Need sidepipes!

cs69er · #1 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 12:27 PM

Well the summer is almost over and my rebuild project is almost finished. The car is in the pain t shop and I'm finishing the last of the brake assembly. Hats off to you full time builders! I need a set of sidepipes with the square flange and bolt holes that are 4" center to center. Pete Johnson says Classic is looking for a new vendor and like many, I'm on the back order list. Any spare sidepipes for sale or ideas for a good reliable source is appreciated. I look forward to making sweet music for all my doubting neighbors. (First start up is scheduled for 6:00 am as soon as I put the side pipes on!) Thanks guys, Chuck

ohekk · #2 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 01:08 PM

You don't need no stink'n sidepipes to start it up!

When I started mine (no pipes!) it attracted the guys in the neighborhood like flies to fly paper...and not one was there to complain! (But then again I didn't do it at 6AM!)

Tom

cs69er · #3 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 02:13 PM

Tom,
Thanks for the advice but I want to show the doubting Thomas' what a complete Cobra engine sounds like, hence the 6:00am start-up. Your idea did make me smile! Chuck

Randy Resetar · #4 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 02:14 PM

CS...I know it's far but I would call Lucien at Arizona exhaust. He used to work for Mr. Shelby
in the 60's. He make a great set of pipes and
he is reasonable. His number is 602-415-9737.
Randy

Jack21 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 05:44 PM

In a way, this may work to our advantage. CR is looking for a new header/sidepipe vendor, so here we go with backorders again. Second, the sidepipes CR did supply had restrictive 1 1/4" baffled tubes in them and everybody cut them up to replace the mufflers. Kills ya to spend that kind of money on sidepipes, only to spend a coupla hun more to replace the mufflers, before sending them off to the coating shop. $1,000 exhaust systems anyone?

Do any of you recommend a custom exhaust shop that could weld a decent set of sidepipes together with your favorite muffler already installed. What I do have is a second set of unwelded J-pipe and mufflers w/turnouts with body mounts to use as a model.

Double Venom · #6 (**permalink**) 08-07-2002, 07:13 PM

Well....

They've lost their roll bar supplier, now sidepipes, wonder what's next?

DV

JEwalt · #7 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 01:39 PM

I've got a set of CR sidepipes (bare) that came with my build in 1996. However, after bolting them up to the CR headers, the mounting points on the outrigger did not match up with the flanges welded to the end of each sidepipe (near the rear wheel fender openings). More specifically, the sidepipes veered in towards the center of the car and were off approx. 1"-2". I could pull the sidepipes out and they would bolted up, but I didn't want that kind of stress on the headers/sidepipes.

CR sent me a new set in 1998 that bolted right up with no problems. Came to find out that CR used a different builder for their sidepipes for a short period of time and the sidepipes were not built properly.

I'm sure they could be re-aligned to fit properly. Email me if you're interested.

Jeff.

Jack21 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 03:27 PM

I could shop around, but you folks know the industry better than I do. Suggest a header or exhaust fab shop I could send my spare set of sidepipes to for a model. Then we'll all have a source for sidepipes with the correct mufflers installed. Don? D.V.? Anyone?

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 04:21 PM

Guys,
If I had the time, I have the equipment, I'd just make the sidepipes. We've already offered to make the rollbars for them and no response... ??????

Maybe in a few months we will be out of this horrendous hole I have dug for myself and start building "pipes." We'll see.

DV...

petek · #10 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 08:28 PM

DV,

Tell ya what I could use right now... a 1" thick spacer to fit between the headers and the collectors in order to space the front of the side pipe out from the body a bit. I've been thinking of searching down a hunk of aluminum plate and attacking it with a drill press.

Oh... and a thinner seal for the trunk. The seal CRL sent seems to be too thick and is keeping the trunk lid up a bit.

Picky poop ain't I

Double Venom · #11 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 09:20 PM

Petek,

We have unfortunately had to use "that 1" spacer ourselves. Any maching shop can cut it out for you. You do NOT need to have a plate made with 4 individual holes. A simple plate with the center cut out with matching bolt holes will work.

The trunk seal will settle down a little as it gets older. The good thing is... it wont leak!

(We usually see this problem when the body man builds up the trunk edge to thick while finishing off the seam.)

A few small spacers or shims under the latch will make it easier to close, then once the seal starts to settle in you can pull them.

DV

petek · #12 (**permalink**) 08-12-2002, 10:21 PM

DV,

Ah... you anticipated a question: do I need to cut four individual holes!

I'll try the shim idea on the trunk, thanks!

Don · #13 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002, 05:28 PM

DV: My understanding, the vendor used by CR for the sidepipes is in Canada ? Might it be possible , if you know the vendor, to contact them for the pattern, or wonder why CR has not purchased their pattern etc., and given it to you ? Seems like it would be in CR's best interest for their existing and future customers.

cs69er · #14 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002, 07:12 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I was lucky that I found someone to sell me their old set (although unused!) Now to finish the brakes! Chuck

Double Venom · #15 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002, 08:08 PM

Don,

Yes, they did come from Canada, and they still may. I know everyone knows what I think about rumors, so I wont start one.

Making a Jig for sidepipes is not a problem. Getting the material is not a problem, getting paid or selling enough of them to break even is a problem, getting the time to go into production is a Major problem.

Making 5 tube headers and sidepipes...now that is a problem!

What do you guys think of sidepipes with a "single" Four inch tube coming off the headers directly to the muffler?

HP gain is significant, but the look is definately not retro.

How about a "rear", yep, rear spoiler made for the Cobra? In my opinion, it looks fantastic, made to fit ANY Cobra decklid, and will not interfere with the function of the lid.

This is a true "wing" and does add a huge down force on the rear at speed.

Hey... it's just a thought.

DV

petek · #16 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002, 09:12 PM

DV,
What ya need to make is a universal set of headers / collectors / side pipes. Use the same jigs, just change the lengths of the tubes. End up marketing your assemblies to all of the Cobra mfrs.

re: rear spoiler
A deck lid mounted spoiler might look ok, but please don't tell me it's a ricer wing

John Wais · #17 (**permalink**) 08-13-2002, 10:37 PM

Don
Did he buy the set you had up for sale?
John W.

Double Venom · #18 (**permalink**) 08-14-2002, 06:05 AM

Petek,
Definately NOT a RICER wing! This was actually designed for our cobras. It was built because the DV's were / are getting up to major speeds on most tracks "straights". When you dive into that chicane from 150 plus, it sure cuts down rear end wobble!

Unfortunately, a "single jig" wont work. Many of the manufactures headers come off the motor at different angles.

DV -- I'll take a picture of the wing today and see if I can't get it on here.

cs69er · #19 (**permalink**) 08-14-2002, 08:48 PM

John,
I think the set I bought was someone Don turned me onto. They were built by Kustom Metalworks and from the pictures, look excellent except the mounting flange was placed about 6" forward from the normal placement. They should arrive within the week and I can already start to smell the exhaust fumes! Startup time is still 6:00 am! Chuck

John Wais · #20 (**permalink**) 08-14-2002, 10:30 PM

cs69er
Okay - Those were the ones I was talking to him about a few months ago. Oh-well, I had to do the radiator switch first. It was a "must do".
Well, guess I'll wait for DV to start production.
John W.