Side pipe installation

[Lawrence S.]

My L-79 car is an original rear exhaust car. When I first bought the car it had side exhaust, and when I restored the car I put it back original top flighted it etc. Now am considering putting the side exhaust back on. When we restored the car we re-installed the rocker cover braces that are welded to the frame due to past owners cutting them off for the side pipes....I guess. I am not hacking on my car so if I have to remove these braces then I will not put the side pipes back on. Is it possible to install the side pipes without removing these rocker cover braces?

[Bill L.]

Re: Side pipe installation

HI:

There is at least one video and several articles on the internet involving the addition of side pipes to a C2. The rocker hangers are bent back in this article. Note the photo of the installer using a hammer and 2X4 to accomplish this.

http://tech.corvettecentral.com/2012/05/installing-a-side-pipe-exhaust-system-on-a-c2-vette/

I sure wish the previous owner of my '67 had bent the hangers back instead of cutting them!!!!

However, at a minimum you will still have to remove the front fender tabs to allow the pipes to clear as they exit the engine bay area---

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards
Bill

[Alan D.]

Re: Side pipe installation

So let's ask why! The side exhaust (GM) are more restrictive, loader, and will require body cutting again.
The N11 systems now available are less restrictive, less noise inside car, and no body work. Still has a nice sound behind car.
Remember back when racing, the side exhaust had the advantage of not being in the way under the car - big plus.
Naturally if its something you like than that is reason enough.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Side pipe installation

I go back and forth about installing these back on the car. When I bought the car in 1993 they were on the car, and it sounded good and want something different now, and I like the look.
Thanks for the input.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Side pipe installation

Lawrence,

I installed the factory side pipes on my 67 which originally had under car exhaust. I like the look and it's not to loud with my 300hp engine and 3.36 rear gear. Would I do it again, probably not because the car also looked nice with the under car exhaust and rear tips plus like many other cars here it's a very original car.

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Side pipe installation

Other than this attached video (thank you for attaching) are there any other methods to install side exhaust on a factory out the rear car?

Thanks

[Greg C.]

Re: Side pipe installation

Another option you may consider is going the N11 Offroad Exhaust route. You get a great sound, and just replace the stock exhaust without having to hack up anything.

And unlike the Side pipe Brethren, the N11s were available on all the C2 model years.

After you get em, you can say, "Side pipes are for Posers, I went with the racing exhaust" for the cool factor

(My car has factory side pipes... and I am a Poser)

[John M.]

Re: Side pipe installation

Me too, Greg. Say what you will about N11 exhaust, I have it on a 65 L84, some of us old guys just love the look and the racket of the side exhaust.
Another Poser

[Leif A.]

Re: Side pipe installation

I appreciate the reduction of heat in my coupe cabin with the factory side exhaust...need all the help we can get on interior heat reduction here in Texas (even with factory A/C)