Side pipes
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Side pipes
New member here. 20 years old and bought a 73 a year ago. I’ve since rebuilt the motor and tranny both are numbers matching. I want to put side pipes on it bc it’ll look better but I want to ensure I get ones that look good, sound good and aren’t too outrageous on price. Any positive feedback is gladly appreciated. I put a link below to what I think would be good but I didn’t know what anybodies experience if any have been with them thanks.
https://www.corvettepacifica.com/pro...e-tubes-63-82/
Edit
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,034
Likes: 9,156
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Dougs headers get good reviews and you can get different inserts to change the volume. WElocme aboard!! 20 year old huh. Did you develop the car bug from your folks and a wholesome upbringing or are you just naturally a cool guy like the rest of us? LOL Have fun with your new toy!!!
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 28
From: Southern MD
Congrats on buying a Corvette when you were 19 years old. I bought mine when I was 20 in 1980. I didn't have the money to pay others to do work on it, so I got some on the job training. 
I put a set of Doug's on my 71 recently. I got the ceramic coated ones that are a satin silver color which looks pretty sweet. Except mine is a big block. My install went fine but I will let those who have installed the small block version provide info on how their install went. Good luck
I put a set of Doug's on my 71 recently. I got the ceramic coated ones that are a satin silver color which looks pretty sweet. Except mine is a big block. My install went fine but I will let those who have installed the small block version provide info on how their install went. Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 999
Likes: 282
From: New York
I have Doug's on mine, I have the "middle" sounds ones. I can still listen to music and chat especially with windows up. But they are NOT quite, you know they are there ALL the time.
Do yourself a favor get the heat shields, I'm using some from the cobguys forgot who, but you don't want to loose skin on the pipes..
Side pipes have been covered to death 1000x do a search.
Do yourself a favor get the heat shields, I'm using some from the cobguys forgot who, but you don't want to loose skin on the pipes..
Side pipes have been covered to death 1000x do a search.
Last edited by nyciti; Jun 30, 2020 at 07:18 PM.
7th Gear
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 3
From: Hudson, Florida
Just bought these Doug Thorley's from Summit.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DOU-D380
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DOU-D930
Silver ceramic coated
Also STS Exhaust Baffles from a forum member.
I don't want to take any chances on burns so I purchased Stainless Steel Shields.
Good luck!
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DOU-D380
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/DOU-D930
Silver ceramic coated
Also STS Exhaust Baffles from a forum member.
I don't want to take any chances on burns so I purchased Stainless Steel Shields.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Dougs headers get good reviews and you can get different inserts to change the volume. WElocme aboard!! 20 year old huh. Did you develop the car bug from your folks and a wholesome upbringing or are you just naturally a cool guy like the rest of us? LOL Have fun with your new toy!!!
I get it from my dad he was a mechanic about 30 years ago and built a t-bucket with a big block and side pipes. He helps me when I have trouble working on the vette. So far I’m having fun with it and learning a lot too like a little thing called patience. 😂😂😂
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,802
Likes: 4,421
From: Virginia
Sidepipes are awesome. Congratulations on having a cool car at a young age!
Do get heat shields. I've heard nothing but good things about Dougs. I have Hooker sidepipes on my 80, sourced from Craigslist. They are LOUD! If they hadn't been practically free, I'd have gone with Dougs, and STS inserts. I may still do so for the pipes, just leave the Hooker headers up to the collectors.
Post some photos!
Do get heat shields. I've heard nothing but good things about Dougs. I have Hooker sidepipes on my 80, sourced from Craigslist. They are LOUD! If they hadn't been practically free, I'd have gone with Dougs, and STS inserts. I may still do so for the pipes, just leave the Hooker headers up to the collectors.
Post some photos!
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
We need more of your kind to keep the flame........Kudos to picking a very different ride to sport around in. You will love sidepipes until you go for a 60 mile drive with the window down......that outlet is 3 feet from your ear, they use this drone sound technique at GITMO.....it will make your brain jelly after one hour guaranteed......and any of the inserts that flow are loud, real loud 3 feet from your ear.........BUT, you are young and this may not bother you.......just a warning. Liken it to being in a high dollar rave for two hours, non-stop noise.
Jebby
Jebby
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,034
Likes: 9,156
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
Get the pipes you’ll be fine. I have a convertible with y9 pipes and they are only loud at WOT. JKippin had dougs I believe and his are only Really loud at high rpms. You can always put in baffles and still look really cool. Just Remember the cost is a possible leg/ calf burn, looks cool on you not so much on your girl friends leg."
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 155
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore MD
Congrats man. I bought my 80 15 years ago when I was 16. Put Dougs sidepipes on it last year with the loudest inserts they sell and I love em. Though I don't care to listen to the radio or anyone sitting next to me for that matter.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 833
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I have OBX sidepipes with sweet thunder inserts. They are loud but I enjoy running pas a group of Harley's with drag pipes on the interstate and have them turn and look.
I have to agree you must be a pretty cool guy. I bought a new pace car in 78 when I was about your age, I worked a regular job and worked in a friend's Corvette shop to pay for my drag racing. I learned alot from some really smart racers in my area.
Keep on doing what you're doing, it will be a wonderful part of your life.
I have to agree you must be a pretty cool guy. I bought a new pace car in 78 when I was about your age, I worked a regular job and worked in a friend's Corvette shop to pay for my drag racing. I learned alot from some really smart racers in my area.
Keep on doing what you're doing, it will be a wonderful part of your life.
Last edited by 7t9l82; Jul 1, 2020 at 12:56 PM.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I was beside a Harley at a light. He made the comment to me <shouting> that my car was the first he had come across that was louder than his bike!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,900
Likes: 833
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I have Doug's and I've had Hookers. Neither fit well but I have a local header builder who helped me change the collector to get the pipes aimed in the correct direction. Since I have seen this misalignment on two brands I assume it is my car. Lars has experienced a similar problem and you can probably find his post on correcting the problem. Now with that said I love the look and the sound. I had mine ceramic coated by Jet Hot Coatings. I used old burned out inserts, cut the ends off and attached them to Magnaflow 22" glass pack mufflers. the center core is 2.5" as I recall. With the tops out and windows down the wind noise is louder than the exhaust at cruise. With the throttle open you know you have side pipes and glass packs. I don't have the heat shields as I don't like the look. My wife and I remind each other of the "Hot Pipes" every time we get out. BTW the ceramic is not near as hot as chrome or painted. but it will still get your attention.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,398
From: SW Florida.
you know, you don't need a full-length heat shield. just the spot where your and especially her leg will hit on the way out. along the lines of this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Exhaust-Muf...f51e3842a29ff7
Last edited by derekderek; Jul 1, 2020 at 06:26 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,398
From: SW Florida.
OP. you are young. you are going to be getting lucky with this car. if she burns her leg getting out, she will be somewhat less inclined to wrap that leg around your neck. always warn the passenger.
- words of wisdom!! That's truth young and old!