Stainless Specialties Muffler Survey

[Frank Messina]

I know that several forum members have put Stainless Specialties mufflers on their Cobras as replacement for whatever was on there before. There was an issue several years ago with an irritating flapping noise on decel that SS addressed and corrected. That was actually a core separation that let the matting blow out so they got excruciatingly load. So for those that still have them and that didn't have the separated core problem it's time for confession.

1. What size do you have: 2½" or 3" X how long?
2. How's the tone quality?
3. Are they louder now than when new?
4. Do you still love'em?
5 Would you do it again or try something different?

Sound off & thanks,

Frank

[Cobra #3170]

Originally Posted by Frank Messina

I know that several forum members have put Stainless Specialties mufflers on their Cobras as replacement for whatever was on there before. There was an issue several years ago with an irritating flapping noise on decel that SS addressed and corrected. That was actually a core separation that let the matting blow out so they got excruciatingly load. So for those that still have them and that didn't have the separated core problem it's time for confession.

1. What size do you have: 2½" or 3" X how long?
2. How's the tone quality?
3. Are they louder now than when new?
4. Do you still love'em?
5 Would you do it again or try something different?

Sound off & thanks,

Frank

3" ID x 24"
good if you like loud
So loud I am not allowed to run SCCA events anymore
looking into something else that is quieter
something different so I can run local events

[fordracing65]

3 inch also here, I heard when they do get loud over time you are actually losing some hp and the performance of the pipe, because of the packing pulling away. I prefer loud , it's a Cobra, but I can also see with the new rules how SCCA wants to quite down the race to better suit the surrounding areas for noise pollution, if you can call an angry V-8 noise pollution.

[D-CEL]

I run the 3" x 24 also and I like them.
For me, they aren’t loud until your wind the motor up.
Mine don’t seem much louder after 5-6 years, but I don’t have any data one way or the other.
I would certainly buy them again, Unless they make a bigger ID one now! lol
I would like to see a smoother transition into the core from the collector.
I will be building another set with merge collectors and will probably run a tapered reducer into and out of the core.


Jason

[Frank Messina]

Well, I chickened out and ordered a set with 2½" cores X 26"long. I've also lined up 3½ to 2½ reducers for the inlet side. I don't think the other end matters. I've heard the 3 inchers on Dean's car and they are awesome but I was nervous that if the packing became contaminated they might be obnoxious. When I spoke with John though he was adamant that barring a mechanical failure the packing should continue to do its job. We'll see how it works out. It'll be interesting to see how they compare to my Lobaks.

Frank

[mdross1]

Our Cobra has undercar exhaust with Stainless Specialties fully chambered 2 1/2" ID we love them behind the 460" bought them 1994.Also have a custom made set on our 155" Harley with True Duals and another set on our V8 bike with 406" both sound awesome.No issues whatsoever.

[Frank Messina]

I just thought I'd report back. They're on.
This is what I took off.


This is the replacement. 2½" X 26" perforated core.


Mounted


Very deep tone, fairly quiet at idle and light cruise or in OD on the freeway, but gets pretty raucous when you step into it. Better idle and engine seems to rev quicker. I'll update after they mature a bit.
Frank

[GLS-BDR226]

Just ordered some 3" by 27". I'll have to see how it sounds. Hope they aren't too loud but I'm looking for less restriction than the stock BDRs. Also, I'm running a lot milder engine than most so I don't expect them to be too loud.

[Frank Messina]

With a 3' core it will be loud, you can count on it. The thing that can save it though is the tone. If the tone quality is good, loud is less bothersome IMHO.

Frank

[rpatton3]

A PICTURE is worth a thousand words!

[FUNFER2]

Frank, first of all, who made your original muffler ? I can't believe how restrictive it is !!!

You probably gained 100 hp ! lol

I love my Stainless Specialties muffler and 304 stainless system and I will NEVER,....go back to a packed muffler or mild steel tubing. Although their expensive, they should last many, many,.. years compared to mild steel, any type of packing and ceramic coatings. The way we make our system, the muffler is press fit inside instead of having welding tabs that always will break loose and make noise. The collectors and turn outs slide between the muffler shell making for clean tight fit and requiring just a small tig weld.

The stainless is easier & faster to clean than ceramic coatings.
I love them and you will too !

Old set-
.

New kit-

[lippy]

Ballpark, how much do they cost?

[FUNFER2]

Complete kit you see, minus the four hole flange, because it depends on your header configuration. $2,000

[rpatton3]

Does this setup accommodate heat sheilds?

[FUNFER2]

Not yet, but we're planning on it as a friends daughter has a cobra tattoo on her leg now. She's been snake bit ! lol

[mdross1]

Our car has their custom mufflers for under car exhaust,We Love them!