SWC-Sidepipes

[Dana Morse]

Does anybody know what is envolved in putting on sidepipes on a car who has never had them on? Do you have to cut the rocker? If so how much? Any and all info will be helpful. I guess the best place to purchase the pipes would be from Ecklers?

thnx Dana

[Martin T.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

If your planning to put side pipes on a car like a SWC that never came with them, why not use one of the after market ones that do not require cutting (similar to those used by Motion Performance)? It seems like a mistake to cut uncut rockers to fit 65 side pipes then have to fix it when you decide you are tired of the look or burning your legs.

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

Dana, this may be more than you want. Best I can recall you take the rockers off and store them. Then you cut the 5 or 6 rocker supports off of the birdcage on each side. Then you cut several holes into the frame to mount the sidepipes. Then you purchase the sidepipes and the new thin piece of rocker molding. Then you install everything.

Next you buy ear plugs for the noise, then you accept that you will take a large point deduction when the car is judged.

[Dana Morse]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

I was told it was alot of work to make some noise. I'll have to think long and hard on this one guys. Thanks for the info guys.

[John M.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

Not so much work as $$$. You can bend the rocker tabs out of the way without cutting them off. You'll have to cut the fiberglass off at the front end of the rocker; save the pieces. I think for 63 you'll have to drill the keyholes in frame which won't be much fun. And there's the rear valence. But, unlike the other guys above I love the sound and there's a ton of non-sidepipe cars that now have them. It's all a personal choice.

[Kevin M.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

Next thing you'll be asking how to remove the split! Don't mess up one of the last surviving SWC please.

Kevin

[Patrick H.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

If you just want the noise, buy a set of the chambered pipes that run in the "normal exhaust" configuration under the car. No cutting, same sound.

Patrick

[Collin MacDonald]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

Somebody along the way put them on my car and cut the frame, When I did the frame off we repaired the keyholes in the frame....PLEASE if you have a 63 SWC DONOT destroy it....keep it pure... By glasspacks or off road chambered exhaust, but DONOT put sidepipes one...Thanks

[Myron Sleeva]

Philosophical question of morals and ethics

In this case, when the car is judged, is the owner obliged to report that the frame "as originally delivered" has been modified twice? Afterall, it was cut and then repaired. What point deduction would it receive?

[Dick W.]

Re: Philosophical question of morals and ethics

Myron, if it appears original as delivered it will not receive a point deduction. Same principal as paint, seat covers, etc.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Philosophical question of morals and ethics

you are getting a corvette judged,you are not running for pope.

[Frank C.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

Collin...Bubba cut off my rocker brackets flush with the fiberglass. I have yet to decide how I will attach the new ones. Any ideas or suggestions short of removing fiberglass from the the bottom of the birdcage??? The only option I see is to put the new brackets I have is under the old ones and Mig welding them from the rocker mldg side. Thx for any thots...Regards Frank

[Myron Sleeva]

Re: Philosophical question of morals and ethics

I was beginning to think that my thoughts were entirely my own. Glad to see that others feel the same.

To paraphrase what Clem said, we are are not talking about painting over Michael Anglos ceiling in the Chistine Chapel.

The man wants to put Corvette sidepipes on his car. The process is not irreversible. He is not asking how to convert his car into a Porsche!

The car belongs to the person whose name is on the registration. This should be the person who decides how he gets to enjoy his ride. Why should preservation of the entire species fall on his shoulders?? If he wants to personalize the car, who has the right to prevent him from doing so? Let me guess: - the person who steps forward and buys the car.

Granted, the NCRS has a preservation element but promoting of the enjoyment of the Corvette should be the salient issue. I can tell you that my nephew was a lot more excited about how hard that BB pulled in second gear than he was about the fact the the numbers matched. If this enjoyment means deviating from agonizing over the correct markings on an obscure bolt, so what? Each individual is entitled to his or her own opinion as to why they do or do not follow the rest.

You know what they say about opinions?

As a personal anecdote, when I swapped the stock rally wheels for American 200S mags shortly after acquiring my 69 Coupe some 35 years ago, NOT one person commented that if the car was judged, points would be deducted ! I seem to recall that without exception, everyone offered compliments.

If I wanted my Corvette to sound and look like "your father's Oldsmobile", I would have bought one!

The day that the sole objective of owning a Corvette is reducted to acquiring a blue ribbon then that is the day the car has become nothing more than a piece of garage furniture and therefore should reside elsewhere, probably right next to the bowling trophies.

Roy, I salute your efforts and admire your enjoyment of your cars. To the preservationists, I hope your estate is as dedicated to your sacrifice and personal denial of the most basic enjoyment of your cars.

Silly me, I learned most of this from my cousin who regularly drove his 1930 Packard dual cowl touring Phaeton. He did until a few years ago when someone saw him and offered a ridiculous amount of money he could not refuse.

[Mark #28455]

That's why I sold my L88!

I was going to restore it and DRIVE it on the street. Don't start about how an L88 can't be driven, etc - I had an L88 engine in the L89 for 20 years, except for the octane requirement, it can be driven, just add a fan shroud from a 350 and drop the compression a little and it would be a FUN driver. Unfortunately, the reality is that there are more than a few uninsured drivers in Orlando and if it ever gets hit, I'm screwed! I know the new owner will enjoy it, and it will be fully restored for NCRS/Bloomington, but will likely NEVER be driven again . WHAT A WASTE! Zora would turn over in his grave!

Mark

[Jack H.]

Re: SWC-Sidepipes

The hanger brackets are spot welded to the bottom side of the sill rail. Take a cold chisel and break the spot welds on the existing hangers that've been cut and weld new ones on in their place (the catalog houses have 'em). Then, when properly affixed, paint the fresh hangers with zinc chromate and you're done...

You'll even find partial body panel fiberglass in the catalogs to un-do the 'cuts' made to the fenders to install side exhaust...