How loud are Kirkham Sidepipes?

[RestoCreations]

Im curious how loud the Kirkham sidepipes are? Do they use a standard glasspack, or do they use an actual muffler? I lost a good bit of hearing in my left ear thanks to my last replica, and that was after modifying the sidepipes and shutting them up a few decibels.
Is there a place where i can purchase just the 427fe headers tubes that attach to the pipes? If they use a muffler, does anybody know what brand and if i can buy that muffler? I have the pipes, so i might just cut them up and make something custom if i can get the mufflers and header tubes.
Thanks
Ironman Cobra

[Mark Thompson]

I don't think the Kirkham pipes are overly loud, and they have a great tone. That said, I have always worn earplugs when Cobra-ing.

Mark

[Excaliber]

I ALWAYS wear ear plugs in the Cobra. My glove box is filled with them in plastic packages, I even have a box. I also keep a couple of pairs on my bikes AND my Miata convertible!

With the top down on the Miata the wind noise will still damage your hearing. Same with the bikes at speeds over 35 mph.

Left ear, the one next to the side pipe? All but gone... I'm trying to save what I got left.

[RestoCreations]

Has anybody used the long CC inserts? These are supposed to give the sidepipes a nice deep mellow sound and they can make them in custom lengths.

http://www.carchemistry.com/shop/ind...t_detail&p=149

[N2VENOM]

My pipes were way too loud for my wife and neighbors. I had them modifies at Coast Fabrication in So. Cal. with great results. I'm running a Roush 451ci. Even with the upgrade, ear plugs or head phones are a must if you want to hear in later years.

[Hexnut72]

The stainless mufflers are fairly loud, but not more so than any other. They have a repackable muffler that is a strait through design. I guess you could call it a glass pack but they are much nicer than that. You could open up that canister and do some modification like an auger or something similar.

It is all pretty futile, because if the exhaust does not make you go def, the wind noise will. Ear plugs are a great idea.

[kayakjack]

Originally Posted by RestoCreations

I lost a good bit of hearing in my left ear thanks to my last replicaThanks
Ironman Cobra

Have you considered setting the car up as a roadster? Exhaust out the back of the car. Car sounds great, but my ears still work fine. Even after a lifetime of loud rock and roll music. No need for earplugs.

Jack

[Jamo]

My Kirkham pipes (circa 2003) are louder than hell, but I don't hear anyone complaining about them.

[PatBuckley]

Heh heh....

[RodKnock]

FWIW, I never got to here my original pipes from Kirkham. The shop that installed the engine and tranny in my car recommended they be replaced with another (quieter, but allegedly less restrictive) muffler, thus I never heard my original Kirkham pipes.

[RestoCreations]

Originally Posted by Jamo

My Kirkham pipes (circa 2003) are louder than hell, but I don't hear anyone complaining about them.

LOL! I took a hundred mile trip in my last replica when it had the standard glasspack mufflers and I could not hear for two days afterwards. Just walked around like my father, who has been a drummer his whole life, saying what to everyone. It became very annoying to those i was trying to talk to and myself.
I've tried the classic chambered mufflers before, but they sounded exactly the same to me. I tested the pipes before and after with a radioshack decibel meter and they were the same at all rpms except idle. Slightly quieter at idle to 1200rpm, but the classic chambered pipes were a little longer-2 inches if i remember correctly. Not enough to make a difference.
I think i will give the Car Chemistry inserts a go. Perhaps i will weld in something in the turndowns as well. I figure with a 482 FE aluminum stroker, i can stand to lose a few horses to make the exhaust a little quieter.

[67JET]

I'm with you JAMO! Mine work great because i can't hear my wife yelling stop as i'm leaving the driveway so she can ask me to pick something up while i'm out GOOFING OFF in my little car. LOUD PIPES SAVES LIVES! not hearing.

[PANAVIA]

(insert Undercar rant here )

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by PANAVIA

(insert Undercar rant here )

It's a Cobra not a Prius.

[RestoCreations]

I have sidepipes on a midyear vette and love the sound. However, it is a far different than the side exhaust on a cobra replica, original, or continuation series. Anyway, I want to keep the car with side exhaust. I am not really trying to alter the car from its image in the movie. If i was, the first thing to go would be the meat balls and pipes would be silver ceramic coated.

[car4jim]

My Kirkham is loud, but not crazy loud. I take short runs without ear protection, but these babies will probably damage your hearing in the long run. The wind buffeting can also be uncomfortable. I wear ear plugs as much as possible. It makes for a more comfortable overall driving experience.

[pusherfans]

The stainless has a deeper nicer sound than the steel ones. They Stainless are quieter as well and yet very loud. I wear ear plugs. Neighbors don't like it. I's say most Harleys are louder, but not as deep. They sound great.