Sidepipes, anyone?

[mikejpss]

Just had a wild thought- sidepipes instead of true duals. This is to be a summer project and I am now exploring the sidepipe issue.
What are your comments (anyone) on sidepipes- Where to buy, what can I expect to pay, the good points/bad points, does anyone have a set laying around for sale, etc.,etc. Do you use headers or can they bolt up to the existing manifold?
Any comments would be welcome as I am only dreaming at this stage and need to clutter my brain before I make up my mind. Thanks.
:L

 

[pgeager]

I just bought some patriot sidepipes. only problem so far is installing with no real instruction. If anyone can help , that would be awsome.
Thanks

 

[black_81_vette]

I just did this job a year ago, the way I did it was buy two mandrel bent 180 degree bent pipes and two 90 degree mandrel bent pipes.I then mocked up how they would fit to the side pipes and marked with a magic marker where the joints lined up then had them mig welded.Its not a real bad job just make sure everything is where you want it before you weld everything.I found it easyier to have the side pipes mounted to the frame before I even did the pipe mock up.And as far as headers go full lenghth's will work and thats what im running.Oh by the way a exhaust pipe cutter or a sawsall will be your best buddy.

 

[dfw81shark]

I bought Hooker Sidepipe Headers, the Hooker tubes, and Spiral Turbo Baffles for the muffler, as recommended by many members on the board. I bought the Hooker equipment from Summit, and the Spiral Turbo Baffles from the manufacturer. I think I spent around $930. My initial gripe was that the black paint on the headers was horrible. 100 miles later, it was flaking off in droves on the actual headers. The sidepipes scuff easily too. I'm looking at repainting less than 1000 miles later. I do like the baffles, however. I think they sound good at power, and are a bit quieter than my old Flowmaster 40s cruising. They sound alot meaner (deeper) pulling up to stoplights too.

I do like that the new setup is less leak-prone. The only connection to worry about leaking is the header bolts. I was having consistent exhaust leaks at the collector with the old exhaust. The sidepipe tubes slip very tightly on the headers. I can't see them ever leaking.

The only other thing I can see is that they were difficult to install. The hooker instructions recommended 36 inches of clearance under the car. That is hard to get on regular floor jacks. We ended up doing it on a 4-point lift, but where the front point attaches is right where the header needs to go. It's a trip to see your car 5 ft in the air on 3 points and a transmission jack. Kinda scary at times.

 

[wrc3]

I got my hooker headers and sidepipes from www.jet-hot.com for about 1000 dollars total. With the ceramic coating they keep a chrome look, don't discolor and keep the engine bay cooler than it ever was. They were a complete ***** to install, and you have to modify the A/C bracket if you have the old compressor. Now that they are on though I dig'em.

 

[mikejpss]

Thanks for all the input guys. Think I've heard enough and have made up my mind- it'll be true duals instead of the sidepipes. Wasn't looking to spend close to $1000, and I surely aint looking for that much trouble to install. The current system is original from the manifold to the cat, and new from the cat back. I'll salvage the Flowmasters (2) and ditch the cat then go straight back to the mufflers. Of course my local shop will be doing the work.

My state only looks under the car for a cat, no testing on a car this old. Last inspection the mechanic said he wasn't gonna get down that low to even look for a cat, so dont mention it in the future. He also happens to be a friend that owns the place, so not having a cat is not a worry.

Will post my results with pics.

Again, thanks for all the help. Beer's on me next time we meet.

 

[wrc3]

You may seriously want to think about getting some cheap headers with cermaic paint on them. They cool down the engine compartment CONSIDERABLY and then just have them run straight pipes to the muffs. You can get decent headers for like 200 bucks or cheaper and they are much easier to install than the sidepipe headers. Probably give you a little more HP and definitely more space in the engine compartment.

I don't have anything to do with Jet-hot, but check to see how much regular headers would be direct from them with the ceramic coating on. I bet you can get them under $200 dollars shipped or close to it. I am not sure if there are other companies that do the same kind of thing.

 

[John Ulrich]

My state only looks under the car for a cat

When MN was still testing all cars, they had a big mirror on a pole they would stick under the car and look for the cat. On one of my yearly visits the tech claimed "I had trouble"....missing cat....he had the mirror under the drivers side.
I mentioned my '81 was stock (original mufflers and all) and if he'd look under here (I was pointing at the passenger seat) he'd find it.
DUH! He then figured it was a nonstock adaptation or something. After a few more chided in they determined it was okay!
Dummies...they have since abolished all testing.

Later,
JU

 

[SteveV]

I had Hooker sidepipes w/headers installed last year. I purchased them from
JetHot (black ceramic coated). They look and sound great. Anyone who is
considering headers should get the coated ones. Heat will not be an issue!
Also, make sure the headers have a bung for the O2 sensor. There is nothing
sweeter than a C3 with sidepipes!!!

 

[gedmeyer]

Now that spring is almost a consideration here in the northeast, I need to research my exhaust options. Basically, I really would like side pipes. Are there any vehicle modifications on an '81 for the hooker pipes? Also, where you able to keep the trim molding on with the pipes? Besides being an pain in the backside, how difficult is installation?

-gedmeyer

 

[SteveV]

Your trim molding will remain on the car. You will need to remove
your clutch cross shaft and starter for the install. I removed all the
smog "stuff" and had to modify a bracket or two. As far as the headers,
no mods. are needed. If your car is still computer controled (as mine is),
you must have a bung in one of the headers for the O2 sensor.
Jethot will put a bung in if you order with them.

If you are going to invest time and money on sidepipes, go with a
ceramic coating. They will never rust and are much cooler than
headers that are not coated. Mine are black and look great. Jethot
also has a "chrome look" coating. In anycase, they are a pain to
install! But, in my opinion, no other modification on a vette turns
heads as side pipes.

 

[gedmeyer]

Yeah, whatever route I went, I was planning on going with the ceramic coated headers. No problem with removing the clutch cross shaft and starter either...I had them out last winter when I did the engine rebuild. As for the smog equipment, well, I did an extensive relocation...to my work bench! What do I need to do about the A/C bracket?

Two other questions: how bad is the whole leg burn issue? How loud would you describe the pipes at highway speed ~70mph? I usually put the roof panels back in if I'm going to be on the highway for any period of time.

sorry about the blitz of questions! I'm more than serious about this install. I just want to have good information before I spend any money!

-gedmeyer

 

[photovette]

I want side exhaust too! It sure looks easy to install...

 

[74bigblock]

I love my Hookers! Chrome is the only way to go... the black and the jet hot chip and turn colors. I got my whole setup for 970$ shipped for free from www.barnettperformance.com (keep in mind the bog block set up is more expensive and more difficult to install. You SBC boys have it easy. I would never ever ever go back to regular exhaust on my Vette. the C3 is meant to have side exhaust.

 

[SteveV]

I used a pipe cut to size as a spacer for the AC (required when you eliminate
a bracket). You will burn the back of your lower left leg only once! I Have a couple
of kids and I always open the door and help them out. As for as the sound, with mufflers in the side pipes, I get a nice throaty rumble, not nearly as loud as my Harley was.

The car is in my brother in laws garage for the winter. If you would like, I can email
you all kinds of pictures of the engine and side pipes. Let me know when you are
ready to place the order. There is some detailed info. you need to know about the
O2 bung placement.

 

[dfw81shark]

Two other questions: how bad is the whole leg burn issue? How loud would you describe the pipes at highway speed ~70mph?

-gedmeyer

I had to share- my friend and I did a chinese fire drill in mine the other day and when he got out his hand grabbed the sidepipe. He was ok - no burns. I don't think he'll ever do it again though. I think it scared him more than anything.

It is hard to describe the pipe loudness. They are quieter than my old Flowmaster 40's, but they sure don't sound like my wife's Honda. I'd say they are a bit pronounced over the road noise, but just barely. I'm using the Spiral Turbo Mufflers. Personally I don't think they are all that annoying at highway speed, even running 3500ish rpm, which is about to change for me.. I just procured a 700r4..

 

[wrc3]

I love my Hookers! Chrome is the only way to go... the black and the jet hot chip and turn colors.

That's interesting because I heard the chrome blued after about 10 minutes of running them. That's why I got the jet-hot ceramic coat. I haven't notice any chipping or turning colors yet, but they only have like 3k miles on them.

B

 

[74bigblock]

That's interesting because I heard the chrome blued after about 10 minutes of running them. That's why I got the jet-hot ceramic coat. I haven't notice any chipping or turning colors yet, but they only have like 3k miles on them.

B

Mine are nice and shiny after a full season... except for the #3 Cyl header tube. I sliced my finger and some blood dripped down there.

 

[74bigblock]

Oh... as for leg burns... I have never. BUT!!! My Girlfriend did a number on her right calf. I even warned her just before she got out of the car... "Be careful hun"!! Next thing I know she is jumping up and down behind the car holding her leg.

She had a burn the size of a baseball... which healed after about a month. There is still a faint scar there.

 

[gedmeyer]

I'd appreciate some pics of the headers and pipes, especially of any critical clearance areas. The pipes wouldn't look funny if I have a ceramic coated header connecting to a shiny chrom pipe (b/c the headers extend to the side of the car)?

Did you guys experience any hp/torque gains after the switch from the stock system? I'm running a 383 now (rebuilt the L81) with completely stock exhaust. Is it foolish to think that I'm freeing up a good 15-20hp with the less restrictive headers/exhaust system?

Finally, does anyone live in NY or a state that has visual emission inspections? I'm curious to how much trouble I may or may not have with the police. I think side pipes might add that needed "bling" to make me stick out!

-gedmeyer