I finally got time to install the sidepipes I got used for $200 (headers, pipes, exhaust). It took me forever, partially because I bolted the new headers on before I realized that I would need to cut some fiberglass on the body to make the sidepupes not rub. I had to take the headers off, and, as most of ya'll know, some of those header bolts are hard to get to.

Anyway, after I installed the headers, I started it up. It was soooooo QUIET! I didn't believe people when they said the Hooker mufflers were quiet- it sounded like a minivan. I had a full exhaust on my car and flowmasters, so it was loud already, but those mufflers made it sound very week.

I also had a couple of exhaust leaks. I didn't want to mess with that at the time so I cruised around in it. Very quiet. I was so disappointed. And then when I got out of the car, I burnt my leg- on the first egress! I now realized why people burn their legs on these things- it looks very hard not too. I'm sure Im going to have to warn every person that gets in the car about the sidepipes.

:banghead: All that time installing the sidepipes and now I'm going to have to take them off to change mufflers. Im going to get a buddy to use a torch to put some holes in the muffler before I go the JCL route. I sure hope that makes it sound better- it sounds pitiful now.

 

Andrew,

Sorry to hear about your day. :( That stinks to be disappointed in a modification. Not to add insult to injury, but I'm sure you also lost some power with the Hooker mufflers (whether you got the glasspacks or the reverse flows). I sure did on my 454.

I got the JCL's, got my performance back, and the sound is great. It is very loud at WOT, and nice and grumpy at low-speed/idle, too.

 

Yeah - that sux - hate to hear bad things about sidepipes.
You should try running them open - just to see how loud they can get.
Don't the tubes unscrew and slide off of the headers ?

Good luck :seeya

 

The first day I was installing them it got dark and I had to drive it home with open headers- no sidepipes. I was setting car alarms off 50 feet away from me. It sounded very cool, but too loud. I was hoping with mufflers it would have the same deep sound, just at a third the loudness.

As for sliding the pipes on and off, I would call it sliding. I would call if more like prying- the only way I get them moving is with a hammer or an extra hand or two.

 

Well at least you can say you got branded by Corvette.... :lol:

 

Yeah but side pipes look so darn cool! :p:

Seriously, when I bought my first Harley Davidson I was sooo bummed because it didn't have that signature rumble, then I was told that they all come with stock mufflers and you have to change the pipes out to get that potato sound...so I did and love it! :thumbs:

Just play with them a bit and I'm sure you'll find something you like. :thumbs:

 

Check out C3 Shark tanks site for some neat inserts, His car sound and runs great. Do a searh for C3 Shark tank... I don't know the link off hand.

 

I too was very suprised by how quite the Hooker sidepipes were. I will be modding my JCL's when I take everything apart to increase the volume a tad more ;) .

 

Hooker mufflers cost me 95 h.p. on the dyno..............get the JCL's!
.......much better sound, too!
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

 

Side pipes are so cool.
Just open those suckers up :smash:

 

Mass Vette your Mid Year is absolutely beautiful.
My favorite color too.
Sweet car dude. :steering:

 

Mastiff, I had a pair of 30" long spiral baffles made for my Hooker sidepipes that I then just had to pound in for a nice firm fit. And even though I had purchased a complete set like you did, used, I opted to drop another $200 and get brand new sidepipes and I'm glad I did. They slid on and off quite easily until I got everything situated. You might have to get a new pair yourself if your used ones are so tight that they have to be ruined to get back off. And when you do, try the spiral baffles. I think the post above mentioned them. Doesn't JCL make them? I had mine locally manufactured and they weren't much, something like $45 for the pair.

Now about sound quality, they sound incredibly awesome. They are not as quiet as my big block musclecar with Flowmasters, but they sound about as good. I'd say they're about twice as loud as that Flowmaster American Thunder system. And with nothing but spiral baffles in the sidepipes, they are as close as you can get legally to a 4 inch open exhaust.

BTW, I had to do the same fiberglass trimming as you did, but you do NOT have to take the headers off. Just loosen the bolts so the headers sag a little, then get a sawzall and kind of slide the reciprocating blade along the surface of the primary pipe(s) and trim the fiberglass. Then pull the header back into place with a single bolt to check for clearance.

 

Been there.. done that.
:seeya
Actually I didn;t burn myself for the first time until the third day I had the pipes on :lol: :yesnod: I think I'm going to buy baffles with my tax return.

 

Massvette
Are you using chrome Hooker headers with 4" or 3" Hooker side pipes JCL inserts? I am considering Chromed hookers with 4" but not sure about inserts.

 

Same as mine, 4" JCL inserts.... I gained around 40 HP from the hooker glasspack to JCLs...

 

mufflers?who needs stinking mufflers :D

 

Jack...if you go the route of sidepipes, then you must not put anything other than baffles in there...if you saw the crap inserts that got pulled out of mune you would know why....baffles are the way to go.. :thumbs:

 

1Bad69,
I assume you have Hookers with 4', Who's baffles did you use? CarBelt suggested any of 2 Hooker types (mufflers?) loud and quiet, each $180.

 

If you install the original equipment type side pipes with shields do they get hot enough to burn?

 

Well with my pipes, i got burned 2 hours afte rthey went on. I didnt even get to get in the car. I was tuning it and leaned into the. That was a year ago and i still have a mark.