Side Pipes...something different

Bish Wheeler · #1 (**permalink**) 10-29-2001, 05:31 PM

I have done my homework (searched the Club) and I don't see this one anywhere. I have noctice that my right pipe has gotten progressively louder over the summer. Just noticed that I can see a pipe inside the outerpipe at the exhaust outlet. It was about halfway into the outlet. I can push it back into the muffler section of the assembly, which obviously means it's loose.

So what's inside of these things and what am I looking at? It also begs the question, "What do I do about it". Any insight will be appreciated and of course you are free to use all the "Bow Tie" insults you want!

Thanks, Bish

Rich · #2 (**permalink**) 10-29-2001, 08:54 PM

Bish, I've heard this is a common occurance when Chevy air is blown through Ford pipes.

More relavant...when the bottoms of my sidepipes rusted out I had the old mufflers cut out and new ones welded in at Airport Welding in Snohomish. Pretty straightforward and way cheaper than buying new sidepipes. I then took the sidepipes down to Performance Coatings in Auburn for ceramic coating. They turned out great. This is the only pic I could find the shows the sidepipes.

Rich

Here's the link to the coating place:
http://www.performancecoatings.com/

Bish Wheeler · #3 (**permalink**) 10-29-2001, 10:22 PM

Thanks Rich,

The problem is not that they are rusted out (well maybe inside) but that there is a pipe within a pipe and the one within is loose and slides back into the exhaust exit a little. I'll keep dinking with it and maybe someone else will have an idea. Probably will have to pull the darn things off. Oh well, I didn't need that extra $$ that I have salted away for my retirement anyway!

See ya on Saturday. Maybe we'll get lucky with the weather and can drive the snakes.

Bish

Bill E · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 12:35 AM

Your internal baffle tube has broken loose, the best solution is to replace the muffler in the side pipe, the cheep way would be to reach in the outlet whit a wire feed welder and tack it in place Bill E EMS

Bish Wheeler · #5 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 01:06 AM

Hey Bill,

Thanks, I'll spread sheet everything I plan to do this winter, overlay it wtith the $$$ I have to spend and figure out which way to go.

Bish

Steve R · #6 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 06:53 PM

Bish,
I think Bill E has the right idea. find a good body shop, have them try to weld the pipe while it is on the car. Start with the simple solutions...sometimes they are the best and cheapest.
SR

Bish Wheeler · #7 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 09:33 PM

A M E N brother!

427sharpe · #8 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 10:06 PM

Off topic, but....RICH--I like the FIA wheels! Where did you get them and are they wheels or just inserts over a wheel like Contemporary used to sell??

Rich · #9 (**permalink**) 10-30-2001, 10:42 PM

427sharp, those are Compomotive HB500 3-piece wheels that I bought used a while back. I think they're an older model that Compomotive doesn't make anymore. What are "inserts"? You're the second person to ask me that.

Rich

Bill Wells · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2001, 03:43 AM

The inserts being questioned might be those familiar with the early SPF cars (and other brands) that had a standard 5-bolt wheel which was a simulated KNOCK OFF as back then ('96 era) the real KO's were optional at about $2400 +/- on a SPF. The wheels were a 5 bolt wheel with a FIBERGLASS INSERT that covered the 5 bolt pattern and center of the wheel. Said insert duplicated the appearance of the center of the real KO wheel and was attached to the wheel by use of a 3 prong metal spinner attached to a threaded center piece. To 99.9% of the people the wheels appeared to be a true KO as the lug nuts etc were NOT visible. Bill

Bill Wells · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2001, 03:54 AM

Picture of early SPF simulated Knock Off wheel with f'glass center disc covering up center hub of 5 bolt wheel with disc held in place by 3 prong spinner attached to threaded center hub. Bill.

Rich · #12 (**permalink**) 10-31-2001, 12:09 PM

Bill, very life-like...I'd never be able to tell those weren't real knockoffs. Does the insert cover the whole center of the wheel? Does the wheel underneath look like the insert with lugnuts?

Rich

Bill Wells · #13 (**permalink**) 11-01-2001, 04:56 AM

Rich....following picture should be self explanatory showing the f'glass disc cover next to the tire/wheel and the spinner in front of the tire. 5 bolt wheel is therefor shown with the disc removed, a 30 second process to r/r the disc / spinner. Bill. (again, one more thread that starts with one topic--side pipes-- and gets diverted to another--simulated knock off wheels--sorry)

Dominik · #14 (**permalink**) 11-06-2001, 04:58 AM

Bill,
are those "wheels" still available?
I was tricked by such a set-up some time ago up to a distance of 1 foot.
Thanks for posting that picture!

Dominik

Dominik · #15 (**permalink**) 11-06-2001, 05:00 AM

Back to the topic,

DV once mentioned sidepipe inserts for little money giving even more power!

Try search: sidepipes!

Dom

Bill Wells · #16 (**permalink**) 11-06-2001, 05:28 AM

Dominek, I understand they are still available from SPF as a DELETE OPTION (or at least were last year), ie, one would receive a $ credit for these wheels in lieu of the Trigo's or their own SPF knock off's. I don't know who makes them./made them as there are no markings on the wheels, but a call to SPF will probably get you the suppliers name....not sure if you are in Germany, So Africa or elsewhere, but the SPF number in the STATES is : 1-800-297-6253. BIll.

cobrashoch · #17 (**permalink**) 11-07-2001, 12:54 AM

Wheel inserts at, www.whitbymotorcars.com the last time I looked. They cost about 200$ for the set I think. Neat inexpensive way to go.
cobrashock

Dominik · #18 (**permalink**) 11-07-2001, 10:51 AM

thanks guys,
iwill check both.
I visit SPF in Port Elizabeth once I moved to Cape town.

Dominik

a427sc · #19 (**permalink**) 11-07-2001, 05:39 PM

Dominik,

I had similar wheels on my ERA when I got it. Originally came with fiberglass inserts, which warped some. Replaced with "new and improved" aluminum inserts which fit old style Centerline wheels. Centerline changed their wheels slightly in the rim/center area and the centers don't do it on the new wheels. Make sure what you get will fit the newer Centerlines.

While they look reasonable, it won't fool anyone who knows due to the shape of the outer rim compared to a Trigo etc. And don't expect anything good in a performance aspect either.Overall weight with the wheel, hub, spinner and disc is more than the light weight steel NASCAR wheels I run ontrack now, which are heavier than a Trigo. Under medium to heavy track braking, the disc tends to rotate, working against the air valve. And the Centerline is a solid (no holes) rim, so no brake cooling either.

But for the street, they look great, work great, and cost little. I just thought you were a "light weight" kind a guy.

Don

Dominik · #20 (**permalink**) 11-07-2001, 11:21 PM

Don,

correct. I am lightweight!
I even used 6-pin wheels instead of the 5-pin for weight reasons.
Although the front adapter IS heavy.

I was thinking to offer those to customers who like the knock-off look, but can't afford the TRIGOs.

The missing cooling capability is a point as well, as is the modified center line. Good advise, thanks!

BTW, what was the outcome for the sidepipes?
We weren't even discussing the power penalty from the pipes featuring a 2 1/4" power robbing cherry bomb inside.

Dom