Fake side pipe dimensions

[stephen low]

Folks

There appears to be a group of us looking to getting fake side pipes made up for our cars, but there is some discussion on what the dimensions need to be.

To start with are the four into one collection of pipes normally 2"?

These merge into what diameter tube?

I presume the large central pipe section is generally 4" or is this not correct?

And then the size reduction to the outlet tip is the same size as whatever the merge collector was at the front, right?

All to be polish stainless fake pipes not live.

Please chime in with dimensions so we can kick off out side pipes.

Cheers

[Gunner]

Maybe there's some reason not to, but wouldn't real sidepipes - with the inner ends cleverly covered up - be easier and more realistic than trying to whomp up facsimiles? I doubt you'll save much trying to fabricate several sets when you could put in a group order from any supplier. The difference between just tubes and the collector point and muffler guts isn't going to be much.

You could also get away with chroming the pipes, since they'll never see heat. That would let you buy cheaper steel uncoated pipes and then do any suitable paint, powdercoat, ceramic coating or chroming. MUCH cheaper than stainless...

For example, Shell Valley has unfinished pipes at US$595 and chromed ones at US$970. Not bad, especially if you get a group deal on purchase and shipping. There may be better prices out there, too.

Just a thought; cheers!

[Merv and Sharon]

Makes sense. Nice car Gunner. What is that on your pipes?

Merv

[stephen low]

Yes that thought's been through the mill and of course we can get plain stuff fabricated here too.

But back to the question, can someone provide dimensions?

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by Merv and Sharon

Makes sense. Nice car Gunner. What is that on your pipes?

I think it's the targa top from a Porsche. Damn things get wrapped around the chassis when you blow them off.

Heat shields. The downside of functional side pipes is that you have to get out over a scalding rotisserie. Those help against accidental burns.

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by stephen low

Yes that thought's been through the mill and of course we can get plain stuff fabricated here too.

But back to the question, can someone provide dimensions?

On my ERA, which is a pretty careful-spec replica, exit pipes are 2 inches. Collector and tail pipe are 3-1/2 inches. Center muffler casing is 4 inches.

You're going to need a lot more dimensions, especially curvatures, to get it right. Any incorrect bends and radiuses and you'll spoil the look. It will have that JC Whitney "close but no cigar" look.

[sambo]

Slowy, perhaps bring a tape measure to next week's club meeting?

[Wazza]

Got a set of polished stainless "real" side pipes, landed in Australia for around the thousand dollar mark.
US$699 plus postage..... hard to beat.

https://factoryfiveparts.com/product...cat=257&page=1

Mild steel, and unchromed....(I Think) are only US$389-00 a pair.

Hope this helps....

Cheers,
Warren

[byroncobra]

I'm after a set as well. Been looking at the FF's that Wazza details here.

I intend to buy them in mild steel then ceramic coat them.

If i can get any info on the fit of their headers into my Harrison I may grab them from the US as well.

Warrick has a car in his workshop that has the sidepipes working but with the ends redirected back under the car so as to satisfy rego. I think the cats are in the sidepipes which is not the case in the FF version.
This means i need to work out how to get the cats in the system after the headers before they exit into the sidepipes (is that right?)

Let me know if you intend going with FF or locally, I'm in if we can get a few and save some $

Greg

[stiffy]

SLOWLY,

I just got a set from FF as well. Mild steel and I will get them coated.

Therefore I have a set of chrome non active pipes for sale......


Wazza,

Mine were A$611 landed. They look OK, dont know how loud they will be.
As most cars at last years London Cobra Show were FF they sounded OK to me......NOT THAT I CAN REMEMBER ALOT FROM THE WEEKEND...


STIFFY

[Gunner]

Originally Posted by byroncobra

Warrick has a car in his workshop that has the sidepipes working but with the ends redirected back under the car so as to satisfy rego. I think the cats are in the sidepipes which is not the case in the FF version.

No, US cars are usually registered as exempt from modern smog laws, so cats etc. are rare on specially-constructed vehicles here.

I have to say that I am astounded at the specs your cars have to meet downunda - not just smog, but structural, third brake lights, etc. I don't think any US state is that restrictive. Some require things like working backup lights but all (AFAIK) permit smog exemptions.

The thought of catalytic converters running in side pipes makes my skin crawl, though... mufflers get hot enough, cats could inflict an ungodly burn if not adequately shielded.

[Merv and Sharon]

We have a rule for everything Gunner! And we police it! Even in California you are less restrictive.

[*Cobber*]

Running live side pipes here in the west, you guys don't know what your missing.

Side pipes are such a big part of the cobra look so it's important they look right.

I made my own from stainless steel as I couldn't buy any in Australia.

For the OEM look you will need to do:-

2" mandrel bends merged into form collector, 3 1/2" short section then 4" main muffler section then back to exit in 3 1/2". The mufflers / cats slide in from the end.

Expect to pay around $3,500 for hand crafted stainless live pipes in Australia.
Dummies would be around $3,000.

Sorry don't know how to post pictures on this forum but I have put some in my gallery.

Here is how they sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_0-5lvAo-I

[sambo]

Plenty of live sidepipes over here on the "east side" Cobber. And plenty of loud underbody systems with cosmetic sidepipes as well.

I reckon the FF mild steel pipes landed here for $600-ish is a steal. Stiffy, was that via Fedex or...? Any pics?

[Rob. Smith]

Originally Posted by *Cobber*

Running live side pipes here in the west, you guys don't know what your missing.

Side pipes are such a big part of the cobra look so it's important they look right.

I made my own from stainless steel as I couldn't buy any in Australia.

For the OEM look you will need to do:-

2" mandrel bends merged into form collector, 3 1/2" short section then 4" main muffler section then back to exit in 3 1/2". The mufflers / cats slide in from the end.

Expect to pay around $3,500 for hand crafted stainless live pipes in Australia.
Dummies would be around $3,000.

Sorry don't know how to post pictures on this forum but I have put some in my gallery.

Here is how they sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_0-5lvAo-I

I am building a set of headers to fit a pair of sidepipes that consist of 2" inlets into a 3 1/2" collector into a 3 foot hot dog muffler then a 3" tail pipe. Is this similar to what you have ? I'm anxious about the noise level.

[DAZ]

Hey Guys,

Daz here I would look at at buying a set also if that helps to reduce price. I think I will be going live though. You may need to look into cost though, if it's over a $1000. you pay duty someone told me. So you will need to factor that into your buy price.

R
Daz

[stephen low]

Daz

Yes if it is over $1000 you pay GST value too, though I'm not sure if the total import value includes freight costs too or just the cost of the item brought into Oz.

As we are looking at a local option for non-working pipes, you'd be best to follow the other's links to US suppliers. Any competent welder can replicate fake versions, but getting it right for live use is a whole lot different.

[sambo]

Re the $1000 limit on duty/GST, it does include freight as I understand it. So to be effective, a group buy would need to attract probably 25% discount to negate 10% GST plus the duty on the whole price, which I believe is another 10%. And sometimes they hit you with inspection fees at customs.

[Modena]

the $1000 limit excludes freight. It is just the value of the goods that Customs are concerned with.

I was hit by Customs when the shipper showed $1100 of value, but when I declared the ebay receipt showing $900USD excluding shipping, they released the goods.

[OZCOBRA]

You only pay GST on the Duty Value(Duty as applied at the $1000.00 Level)...just to add a little more confusion to this.....as your goods have been taxed already State side...