Howe Racing Mufflers

Greg Curtis · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 06:53 AM

Hey guys I'm thinking of redoing my sidepipes on my 460 Superformance. Originally I was going to have my heads ported and have the car dynoed but may do the sidepipes first. Just what is involved in changing out the SPF mufflers for the Howe's and what size ID and OD do you recommend for the Howe's.

392cobra · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 07:54 AM

Greg,
Howe Racing mufflers we are using in the Dallas area have a 3.5" core. Great mufflers.

Here is a link and picture of a real nice set of sidepipes on a Superformance on a BB.
I have the same on a 418"

Headers & Sidepipes

392cobra · #3 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 07:58 AM

Here is a picture of my Howe setup.Same as Jim's.

CHRIS DAMSCH · #4 (**permalink**) 10-19-2008, 07:45 PM

I'm running a set on my SPF also. Sound great, But they are loud. Earplugs on every start up and drive.

Greg Curtis · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 07:11 AM

Thanks for your answers guys. I was looking for something explaining the steps to installing the Howe mufflers though. Nice sidepipes 392 they look very good indeed.

CHRIS DAMSCH · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 07:30 AM

Greg,

Get a hold of Ron Nichols on this site. He's in Michigan. I think he made a jig for the SPF pipes. He has revamped 2 sets for his own car.

I removed the sidepipes from the car. Made a little makeshift jig on a metal table to hold the pipes. Cut out the old muffler. Cut the ends off the Howe muffler. Shortened the spf turnout pipe a little (new muffler was a tad longer than the stock spf). Welded in the new muffler. Pretty much used a band saw, a welder, and about 5 hours. I did have help from a couple of friends.

redd · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 11:27 AM

try classicchambered.com

danc30 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-24-2008, 11:37 AM

Classic Chanmbered are only 3" louvered cores, the Howe is 3-1/2. I even put mine on with the louvers facing backwards. Sounds so sweeeet now and will let you know how much HP I picked up after I dyno it next Friday.

RonNichols · #9 (**permalink**) 10-25-2008, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danc30

Classic Chanmbered are only 3" louvered cores, the Howe is 3-1/2. I even put mine on with the louvers facing backwards. Sounds so sweeeet now and will let you know how much HP I picked up after I dyno it next Friday.

I have a set of side pipes with 3" Classic Chambered, and a set with 3.5" Howes. I had both sets dynoed on my car without any other changes. The Howes made alot more noise, but not more power. The only reason the Howes are still on my car now is because my set with the Classic Chambered mufflers are at a buddies house in another state.

Also, be careful what you ask for when it comes to noise. I absolutely have to wear ear plugs now, and on a big block car, the noise can be very fatiguing after a while. I can't take my car to work in the morning because my neighbors would quickly become enemies. I went to dinner with my wife with the car recently, and instead of the usual smiles and questions, I got dirty looks and wincing faces. My wife will no longer ride in the car because of the noise, but to some, this may be a good thing. There aren't many race cars louder than this.

Either muffler will be a lot better than factory and you will immediately notice the difference in power. Ease of conversion definately favors the Howe as you don't have to weld on a transition to smoothly funnel the exhaust into the 3" bore of a Classic Chambered. The Howe is two cuts, and two welds. Power and noise favor the Classic Chambered. I fit my transition to fit snug inside the 3.5" factory collector such that you can't tell the difference between my new side pipes and factory ones.

Spread your heat around and take your time welding. Otherwise, everything will move and when you mount them up, you'll notice the pipes not parrallel with the body.

Heres the Howe with a venturi style merge collector from Cone Engineering.

My next set I make will be a venturi merge collector with 3" bore. Good luck.

R

Chaplain · #10 (**permalink**) 10-26-2008, 05:56 PM

Great looking pipes. I've been thinking about cutting mine open and gutting them, but I appreciate your caution about the noise.

FUNFER2 · #11 (**permalink**) 02-14-2009, 04:01 PM

Ron- now I don't know what to buy ?
I like the pipes loud but, I can't compare your db level with mine. So, your Howe's, I assume they have no packing ?

I'm looking at Howe, Classic Chambered and Firefly Performance Products. Firefly has the best two piece I've ever seen and the clamp is almost undetectable. Beautiful work but, I would get the one piece pipe. Check out the site for pretty pictures. With his pipe, the muffler is exposed meaning, it does not fit inside a 4" muffler housing.

http://fireflyperformance.com/Pipes/index.htm

I don't know what to do now ?

FUNFER2 · #12 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 02:07 PM

Question- with a 3.5" collector, I assume the J-pipes coming into the collector, are 2". Is Howe the only one that makes a 3.5" muffler ?
With that size, what is the diameter of the muffler housing, 4" ?

392cobra · #13 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Question- with a 3.5" collector, I assume the J-pipes coming into the collector, are 2". Is Howe the only one that makes a 3.5" muffler ?
With that size, what is the diameter of the muffler housing, 4" ?

My J-pipes are 2"
The main body of the muffler is 4"

FUNFER2 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-15-2009, 05:51 PM

What brand & size is your collector & muffler ?

RonNichols · #15 (**permalink**) 02-16-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

Ron- now I don't know what to buy ?
I like the pipes loud but, I can't compare your db level with mine. So, your Howe's, I assume they have no packing ?

I'm looking at Howe, Classic Chambered and Firefly Performance Products. Firefly has the best two piece I've ever seen and the clamp is almost undetectable. Beautiful work but, I would get the one piece pipe. Check out the site for pretty pictures. With his pipe, the muffler is exposed meaning, it does not fit inside a 4" muffler housing.

http://fireflyperformance.com/Pipes/index.htm

I don't know what to do now ?

Howe is the easiest to weld to a 3.5" collector since you won't need a tranistion on the front. 3.5" collector butts up nice to a 3.5" core muffler. The Howe actually does have a little bit of packing in there. Howes are way too loud in my and many other peoples opinion. I would definately go with Cobra Packs if you are going to modify your own. Remember, I made more noise with Howes, but did not make more power. My Howe pipes are hanging on the wall collecting dust.

If you want to just buy a nice pair of side pipes that look like art work, then definately go with Firefly Performance. The one piece pipes in stainless is actually a good bargain. I've seen them many times in person, and if I didn't make a hobby out of experimenting with them, I would have saved alot of money AND time just buying a set of polished pipes from Firefly. Firefly can even do a mill finish and get them ceramic coated for you. Welding stainless is a task in itself, if you do not know what you are doing, your welds will fail over time. Leave it to a pro.

R

FUNFER2 · #16 (**permalink**) 02-16-2009, 09:05 AM

When I talked to both business's, they said when they Dynode both 3" and 3.5" mufflers, they actually lost power so, it looks like I'll buy the 3". Man, firefly pipes look great !

I don't know which to buy, the packed or unpacked but, I'm leaning to the packed. I like them loud but, not too loud.

I also need the J-tubes, as no shop around here has a mandrel bend machine. Firefly has them and the 6" square plate. Have any other company's in mind ?