Installing side pipes. Good or bad?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,350
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
As far as I know there are 3 ways to do this....
1. Headers going into side pipes. (4 pipes coming from under car)
2. Exhaust pipes from original exhaust manifolds going into sidepipes (1 pipe coming from under car)
3. Exhaust pipes with 3 'fake' pipes going into side pipes. (Looks like 1. but its realy 2.)
1. Headers going into side pipes. (4 pipes coming from under car)
2. Exhaust pipes from original exhaust manifolds going into sidepipes (1 pipe coming from under car)
3. Exhaust pipes with 3 'fake' pipes going into side pipes. (Looks like 1. but its realy 2.)
Racer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
If you decide to get the Hooker system I did it with just a standard jack to lift as high as possible to get the manifold under the car and in place, then put the car on a jackstand, and had a buddy grab them as I fed them up to him. Really straight foward procedure. It fits like a puzzle on the driverside, only one way in past the powersteering. Since I don't have a heater core I can't say how tough it is on the pass side.
AND YES, SIDEPIPES RULE!!!!!
AND YES, SIDEPIPES RULE!!!!!
Intermediate
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
I just made the move to sidepipes on my '75 about a month ago.
I went with the Hooker headers to sidepipe setup. I bought everything I thought I would need in advance, Hooker PS mount, Hooker AC mount, gaskets and bolts.
The whole thing went much much better than I could have ever imagined. I've done exhaust work before and snapped manifold bolts, smashed knuckles, you name it.... These things went in like they had eyes. The only thing I had to do was take the Dremel tool to a couple of the flange bolt holes to get the to align with the head.
I did have a bigger issue getting the rocker moldings back on after the pipes were installed. That was a bit of a PITA.
I got the ceramic coating and they are hot after a ride, but believe me, you or your wife will only touch them once...
I agree with the value question. '75's aren't really on the "collector" side of things and seriously doubt they will ever get to the same stature as a 67 or 71 big block. They were the first year for the dreaded converter, but who cares. I drive mine every day the sun is out and they aren't calling for rain.
I went with the Hooker headers to sidepipe setup. I bought everything I thought I would need in advance, Hooker PS mount, Hooker AC mount, gaskets and bolts.
The whole thing went much much better than I could have ever imagined. I've done exhaust work before and snapped manifold bolts, smashed knuckles, you name it.... These things went in like they had eyes. The only thing I had to do was take the Dremel tool to a couple of the flange bolt holes to get the to align with the head.
I did have a bigger issue getting the rocker moldings back on after the pipes were installed. That was a bit of a PITA.
I got the ceramic coating and they are hot after a ride, but believe me, you or your wife will only touch them once...
I agree with the value question. '75's aren't really on the "collector" side of things and seriously doubt they will ever get to the same stature as a 67 or 71 big block. They were the first year for the dreaded converter, but who cares. I drive mine every day the sun is out and they aren't calling for rain.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
being the cheap SOB that i am i went with the patriots,
i like the single look pipe better and was able to buy them
for $205 shipped from jegs and another $140 to have them
properly hooked up after i installed them.
and like i always say
"Corvettes NEED sidepipes" but thats just my opinion.
i like the single look pipe better and was able to buy them
for $205 shipped from jegs and another $140 to have them
properly hooked up after i installed them.
and like i always say
"Corvettes NEED sidepipes" but thats just my opinion.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have heard they are better fro high RPM HP than low RPM torque. I think they can hurt you if you have a low RPM torque engine, but that the difference is hard to notice without a few runs on a dyno.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
I'm doing the 69 factory look sidepipes on my 75. Since I'm not going to spend over $2k for the reproduction covers.. I'm having my fiberglass covers vacuum metallized and clear coated so they look chromed. I'm using Headman ceramic coated side exhaust headers and will have a custom 3" exhaust made to let the 427 exhale (3.5 in mufflers will fit under the covers). Just wanted to keep the heat from under the car... 
Just another option to the leg burners 
-F
Just another option to the leg burners -F
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Leander TX
As far as I know there are 3 ways to do this....
1. Headers going into side pipes. (4 pipes coming from under car)
2. Exhaust pipes from original exhaust manifolds going into sidepipes (1 pipe coming from under car)
3. Exhaust pipes with 3 'fake' pipes going into side pipes. (Looks like 1. but its realy 2.)
1. Headers going into side pipes. (4 pipes coming from under car)
2. Exhaust pipes from original exhaust manifolds going into sidepipes (1 pipe coming from under car)
3. Exhaust pipes with 3 'fake' pipes going into side pipes. (Looks like 1. but its realy 2.)
-F
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth Texas
Im out of fort worth and i have the hooker headers and side pipes.. All the police i have asked about the laws behind having pipes in texas have said that its not illegal. And i have never had any trouble with the cops when i was out on the road.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
Really? They look soooo good though... If you have factory side exhaust and want to get rid of them - I may be interested in buying what ya got. 
Iree........let me see when you are done...
Iree........let me see when you are done...
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
chs - are you planning on going to the GTG at hooters in Grapevine on the 18th? http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1641882
I'm going to drive my '71 with the Hookers I just installed - just passed inspection 2 weeks ago here in Allen. You can hear them first-hand from outside and inside the car. I LOVE them...
I'm going to drive my '71 with the Hookers I just installed - just passed inspection 2 weeks ago here in Allen. You can hear them first-hand from outside and inside the car. I LOVE them...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,447
Likes: 3
From: Syracuse NY
Drive up on to a couple 2x6s then jack it. Unless you just want to sell them, I'm sure a few here will offer to buy them.
I love mine!
Last edited by DZRick; Mar 15, 2007 at 02:55 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
I love side pipes - they sound so good on a trip I never listen to any music 
You have to have good insulators or covers as your calves hit them more often than you think - but if done properly the covers are only warm.
I'm going through hell at present trying to restore my original 69 side pipe covers - you name it they've got it wrong with them, stress cracks in the alloy, rivet holes drilled in them, snapped off bolts in the alloy lugs, insulators glued to covers, the list goes on........
The end result will be like ******** Cindy Crawford, expensive but worth the wait
here's my original cry for help HERE
If you can get pipes like in the post above - what stopping you ? they look amazing !!
You have to have good insulators or covers as your calves hit them more often than you think - but if done properly the covers are only warm.
I'm going through hell at present trying to restore my original 69 side pipe covers - you name it they've got it wrong with them, stress cracks in the alloy, rivet holes drilled in them, snapped off bolts in the alloy lugs, insulators glued to covers, the list goes on........
The end result will be like ******** Cindy Crawford, expensive but worth the wait
here's my original cry for help HERE
If you can get pipes like in the post above - what stopping you ? they look amazing !!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
Vettes and sidepipes are a natural. I really love the appearance of factory designed sidepipes for C3, but they are more restrictive than basic under the car exhaust and very expensive. Expect to pay $2k for a set with the metal covers, plus installation if you are not a diy kind of guy. Hooker sidemounts are a good performance option because of the size of the exhaust (4"). There are various muffler options for the Hookers that have different effects on noise and perfomance. I have an off the shelf chrome set of Hookers, and my only disappointment was in the replacement ac compressor bracket. I have seen some solutions here on the forum that allow you to retain the stock bracket, which is far more heavy duty than the Hooker replacement piece.
Here is a pic of forum member Jughead's C3 w/factory sidepipes. A really sweet looking ride.
Here is a pic of forum member Jughead's C3 w/factory sidepipes. A really sweet looking ride.