Willcox Side Pipe Kit - comments?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Willcox Side Pipe Kit - comments?
Hey guys,
I REALLY love the look and sound of side pipes, and want to fit some to my 1973 Coupe. As I have small kids that flock around the corvette, I really need a set that have the shields. Also I really love the look of the '69 covers.
I just tripped across the Willcox Kit:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16240
And seems like good value at under $900. Does anyone have any comments/reviews/opinions on this kit?
Aussie Mark
I REALLY love the look and sound of side pipes, and want to fit some to my 1973 Coupe. As I have small kids that flock around the corvette, I really need a set that have the shields. Also I really love the look of the '69 covers.
I just tripped across the Willcox Kit:
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=16240
And seems like good value at under $900. Does anyone have any comments/reviews/opinions on this kit?
Aussie Mark
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
I've always liked the look of the 69 style side exhaust and covers.
Regardless of the type of side exhaust you decide on, (if you do), you may also want to think about the various ways to deal with the 2 exhaust openings in the rear valance panel. Some people don't do anything with the openings and that's not too good a look.
Regards,
Alan
I've always liked the look of the 69 style side exhaust and covers.
Regardless of the type of side exhaust you decide on, (if you do), you may also want to think about the various ways to deal with the 2 exhaust openings in the rear valance panel. Some people don't do anything with the openings and that's not too good a look.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Hi Mark,
I've always liked the look of the 69 style side exhaust and covers.
Regardless of the type of side exhaust you decide on, (if you do), you may also want to think about the various ways to deal with the 2 exhaust openings in the rear valance panel. Some people don't do anything with the openings and that's not too good a look.
Regards,
Alan
I've always liked the look of the 69 style side exhaust and covers.
Regardless of the type of side exhaust you decide on, (if you do), you may also want to think about the various ways to deal with the 2 exhaust openings in the rear valance panel. Some people don't do anything with the openings and that's not too good a look.
Regards,
Alan
Aussie Mark
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Skiatook. Oklahoma.
Marty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,056
Likes: 8
From: Redruth Cornwall
If you want stock looking, go with the Willcox set. If you want less restriction go with the Hookers.
I believe there is a new kid on the block selling stainless headers and sidepipes at a much better price than the Hookers......
I believe there is a new kid on the block selling stainless headers and sidepipes at a much better price than the Hookers......
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,408
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
Sweet Thunder (forum vendor) makes sidepipe "muffler" to replace the factory. They are stainless. You get your choice of three pipe diameters, so I suspect the larger diameters are much less restrictive. Also since they are custom made, I imagine you can get them to make them even less restrictive.
I have 69 factory sidepipes on my 68. They are very loud and it's disappointing to read about how restrictive they are especially so since they are loud.
The factory sidepipe "mufflers" for the BB are probably not less restrictive. Their input pipe is of larger diameter than the BB sidepipes, but the internal pipe diameter is the same as the SBs. That's my understanding.
Alan71: My exhaust valance and quarter panels look like yours, although my 30 year old paint job doesn't compare at all.
I have 69 factory sidepipes on my 68. They are very loud and it's disappointing to read about how restrictive they are especially so since they are loud.
The factory sidepipe "mufflers" for the BB are probably not less restrictive. Their input pipe is of larger diameter than the BB sidepipes, but the internal pipe diameter is the same as the SBs. That's my understanding.
Alan71: My exhaust valance and quarter panels look like yours, although my 30 year old paint job doesn't compare at all.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
As I said in my post, I've always liked the look of the 69 side exhaust. The 'Hooker' style of side exhaust certainly has far more fans, but I'm willing to give up some horses to have the look that Chevy intended for the street.
Just for your info... the 'Hooker' style header/side exhaust was available 'over the counter' from G.M. dealers. They were made by Kustom and were for BB engines only and came in dull black. I guess thats why I also like the 69 chrome covers painted black.
Regards,
Alan
As I said in my post, I've always liked the look of the 69 side exhaust. The 'Hooker' style of side exhaust certainly has far more fans, but I'm willing to give up some horses to have the look that Chevy intended for the street.
Just for your info... the 'Hooker' style header/side exhaust was available 'over the counter' from G.M. dealers. They were made by Kustom and were for BB engines only and came in dull black. I guess thats why I also like the 69 chrome covers painted black.
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Hi Mark,
As I said in my post, I've always liked the look of the 69 side exhaust. The 'Hooker' style of side exhaust certainly has far more fans, but I'm willing to give up some horses to have the look that Chevy intended for the street.
Just for your info... the 'Hooker' style header/side exhaust was available 'over the counter' from G.M. dealers. They were made by Kustom and were for BB engines only and came in dull black. I guess thats why I also like the 69 chrome covers painted black.
Regards,
Alan
As I said in my post, I've always liked the look of the 69 side exhaust. The 'Hooker' style of side exhaust certainly has far more fans, but I'm willing to give up some horses to have the look that Chevy intended for the street.
Just for your info... the 'Hooker' style header/side exhaust was available 'over the counter' from G.M. dealers. They were made by Kustom and were for BB engines only and came in dull black. I guess thats why I also like the 69 chrome covers painted black.
Regards,
Alan
ozram@comcast.net
Aussie Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,273
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Mark,
Here are some more pictures of the covers.
Remember these are original GM chrome plated covers that I've painted. The fiberglass covers don't have quite the sharp definition that these metal covers have.
Regards,
Alan
Here are some more pictures of the covers.
Remember these are original GM chrome plated covers that I've painted. The fiberglass covers don't have quite the sharp definition that these metal covers have.
Regards,
Alan
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 6
From: springfield ohio
Alan, I have been very curious about what your car looks like, I have
only seen a few close up shots, Your car is stunning.
The red and black setup is classic.
Mark, on the orange you might won't to go with chrome, it would look
great against the orange, of course if you change the color the rims,
chrome might not look as good as the black.
Riggs
only seen a few close up shots, Your car is stunning.
The red and black setup is classic.
Mark, on the orange you might won't to go with chrome, it would look
great against the orange, of course if you change the color the rims,
chrome might not look as good as the black.
Riggs
