Sidepipes too loud?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 154
Likes: 2
From: Europe
Sidepipes too loud?
Hi!
I am thiking of buying a C3 with Hooker sidepipes installed.
I wonder if the sound could be too loud inside the car when you drive with the targas off and sidewindows down?
I am thiking of buying a C3 with Hooker sidepipes installed.
I wonder if the sound could be too loud inside the car when you drive with the targas off and sidewindows down?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Depends on what inserts are in the side pipes. When I bought mine it had burned out Hooker Max Flows. In 4th gear at highway speeds 2800-3000rpm i wore ear plugs. The 5 speed helped a lot but still loud. I have Hooker Glass Pack now and it is at least 50% quieter. You can have a conversation easily cruising in 5th gear and 4th gear is ok too. It robs some power though but I can't imagine it is more restrictive than the original rear exhaust system.
Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 572
Likes: 21
From: Milford, CT
I have a 77 L48 with Hooker Side headers, Hooker side pipes and the Hooker Glass Pack inserts which are supposed to be fairly loud. I think the car is perfect volume level inside with the T's off and the windows down. No problem with having a conversation unless you are really wailing on the gas pedal. I don't get any of the dreaded "Flowmaster drone" inside my car. Also.. I have no sound deadening under my carpet.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 38
My fathers 68 we did the hooker side pipes on his 427. we added in the glass packs. it's loud. no ear shredding loud but, your not going to be able to go threw a drive threw without tuning the engine off. it's miles quieter then my miata that has a ls1 and hooker mufflers. I would rather drive his 68 if it was a spirited drive.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 508
Likes: 36
From: Ia
This came up not too long ago in C3 general section:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592167781
It really depends on what inserts are installed. As I stated in that thread, I am running max flows and love them
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592167781
It really depends on what inserts are installed. As I stated in that thread, I am running max flows and love them
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
For me the sound of the cam and the baffles in the sidepipes is music to my ears...
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 10, 2016 at 08:33 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
not welded unless ordered that way from obx or one of the other venders selling the obx ones under another brand name...(there are 3 places that actually make them from what Ive found including hooker and dougs) I dont believe hooker offers them welded in... they just slip in and fit with the opening at one end as it restricts down... depending on the brand and fit of the insert some complain of rattles and take steps to stop it such as retaining screws or welding. most do not move once installed correctly though... mine dont and my pipes are the cheaper $650 stainless obx variant with a different sweet thunder brand inserts...
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 11, 2016 at 08:16 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I wouldn't go in assuming you can just slip the old inserts out. The side-tubes aren't awful expensive, though, and if the ones on your car have any rust at all, it's probably worth it just to buy a new set and get your inserts of choice.
The reverse flow inserts are, perhaps, slightly more restrictive than a full rear-exit exhaust with muffler. It's close, though. But the reverse flows are pretty quiet and I didn't have any "drone" with mine.
When I put my new engine in, I wanted a lot more attitude. My STS inserts aren't too awful when cruising and have a mean howl to them when I'm on it. Good compromise, in my opinion, but I don't think they would sound as good on a stock engine. I'd think about Sweet Thunder if you don't have a lumpy cam. Those are fine, of course, if you DO have a cam as well, just not the sound I was after. Personal choice.
The reverse flow inserts are, perhaps, slightly more restrictive than a full rear-exit exhaust with muffler. It's close, though. But the reverse flows are pretty quiet and I didn't have any "drone" with mine.
When I put my new engine in, I wanted a lot more attitude. My STS inserts aren't too awful when cruising and have a mean howl to them when I'm on it. Good compromise, in my opinion, but I don't think they would sound as good on a stock engine. I'd think about Sweet Thunder if you don't have a lumpy cam. Those are fine, of course, if you DO have a cam as well, just not the sound I was after. Personal choice.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
Hey I was just correcting the statement above since since it in itself was very misleading and confusing... Do you not see my point here? If you said something like c3= T Top and c4= targa it would have been a correct statement.. The truth is more generations of the corvette are targas than the single gen c3 t top years..
No big deal just didnt want someone to read that and make an *** out of themselves later when they repeat it somewhere.
No big deal just didnt want someone to read that and make an *** out of themselves later when they repeat it somewhere.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I wouldn't go in assuming you can just slip the old inserts out. The side-tubes aren't awful expensive, though, and if the ones on your car have any rust at all, it's probably worth it just to buy a new set and get your inserts of choice.
The reverse flow inserts are, perhaps, slightly more restrictive than a full rear-exit exhaust with muffler. It's close, though. But the reverse flows are pretty quiet and I didn't have any "drone" with mine.
When I put my new engine in, I wanted a lot more attitude. My STS inserts aren't too awful when cruising and have a mean howl to them when I'm on it. Good compromise, in my opinion, but I don't think they would sound as good on a stock engine. I'd think about Sweet Thunder if you don't have a lumpy cam. Those are fine, of course, if you DO have a cam as well, just not the sound I was after. Personal choice.
The reverse flow inserts are, perhaps, slightly more restrictive than a full rear-exit exhaust with muffler. It's close, though. But the reverse flows are pretty quiet and I didn't have any "drone" with mine.
When I put my new engine in, I wanted a lot more attitude. My STS inserts aren't too awful when cruising and have a mean howl to them when I'm on it. Good compromise, in my opinion, but I don't think they would sound as good on a stock engine. I'd think about Sweet Thunder if you don't have a lumpy cam. Those are fine, of course, if you DO have a cam as well, just not the sound I was after. Personal choice.
But I know mine slip right out because I have already removed them once when adding fiberglass batting around them to quiet them down a bit.
From all the videos I have seen (and I been watching a lot) the STS and sweet thunders sound pretty much the same at idle... I myself just want something a little less loud when I am accererating at higher rpms...this is where the sts baffles (not drilled out) seem to have the advantage Dont get me wrong the sweet thunders sound great with the t tops off but ironically the noise can be too much with the windows up and the tops on...
I do have 10.1 compression and a mild voodoo 262/270 cam..
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 12, 2016 at 09:03 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 951
Likes: 215
From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
Hey I was just correcting the statement above since since it in itself was very misleading and confusing... Do you not see my point here? If you said something like c3= T Top and c4= targa it would have been a correct statement.. The truth is more generations of the corvette are targas than the single gen c3 t top years..
No big deal just didnt want someone to read that and make an *** out of themselves later when they repeat it somewhere.
No big deal just didnt want someone to read that and make an *** out of themselves later when they repeat it somewhere.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I'll agree to disagree here.
As far as I know Triumph was the first to use the Targa top (wiki just confirmed it was on the on the TR4).. then Saab used them followed by Porsche years later.. even though the T tops were invented and patented before the Targa in 1951 the c3 was the first US production car (and only corvette) to use them before following suit with the targa trend then used on many others by then including ferrari and yes Porsche as the popular ones..
I had read that GM felt the c3 had too much body flex to use the targa top when development was taking place and the t tops were a cost saving budget measure.
Anyway.. sorry to take this dead thread off topic...
As far as I know Triumph was the first to use the Targa top (wiki just confirmed it was on the on the TR4).. then Saab used them followed by Porsche years later.. even though the T tops were invented and patented before the Targa in 1951 the c3 was the first US production car (and only corvette) to use them before following suit with the targa trend then used on many others by then including ferrari and yes Porsche as the popular ones..
I had read that GM felt the c3 had too much body flex to use the targa top when development was taking place and the t tops were a cost saving budget measure.
Anyway.. sorry to take this dead thread off topic...
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 13, 2016 at 08:13 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 163
Likes: 2
I put a set of hooker side pipes on my 77 l48. I put the most quiet inserts that hooker makes. my engine runs better then before with the stock exhaust and the sound is just right. I can carry on a conversation in the car and listen to the radio if I want and it still has a nice rumble.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,029
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
I put a set of hooker side pipes on my 77 l48. I put the most quiet inserts that hooker makes. my engine runs better then before with the stock exhaust and the sound is just right. I can carry on a conversation in the car and listen to the radio if I want and it still has a nice rumble.
heres one thread on the topic... https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...erse-flow.html
Last edited by augiedoggy; May 13, 2016 at 08:54 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
STS baffles with a 496 BB, 75 convertible. Not too bad when cruising at all. According to the dyno shop, the exhaust is starting to choke the engine at about 5500 rpm. Shows it on the graph. So, I may go under car exhaust or Max Flow's next year. Wife thinks the car is too powerful already (413 rwhp).