NOS side pipe setup
 

Hello. This is probably less of a dilemma than I’m making it but a friend has a set of NOS side pipe mufflers, covers, moldings and side retainers he’s offered me. I just acquired my 66 in April after a long slumber and have invested more into it than I had hoped. I also have to do some things like replace the clutch and rear spring sometime in the short term. That said, I’m not in a spot to throw money around but on the other side of the coin since I’ve been a little kid I’ve always wanted a mid year with side pipes. What do you guys think? Firstly what’s a fair price and secondly is this something you have to not pass in because they don’t come up often? I appreciate your advice.

Ride in a car with side pipes before you plunk down a bunch of money. And make sure that ride consists a long drive at one RPM. Then report back

You can buy a complete reproduction kit today for $2000. +/- depending on size, 2" vs 2.5", carbon steel, aluminized, SS, etc..

https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-67-c...-packages.html

That price will put you in the ballpark. A truly NOS GM set would be more IMHO.

However, take a ride in a side exhaust car and then make your decision...

Thanks Nowhere Man. I did and I’m good with it. I do mostly short drives in the country around my house and have a friend that has them and have been on some long rides with him.

you either love side pipes or hate them, I'm on the love side of it , NOS pipes and hardware are quite spendy unless your getting a killer deal, repo as stated above around 2,000 or a bit less, the choice is up to you.

It's a bit of a chore to install them on a car that has undercar exhaust. The fiberglass tabs at the front and rear of the rockers have to be trimmed and he inner wheel well bulkhead at the rear has to be trimmed for the pipe tips . And then you have to do something with the rocker panel brackets under the door sills. If truly a GM set of pipes, usually the brackets can be bent out of the way enough to clear. And then you are left with a rear panel that has a couple extra holes in it to either patch, or replace with a non-exhaust hole panel and paint.

I see in your previous posts you have a L79 which I believe (not sure) has 2-1/2 inch exhaust pipes to the mufflers. If the side pipes are NOS GM they will have 1-7/8" perforated cores which will be more restrictive than what you probably have now.

66 and 67 SB cars started out with 2 inch at the manifold, then enlarged to 2-1/2 inch thru the mufflers. Agree some HP will be lost, but generally not a big issue for a SB and how these cars are driven today.

Years ago, every 5 HP was worth going after.............and I certainly did not want to lose any. Probably 10 HP or so lost by side pipe install for a small block at higher RPM.

Larry

Price difference if the covers have the dark charcoal insulators versus the lighter grey insulators.

NOS side pipe setup
 

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...95726c4c72.jpg
1966 Rally Red Coupe

This car is a NOS side pipe setup too. Like others, you either love side pipes or hate them. They are noisy compared to undercarriage exhaust pipes but I don't mind the noise and I like the look of side pipes. Like you, I also take mostly short trips (30-60 minutes) so the noise is a non-issue for me. I have since changed the setup in the photo to chrome Hooker Headers with no heat shield. The headers are even louder (con) but the Hp performance is a little better (pro) and I'm a fan of chrome (pro). Price estimates others have provided are real close to the $2,000 figure. This car has had one repaint (1989) and that is when this car was switched from under carriage exhaust to side pipes so you might have to factor in extra costs for rear body panel changes if you make the switch.

A 66 with side pipes, doesn't get better than this ……

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...021fa3879e.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...b1a56bee12.jpg

Need to agree with roadster65.
My SB 67 convertible is an original side exhaust car.
It is not LOUD highway or city driving.
If you like the look go for it.

Here is the inside of an OE GM C-2 sidepipe - I took the photo minutes after it was was cut off with a sawzall: 1-5/8". Horsepower killer. The outer crimps are deep, & the OD of these are only 2-3/4".

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...2f7966718e.jpg

It's been a while since I had any NOS pipes, but in the past I've sold NOS small block pipes (pipes only) for around $1200-$1300, and big block ones in the $1500+ range. I'd put the value of a pair of NOS covers around $2000, depending on the condition (being aluminum, just banging around in the boxes for years can leave wear and other marks on the covers). I've gotten $500 for NOS rocker panels, so I'd say a complete set of small block pipes, covers, rockers, etc. should be worth $3500-$4000, and over $4000 for a big block set.

The rocker retainers are probably worth $20 each, but you won't need them. The same retainers are used with side pipe and regular rocker panels.

My 65 Convertible came with the side pipes already on it when I bought it in 2002.

Anyone know how I can tell if my side pipes are stock ones or reproduction pipes?
Are there things I should look for? (any markings, part codes, date codes, etc?)

My car has the 327/350hp engine.
I like the side pipes a lot. Good sounding, at both slow and highway speeds.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...5b1e071e94.jpg

Chambered - What is the packing material between the outer shell of the side pipes and the perforated inner liner? I've had three midyear Smallblock Coupes with side exhaust, one factory the other two owner added. Besides seeing in from the tailpipe end, never could see far enough into them to figure out what that material was.
Mike T -

Loudness
 

I have a harley with headers and fairly loud pipes which are tolerable for me. Does anyone know how c2 sidepipes would compare? Would they actually be louder?

Speaking of Harley's, this is what most Harley riders say..... :)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...db1510d158.jpg
If you want side pipes, I say go for it. I think they are great, and for what we drive our car for, they add to the experience...… Besides, the life you save, may be your own..... ;)

I have them on my '65 roadster. Enjoyable with top down. Kinda loud with top up and Vintage Air on full blast. If yours is a coupe try and ride in a similar set up before you leap. Just my $0.02.

I have a 2004 FatBoy with V&H Bigshots and a 66 L79 with side pipes and the Harley is a little louder.