loud side exhausts

[Richard Weddle]

Baby-blue is a 1966 327/350 Nassau blue convertible in very good driver condition with spin off wheels and side exhaust. All systems are operational and she drives great. My problem is ... my wife dislikes the loudness of the side exhausts. Because I want her to join me for quality driving, I must take some action. My options are 1)convert Baby-blue to rear exhaust or 2)sell or 3)trade Baby-blue to obtain a rear exhaust C2 of comparable condition. I am open to advice and suggestions. Thank you.

[Jack H.]

Re: loud side exhausts

If 'baby' was a factory original side exhaust car OR it's been converted to side exhaust with some degree of factory originality, going back to a conventional through-frame exhaust configuration is going to be a tougher job than you suspect.

You need hangers for the standard rocker panels spot welded to the bottom of the sill plates. You need the 'cuts' made in the side body components un-done with fiberglass work. You need the side exhaust rear valance panel swapped (and painted) for a conventional through-frame panel. And, you need the various under carriage exhaust mounting components (tranny hanger plate, clamps, and rear hanger components) installed....

That's one of the reasons many of us discourage owners from 'converting' their original through-frame exhaust cars to optional side exhaust configuration. It's NOT that easy to do and isn't a simple 'bolt-on' issue.

You have a third alternative to consider too. That's to go with a through-frame 'mufflerless' exhaust system. This is a hybrid of side exhaust and conventional through-frame exhaust.

It's pretty inexpensive (around $300) and uses straight pipes with mandrel bends (like the pipes used on side exhaust), BUT it installs under car in the same path as the stock exhaust system. You don't get the 'looks' of the factory side exhaust system, but you do regain ground clearance along the side of the car and avoid the maintenance pitfalls of side exhaust covers collecting road debris damage.

The exhaust note is loud, like the factory side exhaust setup, BUT the noise exits at the rear of the car (behind/away from your ear) instead of right next to you when sitting in the cockpit... Some find this a reasonable compromise, but it's a personal taste issue in the end subject to human factors.

You'll find these 'through-frame/side exhaust' systems in the Mid America catalog as well as from Allen's (see archives).

[Wayne K.]

Re: loud side exhausts

Richard,

Simple inexspensive answer, ear plugs. If she only objects to the sound and not the odor of the exhaust that seems to creep up the side of the car when your waiting at a stoplight then there are comfortable/inconspiuous ear plugs that should let the both of you enjoy the car.

Wayne

PS Remember, it is sacrilege to buy, sell, or trade a car because of a woman.

[Gary #41345]

Re: loud side exhausts

I told the wife she moved up to second place after a couple great meals she made me as well as treating me with a little respect lately....she's got a long way to go to catch my affection as much as the vette so it resides in that number 1 spot. The dog is now in third but could overtake the wife again at any given moment.

[Dick W.]

Re: loud side exhausts

Gary, you are lucky. The wife owns the Vette and I am on the list after the car, seven cats and six dogs

[Wayne K.]

Gary, maybe the dog would like to encounter a.....

leg raising contest in an attempt to recover 2nd place.

[Richard S.]

Re: loud side exhausts

Richard,

There are side exhaust systems sold by some aftermarket suppliers that are virtually quiet.....ask around.

[Alan S.]

Re: loud side exhausts

Wayne,
Is it proper to buy, sell, or trade a woman because of a car?
Regards,
Alan

PS: Not that I ever would.

[Jay G.]

Re: loud side exhausts

On a ride to Buena Vista car show over the 4th. Told my wife to remember when we were riding our old HD Panhead or Triumph Bonneville. The sidepipes on C2's give us an "old sound" with the In the Wind feel. I like em. Though it is loud.

[Jim T.]

Re: loud side exhausts

Or you could buy her a set of the Bose noise cancelling headphones and a Bose Accustic Wave Radio that will sit behind the rear seat and plut into the cigarette lighter for power and use the remote to change stations.

[Rob M.]

Re: loud side exhausts :-)

Put both the side and an under car exhaust setup on the car with a valve in the system to be able to enjoy both setups!!!

greetings,
Rob.

[Wayne K.]

No Alan, that would not be proper etiquette. *NM*