sidepipe questions

[daveintexas]

Does anybody know if any of the 74 BB cars came with sidepipes,or what 70's BB cars did? Were the factory pipes chrome or black? I bought a set of sidepipes off ebay, and they dont have a brand on them, but they are well made. Looks like something that Hooker would make. They arent chrome, they are black. I had a friend that had a black set on a 74 BB once, and I thought maybe they came on it.they have 4 inch collectors with 4 inch pipes.My next question has to do with mounting. They each have two mounting ears with a single hole that looks like they mount right to the side of the frame. Do I remove the rocker panels, or just notch them for the brackets to fit? Any information somebody might have about these and/or the mounting would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!! Dave

 

[22229stingray81]

I believe the '69 model year was the last for side pipes. Also, '68 did not have them as an option. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. Hope this helps.

-Tatortot

 

[KANE]

I believe the '69 model year was the last for side pipes. Also, '68 did not have them as an option. Please someone correct me if I'm wrong. Hope this helps.

-Tatortot

You are right! '69 was the year they were an option. However, side pipes come in several "flavors"- '69 style for BBC & SBC (chrome or fiberglass covers), hooker super comps for BBC and SBC (chrome or black), and then patriot which is pretty much just the muffler pipe. They will fit all 68-82s- some will be easier than others.

I have '69 style pipes for my 1980. I went with fiberglass covers so I could paint them to contrast the body.

Daveintexas, you shouldn't have to notch the rockers. My understanding is the hooker pipes mount in such a way that the rockers are untouched.

 

[6880 Mike]

I believe the '69 model year was the last for side pipes...Please someone correct me if I'm wrong....

You and DarkShark are correct. 69 was the one and only year for factory side exhaust on C3s.

 

[daveintexas]

ok Thank you all! I can't wait to get them on there, and I know it'll breathe well with it being 4 inch exhaust Darkshark, that is a sweet looking ride, and those wheels look great on that car! I wasn't sure about if I had to notch the rockers. I only held them up there to check the mounting, and to see how they looked, so I didnt really get under the car to see what the mounting entailed. The only drawback I see to them being such big pipes, are there are no covers, and I gotta watch burning the leg..( ouch) bet I only do it once..lol. Thanks again!!

 

[73shark]

My next question has to do with mounting. They each have two mounting ears with a single hole that looks like they mount right to the side of the frame. Do I remove the rocker panels, or just notch them for the brackets to fit? Any information somebody might have about these and/or the mounting would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!! Dave

If they are the Hooker nest-of-snakes lookalikes, then the big bracket on the exit end will bolt to the frame in the same keyhole opening that the factory side exhaust used in '69. You should put a rubber isolation grommet on each side of the bracket to all for torque flex and to isolate vibration. You'll probably have to notch the bottom of your rocker trim to clear the pipes. I got a set of '68 rockers and trimmed them cuz they're fiberglass and I could keep mine. You'll love the sound, especially if you leave the muffler insert out.

 

[daveintexas]

If they are the Hooker nest-of-snakes lookalikes, then the big bracket on the exit end will bolt to the frame in the same keyhole opening that the factory side exhaust used in '69. You should put a rubber isolation grommet on each side of the bracket to all for torque flex and to isolate vibration. You'll probably have to notch the bottom of your rocker trim to clear the pipes. I got a set of '68 rockers and trimmed them cuz they're fiberglass and I could keep mine. You'll love the sound, especially if you leave the muffler insert out.

I saw that keyhole you are talking about, and wondered what that was for. I thought maybe I could use it to mount it there.I was thinkin the rockers might have to be notched some too, which is ok, because they arent in prime shape, which wouldnt distress me to cut on them some. I wouldnt want to cut a really nice pair..lol. It has been so long ago that I heard my friends car that had these same pipes, I can't remember if it had the mufflers in the pipes or not, but it sounded really badass! Thanks for all the info!! Dave

 

[Whiplash]

I saw that keyhole you are talking about, and wondered what that was for. I thought maybe I could use it to mount it there.I was thinkin the rockers might have to be notched some too, which is ok, because they arent in prime shape, which wouldnt distress me to cut on them some. I wouldnt want to cut a really nice pair..lol. It has been so long ago that I heard my friends car that had these same pipes, I can't remember if it had the mufflers in the pipes or not, but it sounded really badass! Thanks for all the info!! Dave

If they are the Hooker sidemount headers you are right you "may" have to notch the rockers. It all depends upon how your body is sitting on the frame. Some cars have more room because of more shims etc. Also, even if there is clearance to get the pipes under the rockers you may still need to notch them to get the panel back on without scratching the paint. Don't sweat notching them. If they were pristine then maybe I'd be concerned but the pipes are awesome.

I put a heat shield on mine with the Stingray logo laser cut in them from Steelshields. They look great and really work. I bought my pipes new from Jet-Hot for the same price as new. I like their coating and it cuts down on heat. It's not chrome, it's shiny but not mirror finish like chrome.

I'd post pics but I moved and lost my web site space.

For muffler inserts I went with the spiral turbo baffles. It's a great sound.

Whiplash

 

[MassVette]

If they are the Hooker sidemount headers you are right you "may" have to notch the rockers. It all depends upon how your body is sitting on the frame. Some cars have more room because of more shims etc. Also, even if there is clearance to get the pipes under the rockers you may still need to notch them to get the panel back on without scratching the paint. Don't sweat notching them. If they were pristine then maybe I'd be concerned but the pipes are awesome.

I put a heat shield on mine with the Stingray logo laser cut in them from Steelshields. They look great and really work. I bought my pipes new from Jet-Hot for the same price as new. I like their coating and it cuts down on heat. It's not chrome, it's shiny but not mirror finish like chrome.

I'd post pics but I moved and lost my web site space.

For muffler inserts I went with the spiral turbo baffles. It's a great sound.

Whiplash

Ditto to all that.
I had the exact same setup on my '79 with a 6 speed/502 combo. Ran beautifully, and sounded MEAN!

 

[Altered]

Man I cant wait to get my 427 in my car I intend to do the same mod with the Hookers. I dream of mine before and after sex every night. ;worship:dancenaughty:naughty:

 

[TimAT]

Here's my toy.. BB with Hooker sidepipes and STS baffles. Sorry about the poor quality vid- my first ever try at video..

 

[73shark]

Classic BBC sound

Sounds great!

Do you ever show it here locally?

 

[corvette66]

"I can't remember if it had the mufflers in the pipes or not, but it sounded really badass"
If the car didn't have muffler inserts, you would have noticed I baught the same set of black pipes a few months ago, when i got them I had to try them without the insert for fun. WAY WAY loud man!! Sounds Awesome, but for sure get pulled over kinda loud. lol. If you want a really great and inexpensive set of muffler inserts, go with the Hooker MAX FLOW they are pretty much just a big open tube. So you really get a lot of that sound and power. I just ordered a new set from Jegs 3 days ago for my 80' and they were $181 for a pair. They sound much better than the traditional glass packs.

I had to notch my rockers about half an inch. I just made 2 cuts up the side of the rocker and bent the tab inside, so if i ever decided to take the pipes off I could unbend the tab and it wouldnt look so gypsy.

have fun

 

[TimAT]

Sounds great!

Do you ever show it here locally?

Thanks. I really enjoyng getting it out and doing the cruise night thing. The problem is that I'm not home all that much, I work 14 days on (out of town) and then I'm home for 7 days. I'm still trying to find schedules or flyers that I can work to find the shows.

I'm the 3rd owner, and after the PO let it set for years, it's just starting to get reliable enough to drive locally again.

If you hear of any shows/cruise nights/whatever, please send me a PM or email or carrier piegon. I'll try to make it.

 

[73shark]

If you hear of any shows/cruise nights/whatever, please send me a PM or email or carrier piegon. I'll try to make it.

If you get the KC Star, they carry shows, cruises, club meetings, etc a couple of times a week.

 

[74bigblock]

Those are Hookers. You will need to remove the rocker panels for install and notch them. You really only need to mount the rear tab. You should consider STS Baffles or wide open. The hooker mufflers SUCK.

Here's a Pic of my 74 BB