I have a 79 L-82 that I bought 6 years ago. It has long tube headers hooked up to stock exhaust. I want to add sidepipes and haven't accurately measured, but it appears the collector is rearward of where the inlet end of the sidepipes would mount. The engine is out of the car and will shortly become a 383 stroker. Haven't bought sidepipes yet, but does anyone have experience with using existing long tube headers with aftermarket sidepipes? Here is a shot of the headers before I sent them out to be ceramic coated:

I saw it done once with basically a S-bent pipe but not sure how efficient it would be.

The best side exhaust w/ headers option is the Hooker nest of snakes style.  They just don't look as good as the factory system.  I've done both.

Thanks. I agree that since the long tube headers go back further, past where the sidepipe would mount, an s-pipe would be required that would cause more restriction than if I had short tube headers mounted to sidepipes. I may just buy the Hooker setup that includes headers and sidepipes later, but right now the budget will only allow connecting the headers back up to the stock pipes. I am already spending quite a bit to make a sweet 383 out of a tired 350, using all new parts in the refurbished block.

I've seen short headers that point to the side and could be directly connected to the factory sidepipes.  Factory sidepipes and covers have gotten very pricey.  

I've used "regular" headers attached to factory(and aftermarket) side pipes via "S" bends several times. As long as the bends are smooth, and the pipe size is correct, there's no issues in using the "S" pipes.

Any bend in a pipe or hose introduces some friction to the flow of whatever is inside. I would recommend increasing the pipe size of the S-bend about a half inch greater than the side exhaust pipe for factory side exhaust. You can reduce the diameter down where it connects to the side exhaust.

Thanks for the tips. It would be interesting to dyno different configurations, but that's not in the current budget either. I need to get my car put back together and on the road so I can enjoy driving on the cooler Fall and Winter days. Thanks again.

When I bought my side pipes I was going to use the s pipe method but once I looked at the spacing I decided to go with a side pipe header. It made an easier change because the headers only took 1 hour to change out. There looked as thou there would be enough room but it would have made a tight fit and lots of work. Either way you go you will love the sound of the side pipes! Watch out for which covers you end up with for the pipes, many on here have the dreaded leg burn tattoo. Best of luck

Ha, ha! Thanks but too late for the warning about the leg tattoo. Many years around Vettes and motorcycles, I have several. 

The factory pipes have an insulator and just get hot enuf to be painful but not scar.

|UPDATED|9/27/2015 4:37:37 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|