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Willcox Side Pipe Kit - comments?

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Old Mar 8, 2010 | 11:14 PM
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Default 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
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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 11:43 AM
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..and wanted to add, how do they compare to the "Hooker" side pipes?

Cheers Aussie Mark
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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 12:01 PM
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I had a factory style sidepipes on my '71 BB, they were loud to my taste, but whats even worse is how they choked the engine to the death, these were very restrictive.
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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 02:34 PM
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Originally Posted by HamadUP
I had a factory style sidepipes on my '71 BB, they were loud to my taste, but whats even worse is how they choked the engine to the death, these were very restrictive.
Okay, I wasnt aware of that. Are there sidepipes that dont choke the engine?

Aussie Mark
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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 02:35 PM
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My comment......... "Do it".

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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 03:21 PM
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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

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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by orourke
My comment......... "Do it".

I really like the stance of your vette. Did you make any suspension mods? What size are your tires front and rear?

thanks
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Old Mar 9, 2010 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
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

Looks very neat Alan. Any suggestion re types of side pipes?

Aussie Mark
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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 12:14 AM
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Originally Posted by myc3
I really like the stance of your vette. Did you make any suspension mods? What size are your tires front and rear?

thanks
I installed P245x60's all away around. A TRW fiberglass spring with extended spring bolts for the rear. Stock Small block springs up front. That's about it!

Marty.
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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 03:11 AM
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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......
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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 12:24 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 03:20 PM
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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

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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
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

I hadnt considered painting them back. Is it possible for you to email me some more pics of that car showing the side pipes

ozram@comcast.net

Aussie Mark
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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 05:18 PM
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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









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Old Mar 10, 2010 | 11:01 PM
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hmmmmm, wondering how the black pipes will look on my Orange '73 - okay whos great at Photoshop :-)
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Old Mar 13, 2010 | 08:55 PM
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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
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