Side pipes question

[Ken B.]

A friend of mine has a corvette(76) that has side pipes and he wants to get rid of them and put on a dual exhaust. I know that 76 did not come from the factory with side pipes and i don't think you could order them. Other than repos. So the question is.....on the original cars with side pipes(i think the last year was 69) were there any numbers on the pipes that would tell us if they are gm or repos? Thanks

[Alan S.]

Re: Side pipes question

Ken,
I'm wondering if Joe L. has any GM Parts issued side exhaust in his parts bin. I believe he feels VERY strongly about the down side of driving side exhaust cars, but perhaps he could help you I.D. the pair you're looking at. Is the car BB or SB?
Regards,
Alan

[Nick M.]

Re: Side pipes question

Alan

What does Joe L. say is the down side to driving side exhaust cars?

[Jim T.]

Re: Side pipes question

Ken the only C3 that could be ordered with side pipes from the factory is the 1969 model. I bought the 69 style side exhaust pipes from GM back in the 70's and don't think that your friends 76 would have the original exhaust pipes from GM. The exhaust pipes are just like other mufflers, they break down on the inside and over time will have holes in the them. The last set I took off my C3 was in the 80's. They had been on the car long enough to have no insides to speak of, just a big hollow chamber that did not restrict the exhaust. Really hated stating up the car early in the morning on the carport that was the minimum required feet between houses from my neighbors bedroom wall.
Check out what you will have to modify on your C3 where the exhaust pipes come from right at the bottom of your fender for adequate clearance not to burn your fiberglass lower fender when your remove the lower moldings.
Real 69 side exhaust have a insulated part that the three chrome cast pieces mount to.

[Ken B.]

Re: Side pipes question

We know the side pipes are not proper for his year. We were just wondering if there is a id# on them somewhere.And it is a small block. My thinking is he wants to sell them if they are original to 1969..thanks

[Joe C.]

Re: Side pipes question

A friend of mine has a corvette(76) that has side pipes and he wants to get rid of them and put on a dual exhaust. I know that 76 did not come from the factory with side pipes and i don't think you could order them. Other than repos. So the question is.....on the original cars with side pipes(i think the last year was 69) were there any numbers on the pipes that would tell us if they are gm or repos? Thanks

Do you still have possession of the car? Or did they take it away yet?

Joe

[Edward S.]

Re: Side pipes question

The downside of side pipes is that your mother always knows what time you came home.

[Jack H.]

Re: Side pipes question

Well, you'd have to search the archives for Joe's specific comments, but in general:

(1) They lower your effective curb height making it a bit more difficult to navigate roads with VERY uneven surfaces and/or steep driveways.

(2) They're prone to loss of exterior cosmetics due to wheels throwing stones/gravel.

(3) The exhaust noise adjacent to your ear makes it hard to carry on a conversation in the car with a passenger.

(4) At just the right engine RPM, you can expect the cabin to 'ring' which increases the noise level.

[Ken B.]

Re: Side pipes question

He still has the car but don't know what difference it makes..Just trying to find out if the pipes came of a 69 or earlier car.Thats why the question about numbers on the pipes.

[Joe C.]

Re: Side pipes question

He still has the car but don't know what difference it makes..Just trying to find out if the pipes came of a 69 or earlier car.Thats why the question about numbers on the pipes.

Oh, he still has the car. Then they're not repos.

Joe

[Ken B.]

Re: Side pipes question

But the car is a 76..As posted in original post