When  I go to mount my side pipes on the 72 I want to be sure I have all the pieces I need to do the job right. The covers I am using are the aftermarket covers that came from ecklers. Is there anything else that goes between the covers and the actual pipe, (I dont have anything for there) and will the covers get very hot or will they stay cool? Looking at the original factory set up there appears to be a piece between the pipes and cover. (saw this on corvette central originals for sale)  
I have the rubber bushings that go to hang the actual pipes to take the vibration away, but I dont have the brackets that I see being sold as part of the mounting kit. I know I can buy them for just under $20 bucks apiece. are they really needed and does anyone have any pics of how they mount and what they support.
Also I've read somewhere that a carriage bolt is used to mount the pipes and the head goes into a slot on the underside of the frame. Is this correct?  
Lastly does the cover mount using the same bolts that go thru the rocker panels once they are removed or do I need to find a different bolt?
Thanks for any help you can give me. Below are pics of what I currently have.

PIPES

COVERS

Rodney

(changed large images to links-aapple)







|UPDATED|2/26/2013 10:48:26 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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I have the OEM repro covers on my '81. There is a piece of fibreglass type material that is riveted to the cover. That is the heat barrier for the metal covers.

I bought the hardware kit (screws and nut plates) to mount the covers to the car. On the later C3's the rocker molding bolt pattern in different. I placed the cover up to the car and marked the bolt holes. Drilled them out, put the nut plates in then secured the covers to the car.

The rear braces are necessary to give a good support to the rear portion of the cover. I can try to get a pic emailed to you if you'd like. I'd post pics here but it's a PITA IMO. 

The mounting bolt and rubber bushing should slide into a slot in the frame. Later C3's don't have this slot. I had to use a drill and pneumatic mini saw to form a slot in my frame.

It's all a PITA to do but worth it in the end IMO.

If you click on my link below there are some pics of my side pipes. The pics with the catalytic converters you can just see the insulation barrier riveted to the covers.


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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Hey Sarge, Thanks for the reply. If you could send those pics to my email that would be great. Its rod7515@verizon.net. I am assuming that you believe the rear brackets are important enough to purchase to make a solid installation?
Again thanks
Rodney


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Yes the rear brackets are a must for a nice solid mounting point. There will be to much flex at the back without it.

Tomorrow after work when I have my cruddy duds on I'll go out int he garage and get some pics for ya.


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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Thanks sarge, Will look forward to seeing them. Appreciate your help with this.
Rodney


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Pics sent. Let me know if they came through ok. Hope they are a help. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Darryl,
Pics came through. Thanks for your help. Hopefully I can send pics of the car with sidepipes in about 2 - 3 weeks!
Again Thanks
Rodney


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I'll be looking forward to pics. Love sidepipes. I think every C3 vette should have been offered that option throughout the years. 

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

You do know ya got to trim the front fenders to get the covers on right ? I had to do it on my 71 .

I think that in an earlier stage of this cars life it had pipes on it before. It already has notches cut in it behind the front wheel. Im hoping that it will be at the correct positions. Theres no turning back now as I already have the headers sitting beside the car!
Rodney


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Well side pipes are completed and I must say I am very happy with them. I'm glad I didnt sell them! In order to get what I was looking for I cut the 2' pipe going into the actual side pipe off in the front and changed the inlet to a 2 1/2" inlet. The welding for stainless to steel had to be done by a welding person. He did a great weld on both pipes. This way the pipes going from the header collector to the side pipes are the same size. It has a big block sound, not as loud at idle as the flow masters were but has more noise when driving or accelerating. Very "throaty"! With the top up the sound is not very loud inside. This weekend I will find out (I Hope) what its like with the top off. We have a cruise in at a 50's diner that should be a good time. I ask Rich to go along so I have a vette buddy to hang with! I will get some pics this weekend with the pipes on as well as some up in the air to see the hook up underneath. The last part to be completed yet will be the rear valance to eliminate the rear exhaust outlets. I found one locally that someone was going back to the factory exhaust and getting rid of side pipes. Have to fit it to my car then paint! Hope to have it done by June.
Rodney

|UPDATED|4/25/2013 7:40:12 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Can't wait to see pics.   

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1973 L-82 4 spd

Well I finally got some pics of the side pipes from both underneath and on the car. First let me thank everyone that has helped with information to both convince me to buy and install them. Some of you might remember that at one time I decided not to install these and I was going to sell them. Glad I was convinced to put them on and see how I would like them! I think as time goes on I will probably spend the money and buy a set of new factory covers with heat shields. I was glad to find out that even these reproduction covers do not get hot at all. Here is the link to my pics from today:
http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/rod7515/slideshow/Side%20Pipe%20Install/side%20pipes%20installed

Hope that link works. It should allow you to look at about 12  pics of both the underside and side shots of car. the collectors from the headers are 2 1/2' so I cut the side pipe inlet off at the front of the actual muffler then had a friend weld on a 2 1/2" inlet. This allowed me to use a 2 1/2" pipe to connect everything together. I used strap clamps (NAPA) which you can see made a great fit and actually looks good. The sound as great as we cruised about 60 miles today and my wife never complained about the noise. However, I was not allowed to put the top down today as she thought it was to cold for that!

Thanks again to everyone that convinced me to go with the side pipes, You were right it makes the car look just right!
Rodney




|UPDATED|4/28/2013 5:43:40 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|


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Looks great, Rodney! Can't wait to see them in person! You'll be cleaning up at the car shows!!!!!!!   

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"Down on the Boardwalk...

(Click image to see a larger version}

Looks great!  I couldn't tell if you painted the dark gray metallic in between the ribs on the covers.  If you did, how did you mask off or did you brush?  I've got to repaint mine as I got them re-chromed.

Did you consider getting the side pipes JetHot coated also?  I did mine cause my first ones didn't really take to the road salt when it was my DD. 




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1973 L-82 4 spd

Barry, Thanks for the compliment but I really dont do car shows though. I prefer cruise in type gatherings because people just enjoy each others cars and theres no judging. Judging becomes someones personal preference, and the only persons preference I aim to please is mine! lol I do go to the Corvette show in OC but thats because of the charity and I like lookin at all dem der pritty vettes!

Marc, The covers are actually painted and clear coated. I'm not sure how they did them. I bought them already done. I would have to believe they mask off everything. The person that I bought them from said he had a body shop guy paint them. It would take me forever to tape them off if I were to do them, but the guy that helped me do my car was a full time body man and taping was something that he did so fast and effortlessly it amazed me. Those guys have a talent for that kind of work. Also I found that you can buy tape that would be the right width which makes it easier to do. Not sure what HotJet coated is but Salt isnt a factor for me. Actually just rain very seldom would be a factor. If its not sunny out I dont take it out! lol. The top leaks when I just wash it! So far I've been lucky enough not to even get caught in a surprise rain although today I was only 1/2 hour in front of a rain shower when I got home. Damn weather man said rain would be later tonight!

Rodney

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That's beautiful.
Nice job, Rodney.  I could just watch that loop of pictures for hours


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Those sidepipes look awesome! Top notch work you did there.


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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

JetHot is a ceramic coating that's guaranteed for life.  It looked like your headers were coated which is why I asked.  I had mine done in the silver and the manifolds done in the cast iron gray.  You'd be amazed at how much it reduces the heat. 

Whoever did your welding/forming/cutting sure seemed to know his 5hit. 


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1973 L-82 4 spd

Very, VERY nice job on the pipes!! 

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


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