Side Pipe Questions

[76corvette]

Hey,
I have read through all the side pipe threads i could and i just have a few questions.. (First of all i have a 1976 L-82.. which is stock except for a few things such as rolling rockers,etc and it has the stock manifolds on their now)

I have gathered that the ceramic coating is not the way to go as it cracks and/or peels... ive seen many people mention either chrome or jet-hot.. is one better than the other? in the long run? (ive seen ppl mention if u get chrome u can wrap the headers so i guess heat isnt that big of a concern to me) - (what about what they look like w/ the Chrome Plated Sidetubes)

Does my engine (76 L-82) need a bung for the O2 sensor?

What about the actual INSTALLATION of them into my car? I am a little worried about the fit of the exhaust when i order it.. Ive ordered things before "for my 76" and it always seems like there is something i need to do to whatever part i buy to make them fit. Any Info on that aspect or about bolting it to the car itself, etc. ?

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and for the helpful info!!!

 

[bossvette]

If you are talking about Hooker side pipes the fit on mine were just fine. You do not need an O2 bung unless you are running EFI. I have painted ones and always wish I had gone with the coated ones the chrome ones do discolor also but not as fast as the painted.

Installation is pretty easy, just get the car as high as you can in front to slip the headers in. you will have to trim the moulding a little but the template that came with mine was right on.

I hear that big blocks have the problem with fit

 

[76corvette]

when you say coated do you mean you wish you had gotten the jet-hot coating? I was referring to the Hookers since so many people say they have had them but i guess i am open to any brand that someone recommends. What are you referring when you say moulding? what about attaching to the frame? thanks again for the help!

 

[wrc3]

Jet-hot has what they call a "sterling" coat that looks somewhere between silver paint and chrome. This what I got and it definitely lowered the temp and looks ok. Like a semi-chrome. The hooker side pipes fit fine on my 76, but there are a few things you should know.

1) you probably can't install them with out a lift, because the headers install from the bottom up, not through the hood down you need to lift the car like 2+ feet off the ground to get them in.

2) you may need to notch your front quarter panel to get them to fit. I didn't, but I have read articles where guys have had to.

3) they will burn the crap out of your leg, and the fact that they are like 4 inches in diameter means you have to be careful each time you get out of your car. I haven't burned myself, but my buddy did on the passenger side and he was aware of them, just slipped his mind. It is kind of is a pain in the ass during the summer when you have shorts on to get out and worry about burning your leg each time.

4) In some states they are illegal on 76's for emissions checks, so you should check your state.

5) Oh ya if you have A/C and use the big compressor (they changed mid year for 76's) then you will have to carve up your A/C bracket with a grinder or something to get it to fit around the header.

B

 

[74bigblock]

Read Signature.

 

[76corvette]

thanks, the sterling coat sounds like the way to go if it looks okay when it meets the chrome sidepipes... what finish do u have on your sidetubes? (also do u happen to have the hooker part numbers for your system?)

also, one other quick question.. how easy was it to mount the sidetubes? i read that the rocker panels dont need to come off either.. which kinda suprised me.

 

[wrc3]

thanks, the sterling coat sounds like the way to go if it looks okay when it meets the chrome sidepipes... what finish do u have on your sidetubes? (also do u happen to have the hooker part numbers for your system?)

also, one other quick question.. how easy was it to mount the sidetubes? i read that the rocker panels dont need to come off either.. which kinda suprised me.

I actually had sterling done to the side pipes and the headers, so I am not sure how the sterling would look next to chrome. I don't have the part numbers as I installed them like 2 years ago, but call jet-hot and they can help you. They were good people to deal with.

You have to take the rocker panels off to install the side pipes, but you can then slip them back over the side pipe mounts and it looks clean.

A couple other suggestions. Put anti-seize around the fitting where the side pipe meets the header if you ever want to be able to get the side pipe off again. Also the bolt that comes with the side pipes that is used to clamp the side pipe on the header can be replaced with a hex/allen head bolt of the same width and length and it makes getting the rocker panel back on easier. You will see what I am talking about when you are putting them back on.

Finally mufflers. You have 3 options. Nothing, which means nothing in the sidepipes. The glasspack which is also a hooker product. Or www.spiralturbobaffles.com which is custom spiral muffler. I run the glasspacks, but I hear the baffles are the way to go. I will probably install the turbos when I have some more time and money. As far as sound the glasspacks sound awesome, but word on the street is that they don't last very long. I don't drive my vette too much, so I am not worried about that right now.

Hope the info helps.

B

 

[76corvette]

I have already decided to go with the spiral turbo baffles.. that really sounds like the way to go.

wrc3- do you happen to have any pics of your car/sidepipes.. from your pic on your profile it looks like the sterling sidepipes look alot like chrome.. if the sterling looks enough like chrome i think i might get the sidetubes coated also..

has anyone seen the sterling headers with chrome sidepipes? got pictures?

 

[wrc3]

They actually look more like the brushed aluminum of the rocker panel than they do like chrome. As I remember they were a little brighter at first and then dulled pretty quickly after heat passed through them.

B