SidePipes and Full Length Headers
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
SidePipes and Full Length Headers
I just purchased the Patriot H1060 sidepipes which are 60" in length. I currently have full length headers so the collection point of the headers is past where the sidepipes start. I know I had seen in the past where a few memeber had the same problem and fabricated a pipe that did a 180 and then a 90 degree turn into the sidepipes. I need to see if I can get as many pictures as possible of people that have had to do a similar setup so I can print them out and take them to the custom exhaust shop that will be doing the work. They say they do not have a mandrell bender and that no one up here does so the bends with not be perfect.
Let me know what you think and if you have any pics of your setup PLEASE post them.
Thanks
P.S. - Hoe much should I be expecting to pay for the install? ($200-$400 maybe)
Let me know what you think and if you have any pics of your setup PLEASE post them.
Thanks
P.S. - Hoe much should I be expecting to pay for the install? ($200-$400 maybe)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
I think I found an old post that shows stingraymaniac as having to use the 180 pipes to attach his sidepipes. Hopefully I can get him to chime in with some more pics or info on how he had it done. I am now thinking of buying the mandrel bent pipes from Summit and have the shope here just do minor bending and welding to attach them.
Definately still appreciate any more feedback to cost and especially any pics on the subject.
Definately still appreciate any more feedback to cost and especially any pics on the subject.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Hedman makes a full length header for C3 that dumps out at an angle ... intended for factory sidepipes. That same painted Hedman about $136/pr at summit ... P/N HED-68280 ... coated about $100-$150 more. This may be cheapest AND best solution. IIRC ... CF member b71vette used those hedmans on his project and he posted many details of it here ... do a search.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0+4294895343+0
Keep in mind ... the more you wind & coil that exhaust under your azz ... heat misery factor goes up ... and lots more places to leak/rattle/rust.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0+4294895343+0
Keep in mind ... the more you wind & coil that exhaust under your azz ... heat misery factor goes up ... and lots more places to leak/rattle/rust.
Last edited by jackson; Aug 15, 2006 at 12:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by jackson
Hedman makes a full length header for C3 that dumps out at an angle ... intended for factory sidepipes. That same painted Hedman under $100/pr at summit ... coated about $100-$150 more. This may be cheapest AND best solution. IIRC ... CF member b71vette used those hedmans on his project and he posted many details of it here ... do a search.
Keep in mind ... the more you wind & coil that exhaust under your azz ... heat misery factor goes up ... and lots more places to leak/rattle/rust.
Keep in mind ... the more you wind & coil that exhaust under your azz ... heat misery factor goes up ... and lots more places to leak/rattle/rust.
I like the look of the setup that Stingraymechanic used in his sidepipes and think that should work great. Not too worried about heat, but definately rattling, but I think if welded in and done right it should not rattle.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Augusta Maine
Odd thing here, I JUST finished getting mine painted after I did the same custom sidepipe install. Here is my thread...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1354285
and here are some pics of my job... I havn't posted the finished picks because I just finished it this weekend.
http://68.234.70.218:8080/phpAlbum_v...xhaust/&var2=1
Between these two locations, there are quite a few pics for you to get an idea as to what is required.
I did the layout and cutting, attached it all with clamps, then brought it to a shop to have it welded (cost $12). I then painted and reinstalled, I am very happy with the look and finished product.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1354285
and here are some pics of my job... I havn't posted the finished picks because I just finished it this weekend.
http://68.234.70.218:8080/phpAlbum_v...xhaust/&var2=1
Between these two locations, there are quite a few pics for you to get an idea as to what is required.
I did the layout and cutting, attached it all with clamps, then brought it to a shop to have it welded (cost $12). I then painted and reinstalled, I am very happy with the look and finished product.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Madison WI
Wow...deal with the problem however you'd like, but I strongly recommend against fabbing up a pipe like you mentioned. Something like that is going to be hugely restrictive and kill exhaust flow.
Why not just have the shop cut the headers and move the collectors back?
Why not just have the shop cut the headers and move the collectors back?
Last edited by 72Tornado; Aug 15, 2006 at 02:05 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by jackson
Simply my opinion ... but many of the Patriot installs end up with pipes way too low below rocker panels ... looks poor that low.
As long as there are no kinks in the bend and it is a nice mandrel bend, will it really make that much of a difference in restricted air flow. I really would not think that there would be much extra restriction in the air flow if done right.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
From: Tracy Ca
Originally Posted by 72Tornado
Wow...deal with the problem however you'd like, but I strongly recommend against fabbing up a pipe like you mentioned. Something like that is going to be hugely restrictive and kill exhaust flow.
Why not just have the shop cut the headers and move the collectors back?
Why not just have the shop cut the headers and move the collectors back?
Get new headers. You dont want that many bends.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Augusta Maine
I would agree that the "best" way to go is with a "real" header for sidepipes... but if cost is an issue, and you are not trying to make a super street vette, my 2cents worth is that this is a good cheap option. I was able to change my stock exhaust to the patriot system for around $250 total (for sidepipes, exhaust pipe, and hardware).
As for restrictive exhaust... sure the extra bends reduce velocity, but the increase in diameter and reduction in back pressure from the muffler more than makes up for this IMHO.
I am very happy with my outcome. BUT, I will say that when I need to do exhaust again, I will be spending the money for the hooker headers and side pipes to go with it. But for a low-cost solution to see if you like the look, sound, and feel (read that: burned legs)... it is hard to beat.
As for restrictive exhaust... sure the extra bends reduce velocity, but the increase in diameter and reduction in back pressure from the muffler more than makes up for this IMHO.
I am very happy with my outcome. BUT, I will say that when I need to do exhaust again, I will be spending the money for the hooker headers and side pipes to go with it. But for a low-cost solution to see if you like the look, sound, and feel (read that: burned legs)... it is hard to beat.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 15
From: Clarksburg NJ
I don't have pics right now, but I have full-legth Hedman's connected to the 2.5 " sidepipe hookup kit you can get directly from Summit or Jeg's for around $50. With some careful trimming of the pipes, and if you are willing to trim some of the fiberglass behind the rocker, and part of the rocker mouldings themselves, (mine were dinged-up anyway) you can get these to fit almost as high as the rocker mouldings. The top of my heat shields is flush with the black line on the mouldings. Once mocked-up with clamps, you can take down and weld the seams. I left one joint on each side with a stainless band style clamp for ease of dissassembly.
Restrictive ? Not nearly as much as the stock exhaust. I am on my third season at the dragstrip, and the car's doing just fine.
Restrictive ? Not nearly as much as the stock exhaust. I am on my third season at the dragstrip, and the car's doing just fine.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Central KY
What about doing a "NASCAR" bend and running your pipes at an angle from the end of each header to intersect each sidepipe somewhere in the middle of its length? I say NASACAR becuase this is the look of their stockers, except the pipe tip exits out the side and is not welded to a sidepipe. You can order some mandrel-bent curved pipe sections from Summit or whoever and have the muffler shop cut those, then connect it all with straight pipe sections. Nobody will be able to see that the front of your sidepipe is not connected if the forward portion of your sidepipes includes a short section of pipe curving in under the car, connected to...nothing. In this way, you get the cool look without the compromise of all those drastic pipe bends before the exhaust gets to the sidepipe.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 15
From: Clarksburg NJ
Here you go. This and a collector flange kit, and you are good to go. If you want to get real fancy, can wrap them in Thermo-tech when you're done. 
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by cswhelan
As for restrictive exhaust... sure the extra bends reduce velocity, but the increase in diameter and reduction in back pressure from the muffler more than makes up for this IMHO.
Everyone has been really helpful and keep the comments and suggestions comming. I think I have read all posts on sidepipes and 180 bends since 2003 and have MOST of my questions answered, but you can never know too much.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by jackson
Simply my opinion ... but many of the Patriot installs end up with pipes way too low below rocker panels ... looks poor that low.
mine are patriots and they are tucked right up against the rocker panels
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
I went ahead and bought some Hooker Mandrel Bend J pipes to assist with the install. This way the shop I am taking it to will not need to fab their own bends which would not have been anywhere near as nice since they do not have a mandrel bender.
I have seen many patriot pipes on C3 and some are too low, but many are mounted correctly flush against the bottom of the rock panels.
1Z87L8's example is a good one of where they are mounted right up against the rocker panels, although his rocker panels are painted black so it is hard to see them.
I have seen many patriot pipes on C3 and some are too low, but many are mounted correctly flush against the bottom of the rock panels.
1Z87L8's example is a good one of where they are mounted right up against the rocker panels, although his rocker panels are painted black so it is hard to see them.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
Originally Posted by TPIShark
Here you go. This and a collector flange kit, and you are good to go. If you want to get real fancy, can wrap them in Thermo-tech when you're done.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
