C3 exhaust system
Discussion
can someone please tell me if the sidepipe & headers exhaust system being sold on the link below will be road legal here in the UK if fitted to my 1978 Corvette?
www.kincaid.com/ray/headers/corvette.html
If not legal, is there a cheap supplier of a legal sidepipe exhaust system in the UK? Rodley motors quoted me £880+VAT for a straight through exhaust but for that amount I can import the sidepipe kit, get them fitted and still have change to fill the tank.
Can someone tell me the new CCCUK web URL as I accidentaly deleted the email they sent me with the new link. May be best to post it to me offsite so hackers don't get to mess with the new CCCUK site like they did the previous one.
Cheers, Carl.
www.kincaid.com/ray/headers/corvette.html
If not legal, is there a cheap supplier of a legal sidepipe exhaust system in the UK? Rodley motors quoted me £880+VAT for a straight through exhaust but for that amount I can import the sidepipe kit, get them fitted and still have change to fill the tank.
Can someone tell me the new CCCUK web URL as I accidentaly deleted the email they sent me with the new link. May be best to post it to me offsite so hackers don't get to mess with the new CCCUK site like they did the previous one.
Cheers, Carl.
I just found the CCCUK website url in my recent history bookmarks so don't need anyone to mail me on that now. I would post it here for other CCCUK members who may also have forgotten it, but as previous site got hacked I think it best for you to contact your CCCUK local area rep. I'm not sure how they will attract new members now that the site is hidden, oops nearly gave the new web address away then ;-)
Hi Carl,welcome to the forum 
Traffic around here might be a little slow this weekend because the nationals are on at Huntingdon,ime not too clued up on C3's so ime not in a good position to help you although there are quite a few C3 owners on this forum.
Traffic around here might be a little slow this weekend because the nationals are on at Huntingdon,ime not too clued up on C3's so ime not in a good position to help you although there are quite a few C3 owners on this forum.
Edited by ZR1cliff on Saturday 24th June 11:07
Hi, I have just fitted a set of headers to my C3 78 Pacecar.
Fantastic, but be careful. There are heaps of headers out there that say "all s/block" etc
Very few will fit a C3 as bolt in. At least that guy claims it will fit your vehicle, but be sure and ask about whether it will clear the steering gear, thats the main prob, and also make sure if its for straight or angle plug heads. In my case it was even more complex, as I had D shaped ports on the ZZZ HO motor with ally heads. If you do order, and I must say, it looks great, be sure and contact them, tell them EXACTLY what you have on your vehicle, and good luck. Are you running the L-82 motor?
Post some pix and a sound clip when youre done !! Will sound awesome.
Fantastic, but be careful. There are heaps of headers out there that say "all s/block" etc
Very few will fit a C3 as bolt in. At least that guy claims it will fit your vehicle, but be sure and ask about whether it will clear the steering gear, thats the main prob, and also make sure if its for straight or angle plug heads. In my case it was even more complex, as I had D shaped ports on the ZZZ HO motor with ally heads. If you do order, and I must say, it looks great, be sure and contact them, tell them EXACTLY what you have on your vehicle, and good luck. Are you running the L-82 motor?
Post some pix and a sound clip when youre done !! Will sound awesome.
The system should be legal in UK. I have an undercar chambered system on my '72 which is supposed to give a sidepipe sound, and it's very loud indeed. Sounds good though. Unlike bikes, there is no need for "e" markings or noise tests as such, especially on older cars. I have been told by my MOT man that it's down to their discretion. The actual wording apparently is that they have to compare to a similar, standard model of the same year. Doubt that will be very easy for them. Loads of C3 Vettes run loud pipes without a problem. If you decide to go a different route, I bought my chambered system from Mid-America: www.madvet.com for $299 with $100 shipping - bargain I reckon. Have to negotiate with them by email first to get the right shipping price though. I ordered on a Tuesday night, received it on the Friday - can't complain with that 
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I probably will order from kincaid and hope that the setup of headers, curved header extensions, sidepipes etc will be road legal in UK. I don't see why it shouldn't be, but the seller told me to check before placing the order. He also advised that despite it all being a bolt on system that I should get it welded.
Reply from seller:
<<I put the 50" on My 80 Corvette- I would also recommend the curved Header extensions to connect to the kit. 18804-- Like I said there is a possibility you may need an extra coupler or you may want to have the system welded by a shop. In my case I installed the G9003 Headers and then drove the car and took the side pipes to my exhaust shop and had the guy weld them up- This would be my recommendation since these side pipe setups will rub and scrape a little here and there over speed humps etc. >>
Will post a shot of it all fitted when I get it done. (how do I post images, is there a gallery on this site?) Have posted a photo of my vette taken last year in my profile. She has L-82 emblem on the hood so as its the original engine I'm assuming that's what it is. Unfortunately mechanics is not my forte, and identification of bits under the hood is a thing I can't do. My current headers have a corroded hole in them making her sound like a lawnmower and making loud explosive bangs. Obviously I am not driving her round anymore until I get exhaust sorted and pending MOT next month.
Since I bought her last year the engine sounds wrong on the rear side near the passenger as though a carb is not firing correctly. When I accelerate off she takes a while to come up to speed and then starts shooting off until about 60 and then makes several gunshot bangs which scares the bejeezus out of the other motorists and me. I'm hoping it has just been that the exhaust has had a hole that was not visible until she went on the ramp recently. I did have the Holley tuned last year and she did run better but I already had to get a garage to replace the gaskets on that side of the engine twice in 6 months. Surely they would have noticed the hole in the exhaust at that time. Fingers crossed that I aint got an engine problem and that the new exhaust will sort it all out. If not the exhaust, any ideas what the problem could be?
Thanks in advance, Carl.
Reply from seller:
<<I put the 50" on My 80 Corvette- I would also recommend the curved Header extensions to connect to the kit. 18804-- Like I said there is a possibility you may need an extra coupler or you may want to have the system welded by a shop. In my case I installed the G9003 Headers and then drove the car and took the side pipes to my exhaust shop and had the guy weld them up- This would be my recommendation since these side pipe setups will rub and scrape a little here and there over speed humps etc. >>
Will post a shot of it all fitted when I get it done. (how do I post images, is there a gallery on this site?) Have posted a photo of my vette taken last year in my profile. She has L-82 emblem on the hood so as its the original engine I'm assuming that's what it is. Unfortunately mechanics is not my forte, and identification of bits under the hood is a thing I can't do. My current headers have a corroded hole in them making her sound like a lawnmower and making loud explosive bangs. Obviously I am not driving her round anymore until I get exhaust sorted and pending MOT next month.
Since I bought her last year the engine sounds wrong on the rear side near the passenger as though a carb is not firing correctly. When I accelerate off she takes a while to come up to speed and then starts shooting off until about 60 and then makes several gunshot bangs which scares the bejeezus out of the other motorists and me. I'm hoping it has just been that the exhaust has had a hole that was not visible until she went on the ramp recently. I did have the Holley tuned last year and she did run better but I already had to get a garage to replace the gaskets on that side of the engine twice in 6 months. Surely they would have noticed the hole in the exhaust at that time. Fingers crossed that I aint got an engine problem and that the new exhaust will sort it all out. If not the exhaust, any ideas what the problem could be?
Thanks in advance, Carl.
Edited by Carl Denver on Sunday 25th June 14:52
Edited by Carl Denver on Sunday 25th June 14:59
Just took a look at MidAmerica but all their chambered exhaust systems for 1978 are off road. Very good prices though. So sidepipes it is. Will wait till Monday to order them so if anyone thinks the sidepipes will not be street legal please let me know. I assume my local garage should be able to fit them. Oh I just remembered, there is an air hose coming out of both sides of my engine covers which runs down to beneath the car. When the engine is running exhaust fumes come out of these hoses. Should the hoses be connected to something such as the exhaust itself or are they supposed to just point down to the ground?
Sorry for not being knowledgable about matters under the hood, I hold my head in shame. Especially as today marks the one year anniversary when I rolled my previous 1978 vette and wrote her off on the way down to the CCCUK Nats. :-(
Sorry for not being knowledgable about matters under the hood, I hold my head in shame. Especially as today marks the one year anniversary when I rolled my previous 1978 vette and wrote her off on the way down to the CCCUK Nats. :-(
Your engine needs some serious looking at. Check the torque on the holley fuel bowls. they tend to work loose, and leak fuel internally causing backfires and other fueling issues. Dont know where you are based, but I'll help if I can. Also, connect up the PCV circuit properly, those hoses shouldnt just be dangling. If you have the L-82 its a pretty docile engine, should purrrr like a kitten, but they are sensitive to distributor and carburetion probs. Good luck with the zorst, should be awesome.
Carl Denver said:
Just took a look at MidAmerica but all their chambered exhaust systems for 1978 are off road. Very good prices though. So sidepipes it is.
Carl - they are off road only in the USA because they would do away with the Catalytic convertor which is legally required in the USA on a '78 - nothing to do with the noise. They are OK for road use here. Sidepipes do look good though if they are properly fitted.
Cheers guys, I'm in Leeds. West Yorkshire near junction 46 of A1/M1 so unfortunately too far from Woking to take up your offer of a quick look see.
I like the specs of the chambered exhaust but as I have always liked the look of sidepipes I know I will only kick myslef if I don't put them on now. I'm gonna place my order for them today and will let you all know how long they take to arrive and if quality is good. Looking at the sellers feedback on ebay I don't forsee any problems.
A few months ago I took the vette to CasAm in Castleford but they told me they don't like Holleys and after replacing 2 gaskets and a quick tune-up they sent me on my way only for the misfiring to continue.
Next nearest American garage to me is Rodley Motors but as mentioned before they quoted: <<I WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO DO THE SYSTEM FOR HEADERS NOT SIDE PIPES AND THE PRICE WOULD BE £860.00 PLUS VAT FITTED
THANKS BOB>> though I have heard good things about that garage from other vette owners.
I am not flush for cash so I'll have to get a cheaper non-American garage to weld the new exhaust when it arrives and try to sort out the carb fuel problem. Despite being automatic there has been a pull choke fitted at some point to the dash and I'm not sure it is a good thing. Perhaps ultimately I should replace the Holley with an Edelbrock or similar. The bill mounts up, but then she aint a Ford Escort.
Where are the hoses supposed to connect to? I can't see any ports anywhere for them.
How do we post photos on the forum?
I like the specs of the chambered exhaust but as I have always liked the look of sidepipes I know I will only kick myslef if I don't put them on now. I'm gonna place my order for them today and will let you all know how long they take to arrive and if quality is good. Looking at the sellers feedback on ebay I don't forsee any problems.
A few months ago I took the vette to CasAm in Castleford but they told me they don't like Holleys and after replacing 2 gaskets and a quick tune-up they sent me on my way only for the misfiring to continue.
Next nearest American garage to me is Rodley Motors but as mentioned before they quoted: <<I WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO DO THE SYSTEM FOR HEADERS NOT SIDE PIPES AND THE PRICE WOULD BE £860.00 PLUS VAT FITTED
THANKS BOB>> though I have heard good things about that garage from other vette owners.
I am not flush for cash so I'll have to get a cheaper non-American garage to weld the new exhaust when it arrives and try to sort out the carb fuel problem. Despite being automatic there has been a pull choke fitted at some point to the dash and I'm not sure it is a good thing. Perhaps ultimately I should replace the Holley with an Edelbrock or similar. The bill mounts up, but then she aint a Ford Escort.
Where are the hoses supposed to connect to? I can't see any ports anywhere for them.
How do we post photos on the forum?
If it helps, there should be a hose from the left hand valve cover to the base of the air cleaner. On the right bank, there should be a pcv valve in a rubber grommet in the valve cover. There should be a hose from the pcv valve to the full house vacuum port on the throttle plate at the base of the holley. If you have a pull choke fitted, make sure the choke flap is vertical when the knob is fully in. Be sure and check your timing and the general condition of the HEI distributor, theyre prone to several problems that could give your symptoms. Holleys are absolutely fine if you look after them and set them up right.
cheers, V8D
cheers, V8D
If you get stuck or decide a different route let me know as I deal with Mid Am and Ecklers all the time.
make sure you are gettign the correct sidepipes for you - there are some that do not come with covers and the pipes get VERY hot - scorched calves are common. There are metal and plastic covers or heatshields.
On header fitments many dont clear the steer box (as mentioned before) and have to be dented to fit properly. Also the header bolts are v tricky to bolt up and they do loosen off with use - get GOOD quality exhaust gaskets preferable copper ones. Consider requesting allen head header bolts these are easier to tighten up.
Also be aware that the headers look great in thieri black factory paint - this burns off in the first 100 miles and will eventually look orrible. Consider getting the headers blasted and painted with GOOD heat paint before fitting. Red paint always goes white with age and black goes a sort of gun metal grey
I have had a few sets of headers on my 80 (L82) and the fit is different each time - cheap headers normally rust out at the collecter from the inside -(where all the water collects )
Good luck - let me know if I can help
Cheers
Keith
make sure you are gettign the correct sidepipes for you - there are some that do not come with covers and the pipes get VERY hot - scorched calves are common. There are metal and plastic covers or heatshields.
On header fitments many dont clear the steer box (as mentioned before) and have to be dented to fit properly. Also the header bolts are v tricky to bolt up and they do loosen off with use - get GOOD quality exhaust gaskets preferable copper ones. Consider requesting allen head header bolts these are easier to tighten up.
Also be aware that the headers look great in thieri black factory paint - this burns off in the first 100 miles and will eventually look orrible. Consider getting the headers blasted and painted with GOOD heat paint before fitting. Red paint always goes white with age and black goes a sort of gun metal grey
I have had a few sets of headers on my 80 (L82) and the fit is different each time - cheap headers normally rust out at the collecter from the inside -(where all the water collects )
Good luck - let me know if I can help
Cheers
Keith
Hi Keith, I haven't placed my order for the sidepipes yet.
If I want to go for the headers & chambered system instead as mentioned by yellowvette could I order them through you? As I recall from the CCCUK website, you do shipping deals for UK owners as you ship container loads of stuff over each month. Do the stock parts fit all 1978 vettes that have the original engine block? Would I need to order the parts from Ecklers and have them shipped to your USA address or do you take care of ordering the parts also? If so, what would the total cost be with shipping for the headers/chambered exhaust/allen key nuts/ gaskets/ tips please?
Unfortunately finance aint great for me at the mo so I need to fix her up and sell her on so I don't want to be spending a fortune, but then I do want her to look & sound great as she pulls away from my drive for the last time. I think I'm still sold on the sidepipe kit from the link I posted earlier with headers, gaskets, connection pipes, heat wraps & shipping to UK at total cost of $800 and a bit.
Oh never mind, I just talked myself back into the sidepipe kit, so no need to bother pricing the chambered system up for me. Thanks for offer of help though. I'll ask the seller if he can ship with copper gaskets and allen key nuts. I'll also get my garage to check the choke flap/distributor/carb/hoses and pass on the info you guys posted on this thread. Decisions Decisions :-)
If I want to go for the headers & chambered system instead as mentioned by yellowvette could I order them through you? As I recall from the CCCUK website, you do shipping deals for UK owners as you ship container loads of stuff over each month. Do the stock parts fit all 1978 vettes that have the original engine block? Would I need to order the parts from Ecklers and have them shipped to your USA address or do you take care of ordering the parts also? If so, what would the total cost be with shipping for the headers/chambered exhaust/allen key nuts/ gaskets/ tips please?
Unfortunately finance aint great for me at the mo so I need to fix her up and sell her on so I don't want to be spending a fortune, but then I do want her to look & sound great as she pulls away from my drive for the last time. I think I'm still sold on the sidepipe kit from the link I posted earlier with headers, gaskets, connection pipes, heat wraps & shipping to UK at total cost of $800 and a bit.
Oh never mind, I just talked myself back into the sidepipe kit, so no need to bother pricing the chambered system up for me. Thanks for offer of help though. I'll ask the seller if he can ship with copper gaskets and allen key nuts. I'll also get my garage to check the choke flap/distributor/carb/hoses and pass on the info you guys posted on this thread. Decisions Decisions :-)
Just got this reply from the sidepipe kit seller regarding kit clearing the steering coloumn:
<<Yes - Basically the car is the same as my 80- I personally installed the set and was one of the more easy installs I have done. The application notes also state the fit for all Maco styles 63-82
Thanks,
Ray>>
I think I should ask him for commission for giving him such a big plug on this thread :-)
<<Yes - Basically the car is the same as my 80- I personally installed the set and was one of the more easy installs I have done. The application notes also state the fit for all Maco styles 63-82
Thanks,
Ray>>
I think I should ask him for commission for giving him such a big plug on this thread :-)
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