We're still searching for the parts to build our headers and sidepipes for the 351C in our old EM frame. Seems to be a lot of discussion lately about sidepipes
. Anyway, we're trying to figure out what mufflers we want to go with and on EM's suggestion we're looking at the LOBAK brand which have an augger style insert like the following picture shows:
We desire a muffler that isn't going to get louder as we put miles on the car and we want one that doesn't quiet the car down too much. The current mufflers on the car have about a 3" pipe with baffles stamped into them and I assume there is packing of some sort between this 3" pipe and the 4" outer casing which dampens the sound pulsations.
We've decided on 3-1/2" inlets and outlets on the muffler and an overall length of 24". We will use 'turnouts' that turn a full 60 degrees instead of being cut off almost parallel the the sidepipe centerline like most of the turnouts we've seen. We are going to build the headers with 1-7/8" starter tubes that lead to 1-3/4" primaries and finally 1-7/8" primaries that lead into the collectors.
Has anyone used these LOBAK style mufflers? I've been told that they are a little louder than regular 'glasspack' style mufflers that are pretty standard on most sidepipes, but the difference is mainly noticeable around idle. They are available with either a 5/8" straight through pipe, or 1", with the 1" being obviously less restrictive and louder. Approx. 20% of the exhaust flows straight through this middle tube while the other 80% flows around the spiral.
Does anyone know where I can buy a 4" OD muffler shell--a canister that is emply as far as baffles or inserts? My idea is to buy one (or make one) that also uses a 3-1/2" inlet and outlet. Then I could weld a 3-1/2" tube all the way through and use a pair of the Car Chemistry inserts that I've heard pretty good things about. I would make the turnout bold on so I could easily add or remove the inserts to adjust the backpressure. If I can't buy a blank shell I think it would be pretty easy to make out of two pieces of 3-1/2" and 4" tubing. I just have to figure out how to form the end cones that neck down from the 4" to the 3-1/2" OD.
Thanks for any ideas and advice you might be able to offer.
Mike
Muffler shopping--LOBAKS, blank shells, etc.?
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