Side Pipes - replacement options

[cobra de capell]

I have an old build ERA with side pipes painted white. Of course, the white paint is a little troublesome to keep looking good, but white does seem to compliment a blue - white strip Cobra.

Well, the muffler is about to burn through the outside casing so I'm looking for options. A guy told me that a good shop can replace the muffler and deal with the outer casing - making it look good again. Replacing the side pipes, along with the mufflers is clearly an option. Chrome sidepipes are an option. Sidepipes with special coating, perhaps powder coating in white or a different color is an option.

My car is pictured in my gallary, but it looks the same as the one on this site on the Club Logo - to the left, top of scene.

Any suggestions, input, advise will be sincerely appreciated. I'm into maintaining a menacing look versus a show car finished look, it's a driver not a show car. I know that chrome is probably an easy care way to go. Also, cost is not a big issue.

Thanks.

[Don]

If you replace the side pipes and muffler and want a white coating, an alternative is Swain Technology:

White Lightning Exhaust by Swain Tech for Automotive Coatings including engine piston coatings, ceramic coating services engine, automotive ceramic coating, ceramic header coating, dry film lubricant, race engine coatings, exhaust header coating

The Swain coating is only available in white and with the ceramic particles has a finish of coarse sand paper

Might want to use the Search feature with various terms such as sidepipes, coatings, mufflers etc., there are a number of Threads on the topic

[double ugly]

Have the pipes sand blasted and ceramic coated (white isn't an option at most coaters). I took mine to the coater for sand blasting then used Duplicolor ceramic white and sprayed the pipes myself. I then took them back to the coater where he baked them for me. They turned a light shade of yellow but I fogged them with the ceramic paint and they still looked great after 1600 miles. (sold the car)
John

[xracerbob]

For the muffler replacement try these:
Classic Chambered Exhaust Inc. - Products

I am going to use these on my ERA. I'm going to get the collector part from ERA and finish them myself.

Swain Technology is also the way to go for good looking white pipes.

[Mark Brye]

I am a big fan of Stainless Specialties mufflers. If you do a search you will find lots of posts on these muffs. They also make the complete sidepipe also.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by Don

If you replace the side pipes and muffler and want a white coating, an alternative is Swain Technology:

White Lightning Exhaust by Swain Tech for Automotive Coatings including engine piston coatings, ceramic coating services engine, automotive ceramic coating, ceramic header coating, dry film lubricant, race engine coatings, exhaust header coating

The Swain coating is only available in white and with the ceramic particles has a finish of coarse sand paper

Might want to use the Search feature with various terms such as sidepipes, coatings, mufflers etc., there are a number of Threads on the topic

The Swain option - how does that work as they are in Scottsville, NY and I'm in CA? Would I come secure new sides pipes and then it's a shipping exercise back and forth?

[era556]

I replaced my factory ERA side pipe mufflers with 22" classic chambered mufflers.I then had them ceramic coated and then I wet sanded & polished the side pipes. Looks great ,a lot louder and noticably more power.

[Don]

Swain is not a franchise, might be cost prohibitive to ship CA to NY to CA. I have had two different sets of side pipes coated.

The 1st time I wanted to see their facility, each round trip to deliver and pick up from CT was 12 hours, gas was less expensive and also an easy/scenic drive to upstate NY. The 2nd time, I had the local UPS Store construct corrugate containers and shipped. Swain returned the side pipes in the same containers which had protective packing, no damage. Turn time was 2 weeks, but varies at the start of the racing season and good weather.

Due to their location, a number of coating jobs are with the pieces shipped rather than delivered in person.

Insured the shipments with UPS for the value of the side pipes and the coating.

[cobra de capell]

Thanks for the response, but I'll pass on that option - to much hassle and potential hassle.

[Three Peaks]

Actually, replacing the muffler section shouldn't be all that difficult for any decent welder or muffler shop. You can buy the muffler sections at Jegs, Summit, and any number of shops, including most muffler shops.
The trick is to make sure you get a nice clean and strong weld and having the turn-outs oriented correctly when they are finished. If you plan on cleaning up the weld by grinding it down and polishing it out, make this clear to your welder as you need enough material to grind without weakening the weld joint.

If you plan on buying a set of sidepipes, I would heartily recommend the guy who built mine. All his welds are ground down and polished out, his transitions and collectors are meticulously cleaned up so they look like they are one piece, and he'll make them in any configuration you need. Right now he builds sidepipes for Factory Five, Shelby, Pacific Roadsters, Midstates and several others I can't remember as well as some he builds for Finishline. Some of his work on Cobra replicas has been in kit car magazine, among others.

His name is Len Ewell and his contact is len@boffinMS.com or call him at 503-624-2659.
Tell him I sent you-
Bob

[era556]

If the rest of your pipes are in good shape you can send them to ERA and have them install the new muffler sections using any muffler you choose.They have a jig so every thing lines up just right. I do like those classic chambered mufflers, they have lots of lengths and diameters.

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by era556

I replaced my factory ERA side pipe mufflers with 22" classic chambered mufflers.I then had them ceramic coated and then I wet sanded & polished the side pipes. Looks great ,a lot louder and noticably more power.

So, you retained the pipes, simply replacing the mufflers, right? At what point did you have the side pipes coated - when they were re-setup with the new mufflers or in pieces? I'm thinking that the best option is to just replace the mufflers, but have the pipes coated at whatever point that's best to have that done. What type of coating is still an issue and probably the key to a nice long-term look.

Thanks for the response.

[Terry Brown]

I have to agree with Mark. I moved from the powder coated SPF pipes to the Stainless Steel Specialties product out of Florida. Quality product, perfect fit little upkeep for a nice look.

See the below picture although it really does not do it justice. Nice photos in your gallery!!!

[era556]

Yes you will retain everything exept the muffler. ERA will weld them in thier jig .(the welds will look nice.) They will send them back to you uncoated or they will send them to Airborn Coatings and have them coated for you. or you can spray them with VHT white.

[tcrist]

CDC, After you get your pipes fixed you can send them to MAAS Brothers in Livermore, Ca. Here is their website. MAAS Brothers Powder Coating, Media Blasting, Silkscreening

Terry

[cobra de capell]

Originally Posted by era556

I replaced my factory ERA side pipe mufflers with 22" classic chambered mufflers.I then had them ceramic coated and then I wet sanded & polished the side pipes. Looks great ,a lot louder and noticably more power.

I visited the Classic Chambered Mufflers site - three choices:

1. You can be QUIET & lose major HP (stock).
2. You can be a little louder, sound great, be totally streetable, & gain MAJOR HP.
3. You can be downright aggressive loud, sound great, & gain MAJOR HP.

Which one did you go with?

Thanks!

[RonNichols]

Better late than never, but I've used several pairs of Classic Chambered's in the past several months. I'm not sure of the muffler's you had on there, but on my SPF, the difference in sound is amazing. Factory mufflers are meant to pass local sound restrictions and cater to the general public. If you really want to get the most out of your motor, start with the exhaust. Otherwise, you just trying to exhale through a straw.

Dyno comparisons later this month.

Ronnie

[carmine]

Wait till your classic chambered side pipes start to rattle. Mine did after one season and still waiting for my return call from Eric at Performance Engineering for there fix on there warrantied side pipes. Its been about 4 months now.

[era556]

I went with the 3" inner and 22" long .I have been happy so far. Great sound and power increase.LOUD. by the way mine are installed backwards (baffles facing so exhaust flows over them insted of through them.

[RonNichols]

Sure thing MeatMaster. You know your always welcome to come over to watch. In fact, when I'm mounting them, you can reach around from the underside and help position it.

D/1689