I was burnt this week - Twice!

[69_Dream]

I'm running a hooker headers to sidepipes setup on my 69 that is just TOO Hot! I love the sound of these things, but that heat's got to go.

This happened to me on Tuesday during the day and AGAIN last night as I was putting the top back on. According to the medical journals, 2nd degree burns, both times. ...and this was just touching them for a second or less. Instant burn. I think putting my leg on the barbecue wouldn't have been as bad.

I'm curious to see how many people get burnt on their sidepipes and what's the trick to not get burnt.

1. Get covers installed.
2. Don't wear shorts.
3. Put a sign on the dash reminding me to get out of the car "cowboy" style
4. Wait half an hour before exiting the vehicle

Anything else? Again, just curious to see if I'm the only one

Sly

 

[HoldHard]

Knee high Asbestos lined socks with those shorts <grin>

Actually, pivoting in the seat and throwing both your feet out then standing up while pushing away from the car might be a better suggestion. Also tell the same to your passengers......

They will appreciate it instead of a permanent set of burn scars on the back of their calf.....

Good Luck,
HoldHard

 

[tonyk72]

Climb out the window just like Bo & Luke Duke

 

[Erik S. Klein]

My sidepipes get hot, but never hot enough to burn me.

There is some insulation between the pipes and the covers which yours might not have. . .

Can you use the factory style covers? If so, those might be better at heat dissipation and/or insulation.

Just a shot.

 

[Alwyn678]

Time for covers I gues........They look better without them

 

[Tom Bryant]

Factory style covers won't fit these big pipes and I've never seen any other attempt at covers that didn't ruin the look.

Actually I got burnt ONCE on my '67 and never forgot it. :eek I rarely wore shorts when driving it and I got in the habit of beginning the passenger warning speech before the car came to a complete stop. Any time I had kids in the car I didn't let them open the door until I was on the right side to help them. My son (small at the time) used to stand on the rocker sill and jump. :L Also if you are single, the smell of burning flesh can put a real damper on a first date. Always get to the right door and help the young lady out.

Yes they are a pain in the :booty but I think the looks and sound are worth a little extra thought when they are hot.

Tom

p.s. I'm really suprised that you got burned twice. :gap

 

[81LT4]

BURNS

I think Chris ( 69MYWAY ) posted pictures of his burns, from his side pipe. He may know a trick or two.

 

[Jack]

Yamaha-like grille?

I’ve seen many threads about side hooker burns. I’ve thought about it cuz maybe I’ll get side hookers too. I have an idea based on what was stock on a Yamaha enduro bike I had in early 70’s. It had a high, black expansion chamber/muffler ... with a grille-like affair. The grille was merely a chromed metal stamping that attached to several standoffs. It was minimalist but worked rather well & looked pretty good. I thought of fabricating a grille from 1/8”or 3/16” rod ... run the length of the sidetubes’ straightline ... with only 3 or 4 horizontal struts ... attached to sidetube with as few aluminum standoffs as would seem sturdy (4-5/horizontal strut?). Standoff would be about 3/8” dia x about 5/8” high. Make grille outa stainless or have it chromed. I have access to shop & materials to try it if I ever get sidepipes. Probably would look like crap on chromed sidetubes but I want black anyway. I dunno ... just a thought.
JACK:gap

 

[69_Dream]

I'm also surpirsed I got burnt TWICE Once and I probably wouldn't have written anything, but twice... I just had to display my stupidity! :duh

Thanks for sharing your experience Tom. I hope I'll just get used to them. I rarely wear shorts in the car also, but lately we've been hitting the upper 90's and I didn't really think about it. Not to mention shorts on the those leather seats when the sun's been on them with the top down, ouch! :crazy

I wish I could get covers for them, as I'm sure the fiberglass would only be slightly warm, not blisteringly hot. Would also change the sound, but I'm sure I'd still be able to set off the car alarms.

Thanks for the replys you guys. It's good to hear some stories.

Sly

 

[MaineShark]

Also if you are single, the smell of burning flesh can put a real damper on a first date. Always get to the right door and help the young lady out.

Yeah, and you get bonus points for 1) showing concern and 2) being gentlemanly.

Good deal

Joe

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

They are a problem with the heat. I build covers that look something like a small running board to cover mine with fiberglass. But I've got a Daytona kit with really wide fenders, so it doesn't look out of place on the car. The only way to keep from getting burns is to cover them or get bowlegged getting in and out. I do know a few that have the side pipes and have never gotten burnt. The look and sound of the pipes is worth doing what ever you need to to make it save.

 

[mfendley]

Idea from driving Shelby Cobras

I've seen shelby owners that have heavy towels tucked in along the floorboards, and as soon as they open the doors, they flop the towels over the sidepipes. Then once they exit the car, they flop the towel back in and shut the door.

 

[7NT1VETTE]

I have 69 stlye covers on my 73's sidepipes. Even after an hour of driving they don't get hot enough to burn you. Just a little warm

 

[69_Dream]

It's a 69, but not 69 covers. Hooker headers connected to large pipes :cool

If it wasn't for the sound that comes out of them, I'd switch to a stock-style setup. They have no covers, just pure unadulterated heat.

But hey, it's been a week and I've haven't burnt myself since the start of this post. Maybe all I needed was to vent and be reminded of the things

Sly

 

[69MyWay]

I have four burns. Two on the leg, and two on the arm. Don't even ask how the arm ones happened, as I am still not sure!

You learn to get around them.

I drove my buddies 71 vert yesterday and got in and out several times. He does not have sidepipes. I still found myself nearly leaping out away from the car out of habit.

I just spent more than 24 hours behind the wheel of my 69 this last week/weekend and not one burn. I am careful to stay way clear when raising or lowering the convertible top.

Hey...those are not burns...they are future proof that you owned a really hot Vette (in more ways than one).

 

[Black Thunder]

I have running boards glassed in over my Hookers but still carry leg scars!

I don't care anymore, cause I will not give up my Hookers

 

[WhalePirot]

Heal, baby

Vitamin E, liquid, soothed into the burn will aid healing and help prevent scars. Ask my wife!
mike

Hell, after some more sessions, the skin may toughen up enough to not burn!

LUV them pipes! Wish my C-4 could have 'em!

 

[LIRacer]

Hooker Header Side Pipe Cover

I found the turbo spiral website. They have covers for the pipes. Take a look at this website: http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/products.html

I'm going out to order mine today!!!!!

Bruce

 

[Tom Bryant]

The polished covers look pretty nice.

 

[69_Dream]

Thanks for the site LIBoater. Very interesting indeed

I still think a good pair of pants are the best option, but this is definitely going on my "Must buy" list.

Sly