4" Sidepipe baffle / insert recommendations
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
4" Sidepipe baffle / insert recommendations
As I've posted nine million times here in the past few days, I recently purchased a '72 that came with sidepipes similar to the Hooker style many of you purchase for your own vehicles.
After doing a little research, I found out that they are the eBay brand "OBX" hooker style sidepipes, and from what I can see there's little to no difference between them; although I'd love to get some black hooker's and headers in the near future.
My question now is: They're completely open as of right now. While it sounds great, it's also deafening at times and I'm sure my neighbors aren't the biggest fans either.
What recommendations do you guys have for baffles or inserts? From reading, I know there's a member on here who makes their own, as well as the hooker brand sleeves and Sweet Thunder as well. Any others?
Does anyone know if there's any fitment issues with the OBX pipes? I assume these inserts just slip in behind the headers?
I do plan on getting the black hookers sometime soon - will I be able to swap the inserts over as well later on?
Thanks for all your recommendations!
After doing a little research, I found out that they are the eBay brand "OBX" hooker style sidepipes, and from what I can see there's little to no difference between them; although I'd love to get some black hooker's and headers in the near future.
My question now is: They're completely open as of right now. While it sounds great, it's also deafening at times and I'm sure my neighbors aren't the biggest fans either.
What recommendations do you guys have for baffles or inserts? From reading, I know there's a member on here who makes their own, as well as the hooker brand sleeves and Sweet Thunder as well. Any others?
Does anyone know if there's any fitment issues with the OBX pipes? I assume these inserts just slip in behind the headers?
I do plan on getting the black hookers sometime soon - will I be able to swap the inserts over as well later on?
Thanks for all your recommendations!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
STS Baffles is the way to go IMO, and do forget to pick up a Set of Dean's Shields 
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
http://www.steelshields.com/
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
http://www.steelshields.com/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
I've had Hooker 
sidemounts for the better part of my life, and after having given a bit of thought to Hooker MaxFlows I'll most likely be going with 2.5" Sweet Thunders behind my 427 redux. The 'glass packs (had them also) apparently aren't nearly as free flowing as they sound. Everyone's got their own particular taste, but to my ear STS's sound a bit tinny. Don't care for reverse flows at all (too quiet/restrictive). Suggest you don't even think about open pipes on the street.
Coat the joint at the collector, as well as all fasteners, with anti-seize so it won't be such a pain to remove for changing inserts.
Have no idea what OBX pipes are. Inferior Chinese knockoff??
sidemounts for the better part of my life, and after having given a bit of thought to Hooker MaxFlows I'll most likely be going with 2.5" Sweet Thunders behind my 427 redux. The 'glass packs (had them also) apparently aren't nearly as free flowing as they sound. Everyone's got their own particular taste, but to my ear STS's sound a bit tinny. Don't care for reverse flows at all (too quiet/restrictive). Suggest you don't even think about open pipes on the street.Coat the joint at the collector, as well as all fasteners, with anti-seize so it won't be such a pain to remove for changing inserts.
Have no idea what OBX pipes are. Inferior Chinese knockoff??
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Aug 16, 2010 at 11:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
eBay brand of exhaust components from what I understand.
Don't look half bad actually - but definitely not my choice to put on the car. Will look into getting the sweet thunder inserts! Anyone have any experience with the 2.5" vs the new 2.75" ones they're offering?
2.5" still sound decent?
Don't look half bad actually - but definitely not my choice to put on the car. Will look into getting the sweet thunder inserts! Anyone have any experience with the 2.5" vs the new 2.75" ones they're offering?
2.5" still sound decent?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
You can listen to sound files here..
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/
The reasons I'm probably going with 2.5" vs. 2.75" are for a little more attenuation as well because that was the collector venturi diameter once recommended by Chevy Power for racing BB's with 4" pipes. No real science behind that choice, yet. However, if I can afford to purchase and test both sizes when I get to dyno day with my fresh mill (also have a set of Hooker sidemounts just for that purpose), I'll do so and post up results, but don't hold your breath in the mean time.
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/
The reasons I'm probably going with 2.5" vs. 2.75" are for a little more attenuation as well because that was the collector venturi diameter once recommended by Chevy Power for racing BB's with 4" pipes. No real science behind that choice, yet. However, if I can afford to purchase and test both sizes when I get to dyno day with my fresh mill (also have a set of Hooker sidemounts just for that purpose), I'll do so and post up results, but don't hold your breath in the mean time.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
You can listen to sound files here..
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/
The reasons I'm probably going with 2.5" vs. 2.75" are for a little more attenuation as well because that was the collector venturi diameter once recommended by Chevy Power for racing BB's with 4" pipes. No real science behind that choice, yet. However, if I can afford to purchase and test both sizes when I get to dyno day with my fresh mill (also have a set of Hooker sidemounts just for that purpose), I'll do so and post up results, but don't hold your breath in the mean time.
http://www.sweet-thunder.com/
The reasons I'm probably going with 2.5" vs. 2.75" are for a little more attenuation as well because that was the collector venturi diameter once recommended by Chevy Power for racing BB's with 4" pipes. No real science behind that choice, yet. However, if I can afford to purchase and test both sizes when I get to dyno day with my fresh mill (also have a set of Hooker sidemounts just for that purpose), I'll do so and post up results, but don't hold your breath in the mean time.
If I were to buy another set, I would try the 2" to see if they are more street friendly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
FWIW, I have the 2.5" Sweat Thunders and found them on the loud side. I contacted Mike at Sweat Thunder and he sent me a set of 2" to 2.5" adapters that mount in the inlets and they did knock a few dB's off the sound.
If I were to buy another set, I would try the 2" to see if they are more street friendly.
If I were to buy another set, I would try the 2" to see if they are more street friendly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
STS Baffles is the way to go IMO, and do forget to pick up a Set of Dean's Shields
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
http://www.steelshields.com/
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
http://www.steelshields.com/
That's what I have. Also, if you do a Forum search, you'll find lots of threads on this subject. I think there was even a couple that had sound bites attached so you could hear the difference.Gary
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
FWIW, I have the 2.5" Sweat Thunders and found them on the loud side. I contacted Mike at Sweat Thunder and he sent me a set of 2" to 2.5" adapters that mount in the inlets and they did knock a few dB's off the sound.
If I were to buy another set, I would try the 2" to see if they are more street friendly.
If I were to buy another set, I would try the 2" to see if they are more street friendly.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 695
Likes: 5
From: tx
Recommend STS
I just bought a new set of Hookers. My old set got thin and I ended up blowing a hole in the #6 tube. My new set is from Jet-Hot, black cermaic coated. I took my STS mufflers out of my old pipes and installed them in my new tubes. I love the sound - goes with the performance aspects of my hot rod. 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
If not, the part is a simple 2" diameter exhaust pipe, 4" long, swaged to 2.5" at one end.
Sorry, I didn't take a picture.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 696
Likes: 260
From: Stavanger- Norway
Here is mine.
2-1/2" Sweet Thunder chambered inserts in Hooker Side
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpRPqs6R3-o
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I like the STS too. Sound good, perform well. The best part to me is that they are somewhat tunable by drilling out the center cap. You can run capped, with different sized holes, to completely uncapped; gives you different sound and performance levels. If they get too loud, you can always recap them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
