Hooker vs original side exhasust, thoughts please
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 3
I prefer the looks of the factory setup. It is literally custom designed for the car right from the original show car.
On a 320 RWHP small block the stock side pipes aren't that restrictive loosing about 10 RWHP vs straight pipes on 2.5" ram's horn manifolds.
If you think the manifolds and original sidepipes are too restrictive, you can use headers that point outboard about 45 degrees to the side and feed them into chambered exhaust or "normal" '69 level baffling. On an L88 the chambered exhaust is deafening. This type of system looks totally stock from the outside.
If anyone wants more details on the specific headers that point 45 degrees outboard to smoothly mate with the pipes I can get that info from my buddy who put the system together on his BB. He also has the name of the vendor that built his baffling.
On a 320 RWHP small block the stock side pipes aren't that restrictive loosing about 10 RWHP vs straight pipes on 2.5" ram's horn manifolds.
If you think the manifolds and original sidepipes are too restrictive, you can use headers that point outboard about 45 degrees to the side and feed them into chambered exhaust or "normal" '69 level baffling. On an L88 the chambered exhaust is deafening. This type of system looks totally stock from the outside.
If anyone wants more details on the specific headers that point 45 degrees outboard to smoothly mate with the pipes I can get that info from my buddy who put the system together on his BB. He also has the name of the vendor that built his baffling.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 435
Likes: 7
From: Wake Forest NC
My neighbor has a '65 Cobra w/sidepipes (they get real hot). He put a starter thermal cover on the passenger side that flaps out (like a red carpet) when you open the door. When closed, the starter cover tucks into the (I think) map pocket of the passenger door, thereby automatically deploys when the door is opened. A neat setup.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
Like the man said earlier, for a fine finished GM look, go to www.steelshields.com Bangkok Dean has heat shields custom made for 'Vettes, Pontiacs, even something sweet for a Cobra application. They fit both three and four inch pipes.
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Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
There just isn't really a lot of room under these hoods, is there? The engine sits pretty far back, and I've got the sidepipes in the Hooker location, so that's where the bends ended up. The length of the bend is about 2 1/4 feet or so.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I have a set of Speedway's cheap shorty headers on order, once I have them in hand I'm going to start working out the exact details of my exhaust.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Oh - the best way to describe it is that it angles slightly downward. The bottom of the collector is only about 3 inches above the height of the installed sidepipes. (The exhaust passes under that frame section that angles up a bit in that area.) If that section was leveled out, 1) it would possibly look weird from the front if you laid on the ground (a common thing to do) and 2) any collected moisture from condensation of exhaust will tend to run down which keeps it away from my O2 sensor area.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Oh - the best way to describe it is that it angles slightly downward. The bottom of the collector is only about 3 inches above the height of the installed sidepipes. (The exhaust passes under that frame section that angles up a bit in that area.) If that section was leveled out, 1) it would possibly look weird from the front if you laid on the ground (a common thing to do) and 2) any collected moisture from condensation of exhaust will tend to run down which keeps it away from my O2 sensor area.
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,491
Likes: 2
From: North Royaton Ohio
I've got a good friend that drives a 1969 with glasspack Hookers for his daily driver. It sounds incredible, but you can tell every girl he's dated if you look at the burn marks on their legs.
