sidepipes on a '79?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Wainwright Alberta
sidepipes on a '79?
Well, I'm not a vette expert but sidepipes were only built for like '68-'76 or somewhere around that range? or am I totally wrong?
Once I get the cash I'm looking to have sidepipes installed on my '79. Is there any certain ones I should go for? or is there anything important do I need to check before buying them? Do I need to measure anything to make sure they will fit?
I love the look and sound of sidepipes and wish to have them on my '79. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Wainwright Alberta
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (hubes)
actually i think 69 was the last year for sidepipes
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (SicChild)
I did that conversion three years ago. Bought them from Eckler's with the 1969-style fiberglass covers. Just a few comments. If you do not have pristine exhaust manifold studs, count on many hours to get them out. Unless you go to a muffler shop that knows the right shade of exhaust manifold red and when to extract without damage. The fiberglass covers are a poor fit at best. Expect to secure them with a Bubba fix near the transmission cross-member. And to paint them, of course. Not emissions acceptable as the cat con is gone. And VERY loud. I gave up on them after one week. They attract Police like flies to honey. I will be spammed for this but they are annoying. Hard to hear the stereo.
Having said that, the mounting slots are in the frame just in front of the rear wheel (pic in a few minutes). So the install beyond the manifold studs is pretty easy. Not a great pic but you can see how the mounting bolts and rubber bushings slide in. BTW, over $2000.00CDN.
[Modified by paul79, 8:53 PM 8/2/2002]
Having said that, the mounting slots are in the frame just in front of the rear wheel (pic in a few minutes). So the install beyond the manifold studs is pretty easy. Not a great pic but you can see how the mounting bolts and rubber bushings slide in. BTW, over $2000.00CDN.
[Modified by paul79, 8:53 PM 8/2/2002]
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Wainwright Alberta
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (MassVette)
Any suggestions? When I put it back on the road next spring I'm going to need a new exhaust system anyway. There are huge holes in the current one, and it looks as though the previous owner didn't mount one of the mufflers properly when he put it on.
So if I'm going to do this, I'm willing to spend a little more money and get it all done right the first time.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (Pete79L82)
Pete,
I asked the same question after my $2000.00 experiment. Live and learn; sometimes after a significant cost. The manifold stud extraction was an absolutely miserable experience. Torch here, stud extractor there, drilled two out, re-tapped, etc. I got them out and the new in. Took about 8 hours. That was my time at my labour rate. Shop rate???
Basically the studs thin in the middle with heat, corrosion and age. There remains little to grab unto with any tool. Even with a stud extractor (see pic) I snapped three off. Two came out with a torch but the last had to be drilled out. Again, misery in July two years ago.
[Modified by paul79, 9:27 PM 8/2/2002]
I asked the same question after my $2000.00 experiment. Live and learn; sometimes after a significant cost. The manifold stud extraction was an absolutely miserable experience. Torch here, stud extractor there, drilled two out, re-tapped, etc. I got them out and the new in. Took about 8 hours. That was my time at my labour rate. Shop rate???
Basically the studs thin in the middle with heat, corrosion and age. There remains little to grab unto with any tool. Even with a stud extractor (see pic) I snapped three off. Two came out with a torch but the last had to be drilled out. Again, misery in July two years ago.
[Modified by paul79, 9:27 PM 8/2/2002]
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,514
Likes: 1
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (JCL)
Probably wouldn't look good on a "79" anyway........CHROME is the way. :yesnod: :yesnod: JCL "Have baffles.Will travel".
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (Stevo)
Who wouldn't love sidepipes, unless you're driving the highway for hours.
Don't any of you have emissions issues ?
Do you have another "legal" system for inspection ?
:seeya
Don't any of you have emissions issues ?
Do you have another "legal" system for inspection ?
:seeya
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster PA.
Re: sidepipes on a '79? (SicChild)
See These on EBAY http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=1847055723
[Modified by Bill79, 6:50 AM 8/3/2002]
[Modified by Bill79, 6:50 AM 8/3/2002]
