Welp, I heard 'em - who can recommend a good ear plug?
Not obtrusive at idle, but let's face it - the neighbors WILL here me leave at 6am (unless they're blessed with a wife that snores like mine). But as with any fact finding mission I undertake, there is always a new question that arises. Ceramic coated aluminum vs.stainless steel? Big dollar difference there, but if stainless with internal baffling is a "good for a lifetime" proposition (like ERA thinks), then it becomes a trade study of cost & time to repack and/or replace vs. install and forget (except for the occasional polishing to remove yellowing or bluing). I did mention this to Larry some time ago, if I recall the conversation - there were other issues with stainless steel that didn't make spending the extra $$ a worth while consideration. I can go either way, but for the extra money stainless steel does need to last a real long time.