Sidepipes & accessory brackets

[MaineShark]

Since I've decided not to put the Shark back on the road until spring, I'm thinking maybe I'll switch over to sidepipes, if I can find a good deal.

I'm trying to figure out something, though. Hooker's website says that I need a new alternator bracket, to mount the alternator on the right side. How is that supposed to work, on a car that has A/C? Wouldn't it be trying to put the alternator and the compressor in the same place?:confused

Also, I head that some body modifications are needed on certain model years? How about '79? If so, what is needed?

Joe

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I put the Hooker side pipes on my 78 without having to change anything. On some you do have to cut the rocker panel a little in the front.

Gary

 

[MaineShark]

Does "without having to change anything" include using the stock alternator bracket?

Also, does anyone know what a good price range is for good used sidepipes?

Joe

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

I did not have to change anything but the headers. The alt. mounts to the front of the head. I did remove the alt. for more room during the install, but that was just to make it easier. I don't have A/C on mine; It had been removed before I got the car.


Gary

 

[1979toy]

I still had A/C on my '79 when I installed my Hooker sidepipes. I bought the Hooker A/C bracket but returned it due to poor quality and just made a spacer to work with my stock A/C bracket. There wer no issues with my alternator.
If you are going to buy used pipes have the owner detail any rust or dents before you hand over the cash. If the pipes have baffles in them insist that they be removed, they rust in place. Prices are going to be from 200 to 600 dollars depending on age and type of finish.

 

[bossvette]

Joe you should be Ok if you have the later style AC like this

the bracket is needed for the early style AC compressers (long round ones) to support the back of the compressor

 

[1979toy]

The bracket that I'm speaking of in my post above is the lower bracket that bolts to the exhaust manifold.

 

[MaineShark]

Thanks, guys.

The pipes that I'm looking at are the black ones. They are supposed to be brand new, and include the headers and the pipes, but not the mufflers. Does that narrow down the price range?

Joe

 

[1979toy]

The new prices from Summit are:

Headers 399.95

Sidepipes 215.99

Glass mufflers 143.99

I normally pay 50 cents on the dollar for good used parts but make a "fun factor" adjustment for new used. My top dollar may be as high as full retail minus the shipping costs if a part is new and never installed and it pegs my fun factor scale. Don't forget to allow for shipping because these things take multiple large boxes.

 

[bossvette]

Joe
that is the price I paid for mine, I have a set of NIB glasspack mufflers if interested pm me
Craig sr.

 

[johnd]

what about these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34203&item=2452155345

they are only 285.00 shipped and all you need is a good muffler shop to bend a piece of metal the connect them to the exhaust manifold/headers wouldn't cost that much...

John Dykstra

 

[johnd]

what about these...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34203&item=2452155345

they are only 285.00 shipped and all you need is a good muffler shop to bend a piece of metal the connect them to the exhaust manifold/headers wouldn't cost that much...

John Dykstra

 

[JCL]

These look like the JC Whitney system. Only 3.0" though..........
On the restrictive side if thats a concern.

 

[Robin7TFour]

GREETINGS i just installed the j.c.whitney pipes that look like the hooker system w/o the headers tho. simple to install .the connector pipe will be tricky because of the long tubes of my headers. i am confidant the muffler man will handle it.
the tubes are a true 3" dia. with 6 baffles per side. i don't see any problem with restrictions.
plus they were only $209 to my door.


my .02

robin

 

[Lucky7's81]

At the Ecklers car show I paid $875 for painted black Hooker headers, sidepipes,baffels,bolts, and gaskests.. They were bran new and never installed and still in the boxes. He bought them from ecklers and spent 1500 on the set. He said he is never going to get around to putting them on. I have no idea about the stock v-belt brackets and changing alternator position. I have a serpentine belt setup on my car. O, I still have to get them ceramic coated before they rust bad.