TJefferson2020

I installed the drivers side cover and trim and it fits perfectly.

Oddly, the front bracket seems pretty far off the mounting spot.

Is this typical, atypical, WTF or make a new bracket?

I've included a pic of the rear placement. Vertically it fits right in there. Perfect. Horizontally it is flush with the rear.

I did have to remove some material (make notches) for the u-nuts. There was some rouge bondo under there interfering with some of the clips. Dremel tool to the rescue.

NowhereMan said this was easy.

TJefferson2020

Ah ha ha ha I had the bracket backwards. It fits but needs a different mounting hole.

I swear, this car brings out the senility in me.

No doubt you have to notch the 'glass on non factory side exhaust cars. At least using the repro clips. Longer clips would be stronger.

I can also see how some people could have skipped the retainer strip. GM did a good job here. It spreads the contact weight more than just retaining. But the pipes would go on without it.

I'm getting head rushes from bending over. Passenger side later today.

Got a couple of muffler men (is that the correct term? Usage: "Meet Matt, my personal muffler man." ) who can do the hookup.

These side pipes are like some kind of Right of passage. Totally worth it.

Edit. Started work on the other side. Marketed the holes. Guess what? Bondo globs under every hole. This body had sidepipes at some point.

Although I seem to remember bending back the birdcage tabs. Maybe not. Perhaps they were bent already. That was 12 years ago.

I'll have to get in there with the dremel and make a nice gap for the clips.

Talking to myself here but somebody might get some value.

66BlkBB

My question is how in the hell did you get all the photos to upload upside down???

gcb1966

LOL! I was thinking the same thing

65tripleblack

They didn't load upside down. He said the job was so easy he could do it standing on his head.

TJefferson2020

Right side up for me! No wonder this job is so confusing.

leif.anderson93

The brackets are side specific. It appears you have installed the RH bracket on the LH side.

http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000370a

TJefferson2020

Super appreciate the pics. Nice car!

Yep! I notice you don't have the triangular guards in your fender wells. I'm going to skip them. I'm also going to let that bracket float until the exhaust is welded in case it needs tweaking. But I am impressed with the fit of the covers.

My abdomen is still healing from surgery so I'm taking it slow. Hope to have the passenger side done by end of week, then get to the muffler man.

dnone

It has been my understanding that you should install the pipes before the covers. Am I wrong on this?

C2Scho

It doesn't really make any difference. I have had my pipes installed and fixed into position and then removed just the covers (I had to re-glue the inside fiberglass insulators) and I have also done it the other way. I put a new engine in my car last Fall and completely removed the side exhaust pipes from under the car and left the side exhaust covers in place. They are mutually exclusive of each other. I will say though that it helps a lot of you are doing either the removal or the installation job on a 4 post or a 2 post lift. C.J.

dnone

Can I install the side pipes and wait to install the covers. I have the pipes but not the covers. I will be ordering the covers next month but afraid there might be complications if I don't do both at the same time. Opinions?

C2Scho

You do not say what year C2 (or engine) you are talking about which is always very helpful to the responders in any thread or posting. Also it would likely have been better for you to have posted your own separate thread on this subject as this thread was originated by Snorkie and is about Snorkie and his issues. This is what our Moderators refer to as "hijacking a thread" and they are none too keen on it. That said . . .

Back to the subject at hand. . . Yes you can. If your car was not originally a side exhaust car or a PO of your car did not install side exhaust at some time in the past and then take it all back off again it will certainly make a difference in your prep work. If that's the case then you will have extra items along the underside of the body/frame to either cut off or bend back where the side exhaust makes it's bend and then straightens back out for the long run underneath the edge of the door. Someone who has actually installed side exhaust for the car's very first time will have to comment on exactly what has to be either "bent back" or "cut off".

From a purely mechanical standpoint you can certainly install the pipes now and wait until next month to install the covers. Not an issue at all except for the funky raw exposed look of it. Good Luck with it. C.J.

vettebuyer6369

You are addressing a post from 3 years ago. Try asking your questions in a new thread.