Installing XS-Power hooker style sidepipes
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
Installing XS-Power hooker style sidepipes
Here is an "how to" guide for installing side pipes on your C3 corvette.
First though a quick review if I may.
I ordered these XS-Power sidepipes on Monday and they showed up on Friday, so I am very happy with the turn around. The packaging was exceptional, it took me over 10 minutes to get the stuff un- packed!
The pipes are mirror polished stainless steel. The welds are all tigged and they are very nice welds. The primaries are 1 7/8" into a 5" collector and then tapers down to 4" and the side pipes are 4".
The very first thing you need to do is disconnect the battery.
Jack the front of the car up and secure it on jack stands
Next remove the stock exhaust and headers from the car.
On the driver side. Remove the Z-bar if you have a manual transmission.
Un-plug the spark plug wires from the plugs, you can leave the plugs on, just be careful!
Install the side pipe header from the bottom of the car. I used a jack stand to hold the collector up while I bolted the header to the block.
Reinstall the Z-bar.
You can now put your plug wires on and re-install your spark plug looms if you have them.
First though a quick review if I may.
I ordered these XS-Power sidepipes on Monday and they showed up on Friday, so I am very happy with the turn around. The packaging was exceptional, it took me over 10 minutes to get the stuff un- packed!
The pipes are mirror polished stainless steel. The welds are all tigged and they are very nice welds. The primaries are 1 7/8" into a 5" collector and then tapers down to 4" and the side pipes are 4".
The very first thing you need to do is disconnect the battery.
Jack the front of the car up and secure it on jack stands
Next remove the stock exhaust and headers from the car.
On the driver side. Remove the Z-bar if you have a manual transmission.
Un-plug the spark plug wires from the plugs, you can leave the plugs on, just be careful!
Install the side pipe header from the bottom of the car. I used a jack stand to hold the collector up while I bolted the header to the block.
Reinstall the Z-bar.
You can now put your plug wires on and re-install your spark plug looms if you have them.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
Notice how nicely the pipes fit around the steering gear box.
They fit nice and tight to the frame. They have awesome ground clearance.
Now lets move onto the passenger side.
Remove the dipstick.
Un-plug the spark plug wires from the plugs, you can leave the plugs on, just be careful!
Install the side pipe header from the bottom of the car. Again I used a jack stand to hold the collector up while I bolted the header to the block.
Now re-install your plug wires and looms and you are ready to move to the pipes.
Slide the pipes over the collector and tighten the clamp on the pipe with the hardware that you bought at the store. You remembered to get hardware didn't you. :lookinup:
Mark the frame through the hole in the mounting tab welded onto the pipe. Drill the hole then thread the hole and screw in your fastener.
Guess what YOU ARE DONE. Go hook up your battery and then go out and scare your neighbors!
Here is a video of the newly installed sidepipes. The pipes are surprisingly mellow when the car is idling and even cruising. I could even hold a conversation without yelling. But when I opened it up...man did those pipes come alive. We also noticed the idle got alittle more lumpy. Must have been all of that extra air the car was able to shed because of the giant primaries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lcVvt5rLPM
The install took a couple hours and very few tools. The fit was great and the polished stainless looks awesome! And I saved a ton of money over the hookers.
My overall impression of these XS-Power sidepipes is: AWESOME!
Last edited by SUPERPOWERS; Sep 13, 2009 at 11:39 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs Colorado
What type of insert are you running? I have thought about side pipes but have always heard to get the sound decibel to a reasonable level one has to use a insert which robs lots of power.
I have a 550hp 383 that would love side pipes but I need to hear myself think. You mentioned they were mild at idle...can you tell if they reduced the power?
Crunch
I have a 550hp 383 that would love side pipes but I need to hear myself think. You mentioned they were mild at idle...can you tell if they reduced the power?
Crunch
Racer
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 340
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From: Evansville IN
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
dido on the rear panel.
and for the insert. It comes with an insert installed. I didn't notice a reduction in power. But at 550 I can't say for sure. I guess that you would have to judge that for yourself. I noticed that the insert is only spot welded in, so you could probably take it out and swap it if you didn't like it.
and for the insert. It comes with an insert installed. I didn't notice a reduction in power. But at 550 I can't say for sure. I guess that you would have to judge that for yourself. I noticed that the insert is only spot welded in, so you could probably take it out and swap it if you didn't like it.
Racer
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
dido on the rear panel.
and for the insert. It comes with an insert installed. I didn't notice a reduction in power. But at 550 I can't say for sure. I guess that you would have to judge that for yourself. I noticed that the insert is only spot welded in, so you could probably take it out and swap it if you didn't like it.
and for the insert. It comes with an insert installed. I didn't notice a reduction in power. But at 550 I can't say for sure. I guess that you would have to judge that for yourself. I noticed that the insert is only spot welded in, so you could probably take it out and swap it if you didn't like it.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Just listened to your video. That thing sounds awesome . . . what do you have in it?
What type of insert are you running? I have thought about side pipes but have always heard to get the sound decibel to a reasonable level one has to use a insert which robs lots of power.
I have a 550hp 383 that would love side pipes but I need to hear myself think. You mentioned they were mild at idle...can you tell if they reduced the power?
Crunch
I have a 550hp 383 that would love side pipes but I need to hear myself think. You mentioned they were mild at idle...can you tell if they reduced the power?
Crunch
So I drilled a 1/2" hole in the center cap and I love the new sound. I'm basicly mild L-48, but can't wait to hear once I complete my 150HP top-end rebuild.
Last edited by redman76; Sep 13, 2009 at 09:16 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Sure looks good 
and a good price to boot. It would be nice if they would come up with a set of 1 7/8 in. primary undercar headers.
No one makes them and with all the big inch big HP small blocks in C3's these days I bet they would sell more under car long tube headers than sidepipes.
They are half way there with sidepipe headers, just have to reroute the collector
and a good price to boot. It would be nice if they would come up with a set of 1 7/8 in. primary undercar headers. No one makes them and with all the big inch big HP small blocks in C3's these days I bet they would sell more under car long tube headers than sidepipes.
They are half way there with sidepipe headers, just have to reroute the collector
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 700
Likes: 0
From: Lantana TX
Sure looks good and a good price to boot. It would be nice if they would come up with a set of 1 7/8 in. primary undercar headers.
No one makes them and with all the big inch big HP small blocks in C3's these days I bet they would sell more under car long tube headers than sidepipes.
They are half way there with sidepipe headers, just have to reroute the collector
and a good price to boot. It would be nice if they would come up with a set of 1 7/8 in. primary undercar headers. No one makes them and with all the big inch big HP small blocks in C3's these days I bet they would sell more under car long tube headers than sidepipes.
They are half way there with sidepipe headers, just have to reroute the collector
I am not too crazy about the welds showing on both sides. Wonder why they placed them in an area that all can see??
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Last edited by 69autoXr; Sep 13, 2009 at 11:36 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 559
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From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
As for the welds. They polish up pretty easy to match the rest of the pipes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
i have heard of those but id like to see one. i see ecklers, corvette central etc selling them but i would like to see it on the actual car that has been converted before i purchase.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 5
From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 559
Likes: 5
From: WATERTOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
here are some videos of the STS baffles that were mentioned.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxjCs9msq4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJHQ7YRSzZo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhxjCs9msq4&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJHQ7YRSzZo
