Should I get sidepipes?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
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Should I get sidepipes?
I posted earlier today about needing to replace the headers on my '69 and the cobbled exhaust pipes.
What are the benefits/downsides of a side exhaust system, and what parts do I need to change over...and cost estimates? Would like to go for a stock-like look. I want to ditch headers for regular manifolds too, since they're too hard to work around.
Feelings and opinions?
What are the benefits/downsides of a side exhaust system, and what parts do I need to change over...and cost estimates? Would like to go for a stock-like look. I want to ditch headers for regular manifolds too, since they're too hard to work around.
Feelings and opinions?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Lakeland, FL
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St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
I'd say - go with Hooker Chrome sidepipes!! The cost would be approx. $1300 with mufflers (from Summit)
+
*) They look great
*) They sound great
-
*) You can burn your legs on them easily
+
*) They look great
*) They sound great
-
*) You can burn your legs on them easily
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,728
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From: Maple
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (GrandSportC3)
there are no bad points to them...please please all the nay sayers...once you burn your leg once you wont do it again...:jester
i would highly recommend the jcl baffles as the insert of choice...they sound great and the power loss is minimal...and you can always uncap them for a little bit louder sound......
[Modified by 1bad69, 1:18 AM 2/17/2004]
i would highly recommend the jcl baffles as the insert of choice...they sound great and the power loss is minimal...and you can always uncap them for a little bit louder sound......
[Modified by 1bad69, 1:18 AM 2/17/2004]
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 263
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From: Kernersville Nc
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
Maybe you can get the stock kind with heat shields. I remember when i was young and my uncle took me for a ride in his 74 with hooker side pipes i was wearing shorts and when i got out of it i got a burn on my leg the size of a baseball. They can be painful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,938
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (1bad69)
there are no bad points to them...please please all the nay sayers...once you burn your leg once you wont do it again...:jester
I disagree. I did it twice but then maybe I'm an idiot. :D At 6'4" it's hard for my long legs to get out as is. With the side pipes it's about impossible. Given the cost with zero HP gain, actually most people lose HP with the turn about unless you run Hookers like Oliver suggested which are $1100 plus tax it's a loss in performance. but man do they look cool. I'm putting a set on my Civic next weekend. :jester
Safety Car
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Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
My concern, though, is that I have small girls. (You can see by the pic.) Maybe it would too dangerous?
I'd go with the stock pipes & covers so your girls don't get burned. :eek:
If money is an issue then the cheaper alternative is the Patriot side pipes from Summit (about $200+)......see my earlier post. ;)
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
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From: Norwalk Ct
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
I have the factory covers and was surprised how cool they stay (they do get hot, but NOT that hot).
The downside is the expense, about $2200 for the covers then another $450 for the factory sidepipes (though if your close enough to come an dpick them up from New York, I have a set of factory sidepipes with only 100 miles on them for $250 )
They do look real nice and sound pretty awesome.
sidepipes :thumbs:
cheers
Nick
The downside is the expense, about $2200 for the covers then another $450 for the factory sidepipes (though if your close enough to come an dpick them up from New York, I have a set of factory sidepipes with only 100 miles on them for $250 )
They do look real nice and sound pretty awesome.
sidepipes :thumbs:
cheers
Nick
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: I can walk to MA
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (lvrpool32)
The fiberglass reproduction covers do not get that hot ... and much cheaper
than the metal ones.
Of course - an under car system is even cheaper than that.
than the metal ones.
Of course - an under car system is even cheaper than that.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
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From: eville in
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (NHvette)
how old are the girls? if to young to know about heat,fire, burn, etc. like do
they mess with the oven thing, if they can get hurt they will, you know how
it works :banghead: my granddaughter is more head stong than her mother
so :hurray: :hurray: pay-back :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
they mess with the oven thing, if they can get hurt they will, you know how
it works :banghead: my granddaughter is more head stong than her mother
so :hurray: :hurray: pay-back :lolg: :lolg: :lolg:
Team Owner
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Re: Should I get sidepipes? (comp)
:cool:
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Denmark
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
Absolutely you should!
The corvette is made for sidepipes!
Get the ones with covers and you dont have to worry about your children getting burnt.
Im getting the Hookers without covers, but then again I only have to worry about my girlfriend :lol:
Im sure she will learn :D
The corvette is made for sidepipes!
Get the ones with covers and you dont have to worry about your children getting burnt.
Im getting the Hookers without covers, but then again I only have to worry about my girlfriend :lol:
Im sure she will learn :D
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,080
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From: Allen TX
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sting74)
My kiddos are 6 and 9. They have not gotten burned and I've had the Hookers on for 15 months now. I, on the other hand, have toasted my left calf twice. But the kids are very careful. Open the door, step on the door sill and then hop over. No biggie.
Now if you think they or anyone else is going to walk up to the car when its hot and start touching the exhaust pipes... then maybe you shouldn't get them. :)
As far as performance goes, on ANY BB car do NOT get the Hooker glasspacks or "reverse flow" mufflers that go inside the side tubes. They are incredibly power-robbing. I had mine in for 30 miles, yanked them and ran open for awhile. Of course that was just WA 2 LOUD, so I bought the JCL's. They perform great and sound great. You will not be sorry.
Now if you think they or anyone else is going to walk up to the car when its hot and start touching the exhaust pipes... then maybe you shouldn't get them. :)
As far as performance goes, on ANY BB car do NOT get the Hooker glasspacks or "reverse flow" mufflers that go inside the side tubes. They are incredibly power-robbing. I had mine in for 30 miles, yanked them and ran open for awhile. Of course that was just WA 2 LOUD, so I bought the JCL's. They perform great and sound great. You will not be sorry.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Maple
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (WA 2 FST)
As far as performance goes, on ANY BB car do NOT get the Hooker glasspacks or "reverse flow" mufflers that go inside the side tubes. They are incredibly power-robbing. so I bought the JCL's. They perform great and sound great. You will not be sorry.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,119
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
Consider headers into chambereds...that way, you don't have to worry about burns or the rear valance panel. In any event, I think you'd be very sorry replacing your headers with stock manifolds. :cheers:
Racer
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Murrells Inlet SC
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (GrandSportC3)
:iagree: The header will give more perfomance per buck then anything else. The side pipes just plain loooooook good!
The downside is they will burn and burn bad. It is not so bad to burn your own leg but if your wife or GF burns her leg, ---- there will be no mercy for you. If your wife, kids or GF gets burned it will scar and you will never get them backing to the car. You may have to sleep in the garage.
All that said, I have them on my vette and I love 'em. They are also loud. You won't be able to sneak home late at night any more. :thumbs:
The downside is they will burn and burn bad. It is not so bad to burn your own leg but if your wife or GF burns her leg, ---- there will be no mercy for you. If your wife, kids or GF gets burned it will scar and you will never get them backing to the car. You may have to sleep in the garage.
All that said, I have them on my vette and I love 'em. They are also loud. You won't be able to sneak home late at night any more. :thumbs:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
You asked....I do not advise using sidepipes. They are loud and expensive if you do them up in the original way. The sound comes out at the level of the driver's and passenger's ears. Normal conversation and enjoyment of a stereo is impaired. Not to mention the burn factor. They lasted three hours on my C3: the novelty wears off very quickly. Save your money for more useful projects.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
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From: Carmichael CA
Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
I think Stingrays look awesome with sidepipes.
Good points:
1. You can watch the exhaust come out and warm your hands by opening the door a bit and sticking your arms down...you can check the tread on your rear wheels at the same time.
2. You don't have the exhaust underneath where it heats up the cockpit.
3. The exhaust isn't exiting near the fuel tank (obvious reasons why this is bad).
4. It sounds so great you won't need to watch any NASCAR races cause you can get the same sound from your vette.
5. It looks so cool, especially the chrome covers.
6. The stock style with covers don't get hot enough to burn even sensitive skin by just touching it...if you hold your hand on it for like 15 seconds it will get unbearable though.
Downside:
1. They are loud and attract a lot of attention and reduces your need to listen to NASCAR sporting events and the exhaust no longer warms up your buns...need I say more?
Good points:
1. You can watch the exhaust come out and warm your hands by opening the door a bit and sticking your arms down...you can check the tread on your rear wheels at the same time.
2. You don't have the exhaust underneath where it heats up the cockpit.
3. The exhaust isn't exiting near the fuel tank (obvious reasons why this is bad).
4. It sounds so great you won't need to watch any NASCAR races cause you can get the same sound from your vette.
5. It looks so cool, especially the chrome covers.
6. The stock style with covers don't get hot enough to burn even sensitive skin by just touching it...if you hold your hand on it for like 15 seconds it will get unbearable though.
Downside:
1. They are loud and attract a lot of attention and reduces your need to listen to NASCAR sporting events and the exhaust no longer warms up your buns...need I say more?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,563
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Re: Should I get sidepipes? (sammyb)
Stock side pipes:
1) cost around $3k
2) they don't burn legs
3) s/s versions are loud
Hooker side pipes:
1)cheaper (around $1500)
2) they DO burn legs
3) should be used with JCL baffles- Hooker inserts are MAJOR restrictive.
Naturally, the near-equal length headers will give a substantial performance boost over the iron manifolds IF you use the JCL baffles. However the Hooker ceramic coating is CRAP and rusts within months- get the setup through Jet-Hot instead.
The stockers are less worry about rusting and nicking. And some states have 'non-stock' exhaust laws, which would only allow the factory side pipe setup.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
I own both types of setups- and like them both- for different reasons.
just my opinion-
1) cost around $3k
2) they don't burn legs
3) s/s versions are loud
Hooker side pipes:
1)cheaper (around $1500)
2) they DO burn legs
3) should be used with JCL baffles- Hooker inserts are MAJOR restrictive.
Naturally, the near-equal length headers will give a substantial performance boost over the iron manifolds IF you use the JCL baffles. However the Hooker ceramic coating is CRAP and rusts within months- get the setup through Jet-Hot instead.
The stockers are less worry about rusting and nicking. And some states have 'non-stock' exhaust laws, which would only allow the factory side pipe setup.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:
I own both types of setups- and like them both- for different reasons.
just my opinion-