When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Over the last few days I seen a couple of C3's around town with side pipes. These are not stock side pipes but rather aftermarket systems. They look pretty good but I'm not sure if I should think about adding them to my 77. Please vote on my poll for sidepipes vs true duals. I already have true duals and headers on the car.
I've read that sidepipes can reduce the power of the engine if the wrong units are used.
I did some more checking around the forum and saw the large poll on the GENERAL forum regarding side pipes.
It seems like a lot of members like them and for $700 for the OBX stainless kit it might definitely be a consideration when my existing tru-duals are ready to be replaced. To replace the entire exhaust system from the headers all the way to the back will probably cost close to the same price as the OBX sidepipes.
At any rate I would still like to see some votes from members if possible as the thread on the GENERAL forum is pretty old and I would like to have some fresh opinions. Thanks
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Not necessarily a fresh opinion, but I love my black Hooker sidemount headers, so much that I have two sets of them (one for the dyno, one for running). Power reductions due to any exhaust depends very much on how restrictive are the mufflers, or inserts in the case of sidemounts. And, FWIW, if you don't wish to join the Hooker tattoo club (or OBX tattoo club, if you insist) check out member Bangkok Dean's Steel Shields. My $.02, no charge.
.
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 4, 2013 at 11:23 PM.
If you have, or want, black sidepipes you could use the chrome shields or the powder coated flat black, cut to the size you want shields from power portal products. They are great to work with and forum member BeeJay uses some of their other stuff on his ride.
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Differences of muffler restrictiveness aside, the only reason any particular underbody true dual exhaust system may out perform sidemounts would be when the former happens to better match the engine to which it is connected. But, while there is admittedly more flexibility with underbody systems to achieve that match, that certainly doesn't mean one can't build an engine that does so with sidemounts. Interestingly enough, at least IMOE, high-perf 427 BBC's apparently like 2.125" x 45" x 4" sidemounts.
I put the side pipes on and yes they look cool, but it also allowed my 76 to breathe better, which it has a small hp increase...It depends on your exhaust size of the primaries, carb set up etc.... Had mine on jack stands for 5 months replacing, fixing misc. things, but it definitely made a difference.. Don't worry about what everyone thinks/ likes.. modify your baby to what you like and or Momma too...That's what matters at the end of the day..Have fun..
J
I believe the cabin is somewhat cooler with side pipes, I just have always liked the appearance of side pipes on corvettes. I was sold on the looks as a kid in the 60's seeing them on the 1965 C2's and then again on the early C3's......they just look right to me. on the old sting rays .
I would recommend good side covers and heat shielding.
Because they don't need to run mufflers. The Hooker system is far from ideal, with the 90 degree bend and the 45 inch primaries. When you have to run mufflers, it is easier to make a good exhaust system with undercar. The Stahl sidepipe headers are a better design with the shorter primaries. Now I will say, all of my experience is with high horse big blocks. All of the currently available mufflers will restrict a 500 plus horsepower motor. The best are probably the Max Flo and my favorite, the STS baffles.
I know they don't run mufflers since I had a B production Corvette that I ran in the mid 70's. This is my 68 turning into the infield at Milwaukee State Fair Park in 1976.
[IMG][/IMG]
On my 79 I did not have the Hooker Mufflers I had stainless steel insert mufflers and the car dyno more with the side pipes than long tube hedders, true duals, no cats, Flowmaster mufflers.
Engine was a 355 small block, Dart Alloy heads, Manly valves, roller cam, 11 to C.R. Air Gap, 750 Holley DP.
I know they don't run mufflers since I had a B production Corvette that I ran in the mid 70's. This is my 68 turning into the infield at Milwaukee State Fair Park in 1976.
[IMG][/IMG]
On my 79 I did not have the Hooker Mufflers I had stainless steel insert mufflers and the car dyno more with the side pipes than long tube hedders, true duals, no cats, Flowmaster mufflers.
Engine was a 355 small block, Dart Alloy heads, Manly valves, roller cam, 11 to C.R. Air Gap, 750 Holley DP.
Not surprised there as Flowmaster mufflers are some of the worst you can use if power is your primary concern. Any perforated core straight through muffler will beat a Flowmaster handily. I would bet a good 3 inch undercar system with mandrel bends, optimized primary lengths and collector size/length and good mufflers (not Flowmasters), would beat any sidepipe configuration using a muffler up to 600 hp or so. Look at the really super high horse cars on this forum, like 427HotRod, for example. Most all are using an undercar system.
I do understand that what could be a restriction on a 650 horse big block may not be a restriction on a smaller, lower horse motor. I was talking recently with a buddy of mine who Vintage races. He said due to the noise restrictions starting to be instituted on some tracks, he wouldn't be surprised to see some starting to use under chassis exhaust with mufflers.
love the race car!
Bill
Last edited by 69ttop502; May 5, 2013 at 10:40 PM.