Installing side pipes. Good or bad?
Thread Starter
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Installing side pipes. Good or bad?
I have a 75 and i was thinking of replacing the stock exhaust. I was looking at a few cars on here and i was liking the look of side pipes. Since i do not know much about side pipes i have a few questions.
Were side pipes only avaliable on a few years or all c3s? What about the 75?
If i installed side pipes on my 75 would the value go down?
Any pros and cons to having them?
If i did decide to do them how hard would they be to install myself?
thanks!
Were side pipes only avaliable on a few years or all c3s? What about the 75?
If i installed side pipes on my 75 would the value go down?
Any pros and cons to having them?
If i did decide to do them how hard would they be to install myself?
thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It can be done by yourself, but it's not a small project and it's best done on a lift.
First, note the price.
Plan to spend $1500 on the headers and pipes...and another few bills on inserts, and gaskets.
Since your year never had factory side pipes, you have to go through the after market. Hooker are the most common. They are what I have had on two cars and most guys have on theirs. They have the side mount headers and 4" pipes that run along under the door.
The install can be undone later, and the only holes you will need to make to mount them are covered by the rocker panels.
Pros: Look great, sound great, flow better, no heat under cabin.
Cons: Hearing loss after many years with exhaust right below ear, and burns to legs when people aren't careful getting in and out.
First, note the price.
Plan to spend $1500 on the headers and pipes...and another few bills on inserts, and gaskets.
Since your year never had factory side pipes, you have to go through the after market. Hooker are the most common. They are what I have had on two cars and most guys have on theirs. They have the side mount headers and 4" pipes that run along under the door.
The install can be undone later, and the only holes you will need to make to mount them are covered by the rocker panels.
Pros: Look great, sound great, flow better, no heat under cabin.
Cons: Hearing loss after many years with exhaust right below ear, and burns to legs when people aren't careful getting in and out.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 664
Likes: 3
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
I think the sidepipes were only offered on the older models. Not sure exactly but I want to say 69 was the last year. Someone will prolly correct me there. I don't think 75 had a sidepipe option.
As far as value it depends. Is ur car all original? might hurt value then. If it's a non original motor. Then it could help the eye candy factor which could translate into a higher value for a prospective buyer. Maybe not.
It's gonna come down to what do u like at some point. i love em.
If u have a lift they are fairly easy for the average joe to install. Without a lift it could be a real PITA. U have to install the headers from below.
Really the only negative to me is the worry of burning a leg on em after long drives.
Just one man's 2 cents.
As far as value it depends. Is ur car all original? might hurt value then. If it's a non original motor. Then it could help the eye candy factor which could translate into a higher value for a prospective buyer. Maybe not.
It's gonna come down to what do u like at some point. i love em.
If u have a lift they are fairly easy for the average joe to install. Without a lift it could be a real PITA. U have to install the headers from below.
Really the only negative to me is the worry of burning a leg on em after long drives.
Just one man's 2 cents.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 22,437
Likes: 2
From: Hamburger Hill...MAY 69
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I will note that in SOME states it is illegal to have hot exhaust pipes exposed. Here in Columbia, it is illegal and I only get away with it because most police officers think they are cool.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
A 1975 has a Cat Converter per the EPA. You decide if you desire to
modify. Cost can be about $800 total if you use fiberglass covers
which look great and the system works fine. In heavy, stop & go traffic
they are no fun due to the fumes. Best for the highway.
modify. Cost can be about $800 total if you use fiberglass covers
which look great and the system works fine. In heavy, stop & go traffic
they are no fun due to the fumes. Best for the highway.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
I also have a '75 with a fantastic Silver paint job. Much better looking
than some chrome bumpers and it is very much original. But, the
chrome bumper cars rule - a "good" '75 worth about $14m - a "good"
1970 about $20m+. The '75's with cat converter not as popular to
some because of HP - But, my '75 goes like a rocket. Especially the
"roar" of pedal to the fiberglass!!!
than some chrome bumpers and it is very much original. But, the
chrome bumper cars rule - a "good" '75 worth about $14m - a "good"
1970 about $20m+. The '75's with cat converter not as popular to
some because of HP - But, my '75 goes like a rocket. Especially the
"roar" of pedal to the fiberglass!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,897
Likes: 0
From: Moon Township PA
The only answer is what the owner likes. For me, I prefer as original as possible and therefore, a car is more valuable. To others, value is added by chrome, mods, flaired fenders, big engines, etc.
NO ONE can answer the value question until it is time to sell the car. Imho, don't mod your car based on your perception of value. I personally like the sound of a side pipe car but I have never owned one or lived with one so I can't tell you if you get tired of them. I REALLY like the sound of the throaty under car exhaust and never tire of it.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Sealy TX
St. Jude Donor 06-'07
These are from Corvette Central. They bolt directly to stock headers. They are available in galvanized steel or stainless steel. With the fiberglass covers you have 700 to 800 tied up, plus what ever it costs to get the covers painted.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: Hickory North Carolina
will hooker headers and sidepipes fit on my 79 L-82? and if so will it be hard for myself to install or should i just take it to my mechanic? also would this have any effect on my trans switch coming in the summer?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,841
Likes: 3
From: Halifax, NS, Canada
I have the original style stainless pipes with fiberglass covers. I got them from Eckler's five years ago. They bolted directly to my original L-48 manifolds. After installing my ZZ4 with Patriot hugger headers, I did have to have the pipes fabricated to fit the headers. As far as heat goes, the fiberglass covers saves your legs. Even on the hottest days, they never get hot enough to burn you. As far as the installation goes, you do not have to modify anything as they bolt up to the slots in the frame as they did back in '69. The covers are bolted on using the holes your rocker moldings use. You can change back to original very quickly if that is what you need to do. These original style pipes did not have any noticeable effect on the performance of the car. They work fine on the ZZ4 as well.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta GA
Hookers are the best looking IMHO but I had a lot of other stuff to buy on mine first so I opted for the $275 ones for now. I was also painting my car so I bought the rear filler pannel to cover the old exhast and had it painted at the same time. Moving the exhast to the side pipes sure cleared some space under the car. And the $275 ones had a chrome cover which doesn't get too hot.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Millington TN
sidepipes
I got mine from Jet Hot. They came with a stainless ceramic coating and all at just under $1000. I did the work myself. I used a lift. I recently pulled them off while taking out my motor and I only had the car up on jackstands. So it CAN be done without a lift. A buddy is reccomended though. I've never had a problem with fumes from light to light driving. A little noisy sure but a hell of a lot of fun. Just be careful gettin out and you'll be fine.
-CR
-CR
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
Vette's were made to have sidepipes.
While there are many options to choose from for that year, I'd go for using some type of cover/heatshield. Those things will get damn hot after a ride
The last thing you want is to burn the legs of the passenger(often being the little lady!).
Don't worry about the value. Do what you want to do. It can always be put back.
Have fun!
While there are many options to choose from for that year, I'd go for using some type of cover/heatshield. Those things will get damn hot after a ride
The last thing you want is to burn the legs of the passenger(often being the little lady!). Don't worry about the value. Do what you want to do. It can always be put back.
Have fun!