1975 stingray corvette side pipe questions
Racer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 414
Likes: 55
From: Humboldt county Ca
Please consider two things before you do too much research...
Unless the side pipes are factory style which uses heat shields and covers, you may get a 3rd degree burn on your/your passenger's leg, unless you find an aftermarket company that has resolved this issue.
The other is the state in which you live- I did not see where you live on your avatar, but in California, you still need to pass smog, and 1975 will not allow side pipes (bypass catalytic converters, and, basically, anything not stock won't be allowed).
I'm still waiting for this too change myself so I can run dual exhaust again.
Good luck
Unless the side pipes are factory style which uses heat shields and covers, you may get a 3rd degree burn on your/your passenger's leg, unless you find an aftermarket company that has resolved this issue.
The other is the state in which you live- I did not see where you live on your avatar, but in California, you still need to pass smog, and 1975 will not allow side pipes (bypass catalytic converters, and, basically, anything not stock won't be allowed).
I'm still waiting for this too change myself so I can run dual exhaust again.
Good luck
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Tend to disagree. The bottom of my oil pan is about the same as the bottom of the collectors and tubes on mine. There is more clearance than with standard headers.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I bought my Hooker side pipe headers used and found the Hooker chrome tubes at Summit in the "scratch and dent" section to go with them. I did not have any fit issues with anything on my '71.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 160
Likes: 25
From: Prior Lake Minnesota
thanks clearance was my main concern, burning my wife's legs and increased sound are the others, my 77 sounds great now but I really like the looks of pipes. Anybody ever put cutout on and leave the mufflers in place would that even be possilble.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 293
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
They make electric cutouts. Flip a switch and go loud, flip again and they're quiet (if you have quiet mufflers). I doubt they'd fit with sidepipe set up, especially if you're concerned about ground clearance. Cool for a daily driver.
There are shields you can put on the hooker style headers to reduce the heat. Lowest point I had on my under car exhaust was under the rear spring. I remember hearing those pipe scraping on speed bumps and at gas stations. I haven't hit anything with the side exhaust system.
I have obx setup with classic chambered inserts. Little loud but sound awesome. Click links in my signature.
There are shields you can put on the hooker style headers to reduce the heat. Lowest point I had on my under car exhaust was under the rear spring. I remember hearing those pipe scraping on speed bumps and at gas stations. I haven't hit anything with the side exhaust system.
I have obx setup with classic chambered inserts. Little loud but sound awesome. Click links in my signature.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 44
From: East TN
Here's a picture of underneath with Hooker stainless, and the stock 69 style side exhaust with Hedman headers in the second picture.
Hookers
Stock 69 Style with Hedman headers.
Hookers
69 Style with no covers.
Hookers
Stock 69 Style with Hedman headers.
Hookers
69 Style with no covers.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
What headers do you have on the motor now.
Last edited by Grumpy 427; May 15, 2017 at 01:08 PM.
Advanced
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 74
Likes: 27
From: Seattle WASHINGTON
I just gave up on the OBX on my 70 SB w tremic TKO We could not get the trans high enough for the pipes to lay level with the body. Plus it was resting against the Borgeson PS box. I then gave up and went with Hooker SS side exhaust and it clears the PS Box perfectly.. SO , any one whom wants my OBX , only used once to mock up, in brand new condition , for sale Cheap.. Make me a reasonable offer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,938
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The question of burned legs keeps coming up,here's my thought. Nobody ever rode on the back of my Harley without long pants, not even once, it's irresponsible for a thousand reasons. And nobody rides in my vette without long pants either. It's just that simple, if your female friend or wife wants to wear shorts take another car.
Advanced
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 74
Likes: 27
From: Seattle WASHINGTON
The question of burned legs keeps coming up,here's my thought. Nobody ever rode on the back of my Harley without long pants, not even once, it's irresponsible for a thousand reasons. And nobody rides in my vette without long pants either. It's just that simple, if your female friend or wife wants to wear shorts take another car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,700
Likes: 3,469
From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C5 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11
I understand no shorts on a motorcycle, but I wear shorts all the time driving my C3 with side pipes and I have never burned my leg... Just be aware of them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,352
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
The question of burned legs keeps coming up,here's my thought. Nobody ever rode on the back of my Harley without long pants, not even once, it's irresponsible for a thousand reasons. And nobody rides in my vette without long pants either. It's just that simple, if your female friend or wife wants to wear shorts take another car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 3,181
Likes: 732
From: Texas City, TX Texas
I have some crusty sidepipes I got cheap, haven't installed them as the engine is out. I have mocked them up, and I can enter and exit the car without touching them.
You can tell how dumb a biker's wife is by how many burns she has on her leg...
You can tell how dumb a biker's wife is by how many burns she has on her leg...