SPF Sidepipes. One more time!

jhv48 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 06:59 AM

I have a new SPF with the Roush 427SRTW engine and the sidepipes seem to be strangling the engine at upper RPM's.

I've read all the threads about modifying the sidepipes but still have a question.

Who makes a complete sidepipe that I can bolt on to the headers (that has a 3 inch inside diameter muffler) and it has to be stainless steel to match the headers?

Second, if I get the Cobrapack Mufflers, and install them in place of the stainless mufflers that came with my car, how do I get them in stainless steel to match the rest of the exhaust system? The Cobrapack Mufflers only come in aluminized steel as far as I can tell.

Do I have to install them and then have the pipes ceramic coated?

And last, is there a shop in or near San Diego, that you guys recommend, that can do the cutting and welding if I choose to modify my existing sidepipes.

Truth be told, I would rather unbolt the old sidepipes and bolt on a new sidepipe that has a freer flowing muffler integrated in it, but am not against modifying the pipes I have if I can get them in stainless steel.

Thanks for your help. I finally got my FFR all sorted out after a year and a half and get to start all over again with a SPF. But not as much to change.

RedBarchetta · #2 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 07:58 AM

Jim, if money is not the issue and you want something that will simply bolt up, look outstanding and perform to your expectations, then you probably need to go this route and talk to Ron.

http://fireflyperformance.com/

I went the poor man's route, spec'd some custom mufflers, had a local race car chassis fabricator weld them in and then had a local coater do the ceramic re-coat. You will have $1,100 into the process if you go that path and just work the wrenches on your own. Ron is well above that, but then again you get what you pay for in life. His craftsmanship is top shelf.

-Dean

Silverback51 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 08:33 AM

I went with Stainless Specialties and I'm very happy with the results.

http://www.stainless-specialties.com/products2a.htm

However, as Dean states, they are spendy.

jhv48 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 09:51 AM

John, did you buy the side pipes complete or did you purchase one of their stainless mufflers and do the cutting and welding yourself?

Silverback51 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 10:09 AM

Hello Jim,

I bought them complete. All I had to do was have the side supports welded up to the body mounts.

The noise level is pretty much the same at an idle and lower throttle inputs. It's deeper, but not much louder. However, when you flat foot it, it's considerably louder.

Jake has the same mufflers on his car, and this last weekend 6 of us took a little trip. At one point Jake was leading, and I was last in line. We were not tailgating each other, so I would guess there was a good 1/4 mile between us. Jake jumped on it to pass another car, and I could easily hear him in my car that far away.

However, if you want to free up 30 to 50 HP, this is a good way to do it.

Jake · #6 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 12:03 PM

John, you must have me confused with someone else

. I would never pass at a high rate of speed. I do love the sound and tone of the mufflers. They are a bit loud so ear plugs or an I-Pod are good on more then a run around town. I actually think they sound better with the ear plugs in while driving.

Jake

jhv48 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 01:51 PM

Well, it looks like the Cobrapacks are out of the picture, as they don't make them in stainless steel yet.

Going to have to choose between the other two listed above.

Both are pricey, but for 50-100 HP, seems worth the price.

csx4910 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 01:52 PM

I have heard a lot about the SPF pipes robbing horsepower. Has anyone had expereince with the pipes from the CSX cars? Any benefit in increased horsepower from changing them out to ones similar to what has been discussed here?
Ron

greg schroeder · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 02:15 PM

If I'm not mistaken you have a dual plane intake. This could influence the top end and bring on low end sooner as per design. Make sure you're not lean or hitting the rev limit. That would make it seem to fall short too. You would probably pick up notable power with a Victor Jr. single plane intake.

There's a guy on the forum with an engine like yours which switched to the Victor Jr. and some exhaust stuff as I recall. I think he put down like 460 at the wheels. Right now you're probably around 370 or 380 at the wheels.

jhv48 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg schroeder

If I'm not mistaken you have a dual plane intake. This could influence the top end and bring on low end sooner as per design. Make sure you're not lean or hitting the rev limit. That would make it seem to fall short too. You would probably pick up notable power with a Victor Jr. single plane intake.

There's a guy on the forum with an engine like yours which switched to the Victor Jr. and some exhaust stuff as I recall. I think he put down like 460 at the wheels. Right now you're probably around 370 or 380 at the wheels.

I'm going to tackle the breathing first. Right now it needs to exhale better. Then the Street Avenger carb is coming off and a good DP is going on. I will leave the dual plane intake in place because it favors low end a little bit more than the Victor does. But first, I need some stickier tires to hook it all up.

Thank God Xmas and birthday are in the next few months. Wallet is empty!

greg schroeder · #11 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

Well, it looks like the Cobrapacks are out of the picture, as they don't make them in stainless steel yet.

Going to have to choose between the other two listed above.

Both are pricey, but for 50-100 HP, seems worth the price.

You'd probably get about 20 wheel HP from these side pipes and 3 inch cores.
http://fireflyperformance.com/Pipes/index.htm

You'd get more bang for the buck with a Pro-Systems mechanical secondary carb, Victor Jr. intake and a set of drag radials.

I paid 4,000 dollars for side pipes like the SS type. It was good for some HP which I had to have at the time, but for the dollar I think I'd think a little harder if I did it again.

Silverback51 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake

John, you must have me confused with someone else

. I would never pass at a high rate of speed. I do love the sound and tone of the mufflers. They are a bit loud so ear plugs or an I-Pod are good on more then a run around town. I actually think they sound better with the ear plugs in while driving.

Jake

Sorry Jake. I was probably drunk on banana beer again.

jhv48 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greg schroeder

You'd probably get about 20 wheel HP from these side pipes and 3 inch cores.
http://fireflyperformance.com/Pipes/index.htm

You'd get more bang for the buck with a Pro-Systems mechanical secondary carb, Victor Jr. intake and a set of drag radials.

I paid 4,000 dollars for side pipes like the SS type. It was good for some HP which I had to have at the time, but for the dollar I think I'd think a little harder if I did it again.

I agree, tires, sidepipes and a good DP carb all go hand in hand. The Victor intake will kill me for the street, so I'll stick with the dual plane Performer Series for now.

There goes the 401K.

FUNFER2 · #14 (**permalink**) 08-06-2009, 10:06 PM

$4,000 for side pipes ?
I can get highly polished 304 stainless as a kit, for a little above $2,000 if you're interested.

jhv48 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

$4,000 for side pipes ?
I can get highly polished 304 stainless as a kit, for a little above $2,000 if you're interested.

PM'd you on those.

Who makes them? Do you sell just the mufflers in SS? Since I already have the other parts, I could have the mufflers replaced.

madmaxx · #16 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 07:07 AM

Are you saying $2K for complete ready to bolt on sidepipes??

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

$4,000 for side pipes ?
I can get highly polished 304 stainless as a kit, for a little above $2,000 if you're interested.

jhv48 · #17 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 09:17 AM

That's my question too.

Randy Rosenberg · #18 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

...Do you sell just the mufflers in SS? Since I already have the other parts, I could have the mufflers replaced.

Jim, replacing just the mufflers is only 1/2 of the upgrade - you should also look at your collector. The standard SPF collector is a copy of the original and not very well designed to flow properly. If you're gonna replace the mufflers, then you might as well replace the collector.

Just my 2cents...

jhv48 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-09-2009, 09:15 PM

Thanks, now to justify the $$$ to the wife.

Stay tuned!

RedBarchetta · #20 (**permalink**) 08-13-2009, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhv48

Thanks, now to justify the $$$ to the wife.

Stay tuned!

In this economy? Good luck!

You might want to think about sabotaging the pipes you have in order to get the change done (i.e. dent one real bad and tell her that you can't change one side without changing the other, as the factory pipes are manufactured offshore and replacements are unobtanium.)

Yeah, it's a really bad lie and you'll burn in hell for it down the road, so tread carefully.

I'm not condoning this behavior, just merely offering my sage advice on the matter.

-Dean