Chambered VS Sidepipes

[fasterthanu]

I have a 76 stingray with some nice mods =) heads, cam, dual quads, 700r4, and 4.11 gear. I was running a set of hooker super competition headers/sidepipes on it. There was a big restriction. I am sure you all have seen the inside of these pipes. So, I bought a set of JCL inserts. I have to tell you, these are AMAZING! The sound is awesome. BIG performance difference. The problem I have... The hooker headers/sidepipes are rusted through where all the pipes combine in the headers. I am still running these, it's not too bad right now, but eventually they will have to go because we know it will only get worse. I can't afford $1500 for another set now or in the near future with college =(

How is the performance with Chambered Exhaust vs. the Super Competition Headers/Sidepipes? Anyone run them and then switch to the sidepipes with JCL inserts, or vice versa? From what I read, you can roll a tennis ball through them, is this true?

 

[Eric]

From what I read, you can roll a tennis ball through them, is this true?

I've never had headers or sidepipes so I can't answer the other questions but I do have the Mid-America chambered exhaust and I can safely say that while it might lose some fuzz on the baffles, a tennis ball could run right through my pipes.

BTW, it would take some welding but you can still use headers with the chambered system.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Eric talked me into the chamber!

I don't have mods like yours but Kenny and I just returnecd from a trip to the Mtns with other CAC members...this was the first "fun" since the chambered install...and Kenny said he noticed the vette was breathing MUCH better!
She sure sounded 'healthy'!
Heidi

 

[LEEJANDZ]

fasterthanu -- I was running a set of hooker super competition headers/sidepipes on it. There was a big restriction. I am sure you all have seen the inside of these pipes. So, I bought a set of JCL inserts. I have to tell you, these are AMAZING! The sound is awesome. BIG performance difference.

I want to put the HOOKER set up on my car, so this is personal to me.

Were you using the HOOKER reverse flow mufflers and then switched to JCL?
If you had a stock VETTE would you use the HOOKER set up again?

Thanks

JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[VetteAtv]

I've been debating between the chambered and duals with Flowmaster 40s. How loud are the the chambered that Mid-America has on sale?

 

[Stallion]

Can somebody explain this chambered exaust idea? I was looking around on an automotive dictionary for a definition and all I got was the chamber having to do with pressure. How does this apply to your chambered exaust design? An explanation on how it works, what is needed, would be great. Thanks!!

 

[78SilvAnniv]

No expert...

...but here goes!

The chambered exhaust system does not have any mufflers!
There is a section of the pipe that has an insert and they are 'crimped' together in short spaces.
When mine arrived, I could look through the pieces and see A LOT of garage floor...and I realized Eric was right when he said he could just about roll a tennis ball down through them! Very free flowing, the air just gets tumbled when it hits the chambered section.

The chambered are loud. I love them. I can still have conversations at driving speeds but at times you need to shout. A whisper will not be heard.
At idle it has a very distinctive sound that reminds me of a Big Block's rumble and lope. Any acceleration is music to my ears! We went on a CAC trip to the north Georgia mtns yesterday with Kenny driving. We mostly stayed in 2nd gear uphill through the twisties at about 4500rpms. Loud?...the 96CE behind us commented on how nice she sounded!
Heidi

ps I have pictures of the chambered exhaust and if you are interested, please email me and I can send you a few by email.

 

[fasterthanu]

"I want to put the HOOKER set up on my car, so this is personal to me.

Were you using the HOOKER reverse flow mufflers and then switched to JCL?
If you had a stock VETTE would you use the HOOKER set up again?"

LEEDANJAZ: I love the looks of the Hooker set up. I was running Hooker reversed flow mufflers in there. I can tell you this: BIG Restriction still. I was almost a full second faster open headers. If you look inside there, you will see that from the 4" headers into the 4" pipe, you truly only have 2" inside there. Hmm... 4" to 2" can you say restriction. The sound with the hooker reverse flows and the JCL are about the same. With the JCL inserts though, you will rev quicker, the car breathes, you will see that as soon as you put them on. Now there still is a difference at the track with open headers, but only .2 vs 1 full second with the reverse flows. Also, Hooker claim the inserts come out easily for use at the track, don't believe that. They rust in there.... As for the sidepipes, I love them, absolutely. With the hooker setup, just gotta be careful of the burns. That won't be a problem for you, you remember they are there, just gotta warn the passengers =P The only other problem I had is keeping them from rusting unfortunately. Even though I bought the chrome ones, still want to rust on me =( If you don't mind maintaining them, and adding a restriction vs standard exhaust, do it. They look AWESOME on the car =) If you want the performance though, get the JCL inserts, you won't be sorry.

 

[Stallion]

Re: No expert...

...but here goes!

The chambered exhaust system does not have any mufflers!
There is a section of the pipe that has an insert and they are 'crimped' together in short spaces.
When mine arrived, I could look through the pieces and see A LOT of garage floor...and I realized Eric was right when he said he could just about roll a tennis ball down through them! Very free flowing, the air just gets tumbled when it hits the chambered section.

The chambered are loud. I love them. I can still have conversations at driving speeds but at times you need to shout. A whisper will not be heard.
At idle it has a very distinctive sound that reminds me of a Big Block's rumble and lope. Any acceleration is music to my ears! We went on a CAC trip to the north Georgia mtns yesterday with Kenny driving. We mostly stayed in 2nd gear uphill through the twisties at about 4500rpms. Loud?...the 96CE behind us commented on how nice she sounded!
Heidi

ps I have pictures of the chambered exhaust and if you are interested, please email me and I can send you a few by email.

Heidi, this sounds like a very nice mod to do. But, a couple of questions...

1. Is it reversible? For instance, somebody like me might want to do this because it's nice, but I also don't want anything irreversible because she's stock and just in case I might want to revert back to total stock.

2. What does this do to emissions? Nothing? I assume you keep your cats in? But without mufflers, is that a problem?

3. Is there any power gain, or just noise? Noise is fine. That's what I'm looking for.

Thanks!!

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I followed Heidi's car about a 1/2 mile stretch up the mountain. Sure sounded good.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

This is not a permanant mod if you don't want it to be.
However...if you do take out your original exhaust, it will need to be cut into pieces (at the cross member) because the original exhuast goes over the half-shafts and through the cross member.

No cats.
This system installs complete, and truely dual, from the exhaust manifold out the tailpipes. We removed the smog pump when it froze up last summer. Just another excuse to install the chambered and an added bonus that we live in a no smog testing county.

Yes there is more available power.
At first I thought I lost low end torque, but Kenny rode with me and then drove it himself with me as passenger to show me that the NOISE had intimidated my foot on the gas pedal...now I just put my foot in it and smile!
When Kenny drove yesterday in the mtns he noticed she had a quicker response than last year's trip before the chambered was installed.

Hope this helps.
Heidi

 

[LEEJANDZ]

;help ;help ;help

fasterthanu -- I was running Hooker reversed flow mufflers in there. I can tell you this: BIG Restriction still. I was almost a full second faster open headers. If you look inside there, you will see that from the 4" headers into the 4" pipe, you truly only have 2" inside there. Hmm... 4" to 2" can you say restriction. The sound with the hooker reverse flows and the JCL are about the same. With the JCL inserts though, you will rev quicker, the car breathes, you will see that as soon as you put them on. Now there still is a difference at the track with open headers, but only .2 vs 1 full second with the reverse flows. Also, Hooker claim the inserts come out easily for use at the track, don't believe that. They rust in there.... As for the sidepipes, I love them, absolutely. With the hooker setup, just gotta be careful of the burns. That won't be a problem for you, you remember they are there, just gotta warn the passengers =P The only other problem I had is keeping them from rusting unfortunately. Even though I bought the chrome ones, still want to rust on me =( If you don't mind maintaining them, and adding a restriction vs standard exhaust, do it. They look AWESOME on the car =) If you want the performance though, get the JCL inserts, you won't be sorry.

I am a little confused.
What has a 4' diameter and then goes into 2'?
Is it the inside pipe diameter? Dont you have 1 7/8 into 4' pipes?
Then the pipe itself is 4'. Is the inside diameter of the reverse flow mufflers 2'

I am also confused about the track times.
Are you saying that with the inserts you run .2 faster - but without them you are 1 second faster.
Is that throught the 1/4 mile?

Do you have the chrome or ceramic headers with the chrome sidepipes?

I have true duals on my 79 right now, would it be worth it to switch to your style.
I love the looks and would love to get more performance too.

Do you have any pictures of your setup?

Thanks

;help ;help ;help

 

[fasterthanu]

okay, the initial pipe size from the header on out is 4". The reverse flow mufflers are inserts. They have an opening of about 2". So, you are going from the 4" collector to the 2" opening of the reverese flow mufflers. That will cause a restriction. My 1/4 mile time with the hooker headers/sidepipes with the hooker reverse flow inserts was consistantly 14.9. I then ran open headers. 13.9's. With no other mods done other than running JCL spiral baffles instead of hooker reverse flow mufflers, I then ran consistantly 14.1's. I then took the sidepipes off and ran open headers and ran 13.9's again.

I have the chrome sidepipes. I love it. I had true dual exhaust before putting these on. If you run the hooker header/sidepipes with the JCL inserts you definently see a performance gain. Plus, they are sharp and catch everyone attention, not to mention the awesome sound!

 

[LEEJANDZ]

fasterthanu -- I have the chrome sidepipes. I love it. I had true dual exhaust before putting these on. If you run the hooker header/sidepipes with the JCL inserts you definently see a performance gain. Plus, they are sharp and catch everyone attention, not to mention the awesome sound!

Thanks for the clarification. I understand now.

How much did you spend on the HOOKER setup and where did you get it?

 

[fasterthanu]

I kinda got lucky. I know a guy who does a lot of corvette work. He installed a brand new set for a customer. 1 month later the husband came back wanting to take them off. His wife burned her leg on them. So, he asked him to sell them. I got them for $300 =)

 

[LEEJANDZ]

fasterthanu -- I got them for $300

Lucky you!!!

Did you get the entire set up for $300? (ie headers, side pipes & inserts)

Im jealous!!!

 

[fasterthanu]

well I got the whole Hooker Super Competition Headers/Sidepipes plus the Hooker Reverse Flow Mufflers for $300 =) After driving around a while on a restriction I then decided to order the JCL spiral baffles. http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com

 

[LIRacer]

LEEDANJAZ: I love the looks of the Hooker set up. I was running Hooker reversed flow mufflers in there. I can tell you this: BIG Restriction still. I was almost a full second faster open headers. If you look inside there, you will see that from the 4" headers into the 4" pipe, you truly only have 2" inside there. Hmm... 4" to 2" can you say restriction.

You were using the reverse flows. Did you ever investigate the hooker glass pack inserts? Does anyone know how they perform vs. the spiral inserts?

 

[LEEJANDZ]

fasterthanu -- I got the whole Hooker Super Competition Headers/Sidepipes plus the Hooker Reverse Flow Mufflers for $300

Thats a great deal... I wish I had that opportunity.
Want to sell your setup for $500?

 

[fasterthanu]

hehe, not a chance! Absolutely love them.