I think the covers deflect the heat downward. I want to say that it’s similar to my 72 coupe with rear exhaust. I am rarely stuck in traffic and usually moving I will pay more attention Ike
I'm not worried about originality the car is not all original to start. Ike, I would be interested if you are selling your covers. I like that look of the black center and the then ends matching the car, looks sharp on that blue. VHT has a chrome paint that I will investigate further for this. Thanks for all the advice guys, since I don't have a huge budget I will save some by going fiberglass.
These are aftermarket fiberglass covers painted about 15 to 18 years ago, they could use a repaint now , but still OK . They aren`t insulated but you don`t` get burned on them .
Mine were chrome painted when I got them. It just didn’t look quite right. So I went with a slightly less bright silver color. I think they look nicer. I will dig them out and get some photos for you and PM you. Thanks Ike
While we are on this, Mine has the factory side pipes and covers. The chrome is not the best. If I am going to have to eventually spend the $3000 for the exhaust/covers. I would like to put a 3" exhaust behind new factory looking covers. Is there a better muffler that fits behind them without having to be the
type that the exhaust has to crossover from one chamber to the next? I have not seen anything like I am asking about. I have a 435 horse 427 with the 2.5 exhaust and headers. I want to keep the look but would like a bigger free flowing pipe/exhaust.;
I want to get the side exhaust for my 69 but the OEM is rather costly. Has anyone had any experience with the fiberglass reproduction? I really like the factory look pipes that is what I am after.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Fishinnut
While we are on this, Mine has the factory side pipes and covers. The chrome is not the best. If I am going to have to eventually spend the $3000 for the exhaust/covers. I would like to put a 3" exhaust behind new factory looking covers. Is there a better muffler that fits behind them without having to be the
type that the exhaust has to crossover from one chamber to the next? I have not seen anything like I am asking about. I have a 435 horse 427 with the 2.5 exhaust and headers. I want to keep the look but would like a bigger free flowing pipe/exhaust.;
Side Exhaust
