1966 Factory Installed Side Exhaust System

[John C. Thomas]

Looking for Accurate and Helpful answer,and thanks to all in advance for your professional assistence.....
Somewhere, in what I thought to be a very legitimate source, read that Side Exhaust was not installed or an option for any A.O.S. built bodies 65-67. Can anyone please give me the HARD COLD FACTS & answer to this question. I cannot remember where I read this, possibly "Nolan Adams"?? Misc. Corvette Restoration Books etc. but like I mentioned, I though it to be a reputable source of information. I would just like to know the Real True Facts/Answer to this question. Thanks so much for your help & time, John

Have A Very Happy & Healthy New Year!

[John H.]

Re: 1966 Factory Installed Side Exhaust System

John -

As far as I know, out of literally hundreds of available midyear Order Copies, not one has ever been found that includes N14.

Additionally, only one set of the hydraulic piercing tooling for notching the sills was built (my group at Chevrolet supplied it), and it went to St. Louis.

[John H.]

Side Exhaust System - Correction

Correction - not one A.O. SMITH (Dow-Smith) Order Copy has ever been found that specified N14.

[John C. Thomas]

Re: Side Exhaust System - Correction

Hi John, thanks for your reply and information provided me. I have a 66 A-Body Car with build date of 5/17/66. From what I am hearing from your expertise & factual knowledge, there were no A.O.S. Body Built Cars that were factory equipped with Side Exhaust. Do you have any publication or written documentation regtarding this that I could get from you sometime? My car is an oriiginal 427/425 car and I purchased a real nice complete set of Side Exhaust System inc. all mntg Hardware, to install on my car but then I read somewhere no A-Body cars were factory equipped with this option. I really love the side exhaust & sound of, especially with the BB Motor but I am torn as to what to do now. Once my Body Off Restoration is COMPLETED, I'm wondering if EVER sometimes, I would like to have the car NCRS judged.

Thanks so much for your involving yourself in/with all my questions and concerns around the A-Body & side exhaust option.

John Thomas

[John H.]

Re: Side Exhaust System - Correction

John -

If you like the sidepipes, install them - it's your car, and no one but a judge would ever know the car wasn't born with them; just be aware that they're about a 90-100-point hit if you choose to have the car judged later on.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Side Exhaust System - Correction

If you just like the noise, consider the undercar chambered exhaust. You get the same sound, but no irreversible modifications. I added this to my 71, and really love it.

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.36.7699

Patrick

[John C. Thomas]

Re: Side Exhaust System - Correction

John,
Thanks again for your time in replying to my messasges. I want to have the car judged once completed and I thought maybe install correct under frame system for judging & then change over??? Did you have any or can you tell me where I can locate in any written or published form that there were no A-Body cars factory equipped with the Side Exhaust? I remember reading it somewhere a few months ago but have worn out all the books I have trying to locate what I read. Can you refer me to any factual literature regarding this concern?

Thanks again John,
John Thomas

[Gary B.]

Side Exhaust System; Documentation from whom?

John,

Exactly what sort of documentation are you looking for? Something from GM? I really doubt that exists. I think a statement from someone like John Hinckley is as definitive as you're going to get.

Gary

[Wayne W.]

Re: Side Exhaust System; Documentation from whom?

And if you change it to side exhaust, we can tell anyway. So what good is documentation even if there happens to be a legitimate side exhaust AOS car. If it was a St. Louis car, we could tell. Do what you like with your own car, knowing that if judged, it will take a considerable hit. Also knowing that once converted, it will be pretty much irreversible.

[Rick S.]

Re: Side Exhaust System - Correction

John,
Unless you happen to have a true NOS side exhaust system, you will find that they are really LOUD, as the reproductions are not the same as NOS. My buddy replaced the side exhaust system on his 65 396 car and you can't here yourself think.

Rick

[Donald M.]

Re: 1966 Factory Installed Side Exhaust System

John, Install the sidepipes! If you like the sound, that's all that counts.Even with a 100+ point hit, you can still Top Flight if everything else is "perfect" or nearly so.
Don