Side pipes are too Loud - Options?

[1978L48jafo]

I put on a set of stainless steel side pipes from Sweetthunder http://www.sweet-thunder.com/1968-74.htm last year and I find myself avoiding driving the car because I can't hear myself think.

How loud are the under car chambered systems advertised in the mid america?

I am also considering putting the stock pipes back on with a set of dynomax and a cheater pipe in place of the cat.

I have a newly rebuild engine with a lot of goodies on it but I guess I need a middle road solution on the loudness issue or at least not have it right next to me. I wish I could open them up and add in a glass pack.

Any idea what a set of SS pipes are going for on ebay?


It sucks to get old....I can't believe I am saying this....;-)

John

 

[67HEAVEN]

 

[Chas]

the sound is being dumped out the pipes at about 30 inches or less from your ear.... i have headers with flowmasters that dump out the back end and it was still loud... but last winter i installed sound proofing and it really helped... i can actually talk to my wife as we drive down the freeway....i did the entire rear area behind the seats and the front area also....i got it at Home Depot for less than 20 bucks i think ... i also used a thin carpet padding...it added about 3/8 of an inch the the thickness ...the carpet went back in but it was a tight fit in some places...but worth the cost and the few hours it took to do...just my opinion , good luck john...chas

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Loving Chambered!

Last year I purchased a used set of MA SS Chambered Exhaust for my 78 and have been tickled pink with them. I think I drove around for a month (winter) straight with the windows down and a huge grin on my face, listening to the sweet sound of the exhaust!

My husband is hard of hearing and we can have a conversation while driving hwy speeds, windows up or down and tops on or off. The sound reminds me of side pipes, but it comes out the back. It has a great rumble-y growl at driving speeds and a huge ROAR at WOT. It certainly made my mpg suffer as I couldn't keep my foot out of it.
What am I saying, it's been a year...and I still can't stay off the pedal. I love the sound of this exhaust, it is exactly what I think a muscle car should sound like.

I would highly recommend chambered exhaust.
Heidi

 

[worldsoldestcorvette]

PIPES

I have a 67 with factory pipes and love the sound...SO...I converted some NOS mid-year pipes to fit on my 79 and used the Fiberglass covers you can get anywhere...

At first I didn't like it because it sounded like a drill at 10,000 rpm right next to my head...so I parked it, thought about selling it...waited until a NICE couple days and drove it for hundreds of miles...wearing headphones and and iPod...Anyway, 2 months later, they seem to be breaking in and now and I can at least drive without headphones...the best is when the T-top is off and the windows down..

anyway, thought I'd add my .02

woc
p.s.

The growl is not like the '67 but it sounds pretty decent...

 

[1978L48jafo]

Re: Loving Chambered!

Thanks Heidi,

I am leaning toward the cambered system, I think I would have preferred the side pipes if they had glass packs or something in them. Do you recommended the mid america setup ? They are not stainless but my vet has not seen a winter in many years. so perhaps it not an issue. Anyway can anyone recommend a source for the chambered dual system. I still have my old system I suppose I could just order the chambered sections and install in place of the stock mufflers??
Thanks
John

Last year I purchased a used set of MA SS Chambered Exhaust for my 78 and have been tickled pink with them. I think I drove around for a month (winter) straight with the windows down and a huge grin on my face, listening to the sweet sound of the exhaust!

My husband is hard of hearing and we can have a conversation while driving hwy speeds, windows up or down and tops on or off. The sound reminds me of side pipes, but it comes out the back. It has a great rumble-y growl at driving speeds and a huge ROAR at WOT. It certainly made my mpg suffer as I couldn't keep my foot out of it.
What am I saying, it's been a year...and I still can't stay off the pedal. I love the sound of this exhaust, it is exactly what I think a muscle car should sound like.

I would highly recommend chambered exhaust.
Heidi

 

[1978L48jafo]

Re: PIPES

woc,
I have had these on for two summers and what I have noticed it I am avoiding driving it. The motor sounds great since the rebuild and modifications. Perhaps its the pipes I choose, to me they are too loud and perhaps a bit harsh. I like a musle car to sound like it means business but once I am up to high way speeds I would like to hear the radio or my passenger. I think In hind sight I might have been happier with a set of pipes with glass packs in the tube at least then you can adjust the packing/inserts to your individual taste.

I am leaning toward chambered dual exhaust depending upon recommendations from this post.
Thanks!!
John

I have a 67 with factory pipes and love the sound...SO...I converted some NOS mid-year pipes to fit on my 79 and used the Fiberglass covers you can get anywhere...

At first I didn't like it because it sounded like a drill at 10,000 rpm right next to my head...so I parked it, thought about selling it...waited until a NICE couple days and drove it for hundreds of miles...wearing headphones and and iPod...Anyway, 2 months later, they seem to be breaking in and now and I can at least drive without headphones...the best is when the T-top is off and the windows down..

anyway, thought I'd add my .02

woc
p.s.

The growl is not like the '67 but it sounds pretty decent...

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Hi John,

I really have no experience either way to advise you on the different chambered systems.

My own was purchased used from a CAC member so they had already been broken in. I understand they will smell a bit until they are broke in. I also think if you purchase the chambered system you will want to install the whole system and not try to put pieces of one onto another.
When my exhaust arrived and I looked through it...I was amazed at how much garage floor I could see! It almost looks like you can roll a tennis ball through the pipes.

Mine bolted right up to the stock ram's horn exhaust manifold. Couple hangers, a little trimming at the back...instant muscle car sound! Kenny also polished the ss pipe ends and eliminated the need for purchasing tips to dress them up.

I wish my car was all put together right now, I currently have the top end off and awaiting installation of new heads. I have offered in the past for members to call me (exchanging phone #s by PM) so they could listen to a fire up and several revs. Moderator Eric did this for me to convince me to purchase the chambered. I have done so for three other members and each has purchased a chambered exhaust and been pleased with it.
Heidi

 

[1978L48jafo]

Well I am convinced, looking at the MA catalog the undercar Chambered exhaust system part number 603-858 does not say that it is stainless steel here is a link http://www.madvet.com/-/shop?store=4.&frame=1293 I guess I will can and verify next week.

Heidi is this the system on your vet?
Thanks
John

 

[Evolution1980]

Re: Loving Chambered!

Last year I purchased a used set of MA SS Chambered Exhaust for my 78 and have been tickled pink with them. I think I drove around for a month (winter) straight with the windows down and a huge grin on my face, listening to the sweet sound of the exhaust!

Heidi,
I've been listening to you rave about your chambered exhaust ever since you got 'em. But it's been a while and I can't quite remember....Have you ever put up sound clips of them? A lot of times, people try to make clips of their car's sound, but it never comes out good. Do you or anyone have a good sound clip of the pipes?

 

[65TripleBlack]

Sweet Sound Comes At A Price

There is nothing to compare to the sound of chambered exhaust (whether it be along the rockers, or undercar), but there is a price to pay. The chambered are more restrictive than conventional mufflers. This is the general consensus. I have no proof, but any measured results would be appreciated.

 

[1978L48jafo]

Re: Sweet Sound Comes At A Price

Is that right? I thought the reverse was true, louder, less restriction and more performance???confused :confused

There is nothing to compare to the sound of chambered exhaust (whether it be along the rockers, or undercar), but there is a price to pay. The chambered are more restrictive than conventional mufflers. This is the general consensus. I have no proof, but any measured results would be appreciated.

:

 

[bossvette]

Hooker header side pipes can be fitted with either standard or glass pack inserts or also baffles made by spiral turbo
here is a sound clip of glass packsside pipes

 

[1978L48jafo]

I like it, and I had a mustang (before I saw the light) with side pipes and glass packs. The performance catalog lists spiral inserts to fit a 2.5 ' pipe but I would need to cut the pipe to get them in. difficult call.....;-(
Thanks for the clip!

Hooker header side pipes can be fitted with either standard or glass pack inserts or also baffles made by spiral turbo
here is a sound clip of glass packsside pipes

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Re: Loving Chambered!

Have you ever put up sound clips of them? A lot of times, people try to make clips of their car's sound, but it never comes out good. Do you or anyone have a good sound clip of the pipes?

No, I don't have the capabilities to make a sound clip. I prefer to exchange numbers and let people hear it real time. I can explain what I'm about to do ...set the phone down near rear tires and start, idle then rev... and also do anything the caller asks me to do like holding it at a certain rpm for a bit.

John, I checked out your link, and it conicides with the pic in my 2002 MA Wish Book. After looking closely at the pic...I'm not sure mine is a MA system...the tips that were on mine did not look like the ones shown in the MA link or my catalog.
The tips on mine were a little larger in diameter than the pipe. They hung down a little too far below and beyond the rear fascia and Kenny trimmed them and polished them to a chrome-like shine.

Granted, my system is approximately 5 years in age. I purchased it used from a member who purchased his vette with the system already in place. He did not like the loud sound and changed to a different exhaust and stored the chambered for a few years in his outbuilding until I expressed an interest in it. He told me what the seller of his vette told him.
So, I guess there is no way of knowing if I actually have a MA system or a different one...sorry for any confusion.
Heidi

 

[bossvette]

FYI to make a sound clip Windows has a sound recorder built in it, if you know someone with a laptop with Windows all you need is a cheap mike.
Do you think haveing a "guess the Vette from the sound clip"" contest would be a good palor game to have at Cruise fest 2004 the Auburn Inn has internet access in all the rooms and they are planning wireless access by the time we are there.
Craig sr.

 

[paul67]

I have the chambered (Allen's) underbody exhaust on my 1967. It is really not loud except at WOT. And the noise goes out the back of the car. Listening to the stereo or having a conversation while cruising at 60mph is not a problem at all.

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c3/paul79//chambered_004.jpg

 

[Robin7TFour]

HELLO my wife ordered me a set of sidepipes from JC WHITNEY for xmas. they are baffled. i'll let you know my opinion when they arrive/installed.

great wife or what?


robin

 

[65TripleBlack]

1978L48:

John Z has an engineering paper (of some sort) from the mid sixties which deals with this issue. I have not seen it, but I do not believe that there were any dyno runs comparing apples to apples (i.e. L76 standard vs. L76 w/sidepipes). I, for one have not seen anything except "apples to oranges" comparisons. Despite this, I regret to say that all that I have seen, and the inherent design of the chambered system (with a 1 7/8" perforated inner tube), supports the assumption that the chambered are more restrictive.

What I want to see, is a QUANTITATIVE comparison, because I do not feel that the difference is very significant (probably about 10 HP @ peak output for an L76). If this is in fact true, then I would NEVER, EVER trade the sound of my GM sidepipes for Hookers, Sweet Thunders, Spiral Turbos, or anything else.

Big blocks are another issue, because they produce a lot more exhaust gas. The testimonials on the SpiralTurboBaffles web page points to some very happy big block (mostly 502) owners. Again, SUBJECTIVE, there are no dyno runs which show a power advantage.

I have been "sitting on the fence" with this issue. I absolutely will not change out my factory pipes unless I have proof.

The only consistency I see in this whole mess, is that the Hooker glasspacks are like corks, and are best replaced with Spirals.

Joe

PS: I also spoke to the inventor/manufacturer of Sweet Thunder Chambered pipes. Sounded like a decent, honest fellow. The bottom line is: With this system, power gains are directly proportional to noise levels. The "Stock" 2 3/4" system sounds a little louder than my stock GM 2 1/2" inchers. The 3" "high perf" are noticeably louder, and the 3 1/2" racers will rupture your eardrums.

 

[Robin7TFour]

JOE, i like you honest amd straight-forward opin. i am suing the whitney pipes because the price is right for my budget, they look cool( i mounted properly), and anything is better than the leaking foul-sounding stockers i have.
did i mention i have a great,wonderful wife.....

ROBIN