Side exhaust on a 69 L71

[Lawrence S.]

I recently bought a 69 L71 Roadster with original paint. Fairly original car, CE block but the rest of the drive train is original, tank sticker etc. Just a fun driver.
The car has side exhaust, (added) this is a 3866 VIN car and unfortunately our friend Bubba installed the side exhaust. Digressing, it really is unfortunate because the car has 25K miles (seems original) the car came with the original out the rear exhaust tips, etc and would had been nice just to leave well enough alone.

I have studied the AIM in an effort to unwind Bubba's work and make this as correct as possible. Do the side rails of the frame have holes in them to accept the retainers for the black phosphate screws that hold the covers in place below the sill plate? Given my car is such an early VIN did not know if this was the case or not. Bubba used some real nice zinc pan head screws to hold the covers in place. They look real nice. Also Bubba look the liberty to "adjust" the doors so they would clear the side pipe covers. So the door gaps are off and the doors need to be adjusted back to correct. As I have written prior I am more of a C2 guy so don't know a lot about these C3's. Bubba did trim the front fenders, who knows how correct and appears too had trimmed the other part of the body. As a side not the frame is good so no weakness causing the doors too sag or such. I spoke to the PO and he told me had the doors "shimmed".
As always thanks in advance for the advice regarding this project.

Lawrence

[Thomas F.]

Re: Side exhaust on a 69 L71

Don't know much about side exhaust except there seems to be different thoughts on installation and sound. Some say you must trim front fenders on a C3 car others say not so. Some say side exhaust are too loud. Maybe but it is my understanding C2's are different from C3's and C2's are a lot louder. C3's are actually mufflers C2's are chambered exhaust. My friends C2 is real loud when you get on it. Another person removed his C3 side exhaust system saying it was too restrictive. Who knows where the truth lies. Good luck with your project. I am actually considering installing a set on my 69 just for the fact that this is the only year the factory put side exhaust on the C3 Corvette for street use.

[Mark G.]

Re: Side exhaust on a 69 L71

I think Sweet Thunder makes side pipes in different configurations and different levels of noise. They make a 67 style side pipe with a 69 style tip and a 67 style pipe and tip to fit under 69 covers.

[David H.]

Re: Side exhaust on a 69 L71

Lawrence

Link below to Willcox site re installing factory side exhaust on other C3 years. May provide insight for your undo effort. Just one of a number of Google hits.

http://repairs.willcoxcorvette.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/1968-1982-corvette-side-exhaust-installation-guide.pdf

Dave