Sidepipe dilemma - to do, or not to do
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Just FYI...the stock sidepipes for 1969 will not support but about 350/360 horsepower with the manifolds on a small block.....very restrictive setup for being so short.
I recommend the stock 69' Off Road covers with Hooker headers and a retro fit VettePak muffler.
As stated.....stay away from the Hooker sidepipes if you enjoy driving the car long distances.....the noise can sink in after a while. The race insert is the only insert that flows and it is very loud.
The runner length of the pipes becomes an issue at higher power levels......
I love the Hooker exhaust and was on the fence for my 72' 406....but ultimately the undercar exhaust ruled out for the reasons I mentioned.
Jebby
I recommend the stock 69' Off Road covers with Hooker headers and a retro fit VettePak muffler.
As stated.....stay away from the Hooker sidepipes if you enjoy driving the car long distances.....the noise can sink in after a while. The race insert is the only insert that flows and it is very loud.
The runner length of the pipes becomes an issue at higher power levels......
I love the Hooker exhaust and was on the fence for my 72' 406....but ultimately the undercar exhaust ruled out for the reasons I mentioned.
Jebby
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 779
From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I'd like to get real data so I'll probably wander back to 'Dyno Don' and see if we can get some back-pressure numbers with the factory side exhaust, and then replace with the original, under-the-car exhaust, and measure both back pressure and do a dyno run to compare all the results.
Piggie a few days before 48th birthday, 30 June 1970.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
As stated.....stay away from the Hooker sidepipes if you enjoy driving the car long distances.....the noise can sink in after a while. The race insert is the only insert that flows and it is very loud.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 486
From: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
We always hated parking next to the guy in the Corvette club that had the side pipes. He would blow dirt and leaves all over the other cars. Also the posters are right about only burning your leg once...however for me the scar lasted 30 years. They do look cool though.
Redvette2
Redvette2
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
We always hated parking next to the guy in the Corvette club that had the side pipes. He would blow dirt and leaves all over the other cars. Also the posters are right about only burning your leg once...however for me the scar lasted 30 years. They do look cool though.
Redvette2
Redvette2
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 653
Likes: 454
From: Napa, CA
Racer
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 320
Likes: 75
From: Bala Cynwyd PA
I recently picked up a numbers matching all original 1969 350 4speed and am contemplating installing side pipes, but my mechanic is telling me to stay away from them as they are more problems than their worth. Specifically around the following:
Any comments are appreciated!
- more heat coming into the cabin than usual.
- burning legs when getting out.
- not being able to lift the car up easily if needed as the pipes / headers get in the way of where the platform would sit.
- pipes being too low to the ground and hitting them on slight inclines, driveways, potholes, etc.
- potential of it taking away from the overall resale value.
Any comments are appreciated!
Having said that, I love the side exhaust. I don't mind the smell, I love the sound and the way the car looks. On the topic of the ground clearance, my understanding was that they were originally put on the cars so that they could be lowered for better ground clearance
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
On a different level, sidepipes change the overall character of the car. Adding sidepipes changes the car from 'nice fun boulevard cruiser' to 'angry wild bad *** beast'! 
There are some times when you want either one. That is what I wanted when I installed mine and I love them … but not always. Sometimes when me and the wife are going out to dinner they are a bit much. When pulling into a car show.. well they're just right.
I figure if I get tired of them I'll switch them out to regular under car exhaust but for now I'm enjoying them.
There are some times when you want either one. That is what I wanted when I installed mine and I love them … but not always. Sometimes when me and the wife are going out to dinner they are a bit much. When pulling into a car show.. well they're just right. I figure if I get tired of them I'll switch them out to regular under car exhaust but for now I'm enjoying them.
C3. 427, 4-link, c7 z06
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 999
Likes: 209
From: Virginia
I love the hooker sidepipes and spiral baffles on mine. Uncapped the baffles are too loud for the street, but capped they aren't too bad. As everyone says though, they are leg burners
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 142
Likes: 10
From: Los Angeles, CA
I can lift my car up very easily with the sidepipes. It's easy to get a jack on the frame rail right near the collector and lift. I find there is way less heat in the car with them and the car is a lot easier to work on without exhaust in the way. I have never had a ground clearance issue with side pipes. I scraped the under car exhaust a lot. Finally, you will only burn your leg once, unless you're a very slow learner. This is the only aspect that concerns me as I would hate to have someone getting a ride get a lasting leg tattoo commemorating the experience.
I have had sidepipes on my 69 since about 1974.
- more heat coming into the cabin than usual.. Not true.
- burning legs when getting out. You and your passengers have to be conscious of the pipes when getting in or out.
- not being able to lift the car up easily if needed as the pipes / headers get in the way of where the platform would sit. You either jack the car up in the rear at the center of the spring or in the front from the leading or trailing edge of the front crossmember, not the center of the crossmember or under a control arm.
- pipes being too low to the ground and hitting them on slight inclines, driveways, potholes, etc. Have not had an issue.
- potential of it taking away from the overall resale value. Keep the old system to sell with the car.
heat shields are a very good thing, but can get very spendy
https://www.corvettepacifica.com/pro...s--pair-63-82/ for $500
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pte-h7452/overview/ much cheaper at $60 but will require some modification to fit i imagine
https://steelshields.com/simple_custom_sidepipe_shields steel shields are highly rated, but also $425
http://www.cobrastuff.com/36inchshield.html for $295, but the holes make it kinda look like a cheese grater.
https://www.corvettepacifica.com/pro...s--pair-63-82/ for $500
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pte-h7452/overview/ much cheaper at $60 but will require some modification to fit i imagine
https://steelshields.com/simple_custom_sidepipe_shields steel shields are highly rated, but also $425
http://www.cobrastuff.com/36inchshield.html for $295, but the holes make it kinda look like a cheese grater.
I have had both on my 69. Now I have a very high horsepower car, but found the sidepipes very restrictive. In order to keep my power, I had it so loud I didn’t want to drive it. I have done a ton of Dyno testing with sidepipe setups. If you are using mufflers, a good undercar system will always make more hp than sidepipes. Looks are a toss up, love them both. But I would never go back to sidepipes.
- more heat in the cabin - no, less if anything
- burning legs - yes there is potential for that
- lifting the car - possibly more difficult because the pipes come out where you would normally place the jack but you just move the jack rearward. Jack stand location is fine ahead of the pipes
- pipes too low - no, the header pipes are smaller in diameter, if anything sidepipes help with ground clearance
- affect resale value - YES PROBABLY with a numbers matching all original 1969
Jim
I also have had none of the issues you mechanic mentioned.
as far as burning, that is what heat shields are for.
he may or may not be a decent mechanic, but his comments regarding side pipes are not accurate, except resale value, that may be true. However if I was buying a 69 I would be much more likely to buy it if it had side pipes vs standard exhaust.
going back to rear exhaust is not even an option on my 77, they are there to stay. Working on anything under the car is far easier due to the lack of exhaust pipes in the way.
as far as burning, that is what heat shields are for.
he may or may not be a decent mechanic, but his comments regarding side pipes are not accurate, except resale value, that may be true. However if I was buying a 69 I would be much more likely to buy it if it had side pipes vs standard exhaust.
going back to rear exhaust is not even an option on my 77, they are there to stay. Working on anything under the car is far easier due to the lack of exhaust pipes in the way.
Get the sidepipes! But make sure you get shields, too. I made my own system for $100- or so. You'll probably want to get the period appropriate system from Keen.
Who lifts their car from the side?
Don't worry about resale until you sell it, which you won't want to do with sidepipes.
Who lifts their car from the side?
Don't worry about resale until you sell it, which you won't want to do with sidepipes.
If you want'em, put'em on. The only comment from your mechanic that has any real merit is resale value - but as mentioned, keep the old exhaust if that one concerns you. Everything else is, as others have said, can be mitigated with heat shields or is just plain wrong.
I love my Hookers (exhaust that is) - I have a rubber bumper car and love mine, but I think they look especially good on a chrome bumper corvette. I say do it!
I love my Hookers (exhaust that is) - I have a rubber bumper car and love mine, but I think they look especially good on a chrome bumper corvette. I say do it!
I have a 1969 that came from the factory with side pipes. Interesting fact 1969 is the only year C3 that came from factory with side pipes. I also have a lift in my garage and it is slightly more difficult with side pipes. Mine are factory side pipes and they will not burn your legs however my daughter has a factory five cobra with side pipes and not only have I burned my leg on them but more than once I've pulled up in it had a lot of young kids come close and felt like I couldn't leave the car I was so worried one of them would touch the pipes. I only drove my car a few times before deciding to tear it down and do a full frame off. Mine is also a 350/350 4 sd. I saw your more recent post and I plan to keep my recently rebuilt numbers matching 350 but change out the cam and heads and go with Holley fuel injection. I really hope I don't grenade it!
Just FYI...the stock sidepipes for 1969 will not support but about 350/360 horsepower with the manifolds on a small block.....very restrictive setup for being so short.
I recommend the stock 69' Off Road covers with Hooker headers and a retro fit VettePak muffler.
As stated.....stay away from the Hooker sidepipes if you enjoy driving the car long distances.....the noise can sink in after a while. The race insert is the only insert that flows and it is very loud.
The runner length of the pipes becomes an issue at higher power levels......
I love the Hooker exhaust and was on the fence for my 72' 406....but ultimately the undercar exhaust ruled out for the reasons I mentioned.
Jebby
I recommend the stock 69' Off Road covers with Hooker headers and a retro fit VettePak muffler.
As stated.....stay away from the Hooker sidepipes if you enjoy driving the car long distances.....the noise can sink in after a while. The race insert is the only insert that flows and it is very loud.
The runner length of the pipes becomes an issue at higher power levels......
I love the Hooker exhaust and was on the fence for my 72' 406....but ultimately the undercar exhaust ruled out for the reasons I mentioned.
Jebby
We always hated parking next to the guy in the Corvette club that had the side pipes. He would blow dirt and leaves all over the other cars. Also the posters are right about only burning your leg once...however for me the scar lasted 30 years. They do look cool though.
Redvette2
Redvette2
On a different level, sidepipes change the overall character of the car. Adding sidepipes changes the car from 'nice fun boulevard cruiser' to 'angry wild bad *** beast'! There are some times when you want either one. That is what I wanted when I installed mine and I love them … but not always. Sometimes when me and the wife are going out to dinner they are a bit much. When pulling into a car show.. well they're just right.
I figure if I get tired of them I'll switch them out to regular under car exhaust but for now I'm enjoying them.
There are some times when you want either one. That is what I wanted when I installed mine and I love them … but not always. Sometimes when me and the wife are going out to dinner they are a bit much. When pulling into a car show.. well they're just right.I figure if I get tired of them I'll switch them out to regular under car exhaust but for now I'm enjoying them.
I've decided to go with side-pipes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 870
Likes: 204
From: London UK
Thats why you need fender flares. Hooker style sidepipes with L88 flares turn a c3 from a cool old car to a menacing beast that would intimidate any modern exotic sports car