I want to probably go to sidepipes for my next mod, since I finally have the engine running properly. Do I have to get headers designed for side pipes, or are most of the side pipes designed to hook up to most headers?

 

You can use under the body type headers with factory sidepipes.

The hooker header style use a sidepipe header, its kind of a package.

The hooker headers are around 43" long while the under body about 32"?

 

Are you going the original side-pipes (69 style)??? as I know you don
t need special headers for these...the pipes just hook up to the original exhaust.

I bought a set for my 70..with the original covers....I got my side pipes from Allens...and he is so cool.

I haven't put them on my vette yet.

The original side pipes are not that free flowing...thus not great if you want to add horse power...and they can be expensive for a set of the covers.

 

How about I just ask what's the best bang for the buck, involving sidepipes? I'm not a fan of shiney metal, so chrome or stainless isn't what I'm interested in. Just plain black steel works for me.

 

So you're looking for something like these:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

Personally I like the 69 style covers though.

 

The original BB exhaust manifolds were considered the best flowing of all the GM, BB exhaust manifolds.

The '69 factory side pipes bolt directly to the stock manifolds.

 

Something of that sort, yeah. Eventually I'm going to repaint it black anyways, to go for that stealth look. Hooker the only one that makes a good sidepipe deal?

Should I mention that this is an '81?

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-82...QQcmdZViewItem

Would those bolt right up? They look just like the factory version.

 

your better off just getting the black sidepipes from hooker through summitracing.com i have the black ones on mine.headers and sidepipes are 216 for the side tubes and 419 for the headers.

 

probably get more power from the hooker setup, eh?

 

This came up on an earlier post. About catylitic convertors. You would have to check your state to see what they want on your inspection or emission tests.

Most likey this rules out side pipe headers but headers with factory might be possible with some cobbling for the cats.

 

If you want to use the factory sidepipe header system (and the really nice looking factory 1969 sidepipe covers) you can buy a Hedman Hedders product that is made specifically for the factory sidepipes. The part number is 68280. This is for headers that do not require air injection from the smog pump. (I think if you need the air injection for a smog pump, you need to order 68281--better check with Hedman about this detail.) The Hedman Hedders are very reasonably priced at about $179.00. This is their plain black paint price. I sent my "Hedders" to Jet Hot and had them silver ceramic coated for $279.00.

If you decide to use the Hedman Hedders made for the factory sidepipes, they are not a straight bolt in product. You'll have to cut about 8 inches off of the factory sidepipe mufflers input tubes and weld them onto the collector adaptor piece. This is a very simple job for a muffler shop.

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About the factory sidepipe mufflers. (actually two tubes, one on top of the other welded together.) I understand that the mufflers for the Big Blocks had 2 1/2 inch input tubes and the small blocks had 2 inch input tubes. My understanding is that notwithstanding the input tube size difference, the actual muffler was actually the same except for the input tube size. To me this seems that the sidepipe mufflers are more restrictive for a big block than a small block because after the input tube, all the other dimensions are the same for both mufflers. Any help here?

Also I think one of our club sponsors sells these sidepipe mufflers in all stainless steel.

 

I register is as a historic vehicle as of next July. Don't care about that jazz. The only smog equipment still on it currently is that annoying cat. So factory style side-pipes wouldn't actually require changing the headers eh?

 

Factory pipes should bolt right up to stock exhaust manifolds ...
better to go with the Hedmans mentioned above if using stock style.
You shoudl be able to keep it under a grand for new factory style
pipes, headers, and fiberglass covers including paint.

Check out these. I'd consider the stainless HP version at the bottom:
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/corvett...pes_68_74.html

 

If you have long tube (conventional) headers, the outlet is too far back.
The Heddmans are one alternative that will work with stock pipes, the Hookers are the most popular, or you can spend a grand on Stahl headers and pipes.

Hans

 

That is correct...they bolt right up to the factory exhaust manifolds. And, not only do they sound great, but will improve your horsepower if your exhaust is a bottleneck. I'm getting 200HP on the road out of a 165HP at the flywheel engine...about a 25% increase in horsepower and the only mod is the side exhaust.

 

If you have a BB and aluminum heads, forget about the Hedman headers. The exhaust ports don't match up. At least that's what Hedman emailed me.

 

It's an '81, not worried about that.

 

Do the fiberglass 69 side pipe covers look good close up? I've never seen any in real life. What about if they get chromed?

The price of real or repo metal ones is some serious $$.