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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 09:57 PM
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Default C3 side exhaust question

I bought a C3 with factory side exhaust installed. I seem to get alot of exhaust fumes in the car with the windows down. Is this normal? I realize the exhaust tip is right under the door but it's a little unbearable
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 10:15 PM
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When you say factory exhaust, you have a '69? That's the only C3 year that factory side exhaust was available.
If indeed the factory system, then no, not normal. Have you inspected the pipes themselves to ensure there are no rusted areas under the door sills?
Does the exhaust burn your eyes?
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 10:29 PM
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It's a 74 that has been retrofitted with 1969 factory side exhaust. Yeah, it's running a little rich which I'm sure doesn't help..
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Old Aug 20, 2023 | 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Jasonsvette
Yeah, it's running a little rich which I'm sure doesn't help..
Bingo...
I had a buddy years ago with a '68 L36 Roadster that had a set of those big chrome Hooker side pipes.
Fumes were never a problem. Ringing in my ears afterwards was a different story...
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 10:21 AM
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I have a 69 with factory side exhaust. It had noticeable exhaust fumes at the time of purchase nearly 13 years ago. It also had a myriad of carb issues. After setting up the carb correctly following Lars papers as well as timing, plugs, points etc. the fumes are now gone.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 01:13 PM
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Was out today for a ride .69 -427 -with side exhaust T tops off & rear window out .Hot humid weather No smell of exhaust even when sitting at a red light
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 05:26 PM
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Tune your carb. You will have zero issues. Ive had mine on for the 8 years I've owned the car with zero fumes
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Rescue Rogers
Tune your carb. You will have zero issues. Ive had mine on for the 8 years I've owned the car with zero fumes
i cant get a good reading with my wideband. The exhaust must be sucking air from somewhere. I tuned it the old fashioned way with a vacuum gauge. I got it from 15 in/hg to 18 in/hg. Lets see if that helps. I can't tell if my eyes are burning because it's way lean or too fat

I might shoot the lock off the wallet and get a new set of pipes. Thinking about these

https://highfloperformance.com/produ...t-with-c2-tips
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:03 PM
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What is your timing set to?

I can smell my exhaust, but it isn't offensive, and my eyes certainly aren't burning.

Please post a photo! If you have the stock-69-style covers, that look is pretty cool and worth keeping. And we all like to see it.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:16 PM
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As others stated it's all in the tuning, the richer the mixture, the more fumes in the car.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
What is your timing set to?

I can smell my exhaust, but it isn't offensive, and my eyes certainly aren't burning.

Please post a photo! If you have the stock-69-style covers, that look is pretty cool and worth keeping. And we all like to see it.
Its 10 degrees at 800 rpm with the vacuum advance disconnected. I cant really make out the numbers on the timing tab. I put 10 degrees on my light and adjusted the mark on the balancer so I could see it through the hole in the tube which I'm assuming is 0.

The pipes look like this. There are three pot metal pieces bolted to a plastic/ fiberglass insulator



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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Jasonsvette
i cant get a good reading with my wideband. The exhaust must be sucking air from somewhere. I tuned it the old fashioned way with a vacuum gauge. I got it from 15 in/hg to 18 in/hg. Lets see if that helps. I can't tell if my eyes are burning because it's way lean or too fat

I might shoot the lock off the wallet and get a new set of pipes. Thinking about these

https://highfloperformance.com/produ...t-with-c2-tips
I just ordered those this afternoon. The 2.5 wild version slip on with the band clamp. If you call them and talk to them they can set you up exactly the way you want. they are leaving wednesday for Carlisle. I have one of the early 69 style in 2.5. I cut the down pipe off and put the Hedman bell flange on it and run Hedman headers to them. I think the C2 version will flow much better. They said that they can add the 3/8 thick fiberglass baffle blanket in the quiet version in the pipes up to 2.25 inner baffle. The outside is 3 inch so the 2.5 inner baffle is too tight

Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Aug 22, 2023 at 05:29 AM.
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Jasonsvette
i cant get a good reading with my wideband. The exhaust must be sucking air from somewhere. I tuned it the old fashioned way with a vacuum gauge. I got it from 15 in/hg to 18 in/hg. Lets see if that helps. I can't tell if my eyes are burning because it's way lean or too fat

I might shoot the lock off the wallet and get a new set of pipes. Thinking about these

https://highfloperformance.com/produ...t-with-c2-tips

Is your wide band jumping from lean to rich...if so you may have a vacuum leak around the carb or the intake to head seal. Mine jumped a bit until I used a bit of Forma gasket #2 on both sides of my intake gasket
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:50 PM
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Looks nice!

A "Lars" style tune could really wake up your engine. He ( @lars ) has posted lots of threads on this Forum. Email, (don't PM) and ask for his timing papers, and his Q-Jet papers. Getting your timing properly advanced might keep your eyes from watering. Then you can adjust the carb. But fix the timing first!

One recent example with his email address:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lp-needed.html
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
Looks nice!

A "Lars" style tune could really wake up your engine. He ( @lars ) has posted lots of threads on this Forum. Email, (don't PM) and ask for his timing papers, and his Q-Jet papers. Getting your timing properly advanced might keep your eyes from watering. Then you can adjust the carb. But fix the timing first!

One recent example with his email address:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...lp-needed.html
Im fairly experienced with Q-Jets and performance tuning. It's getting a "Jason" style tune!

Timing is right on the money. Carb is freshly restored. Just have to fix the exhaust so I get get an accurate AFR. The plugs are new and still have no color on them which leads me to believe it's way lean.


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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Jasonsvette
Im fairly experienced with Q-Jets and performance tuning. It's getting a "Jason" style tune!
It can't hurt to get a second opinion, especially if you set your timing at idle. But don't take my word for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Grimsrud
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
It can't hurt to get a second opinion, especially if you set your timing at idle. But don't take my word for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Grimsrud
I can speak for my 69 back in the 90’s .. yes I had stock side pipes and fumes did enter the cab . Wasn’t a fan of them at all , so I took them out and still have them in my attic
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Old Aug 21, 2023 | 09:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Bikespace
It can't hurt to get a second opinion, especially if you set your timing at idle. But don't take my word for it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Grimsrud
Geez...where's my Wikipedia page?? Lol. I'm sure Lars is great with QJets.

I usually set my QJets up to run around 13.0- 13.2 AFR at idle and cruise. I have a wideband O2 which is an invaluable data point. I also read the plugs. I'm also a big believer in giving the engine what it wants rather than living and dying by what the service manual says
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Old Aug 22, 2023 | 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Jasonsvette
Geez...where's my Wikipedia page?? Lol. I'm sure Lars is great with QJets.

I usually set my QJets up to run around 13.0- 13.2 AFR at idle and cruise. I have a wideband O2 which is an invaluable data point. I also read the plugs. I'm also a big believer in giving the engine what it wants rather than living and dying by what the service manual says
You need 14.5-14.7 at idle. 13.0-13.2 is going to stink like you say......use the idle drop method and that will give your close to 14.7.
None of us tuners or engine builders here go by the service manual for tuning......and yes, you give the engine what it wants. 10 degrees at idle isn't enough.......and none of us here set timing at idle......you set it at or around 3000 rpm and shoot for 36-38 degrees......the idle timing is what it is.....you record it, but it isn't that important.....most times the initial falls at 15 degrees shooting for 36 total......you do not drive at idle, there is no load, so idle timing is insignificant, but it plays a role in how much total timing you have.....
The 69' Side Exhaust is terribly restrictive....especially behind a big block....(assuming 454)......those pipes on there now will sap about 30-40 horsepower compared to a free flowing setup......definitely look at something else.....

Jebby
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Old Aug 22, 2023 | 08:02 AM
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[QUOTE=Jebbysan;160696689

The 69' Side Exhaust is terribly restrictive....especially behind a big block....(assuming 454)......those pipes on there now will sap about 30-40 horsepower compared to a free flowing setup......definitely look at something else.....

Jebby[/QUOTE]

That is why I had Allen's build me a set in 2-1/2" and they are much louder...which means they are flowing more air...which means they are allowing the engine to develop more power. All good!
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