Side Exhaust on my 69

[Rufcar]

Back in 69 I bought my Hugger Orange Camaro new and I installed 67 Vette side exhaust.  Many yeras later I find out thats what Baldwin Motion did to some of its cars. Back then no one had pipe benders so I used sold flexable pipe and welded it all together, I want to do that now to my 350 Camaro.
1 question is can I install shorty headers on a non powere steering 4 speed car?
2nd is what size 2" or 2.5" exhaust
3rd anyone here ever done this before?

[Rufcar]

One more thing, I currently have long tube headers on Dart heads about 375 HP. I wont be racing either. I just like the power, look and sound.

[69Z28-RS]

you will likely lose power wtih the change you propose.   If you do it, I'd suggest selecting and installing the side pipes and shorty headers you want to use, and then get the car to a good exhaust man to bend up the pipe you need to connect it up.. 

[69Z28]

I did the Thrush side pipes on my first 69 Z in 75. Not the side pipes with the fins like the Z valve covers, but the chrome set that had the louvers stamped in them. Some members here might remember them. With headers I had to have an 'S' pipe made up at Midas Mufflers to connect the collector to the side pipe muffler. It sounded like a Corvette so I yanked them off and put the stock exhaust back on. Sound way better out the back then it did coming out the sides. At some point you could get a system that had the headers and all in one sweeping flow to the side pipes. Looked way better then the Thrush side pipes, but I couldn't afford the the other ones. You could get those in chrome or black paint. Do yourself a favor, use goggles if your doing any drilling to install. I woke up the next morning after I installed mine and found I had a metal splinter in my right eye that had to be removed. Very painful. Uncle Sam didn't like that too much.

[KevinW]

Yea, the Hooker sidemounts were very cool, I had a set on mine back in the day! I wish I had a Camaro to put them on again (current rides are numbers cars) and if I could find them (they are no longer available).

[Rufcar]

I keep reading on other camaro sites that shorty headers will NOT fit a car like mine with non power steering and a 4 speed. But I see them for sale on ebay that say they will fit. I saw these on ebay but I never believe sales folks unless they used them personally! What do you reccomend?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1967-81-Camaro-LS1-LS6-LSX-Stainless-Shorty-Chevrolet-Engine-Swap-Header-LS-Z28-/130863924355?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e78190483

[KERR]

just guessing here but i would think you need long tube headers, then at least 4 90* bends.


So headers down,  then maybe extension to get under firewall,   two 90* bends ( one right one left ) maybe some short tubing to run to the outside of car,  another 90* bend to run into the side pipes..   

there are a lot of on line store that sale the chambered sticks for vette's  shouldnt be hard to do,

My next mod is the chambered exhaust under the car and out the back,  but i need to try to fit 3"   

[Rufcar]

Headman shortys fit perfect and 2 stock bends welded in fit my new 2'5" 67 Vette pipes and just needed to bend the covers slightly to make it all work. Sound awsome now!

[Dusk_Blue_Z]

Looks wicked!

[JKZ27]

very cool!! 

[Rufcar]

Thanks. I bought this car in April as a 95% finished car. I now have had over 95% apart and redone.  The engine was suppose to have less then 400 mi on and when I tore it apart it was surgically clean but the bearings looked like they had 200K on them. The good news is now everything is either new or rebuilt. Jim

[KERR]

Yea looks good.   I have headman side pipe headers on the vette, but wasnt sure if they would clear on the camaro..

Dont you love that,   its new  then you take it apart and its not.     

[BULLITT65]

Headman shortys fit perfect and 2 stock bends welded in fit my new 2'5" 67 Vette pipes and just needed to bend the covers slightly to make it all work. Sound awsome now!

That is a nice install, looks like it was a factory option with the way it appears in your photo. I am not sure your gaining power, but there is a coolness factor you will have at the next car show!

[KERR]

lol... just remember to step WAY out with shorts on...  On of my kids burt there leg in the vette.  Now they open the door and jump like the car is going to explode in a movie...   

[69Z28-RS]

Nah.. . the covers don't get that hot..   just try it without the covers, just the exhaust pipes.. and see how that feels!!