Welcome to the Corvette Forums at the Corvette Action Center!

'81 Header Sidepipe Pictures & Opinions

kunneman

Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
18
Location
Montclair, VA
Corvette
White '81 350 HO
Does anyone have any pictures of an L81 with header sidepipes? How about opinions about running an L81 with sidepipes? Please post either or both!
 
there was a thread last year (2005)which showed gedmeyer's '81 with side pipes on it
if you do a search,you should find it!!!
 
bill81vette said:
there was a thread last year (2005)which showed gedmeyer's '81 with side pipes on it
if you do a search,you should find it!!!

I found it. Great looking ride. Thanks!

Any other pictures or opinions out there?
 
I think I have some pics on my home computer. I'll have to post one for ya.

I love the pipes. They make the car sound like it should, but it is not over the top. I just the JBL spiral inserts. It's loud, but not painful like a harley running open pipes at WOT.

Performance wise, I noticed a LOT more high end. It just wants to keep reving higher! I am running a 383 stroker so I'm letting it exhale now. Prior to the pipes, the engine just couldn't breath past 4000rpm.

Aesthetically, these things are sweet looking. I love crawling underneath it and seeing the chrome header tubes going to the sides. Under the hood looks great w/out having the smog tree on the manifolds. Plus there is now room for a spark plug wire loom to go above the manifolds as well.

The only drawback about the pipes is leg burn. I think you'll find this to be the case in any forum posting about side pipes. As long as you are always aware them and remind everyone else, you'll be OK. I lock the car doors after I get in, so it makes me think before I get out.

The side pipes really sell the car. People respect a car with 4" chrome pipes on each side!

-gedmeyer
 
gedmeyer said:
The side pipes really sell the car. People respect a car with 4" chrome pipes on each side!

-gedmeyer

I agree, C3 sidepipes look fantastic. I'll probably add them in a few years to mine. I'm wondering what the general consensus is about sidepipes on '81s, though, since I haven't joined or participated in a club yet.

Any additional pictures will be appreciated. Thanks for the scoop. You've got a great 'Vette.
 
Need more pictures of the sidepipes installation....engine compartment, under car....more....more.....more.....gotta have more pictures. My 81 needs these in a BAD way.....

And what about the ones selling on ebay now for around $160...are these just junk? Can one use the stock manifolds and connect up sidepipes?? I've got emissions to pass here in Tucson.

Thanks
LannyL81
 
Old Pictures on the Computer?

LannyL81 said:
Need more pictures of the sidepipes installation....engine compartment, under car....more....more.....more.....gotta have more pictures.

Hey Gedmeyer, if and when you get the opportunity, I'd like to see what you see under your car! Got more pictures? Looks like Lanny would enjoy, too. Thanks!

Terry
 
kunneman said:
Does anyone have any pictures of an L81 with header sidepipes? How about opinions about running an L81 with sidepipes? Please post either or both!

Are you using the CCC management system (computer carb)?

You'll need an o2 bung. If you are.

I had TPI on my 78 and I decided to go with the factory style 69 pipes so I could mount the o2 sensor. I had the bung welded on the aft section of pipe right before the first bend.

(Moderators: Sorry- the linked pic is HUGE.:D)

1978_TPI7.jpg
 
DarkShark78 said:
Are you using the CCC management system (computer carb)?

I'm not using a computer carb. Atlanta Corvettes installed a crate 350 HO and rebuilt the tranny while I was deployed. (Anyone who wants to compare notes about the service side of Atlanta Corvettes, The Last Detail Corvette Parts and Accessories, I'll be glad to share!) By the time I put pipes on, though, and if I do, I may be running a big block and 4-speed.

I like the way factory style 69 pipes look, and they may not burn legs as bad. No?

Good looking 'Vette. DoD sticker? Thanks.
 
Would c3 sidepipes bolt up to a LT1, or would there have to be some crazy modifications... what about prices, or even a distributer, i cant find one...

SpartanSith
 
SpartanSith said:
Would c3 sidepipes bolt up to a LT1...

Unsure about that. C4 owners and mechs?
 
SpartanSith said:
Would c3 sidepipes bolt up to a LT1, or would there have to be some crazy modifications... what about prices, or even a distributer, i cant find one...

SpartanSith

If you are asking about a C4 LT1, then suggest you check out Side Effects....side exhaust for C4's by Sound Effects...the ones that make the tunable mufflers. These sure make a C4 look unique.

Later,
LannyL81
 
na, the deal is that im in the process of puttin a `95 LT1 into my L81, as a project, so i was pondering sidepipes to complete the whole thing, not sure though...

SpartanSith
 
SpartanSith said:
na, the deal is that im in the process of puttin a `95 LT1 into my L81, as a project, so i was pondering sidepipes to complete the whole thing, not sure though...

SpartanSith

exhaust ports are in the same place as a traditional SBC, motor mounts, same but the cooling system is completely different and is "reverse" cool It cools the heads first while the traditional SBC cools the block first. The LT1/4 conversion has been done but it is a little more work then the L98 or a crate engine
 
so this means that side pipes could be used, id just have to mount the o2 sensor somewhere, any idea on pricing, or a retailer/wholesaler?

SpartanSith
 
I have Hookers on mine and mounting the O2 sensor in the collector moves it way downstream from where it should be. The ECU I have has a provision for changing the "transport time" but I have never really gotten it dialed in as good as I thought it should be.

The next rebuild I am going to use the 68-69 side covers and "sidepipe" headers to get the O2 sensor back closer to the exhaust.
 
SpartanSith said:
Would c3 sidepipes bolt up to a LT1, or would there have to be some crazy modifications...

SpartanSith

Yes. You can use an EFI LT1 with '69 sidepipes in a C3. You will need to use the factory style "ram horns" if you want a direct bolt-on. You can also use shorties- but you'll need some custom work to get it done.
 
Here are some photos. I don't have any under-the-hood pics. I must have been too lazy this summer to take them. The side-pipe headers look just as awesome under the hood, as they do outside!

My only complaints with the sidepipes (hooker super comp):
  • The accompanying mounting hardware (from Hooker) is cheesy. The "studs" that hold the pipes to the frame rail are untreated carbon steel. I painted them in an effort to prevent rust. Stainless hardware would have been nicer.
  • I bought a chrome spacer from the local hardware store for the AC spacer, the directions for this were confusing and the solution looked cheesy.
  • Jet-Hott welded the o2 sensor bung in a bad position...it was too close to the frame rail and the 02 sensor wasn't even close to fitting. This is after they INSISTED that they knew were to put it. After 2-3 MORE weeks of waiting, it was fixed after I sent them images of where it should be. If you decide to get the bung welded, contact me (PM) and I'll help you with this.
  • The Jet-Hott coating isn't very scratch resistant. And you have to be careful with what you polish/clean it with.
  • Finally, the drivers side header comes VERY close to the power steering box. I had to 'ding' the header for clearance. Chances are, you'll need to do the same. Fortunately, nobody can see the 'mod'.
http://gedmeyer.l81vetteregistry.com/vettepics/sidepipes.JPG - pipes

http://gedmeyer.l81vetteregistry.com/vettepics/pipe-inserts.jpg - spiral inserts (being painted)

http://gedmeyer.l81vetteregistry.com/vettepics/side-pipe_header.jpg - headers w/ Jet-Hot Coating


-gedmeyer
 
Opinions

kunneman said:
Does anyone have any pictures of an L81 with header sidepipes? How about opinions about running an L81 with sidepipes? Please post either or both!

Pictures have been posted, but not many opinions. I may not have been direct enough in my original request. (I'm a newbie owner and member taking it slow!) I'll try one more time before this thread deflates.

No one in their right mind would modify even a relatively rare Corvette. That's my assumption. But what about modifying "plain jane" 'Vettes? My L81 is about as plain-jane as they come, and I get the impression L81s are considered somewhat plain-jane as a lot among Corvette owners.

How do 'Vette owners feel about changing paint and interior colors, swapping out engines for more HP, adding non-factory sidepipes, or changing an auto trans for a manual for example? I'm considering all of these, but not any body-altering changes. How do local club members accept changes like this? Are there "purists" among all classes of Corvettes, or are they confined to the rare to super-rare owners?

I'd appreciate opinions! I'm not ready to join a club and participate in road trips yet; I'm just talking to my wife about it and working on the 'Vette!

Thanks.
 

Corvette Forums

Not a member of the Corvette Action Center?  Join now!  It's free!

Help support the Corvette Action Center!

Supporting Vendors

Dealers:

MacMulkin Chevrolet - The Second Largest Corvette Dealer in the Country!

Advertise with the Corvette Action Center!

Double Your Chances!

Our Partners

Back
Top Bottom