feed back on Obx header/side pipes
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,931
Likes: 845
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
feed back on Obx header/side pipes
anybody have any experience on Obx side pipe system are there better options basically any input is welcome, getting close to ordering.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
I bought a set last year. I will be installing them in the next few weeks. The welds look nice except the welds are not polished like the hookers. I did polish the welds on mine and they turned out very nice. The exhaust flange is straight and isn't warped. The only down fall is they are made in China but hooker is made in mexico box are lass than half the price and supposedly have better fitment. I orderedone with out baffels and bought hooker max flows. You will also need the hooker mount kit and exhaust gaskets since the gaskets supplied with them are very cheaply made. I have a tread on here with some pictures of mine and how the weld look now.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
I bought a set last year. I will be installing them in the next few weeks. The welds look nice except the welds are not polished like the hookers. I did polish the welds on mine and they turned out very nice. The exhaust flange is straight and isn't warped. The only down fall is they are made in China but hooker is made in mexico box are lass than half the price and supposedly have better fitment. I orderedone with out baffels and bought hooker max flows. You will also need the hooker mount kit and exhaust gaskets since the gaskets supplied with them are very cheaply made. I have a tread on here with some pictures of mine and how the weld look now.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: hull ia
i have them on my 74 and the holes didnt line up great. it took some reaming of the holes to bolt properly also cut a indent into back side of #1 and #2 primary tubes to make a lil more room. all and all i feel it was worth the hassle for saving 50% over hookers.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Sayville New york
I install on a 1971 convertible.perfect , bolt right in with ps,a/c.amazing clears molding by 1/2" no cutting notching or any other inconvience.purchase from Huron speed on this forum.f/ G insert keeps sidepipes cool enought for me to touch.ihave hooker on 1967 coupe no comparison because Crome will rust down the road some day.my 2 cents!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Sayville New york
I install on a 1971 convertible.perfect , bolt right in with ps,a/c.amazing clears molding by 1/2" no cutting notching or any other inconvience.purchase from Huron speed on this forum.f/ G insert keeps sidepipes cool enought for me to touch.ihave hooker on 1967 coupe with insert no comparison because the Crome will rust down the road some day.my 2 cents!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,931
Likes: 845
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
i have huron speeds ad seem like about a hundred bucks more than ebay, i will see if they price match. i feel pretty comfortable that they will work out fine. do the fiberglass inserts breathe good ?
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have no complaints about obx here. Especially compared to the hooker brand prices and issues! I had a set of maximizers initially, they looked and fit the exact same. Fedex damaged them by the time they covered insurance costs company I purchased maximizers from were out so the offered to ship a set of the obx pipes and not worry about price difference. I bought from supersaveraccessories.
I installed the classic chambered vettepacks. Man the sound good!
Plenty of pics here and more on my photobucket account before/after install:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...sidepipes.html
http://m244.photobucket.com/albums/b...ics/Sidepipes/
I installed the classic chambered vettepacks. Man the sound good!
Plenty of pics here and more on my photobucket account before/after install:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...sidepipes.html
http://m244.photobucket.com/albums/b...ics/Sidepipes/
Last edited by bluegtp; May 31, 2013 at 12:12 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Federal Way WA
I have a set of OBX sidepipes installed on my 78. Everything was a perfect fit, even the rocker panels after the sidepipes were installed; no trimming necessary. After about 8 months, the pipes near the collector are starting to blue, which I think looks great! No problems whatsoever. I would definitely recommend them. They also don't get all the hot, surprisingly. I'm not sure what the deal is, but after driving for about 30 minutes or so, they're hot, but not enough to burn. Definitely enough to surprise and scare you, but not burn.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Sayville New york
I guess I missed the " mark" on my explanation the whole issue is they are stainless! Not Crome covered steel attacked by sulfuric acid from exhaust internally. I have no clue why they ate not burning hot ,must likely the fiberglass insert design. What's notto like!!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I guess I missed the " mark" on my explanation the whole issue is they are stainless! Not Crome covered steel attacked by sulfuric acid from exhaust internally. I have no clue why they ate not burning hot ,must likely the fiberglass insert design. What's notto like!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 980
Likes: 202
From: West Hartford CT
Glad to see positive reviews
I have been thinking about buying the OBX myself but have been hesitant. Every Mechanic I talk to tries to talk me out of Headers and Side pipes saying their famous for exhaust leaks! Any Comments?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 2
From: Sayville New york
Exhaust leaks gross ignorants! Tell you mechanic friends to drive straight to the shoreline from were ther are. You will see a twin nuclear powerhouse called Yankee.every single critical piping is done with SS. Welded pipe. This control piping even controls the fuel rods in the nuclear reactor.a thousand miles of welded SS pipe. One of the best materials in the world for leak proof welds. Fuel trucks,chemicals,milk the list goes on your friends need a education on tig welding stainless!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
Finished installing my obx sidepipes this weekend
https://plus.google.com/app/basic/ph...6sview%25253D2
https://plus.google.com/app/basic/ph...6sview%25253D2
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: TULSA OKLAHOMA
Does anyone know what the size of the resonator insert is inside the side pipe? Hooker has the standard 2" and the performance 2.5". Would like to know before I buy if the OBX is 2" or 2.5" and it will connected to a 454 with some decent HP.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 261
Likes: 3
From: Clawson Michigan
I used the hooker max flo. I think the 2" and 2.5" numbers refer to the inside diameter of the muffler. The outside of the hooker max flo fit perfectly in the obx sidepipe but they are loud.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: TULSA OKLAHOMA
Inside diameter of OBX resonator...
FYI -I've tried calling these OBX resellers.. They NEVER answer the phone.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: TULSA OKLAHOMA
Inner diameter of OBX resonator
I've finally found the measurement of the OBX resonators - 2.25".. So if you have a big block not only do you not have 2.5" resonator but the collectors are not large enough for the exhaust ports on a big block! From corner to corner of the exhaust port is 2" on my 454 head and the OD of the collectors are only 1 7/8"!! So with the OBX's you probably can get away with using them with a 350 CI motor but this will not perform as well on a big block as a Hooker with larger collectors and 2.5" resonator...