Best sidepipes for 1974?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Charleston South Carolina
Best sidepipes for 1974?
Hello,
Was looking to get some opinions on sidepipes for a 74 w/ a 350.
Are they a good idea (aside from the leg burning hazard aspect) - what are some peoples experiences with them?
HP gain?
I have heard mixed reviews on the patriot set up...
Thanks all!
Was looking to get some opinions on sidepipes for a 74 w/ a 350.
Are they a good idea (aside from the leg burning hazard aspect) - what are some peoples experiences with them?
HP gain?
I have heard mixed reviews on the patriot set up...
Thanks all!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,771
Likes: 2,596
There is a horsepower gain but not necessarily as much as a well designed under the frame system with a crossover. The appearance factor may outway the horsepower difference. There are a number of different muffler/baffle inserts available from very quiet power robbing reverse flow to very loud large hole down the center types. Personally I have Hookers with capped STS baffles.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
Stay away from Patriot and the quality of Hooker has gone down a lot in the last few years but the price has continued to rise. I have never used them but OBX is getting a lot of good press for their stainless steel headers and side pipes. They are affordable and it seems there are a lot of happy customers out there. I have had a lot of Hooker brand success over the years though either long tube or side pipes. Only the last set had issues with flange fitment and chrome life before rust and pitting. Burning is easily avoided if you can remember that you have them on the car and you remember to constantly warn your occupants. I'm amazed when the owner of the car burns themself. It's your car and you should know they are there and that they are hot. Get that into your head and you'll be fine. Side pipes actually flow a tad worse than long tube headers so power shouldn't be a factor however the sound is just brilliant.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 613
Likes: 11
From: EVANSVILLE Wisconsin
Check out these other posts for info on the OBX. After reading them I couldn't resist the idea of saving $1000 over buying Hookers.....
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...s-arrived.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...sidepipes.html
Will post thoughts once I get them on the car but it will be a while.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...s-arrived.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...sidepipes.html
Will post thoughts once I get them on the car but it will be a while.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 5
From: Sheboygan Wisconsin
In 1977 when I bought my ’74, the first thing I did was to buy a complete 69 side exhaust system from the factory. Looks great, sounds great and no burnt legs. (Please excuse the grainy photo; it’s an old instant Polaroid from 1978)
Mike
Mike
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: some hole in the ground town- camp verde:) arizona
i have hookers on mine, and really like it. there were no mods needed to make them fit, but from what i've heard that's not always the case. on long trips the sound can be a bit much to handle, but i'm still young, i can kill my eardrums all i want 
they have covers for the pipes so nobody gets burned, but i don't have them and don't know how much more it would cost. just step way out there and it's all good
they have covers for the pipes so nobody gets burned, but i don't have them and don't know how much more it would cost. just step way out there and it's all good
