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Has anyone every moved the battery and changed that box and run the exhaust over the axle instead of under? Just wondering if it could be done. Pictures if you have them.
From: I tend to be leery of any guy who doesn't own a chainsaw or a handgun.
Haven't done that, but respectfully, what is your reasoning for wanting to do this?
I can only think of several negatives with this modification. Cutting up the stock bodywork, placing the battery either up front (bad for handling), or moving the battery to the extreme rear (outside the wheelbase, making a C3 even more twitchy at the cornering limit), and adding even more bends/restriction/weight to the exhaust system.
I'm asking merely for engineering curiosity, as it's your car, and your decision.
When I see my car from the rear, I think the pipes hang really low and look like crap. Easiest (most common) answer is probably side pipes. I was looking at it the other day and thought "What if...". Probably a bad question to ask most of the time. I'm not saying I'm going to do it, but was wondering if anyone had ever thought of it. You could build a box in the back that raised the current floor and would hold the battery and even some speakers if you wanted. Seems like everything has been tried once, so I was wondering.
Your problem may be that you have installed much larger diameter pipes than came on the car...or the pipes are not routed up tightly underbody, as they were from the factory.
You might also have a "saggy" rear spring. (Are your half-shafts close to horizontal as the car sits on level ground?
Form follows function. The pipes have to go out the back of the car, so they go under the differential. You must have removed the spare tire to even see them. I don't think there are any other options short of cutting up the body if you still want a rear exit. Unless the go through your batwing (and risk hitting the half-shafts), I think you'd have to cut up your rear shelf area, too.
So go ahead and put sidepipes on! Post some pictures in the meantime.
FYI several of the factory cars had partially flattened pipes where they go under the differential. Not sure which models or years or if it was 2-1/2 " pipes etc. But they were squashed by GM into an oval shape for about a foot around the diff. A mild Oval shape should not affect the flow. When they were tucked up tight they visually blended-in to the bottom of the car, as well as gained more ground clearance.
My '68 427 had what I presume were OEM style exhaust pipes - and yes, they were flattened (oval) under the lowest point under the axle. I now have a 3" diameter 'X' pipe systems off the back of Supercomps that all routed under the chassis - prevents me lowering the suspension........
I repowered with a 632 and the engine builder recommended 21/4” headers with 3 1/2” collectors and exhaust pipe/mufflers. We transitioned from the 3 1/2” collector to 2 1/2” x 4” oval past the rear end and transitioned back to 3 1/2” pipe, mufflers and tips. Very clean and functional installation.
68vette2go,
That is a really nice job on that exhaust system. Looks like it would be hidden about as much as you could get. Maybe I'll learn to weld one day and see what I can do.
If you paint the visible pipes a flat black hi-temp paint and remove (or turn upside-down) any muffler clamps, I doubt you (or anyone else) will notice them. That is the way that C3's look because of all the 'stuff' in the rear under-carriage.
I agree..took me a bunch of tries to get it tucked under correctly..basically start loose from front keep toght to body within 5/8 inch accordingto manual...i swore forever my pipes were not right...they were..even the tips match now and do not stick out..at least with my hideaway mufflers..its amazing how much the tick under...or not depending on instal
exhaust pipe routing
