What to do about my side pipes

[Dean S.]

My '65 Coupe looks great with my side pipes that the previous owner installed but they are way too loud. My wife almost refuses to go out for even a ride around the block due to them. I know my car originally did not come from the factory with them and am getting the car judged next winter, so I was considering replacing them with a standard exhaust system. Any reccomendations on the best application out there, especially for judging purposes that will either pass or not get too many deductions? Will the look of the car be much different in appearance without them? How about the sound as compared to the side pipes?

[Don H.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

My '65 Coupe looks great with my side pipes that the previous owner installed but they are way too loud. My wife almost refuses to go out for even a ride around the block due to them. I know my car originally did not come from the factory with them and am getting the car judged next winter, so I was considering replacing them with a standard exhaust system. Any reccomendations on the best application out there, especially for judging purposes that will either pass or not get too many deductions? Will the look of the car be much different in appearance without them? How about the sound as compared to the side pipes?

Some help I can offer on specific questions:
"Wife refuses to ride in car" - Not really sure this is a problem.
"What is the best application out there?" - Remove side exhaust system, restore rocker trim hangers to birdcage and fiberglass extension pieces to body at front and rear of rocker panels, install rocker trim mouldings, replace rear valance, install undercar exhaust system purchased from any of the common vendors - no deductions if car returned to original configuration.
"Will car have much different appearance without side exhaust?" - in my opinion yes. See below to decide for yourself.


"How about sound compared to side pipes?" - you will immediately realize a tremendous reduction in sound volume. Your car will sound like your grandma's Buick.

[Jim T.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

My '65 Coupe looks great with my side pipes that the previous owner installed but they are way too loud. My wife almost refuses to go out for even a ride around the block due to them. I know my car originally did not come from the factory with them and am getting the car judged next winter, so I was considering replacing them with a standard exhaust system. Any reccomendations on the best application out there, especially for judging purposes that will either pass or not get too many deductions? Will the look of the car be much different in appearance without them? How about the sound as compared to the side pipes?

How about trying the expense of installing the newer side exhaust mufflers on your 1965 Corvette. The newer side exhaust are advertised as being quieter.

Had to try the 1969 side exhaust on my bought new 1970 Corvette. After years of use the insides of the 69 side exhaust was gone, just exhaust expansion chamber. New side exhaust mufflers made a big difference. Wife chose the 1970 to drive over our 68 with under the car exhaust because the 70 had air conditioning and was automatic. She did not complain a lot about the sound with the windows up and cold air out of the vents.

[Keith G.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Just joking,I had the same trouble with my first wife, get a new wife. I took the side-pipes off my car to get it juged and hated to drive it, it sounded like a sissy's car. It did top flight then, I took a 190 pt hit the first time out because it was not a side-pipe car. When buying under car exaust, I would pay a little more for the type where the muffler is weilded to the next pipe forword. I'm lucky my wife likes loud mufflers and she is still my first wife.

[Richard M.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

IMO keep the sidepipes, but weld in a pair of electrically operated cutouts going to a set of mufflers under the car coming out just under the sidepipe tips. Keep the rear valence as is.
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Switch-on sidepipes when wifey not in car.

Switch-on mufflers when wifey in car. When far away from home switch back to sidepipes when she's not looking. Hopefully the exhaust noise will squelch her screaming at you.



Kidding aside, you have a tough decision. But keep in mind she may not even like a undercar exhaust if it's still a bit loud.

Rich

[Paul J.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

My '65 Coupe looks great with my side pipes that the previous owner installed but they are way too loud. My wife almost refuses to go out for even a ride around the block due to them. I know my car originally did not come from the factory with them and am getting the car judged next winter, so I was considering replacing them with a standard exhaust system. Any reccomendations on the best application out there, especially for judging purposes that will either pass or not get too many deductions? Will the look of the car be much different in appearance without them? How about the sound as compared to the side pipes?

The archives are full of discussions about this. Almost all aftermarket systems will have some deductions, as discussed in the thread below. But remember, you're not talking about a lot of points.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=84655&highlight=exhaust&uid=2667

[Gene M.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Some help I can offer on specific questions:
"Wife refuses to ride in car" - Not really sure this is a problem.
"What is the best application out there?" - Remove side exhaust system, restore rocker trim hangers to birdcage and fiberglass extension pieces to body at front and rear of rocker panels, install rocker trim mouldings, replace rear valance, install undercar exhaust system purchased from any of the common vendors - no deductions if car returned to original configuration.
"Will car have much different appearance without side exhaust?" - in my opinion yes. See below to decide for yourself.


"How about sound compared to side pipes?" - you will immediately realize a tremendous reduction in sound volume. Your car will sound like your grandma's Buick.

Did the back pressure from the side pipes cause the hood to bulge? Ha Ha...

[Rob M.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Remove the...... WIFE!!!

[Dean S.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Thank you all for the information and funny lines "remove the wife!". I have decided to keep the side pipes on as it just sounds too cool especially since I only have the 327/300 Hp. Plus it looks great as well with the Kock offs.

[Timothy B.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Dean,

I bought NOS sidepipes for my 67 300hp car back in the eighties complete with the rear valance. I saved all the cut rocker and fender pieces, I am sorry I installed them only because of the cut the rocker supports and lower fenders.

To add to that, the look is very nice and the 300hp motor is not loud with these pipes. If I ever lift the body I will probably reinstall the parts and go back to under car exhaust. I remember the sound with the under car exhaust and the intake noise being louder than the exhaust note but you can talk much easier, wife always has much to say..

[Chris E.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Dean, on the judging points lost for under car exhaust, here's my experience. I went with Allen brand exhaust for my 67. It did take a one or two point deduct at Regional's because of the SHAPE of the pipe. My understanding is that the originals were more of a flattened oval (hard to describe) and the repops are more circular.

Just wanted to set your expectation that if you chose to flight judge the car that you may lose a point nor two even if the car has under car exhaust.

[Edward S.]

Re: What to do about my side pipes

Dean,
I had a Split Window red/black and a good part of why I sold it was heat, no A/C and in the summer the hot air would just kill you in traffic. I have had for some time now a 65 L78 yellow/black with factory side pipes, with the mufflers out from under the car it's so cool that I have never had the interior exhaust fan on - tell your wife she should be happy to know what time you got home every night. Tell her that when she is in the car with you, maybe she won't hear you