So im looking for sidemount headers and pipes for my 74 vette. Whats a good direction i can go on a budget? I want flat black pipes and headers with full outlets (not the ones that reduce back to 1 7/8"). Iv found kits like this but is this really the cheapest they go? Also what is the difference between "side pipes" and "resonated side pipes"?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maximizer-Steel-Exhaust-Header-Side-Mount-63-82-Corvette-C2-C3-SBC-/121155949341?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c3575131d&vxp=mtr

 

i have the obx polished stainless they were 700 shipped, they went on once the manifolds were off in 15 min. you could always black ceramic coat them.dont know what black hookers would cost.

 

How does the OBX welds look in person?
From the pictures it seems that they are welded after the pipes are polished which leaves the brown heat stains. I'm guessing your happy with them? Any pictures of them you could share of the welds?

Thanks

 

Doug's headers make sidepipes in black and are cheaper than the Hookers. Power Portal Products make some covers that can be cut to whatever length you need and come powder coated black. No fancy script but also cheaper than the others and you save the coating cost.

 

the welds are as you describe, but a little polishing improves it. personally these fit perfectly look great and perform as well as any. if you paint them black the welds are not an issue.

 

Not buying hooker headers ...for the small block they r ok but in my 70 454 they r theee worst pain out of anything ive done with this car ...ive got shorty plugs and they still ground out a new wire in about 3 to 5 days ..they r so close to the headers;;a design flaw im guessin ..plus they rusted out in a matter of 1 yr il never buy hookers again

 

I found another thread and seems that these are pretty good pipes.Like you said a little buffing and the welds look alot better.
I'm going to buy them. Thanks

 

Strange. I have ceramic coated Hooker sidepipes on my 496 BB. Edelbrock RPM heads, Motorcraft plugs that are about 1/4" shorter and Taylor wires. No problems in almost 3000 miles.

 

Me neither.

 

The welds on OBX sidemount headers before and after being polished

 

Perfect!!!!! great job, just what I needed to see. Thanks

 

Took me about 30 minutes with a dremel to polish the welds and they now look great! The OBX are stainless which makes them a much better longer lasting alternative to the more expensive steel hookers that will eventually rust out.
The resonator version just comes with resonator mufflers tack welded in the pipes were the other version has no mufflers installed.... I went with the latter choice and decided on 2 1/4 sweet thunder chambered exhaust mufflers but you could use and 4" side pipe muffler you want like glass packs...just don't go with reverse flow they hurt the power output quite a bit.

 

I bought the OBX setup as well for my 76 smallblock.

I did have to dimple mine a bit at the steering gear, but not so much that it would turn me off buying them again. I didn't get their inserts and opted for sweet thunder's 2.5" inserts myself. A touch on the loud side, but I can deal with it.

As far as the welds, I left mine with the "hardened" look. Guess that's why the only Harley I ever considered buying was the Night Train.

 

I used stainless polish and polishing wheels from eastwood

 

Where are you located?I have a Hooker set in black that I could part with.

 

I have 11 year-old Hooker sidepipes with Jet-Hot and NGK shortie plugs and no problems either.

 

I have 15 year old Hookers (black) with standard NGK plugs, Moroso wires and no problems.