Side pipes too loud
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Side pipes too loud
I have a 69 427 that is bored and stroked to a 469. My problem is...the factory style sidepipes that I bought from a national vendor are too loud even at idle. Their response to my complaint was if they are too loud for you then you are just too old. Does anybody know where I can get some mild factory style sidepipes? I had these cars back in the 70's and they were not that loud but then again I did not have this much motor. I don't mide loosing a little performance as I really can't run it hard like it is cause every cop in the county can hear me the way it is.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Price Utah
this may work for you
This is what I did. The factory style pipe uses a chambered muffler type pipe. That has been eliminated from mine and a 4' (?) muffler blank has been substituted. Any exhaust shop should have these in various lengths and I. D. They fit perfect under my covers and are fairly quiet. I don't know how much originality means to you but maybe something like this may be of benefit.
Good Luck
J Bowles
Good Luck
J Bowles
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
From: Price Utah
one more thing
I neglected to mention that there are mufflers or header collector inserts that offer some level of noise reduction. You didn't mention if you had headers or what style but this might be an option. Check Summit or Jeg's.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 582
Likes: 3
From: Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia
Trying to stay original, I have factory manifolds.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 892
Likes: 0
From: GA
This is why I chose rear muffler set up on my 1970. I love the sidepipes but the Hooker set up presented the "burning leg issue" and there wasn't a way to mellow the factory sides. I have seen where folks did some fabrication and cut the factory side pipe muffler out and put in an aftermarket long tube muffler. They sound a little more muffled but only until the loud pedal is mashed... then it is back to track car sound. Hell, even my Dynomax mufflers are loud when I step on it.
Don't get me wrong... I think this is how all vintage Vettes should sound. V8 power... let everyone hear. Mine was more a comfortable driving option that allows me to enjoy my cruising. Good Luck
Don't get me wrong... I think this is how all vintage Vettes should sound. V8 power... let everyone hear. Mine was more a comfortable driving option that allows me to enjoy my cruising. Good Luck
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
What? "your side hurts and your pipes don't work" its ok your just getting old.......
I think you can get hooker side pipes w/two different baffles. I know two guys w/them & one car is loud and the other is not.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 663
Likes: 3
From: Denham Springs Louisiana
I also bought a set of the reverse flow inserts and they are too quiet for my likings. I will sell them for $120 if someone wants them. They have less than 5 miles on them. I'm going with a spiral insert this time for performance reasons. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
I hear all you guys talking about inserts. If coinwashers are factory then there's NO inserts. His pipes are completely enclosed. Maybe they neglected to put some of the baffles in them when they built them. Look for pipes on the net, I'm sure somebody makes an exact replica of originals. You can bet they've modified the original style pipe flow characteristics to todays standards.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 9,127
Likes: 2,326
From: Pottsville, PA. USA Home Of America's Oldest Brewery Yuengling
I put factory side pipes on my 75 two years ago. I found a NOS set of GM pipes. The aftermarket factory pipes just don't sound like the GM. They are way to loud.
Go to Corvettes@Carlisle and look for a set of NOS GM pipes.
Go to Corvettes@Carlisle and look for a set of NOS GM pipes.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Rochester/Greece New York
I think I may have a solution for you. Give Mike Allen a call:
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
He may have just what you're looking for. I just installed one of his under car "chambered 2" systems and love it. Unlike other chambered systems that people complain that are too loud, Allen's contain more baffles (holes) and retain the original 60's sound. He was the originator of these chambered pipes back in the day, so he knows what he's doing.
http://www.allencorvetteexhaustsystems.com/
He may have just what you're looking for. I just installed one of his under car "chambered 2" systems and love it. Unlike other chambered systems that people complain that are too loud, Allen's contain more baffles (holes) and retain the original 60's sound. He was the originator of these chambered pipes back in the day, so he knows what he's doing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,608
Likes: 3
From: TEXAS - you mean there are other states?
I have a 69 BB with OEM side exhausts. My plan is going with the ones from Sweet Thunder. Sweet-Thunder.com
They have identical to 1 3/4" OD OEM, then a 2.25: and a 2.5". They say the SS has a different sound and the regular sounds 'better'
They have identical to 1 3/4" OD OEM, then a 2.25: and a 2.5". They say the SS has a different sound and the regular sounds 'better'
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I'd go hooker side pipes... They also retain an original look to them.. GM has Kustom make a side exhaust very close to Hooker's I have seen Kustom's side exhaust in pictures and I can't tell them apart from hooker's.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You did not say what brand of pipes you purchased, but from what you say the pipes have the wrong baffles in them.
The original factory GM pipes had 1” ¾ chamber baffles inside them. The reproduction pipes up until the last year or so came with 2” chambered baffles. This would explain the loudness if the pipes came from anywhere but Allen’s Exhaust. The O.D. of the chamber is the same on both pipes, and you can only tell by looking at the size of the crimp on the outside to tell what size you have if you are not aware.
The front extension on this pipe where it bolts to the manifold should be 2" on small block and 2.5 on Big block. But the main entry pipe in to the muffler should be 2" o.d. with a 1 3/4 baffle.
The 69 pipes contained the same 1 ¾ baffle from the factory and to my knowledge the only manufacturer is Allen’s on this pipe.
If you need a price on the correct chambered pipes, give us a call tomorrow at 800-588-3883. If you purchased Allen’s pipes, he makes them in two different sizes too! So, you might check to see which size you purchased. 2” or 1”3/4.
The correct chamber inside the pipe makes a ton of difference in how loud the pipe is!
Willcox Inc.
The original factory GM pipes had 1” ¾ chamber baffles inside them. The reproduction pipes up until the last year or so came with 2” chambered baffles. This would explain the loudness if the pipes came from anywhere but Allen’s Exhaust. The O.D. of the chamber is the same on both pipes, and you can only tell by looking at the size of the crimp on the outside to tell what size you have if you are not aware.
The front extension on this pipe where it bolts to the manifold should be 2" on small block and 2.5 on Big block. But the main entry pipe in to the muffler should be 2" o.d. with a 1 3/4 baffle.
The 69 pipes contained the same 1 ¾ baffle from the factory and to my knowledge the only manufacturer is Allen’s on this pipe.
If you need a price on the correct chambered pipes, give us a call tomorrow at 800-588-3883. If you purchased Allen’s pipes, he makes them in two different sizes too! So, you might check to see which size you purchased. 2” or 1”3/4.
The correct chamber inside the pipe makes a ton of difference in how loud the pipe is!
Willcox Inc.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jul 25, 2007 at 12:59 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
You did not say what brand of pipes you purchased, but from what you say the pipes have the wrong baffles in them.
The original factory GM pipes had 1” ¾ chamber baffles inside them. The reproduction pipes up until the last year or so came with 2” chambered baffles. This would explain the loudness if the pipes came from anywhere but Allen’s Exhaust. The O.D. of the chamber is the same on both pipes, and you can only tell by looking at the size of the crimp on the outside to tell what size you have if you are not aware.
The front extension on this pipe where it bolts to the manifold should be 2" on small block and 2.5 on Big block. But the main entry pipe in to the muffler should be 2" o.d. with a 1 3/4 baffle.
The 69 pipes contained the same 1 ¾ baffle from the factory and to my knowledge the only manufacturer is Allen’s on this pipe.
If you need a price on the correct chambered pipes, give us a call tomorrow at 800-588-3883. If you purchased Allen’s pipes, he makes them in two different sizes too! So, you might check to see which size you purchased. 2” or 1”3/4.
The correct chamber inside the pipe makes a ton of difference in how loud the pipe is!
Willcox Inc.
The original factory GM pipes had 1” ¾ chamber baffles inside them. The reproduction pipes up until the last year or so came with 2” chambered baffles. This would explain the loudness if the pipes came from anywhere but Allen’s Exhaust. The O.D. of the chamber is the same on both pipes, and you can only tell by looking at the size of the crimp on the outside to tell what size you have if you are not aware.
The front extension on this pipe where it bolts to the manifold should be 2" on small block and 2.5 on Big block. But the main entry pipe in to the muffler should be 2" o.d. with a 1 3/4 baffle.
The 69 pipes contained the same 1 ¾ baffle from the factory and to my knowledge the only manufacturer is Allen’s on this pipe.
If you need a price on the correct chambered pipes, give us a call tomorrow at 800-588-3883. If you purchased Allen’s pipes, he makes them in two different sizes too! So, you might check to see which size you purchased. 2” or 1”3/4.
The correct chamber inside the pipe makes a ton of difference in how loud the pipe is!
Willcox Inc.
Hamad