Thanks to some great postings containing invaluable information on sidepipes, I've decided it's time to get a set. There's something sacred about the Hooker pipes with one exception...it's a sure bet my wife will burn herself on them. She's a little on the short side with an even shorter temper and I would never forgive myself if she was to burn those gorgeous legs. I was wondering if a small piece of heat-resistant cloth, just enough to drape over the pipes could help prevent it. It can be rolled up and tucked between the seat and the rocker panel when not in use. My question: what material would be best suited to withstand this intense heat and be compact enough? By the way, has anybody done anything similar.

JR

I have a red 70 conv. with Hooker sidepipes too, ive been burnt a few times, but will keep getting burnt if thats what it takes to keep them, everywhere i go people tell me how much they like the sight an sound of themm. As for mufflers you can use the old cherry bomb mufflersn instead of the hooker.Youll get less back pressure from them. They make my baby look great.

Hey Phil,
Thanks for reviving this thread, it was a fun and informative one. Haven't gotten my set yet (too many other issues pending), but I assure you the fire still burns(no pun) for them.

JR

Sidepipes are unique and very, very cool on a Corvette. That sound is music for the first half hour and then it turns to noise and boy is it loud. I love the sound and was ready to order a set of chrome Hookers when I found the greatest alternative yet.

It ended up that I bought a chambered exhaust system from Allens Stainless Steel Exhaust in Indiana. The beauty of the chambered systems is that they sound as good or better than the side pipes without the problems associated with side-pipes. My system sounded sweeter to my cousins ears and he drives a midyear with 327 with factory sidepipes.

The popping of a high compression Big-block engine breathing through those non muffled pipes/Chambered pipes going out the rear is music to any car buffs ears.

The cost for the chambered pipes is very reasonable as they offer it in both stainless or aluminized steel. Here in Virginia we have several State troopers who will issue you a summons for the noise of side pipes They don't accept them for "on road" use. The judges have been fairly nice about it. I have a buddy who has recieved three tickets for his sidepipes (original) on his 67. He has been told that they were designed for "off road use" and they refer to the GM order sheet for that info.

If you have your heart set on side pipes then Allens has the factory style side pipes as well with the fiberglass covers, and you could buy the whole system for less than one original cover at Carlisle Corvette show.

What is music to my ears may be noise to my neighbor so I try to be a good neighbor at least in my neighborhood.

What is really fun is going through a parking garage with all those rice burners and their fancy alarm systems that warn them when a "real" car is coming. I just idle through and the lights are flashing and horns are honking to announce my Corvettes presance.

Enjoy the music of your Corvette!

Chris McCloskey

burn baby burn. thought about putting a piece of welders leather on the passenger side so when lynda got in and out she didn't get burnt or her dress didn't melt. never got around to it and she has never been burnt (knock on wood). Love the sound and the look and am always careful when in shorts

It's all about the music produced by these pipes. I'll search-engine Allens exhaust.

JR

ctmccloskey said: What is music to my ears may be noise to my neighbor so I try to be a good neighbor at least in my neighborhood.

I think it would be neat to use both an undercar and side exhaust with electric exhaust gates.

flip the switch one way and youre crusing with the mild undercar exhaust.

flip the other way and youre rattling the windows..

this would only work with a stock style side pipe and not hooker pipes..

|UPDATED|11/28/2004 4:12:20 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

cthulhu said: I think it would be neat to use both an undercar and side exhaust with electric exhaust gates.

Ben - I think there's someone on here (or used to be on here) who had that setup. It was a yellow vert and he was showing off the new C5 seats he had in it. I noticed that he had side pipes but when he took a shot from the rear, he had rear pipes coming out the exhaust cut outs (must have been an early '70 model).

I asked him about them and he said they were "all live".

all live means he could have just had a y-pipe..

but hopefully he had a valve..

I found a system for this, but didnt save the link and cant find it with the search here since it was more than 90 days ago..


found it


http://www.dmhperformance.com/ecutout.htm

you just install a y pipe and use on on each output with a single throw double pole switch wired to each set in opposition.

|UPDATED|11/28/2004 10:05:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I have a set of Jet-Hot Hooker Sidepipes. Haven't installed them yet, but I was also concerned about getting burned and especially burning a passenger. I went to www.cobrastuff.com and ordered a set of the heat shields for 4" Hooker Header sidepipes. I don't know how much they'll help, but I figured it is going to be a lot better than having nothing there.