hey guys, I am interested in C3 owner thoughts on exhaust side pipes. Preferably 1972 which I am looking to buy. pros, cons? I love the look but I have read about ground clearance issues. thanks

 

You'll have more clearance with side pipe exhaust than original exhaust especially where the oem exhaust goes under the rear end.

 

Are you referring to the factory side pipes or aftermarket side pipe headers?
The aftermarket style requires caution when going over obstructions such as speed bumps.

 

Mine are Hookers. I've never scraped them. But I scraped the original exhaust a few times under the rear end.

 

I've never hit anything with the sidepipes on my 80, though I have rubbed the nose a few times going into parking lots.

Be sure add shields, or be VERY careful. The biggest ground clearance issue I've come across is that you need to open the door all the way, and not touch the pipes leaving the car.

Sidepipes are cool, loud, and iconic on C3s. Please post photos of the car you are considering!

 

you burn your leg it sucks. your wife burns her leg you will never hear the end of it.

 

I have had both on my car. Love the looks of sidepipes but much prefer a good undercar system. Undercar is much easier to keep your horsepower as well. I have done the loud thing with sidepipes. Was necessary to try to minimize hp loss on a high hp engine. Got to be no fun driving the thing.

 

me i can not stand the noise

 

This is news to me... and Ive had them since 2013. honestly due to where they are positioned on the vehicle its never been a concern for me. I did end up changing out my inserts for a pair that were not quite as loud and didnt have the drone (I have vettepacks now). I second the het shields too... made a pair myself with some shields meant for the fake patriot sidepipes.


they arent for everyone but they were only about $75 to make and paint the pair... they are spaced off the pipes with header wrap wrapped around the pipes under some 4" spainless clamps which are riveted to the heat shields. I did not care for the look of the chrome over the stainless pipes so I painted them.

 

Sidepipes are super cool, but they are loud. I am enjoying mine now but I can possibly see a day when I might want to take them off when I get tired of the noise. Sometimes I hesitate to step on it because of the noise. Wait... did I just say that?

 

you`ll get answers about BOTH styles, until you let us know what style your looking at,,,i have factory 69 style,, never hot to touch,,ever,, and not loud either, even with the top down, ( convertible) ground clearance depends on who and how they were installed,, IE with factory manifolds, shorty or long headers,and their attention to detail,, I Love mine, for the LOOK,,,,

 

You probably have seen this comparison 100x, but here are two chrome-bumper C3s I've owned... I currently own the '71, which is great; but only because I should never have sold the '69 ragtop.

I echo everything the others have said, having owned two C3s with both exhaust configurations... and having maximized both configurations for power. On my '71, I have a 3" under the car set up now, from header collector to tailpipe. it sounds really good, but it isn't too loud. On the '69, I have the Hooker 4" sidepipes. First tried the reverse-flow inserts and they killed power. I mean _killed_ power. Within a week, I pulled them out and ran them open. At full throttle, that was like driving nails through my ears. Put the STS bafflers in, uncapped, and that was much, much better on the noise, but still very loud. Oh... and I still have a burn scar on my left leg from forgetting the side pipes were there (it only happens ONCE!).

If you want to garner attention, for both looks and decibel level... then go with the sidepipes. Performance-wise, I think under the car, if optimized, is better. Ground clearance... I think under the car can offer less clearance, but if you get a sidepipe that catches on something... it has 4' of scraping to endure, whereas the under car is just a little here or there.

 

NOISE ?? ....If ya have a big block , that"s American Music .Especially winding out second thru 90 degree turns . Starving Tigers don't sound as fearful . Side pipes carry most of the exhaust away from the foot well. ..............

 

Those Patriot shields work. I'm glad you can paint them, that was my plan, too. This will look a lot better in all-black, with the side bezels put back on.

 

I've had all 3 options... Under car exhaust, Hooker side mounts, and now '69 factory side exhaust.

There are advantages to each setup in cost and performance. You'll GAIN ground clearance with side exhaust.

​​​​​​Speaking just about the side exhaust, the Hookers will probably offer more performance vs the OEM side exhaust because they are headers and the 4inch pipe. You'll need to choose a less restrictive insert (I ran STS baffles) to not reduce power. I dynoyed 672hp with my Big Block and this exhaust.

The '69 side exhaust is much more "livable" IMO. You get the look, have ground clearance, and won't make youself deaf like the Hookers provided you do not go for the loud muffler option. The biggest drawback is you are limited to pipe size because of the covers and this setup with be more restrictive and will cost you horsepower.

 

Original manifolds and side pipes on my 69 sound great and aren't too loud for me ever, but I can definitely feel the manifold and mufflers holding it back at highway speeds...

 

I have two 69 C3s one with and without side exhaust. Dougs side headers and the middle tone muffler. Love it! But it's loud and I have heat shields not to burn myself. Can't beat the look but under car also has its perks as it's easier on longer drives and they say doesn't rob as much HP vs side pipes. Side pipes are NOT quite but my car has AC so roll up the windows and not to bad.
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The burn is the only down side vs the look, the noise can be altered depending on what you want for HP...My buddy has the hooker style and has the scars to prove it....I have the 69 style cause I love that look. Someone needs to make a cover for the Hookers that looks like the 69....best of both worlds