Vettastic

Hello all, I am looking to see if anyone has any experiences with the following company.

We have been looking for some type of shielding for the Hooker side pipes on our 68, and haven't had much luck in finding anything.

Well, I was doing a little more searching today, and I finally found something.
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/products.html

If you scroll down, you will see the product "STS Side Pipe Heat Shield".

This appears to be what we are looking for.

First, I was curious to see if anyone here has purchased a set of these shields (or ones which are similiar) and whether they work to reduce the amount of heat and protect against burns if accidentally touched?

Second, has anyone dealt with this particular company (either for this product or any other) and know if they are reputable and make a quality product?

Thank you for you help.


[Modified by Vettastic, 3:02 PM 8/4/2003]

Weird Science

Many here run their baffles in the pipe and swear by them. As far as the shields, there is a forum member running them. Cant remember his name (Smoked Tires?) but he has a nice candy red vette. He has a site with pics. I'm sure someone else will chime in with more info.

Wrencher

Now those look good. I'm curious how they mount. I'd probably use some sort of welded stands on the pipe itself, as mine are not chrome. Price is not bad either.

Hans

Jughead

Yeah, that's JCL's site. He posts here on the forum. Alot of guys are using his sprial's in Hooker sidemounts. Me too someday. I've had my eye on the shields too. Wesch is also using shields but I think he had them fab'd.

Chuck Harmon

I am using JCL's shields and baffles. I strongly endorse both! My 10 year old daughter rec'd a 2nd degree burn on her leg. The scar is still there 2 years later. :(

I wish I had installed the shields first! You can hold your hand on the shields indefinately, they only get warm. I'm afraid I don't have any pictures to post, but the car does look very nice with the shields. Right now the engine is out and the side pipes are off.

Chuck

Guest

I have seen his shields and they really look nice. His baffles sounds excellent also.


Tom

SmokedTires

When I weighed the cost of a visit to the hospital and the cost of the shields, it just made sense to protect the one's I love from getting burned :blueangel: . They will get hot after the car sits and the heat transfers up into them. The biggest difference is that if you lay your leg on them you may get only a 1st degree burn (similar to a sunburn) vs the dreaded 3rd degree.

They mount with a SS clamp that goes around the sidepipe. There is a riser on the clamp that the shields mount to. The shields themselves are also polished SS which looks like chrome :) .

Arkansas Flash

I use the JCL baffles and love them. Jim is great to work with. I too have shields but I bought a set from a company who reproduces the ones used on Cobras back in the '60's. They are perforated stainless steel in place of the solid SS that Jim sells. I figured that would allow the cooling air to circulate better.

MassVette

Great product- great guy.
:yesnod: :chevy :chevy :yesnod:

Vettastic

Wow, sounds like a great product and a great company to deal with.
Thanks for those who answered and provided their experiences.
Looks like we will be putting aside for these in the next pay check and ordering some. :)

Jughead

Would you still happen to have the site for the Cobra-type covers? I like the idea of the perforated holes.

Arkansas Flash

I got my heat shields from http://www.cobraaccessories.com They are great to work with.

Jughead

:thumbs: Thanks, that's where Dave & I ordered the Le-man's flip top gas caps. :yesnod: Never thought to look for a shield there. :banghead:

76Frankenstein

Great info, guys, someday I hope to have sidepipes, so I'm saving all these great links. I was thinking, would it be possible (or make sense) to line the inside of the heat shield clamps with header wrap before bolting to the side pipe? Would it help to prevent heat transfer ?

<edit> added "heat shield" to clarify clamp question


[Modified by 76Frankenstein, 9:14 PM 8/5/2003]

Chuck Harmon

I did this to protect the side pipes from clamp scratches.

Chuck

75Rag

Thanks for the link ... as soon as the pipes go on I'll be picking up a set!!

baja216

I was interested in them as well. I burnt my leg on the initial test drive. I'm always worried about my 7 year old daughter getting in and out. I think I'll look a little further on getting them.
:auto:

Jughead

Found them, thanks.....do you have any pics of them mounted on your Vette? Did they fit over the Hooker 4" side tubes?

Thanks

Arkansas Flash

They fit over the 4" Hooker sidepipes like they were designed for the system. Mine are on a 78 Pace Car that is highly modified so I don't know if a picture would do you any good or not. If you still want to see them, send me an e-mail and I'll attach a shot or two.

Vettastic

I went to the Cobra site, and Wow Arkansas Flash, those are a sharp!
Now I'm not sure whether I would like those or the smooth ones from JCL better.
Decisions, decisions. :)