Love the look and sound of a snake nest of headers and sidepipes on a C3 and am seriously considering dropping the coin on a set for my 76 Coupe. Before I do, I'd like to get some feedback about the pros and cons...specifically the cons...besides them being too loud (I'm a Harley rider!) and burning your leg on the pipes (I'm a Harley rider!)
Does it require rejetting the carb to richen up the mixture. Can they adversely effect the valves?
Thanks!
Diesel

 

Is your carburetor stock or modified, if stock you may want to make changes to it either way.
Valves will not be effected by air going up the pipes if that is what your concern is. I have been running them for decades.
Otherwise you have the two main issues already in mind.

 

It's a L82 SB 350 engine with a slightly modified cam. Certainly no race car. Carb is stock Rochester 4bbl. I mention the valves because I imagine the headers and side pipes will make the motor run leaner.
What changes would you recommend to the stock carb?
Thanks,
Diesel

 

it will run leaner, the less restriction the leaner it will get. but it is a minor modification to up the jet size and on a quadra jet you may get by with a smaller metering rod. go for it i love mine, and its not new to me I've had 5 c3 corvettes with them on it. since the 70's

 

The cons include not quite as good an exhaust flow as with a good undercar system due to 90 degree bends where the pipes come out from under the car and the long primary tubes. The bigger the cubes, the less the primary length matters (so I read here). Balancing the volume of the exhaust noise and getting the least restrictive set-up can be tricky. There are quite a few muffler insert choices though. Occasionally, I will get a little exhaust in the car. Burns on the legs, yeah I got 'em. Put heat shields on about a year ago. It's a little more difficult to get in and out, because the car is effectively wider than with undercar exhaust.

Among the pros is the sound of the exhaust, who needs a radio? There definitely is a reduction in the cabin temperature with side pipes and they also open up the underside of the car for engine, tranny and diff work. No having to remove the exhaust to get at things. Also, what price can you put on the looks?

 

Well atleast till I get shields for mine, I will have to help my wife and son out of the car. I always wear pants so, not concerned.

There are more pros than cons.

 

Since I recently removed my Hooker pipes and went back to undercar exhaust (still high performance) I will add mu $0.02....

Pros: Good looks, great sound

Cons: Burned legs is obvious, but, there were more for me. Getting in and out of the car was a real pain in the rump! I am 6'2" and about 220 and these cars are a contortionists dream at the best of times. Practice having to rotate your left leg out another 6" everytime you get out of the car, same with your right and then try to stand with your feet that much further from the sill. Its a form of Tai Chi for sure!

Sound is nice, but, somewhat embarrassing in the evenings when you get stopped in traffic and your cool sounding pipes are blasting into the open window of the police car next to you!

Mine also wore holes through my rocker trim where the side pipe clamp touched. Some people choose not to reinstall the trim because it may require you to trim them to fit. The trim is getting hard to replace, so, should be considered.

If you have a chrome bumper car, you are left with the holes and bezels in the rear from the stock exhaust. This was a major issue for me in my decision.

Lastly, they have been proven not to perform as well as a modern high flow X pipe system with good mufflers.

In summary; Pros: looks and sound, Cons: lots.

Your mileage may vary!

 

Great to hear that there are no real "hidden" and "sinister" cons to side pipes.
If utility, superior handling, comfort and low decibel levels were important to me, I wouldn't own a Harley much less a 38 year old Corvette!!! LMAO!
Thanks for the input guys!
NOW, if anyone has a used set of said headers and side pipes in very good condition they'd like to part with, please reach out to me at 443-250-3726 or cjgaller@gmail.com. I've got my PayPal at the ready!
Cheers!
Diesel

 

Put Hookers onto my '81 along with max flow inserts. Tried empty tubes.....WOW...way too loud!!!

Heat shields are a MUST. Really nice ones from Bangcock Dean, lesser from Cobrastuff.com.

Chrome pipes become a cleaning issue. I have the black ones and am going to have them ceramic coated as close to chrome as possible; $400.

Damage to the rocker panels is correct, best to dimple the rockers where the tube clamp bolt is. Of course likely to damage paint if painted.

Sound is the best!

 

Fit may also be a concern. Mine were touching the frame on both sides so a little persuasion was required with a bfh. An easy fix but it required the install/removal of the headers several times to get it right. I cut the left rocker panel as per instructions for clearance. No big deal for me as I'm not concerned too much about originality. You can't really notice it anyway and unless you take a real good look. Burns are easily prevented - buy shields!

 

IMO, side pipes are great on a convertible because it gives it that nasty hotrod look and you can hear both pipes at the same time.
My friend had them on a T top car and all you heard was the one side howling in your ear whenever you're next to something. His pipes were chambered, maybe baffled would be better.

 

I think a big colateral Pro would be decreased cockpit temperatures with the exhaust running on the outside of the car...
Diesel

 

I have Hooker SS snake nest on my 74
Went for the SS and max flow mufflers
Expensive but well, well worth it.
No engine mods, just make sure you don't have angled plugs or the wont fit.
I installed shields on my because they really get hot
Can put my hands on shield when car is running, warm to the touch.
Vet sounds nasty and no back pressure.
They are loud but you will get use to it.
Not that hard to install either.

 

SWEET!!! Now I gotta find me a set for 500 or 600 bucks! So sad I wasnt in a position to buy the set that was on here last week for 600 bucks!
Diesel

 

He's a Harley rider !!!!!!!!!

If he owns a convertible.....I'd be surprised if he has a top for the car


I couldn't help myself........