i need to do some exhaust work and was wondering what the difference in flow would be between stock replacement side pipes and a dual exhaust with 2.5" pipes and high flow mufflers without cats.:confused:
i'm building a streetable car with mild performance(mild cam, performer intake,stock carb, stock exhaust manifolds,etc...) :chevy
any opinions would be helpful :)

 

i've currently got sidepipes and am gonna change to dual setup, there's gotta be an advantage,
surely??????
i've ordered my headers and habe 2 1/2 inch pipe to go on with hedman turbo mufflers out back,
i'll let ya know how it feels when they are on,
do i really need a cross over pipe????

neil



[Modified by camaroneil, 11:03 PM 7/9/2003]

 

I like sidepipes+wife hates burns on leg=Chambered pipes. I love the sound @ WOT :reddevil

 

Several guys I have talked to say they love the sidepipes for about five minutes. After that they are so loud they are no fun anymore. A friend is wrestling right now with trying to reduce the noise level while retaining stock sidepipe look. Without much success.

For street use I prefer a good set of headers with smallish primaries and a 4-2-1 collector configuration. Then use 2" pipes (2.5" for larger displacement such as 383) with mandrel bends and a X crossover. Finish them off with good mufflers such as Walker Dynomax or Edelbrock RPM. This setup will be loud enough to satisfy you, quiet enough for your wife and neighbors and will perform very well.

 

Sidepipes look cool and allow easy access to under the car....But are LOUD LOUD LOUD and will burn you even if you are careful...I would think a full exhaust system would be beneficial to performance

 

Give this a thought: Chambered Pipes that exit out the back (Mid-American and others have them). They have the same sweet sound at WOT but are not 3 feet or so away from your ear all the time.....I can easily hear my radio while cruizin, and conversation is NOT a problem, but its the same sound as side pipes when ya stand on it.......just much easier to live with. :yesnod:

 

as cool as side pipes sound, that is not my main reason for wanting them. :steering:
but rather i'm looking for increased flow over my stock cat-back system :)
the reason side pipes are being considered is the look and increased flow i would get as well as the cooooooooolllll sound they make.
but back to the original question, what is the difference in flow???
what would be best for a mild performance car??? :confused:

 

Sidepipes allow larger pipes, but you have that 90 degree bend

 

Side pipes does not == more flow!!!

Go out the back if you want flow

 

My 2nd attempt: If you have the stock 2 Y-Pipe system that '76s came with from the factory, believe me Sir, ANYTHING will be a HUGE improvement in flow over that system. That being said, you have to decide what sound you want, how much you can afford, etc. Side pipes do not flow well, they just sound like they do. Strongly suggest you check out Flowmasters Web Site or other systems of your consideration if flow is such an issue......... :cheers:

 

Side pipes aren't all that loud after about 10 minutes...that's how long it takes for your ear drums to get numb. Ask me how I know...

 

These do NOT get hot even in 100ºF CA temps after driving around. They WILL get hot if you just sit and idle for several minutes because there's no air flow to cool them off. These are the stock 69 style GM sidepipes which are chambered. The covers are mounted to the body, not the pipes. The pipes are mounted to the frame, not the body. They sound awesome. I think these pipes are about the only thing not stock in my power train, and I'm getting about 50% more power (measured 203RWHP with estimated 250BHP above the measured stock 165BHP with cats). I'm not sure a larger pipe will help much more than that...perhaps maybe 10% more. But, since I've got an L48 and not expecting much I'm happy. :)



[Modified by Rockn-Roll, 12:00 AM 7/10/2003]

 

stingray-76,

This is really a question of priorities and taste. I have side pipes even though I would probably prefer an underneath exhaust system for a number of reasons.

Pros: 1) Side pipes give me much more ground clearance. I can lower the car giving me 2) better handling and 3) better looks. 4) The trans and differential are cooler for not having the pipes right next to them. 5) Much easier to work under car, especially clutch changes. 6) My side pipes and baffles are lighter than an under car system. 7) I have not found any under the car system with 2.5" pipes that can give me the performance of Hooker side pipes with JCL baffles, there is virtually no power loss on my L88. Surely larger under car systems could, but ground clearance I would be reduced even more. 7) The sound with the uncapped JCL's is about the same as 40 series Flowmasters, but not as tinny. 8) They make the car look much more aggressive

Cons: 1) I prefer the sound of a joined (x pipe) system out the back. 2) I prefer the looks of an underneath system better. 3) They make more noise inside the car. 4) leg burns are a problem if you don't use heat shields and/or long pants. 5) They make the car look less discreet. To me, the underneath systems look classier, more discreet.

As you can see, I am torn between the two, but chose the side pipes because they had a few more advantages important to me. But before I found the JCL's I was so frustrated I was ready to back to an underneath system. The perfect answer would simply be to have one C3 of each! In a way, I have done that. I can use my C5 for more professional environments, and the L88 when I want to stand out from the crowd. I don't think the power difference will amount to that much if you intend to make an honest 350 or less gross horse power. It is simply a matter of taste.

Chuck

 

Great post chuck.. :iagree:

:cool: :cool: :cool:

 

I am a sidepipe fan really and think all corvettes were just made for them and that it should of been an option. I am also running the JCL baffles in mine and love the sound of them. Mine is not a daily driver but I wouldn't change if it were. I took a 93 supercharged vette on the Power Tour and the sidepipes were not a issue in the least. Pure music to the ears and the whine of the supercharger didn't hurt either..
Neil in Tenn





[Modified by Nomad78SA, 9:09 PM 7/11/2003]

 

Chuck,
What is your source for JCL baffles?

 

As a caveat I really think sidepipes "look best" on bumper cars...The chrome really sets it off nice..Of couse they look even better on 67's :cheers:

 

Sidepipes NOW...........and sidepipes FOREVER!
:yesnod: :lol: :lol: :yesnod:
Gotta LOVE 'em!

 

See what many refer to as my Exhaust topic. http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/ganeyexhaust.htm

Under- Max. power & quieter sleeper setup.

:cool:

 

who said pipes are annoying! far from it. The first thing i get complimented on is usually the pipes and how they sound. Your in a Corvette guy, not a lexas, you want a quiet with a smooth ride go buy a bmw. I'll keep my stiff suspension, louder than #$%@ C3. ps, I say go with the sidepipes.