L S Exhaust
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 784
Likes: 228
From: Salt Lake City
L S Exhaust
Hi, New to C3, but been playing with a C2 for a while. I am in the process of buying a 72 with LS engine. I am looking for exhaust ideas. I like the look of header to side pipes, but am not finding much. I am open to any exhaust ideas. Thanks, Tim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 2,016
From: MA/NH Seacoast
I've done a few C3 LS cars. The exhaust is a little more difficult to do on them, as there's not much out there that fits off the shelf. However, there's a couple companies that make Hooker style sidepipe headers that fit really well, and look amazing. They're pretty damn expensive though.
I experimented with taking a set of big block Hooker sidepipe headers, cutting the flange off and welding on LS flanges. Not as easy as you'd think. The spacing on the primary tubes is close, but they need to be moved around slightly. The angle of the flange is totally different however, so there was a lot of fitting, tweaking, moving, and welding to get it close. In the end, it wasn't really worth it for me.
I experimented with taking a set of big block Hooker sidepipe headers, cutting the flange off and welding on LS flanges. Not as easy as you'd think. The spacing on the primary tubes is close, but they need to be moved around slightly. The angle of the flange is totally different however, so there was a lot of fitting, tweaking, moving, and welding to get it close. In the end, it wasn't really worth it for me.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
Try Billy Boat I almost pulled the trigger on a set (not these)
https://www.bbexhaust.com/shop/c3-ls...der-fcor-0579/
https://www.bbexhaust.com/shop/c3-ls...der-fcor-0579/
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
Here's a thread on the Billy Boat exhaust, with photos.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...h-quality.html
I've seen Hooker headers modified to work with LS spacing. That might be an option if you were a welder, but not for most of us.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...h-quality.html
I've seen Hooker headers modified to work with LS spacing. That might be an option if you were a welder, but not for most of us.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,012
Likes: 3,342
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Corvette Central has a LS conversion system...
https://www.corvettecentral.com/sear...exhaust+system
https://www.corvettecentral.com/sear...exhaust+system
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,315
Likes: 697
Just a thought. I didn't use side pipes on my 71 C3 LS1 swap. I used mid length Patriot LS swap headers. They fit well. Would it be much cheaper to use mid length headers and and fab to a a connection from the header to the side pipe?
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
The chrome side pipes, you can get those anywhere. Billy Boat has them in stainless. Doug's has them in all colors. I think my Craigslist-sourced Hooker sidepipes used 4" chrome stacks from a semi.
If you want the 69-style side pipes (which were fed from exhaust mainfolds), you can do that, too. Chrome covers are available, as well as much cheaper fiberglass (which you can paint however you want).
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 1,588
From: los altos hills california
Thes would interfere with the zBar if you've kept a mechanical linkage. I did and the only headers that would have worked for me is the Billy Boat. They had a great sale at the time I was thinking about this but the thought of tearing down something that was already working well for me put me off.