Side pipes

[rblong]

I am the new proud owner of a LS427 w/428CJ engine. It has a beautiful set of open ceramic headers and open non baffled/muffled side pipes. Needless to say when I light it up it is a little noticeable to anyone ANYWHERE in our little town! I don't mind the beautiful sound, but am concerned the local law enforcement will be able to search me out. The side pipes bolt to the headers via a flange. Who makes some baffled side pipes that might fit, or is there anything anyone can advise me I might be able to do to the open ones to dampen them some?

After just one day of driving the beast, I now understand the passion.

Bruce

[Tim Brewer]

Bruce,
You'll find out real fast that every time you drive your car it WILL get louder and louder as it blows the glass out of those 10$ glasspacks. I had the same setup. Your headers should be 2" pipes and your sidepipes should be the same size. But most Lonestars' sidepipes are only 1 3/4" and it chokes your engine quite a bit. I installed a set of 2" sidepipes from finishline after having them ceramic coated. Instead of glass packs, they have an auger type muffler that dosn't blow out and is a little quieter. Also, the turnouts of your pipes are probably 3", the ones from Finishline are 3 1/2". You're not too far from me, if you like give me a call and you can check them out .
Tim 972-489-6376

[RedBarchetta]

Bruce,

First of all, congrats on your new ride!

There are MANY options for either quieting (or loudening) these exhaust systems. I recently did a lot of research on all the options and actually picked up more valid information over on the Factory Five forum (do a google search for the URL).

There are diffuser cones available that can be either tack welded or bolted inside the sidepipe (either at the collector or at the tailpipe/exit). There are also other "devices" that can be inserted into the pipe to reduce decibels. Some options just require varying amounts of surgery, which equals $$.

For me I'm actually going the opposite route of you. I just placed an order this morning through Jeg's for a pair of Dynomax racing bullet mufflers. I'm going to have them welded in place of the factory glass packs on my Superformance. It's definitely going to cost me more to increase the exhaust note versus quieting it down.

Good luck on your choice and let us know how it worked out!

-Deano

[rblong]

Tim, Deano - thanks for the replies. I have only had car for a few days and am still disecting all the equipment it has. I believe the side pipes have nothing in them - no glass packs, no baffles - nothing. This is what the previous owner told me. I may be wrong am will start gathering information. I have built rods before but it has been a couple of years and have alway done GM products, so the Ford based Cobra will be a great learning experience.

Tim, as I get farther into this I may call you, since in deed we are very close to each other.

I also don't know anything about the Currie rearend, Tremek TKO rearend, adjustable shocks etc. I have asked Lone Star for any information they may have but they have not gotten back to me.

Bruce

[RedBarchetta]

Bruce, you are not alone. I'm a Chevy guy learning Ford, too. You should have seen me the first time I pulled the distributor cap and plug wires....I was taking notes on firing order like a college freshman!

[rblong]

It's a ball though itsn't it!!!

[rblong]

Tim, Your correct about the size of my pipes. 1 3/4 " tubes, 4 " side pipes with 3" turndowns - and there ain't nothin in them but air - no baffles - no nothin!

[rblong]

Deano, Who sells some of these aftermarket baffles and such. I am not sure I want to use them, but I figure I ought to look at all options. I know it does not have to do with a Cobra, but I have a set of straight pipes from Supertrapp on my Harley with adjustable baffle plates that work real well. You can go from basically no restriction to as much as you want in minutes. If someone built the same thing for some side pipes it would be nice.

[RedBarchetta]

Originally posted by rblong


Deano, Who sells some of these aftermarket baffles and such. I am not sure I want to use them, but I figure I ought to look at all options.

A good place to start is any online parts house like Jegs (www.jegs.com) or Summit Racing. They stock thousands of parts. Beyond that, any Google search for "exhaust diffuser" "auto header parts" ought to get you close.

Here's one made by Vortex:
http://www.behrents.com/Merchant2/4....nsert-mufflers

[rblong]

Deano - than you very much. I hate to bother people, but I feel like an infant at this point. As I learn I will try to help other "Noobies".

Bruce

[BMK]

Guys with ther exhaust diffusers...



If you placed one on each side would they be up prior to the muffler or at the end??

Would you consider having one each end?? Two per side.



Bernie

[rblong]

From what I have found so far, there are types that go where the collector meets the side pipe flange, and types that go into the turn down at the end of the side pipes, so yes you would have one at each side, wether you could put two per side I do not know. I also have not had a chance to contact the manufacturers to get a better explanation of installation, but I am liking the cone inserts in the turndown that Dynotech offers - the Vortex insert cone is what Deano listed it as. It looks simple to install and remove by the pics, but I do not know yet how they attach. More investigation is needed.

If anyone has used the cne inserts I would like to know.

Bruce

[RedBarchetta]

Bruce, I saw one install where the cone was attached with a bolt through the body side of the turndown/exit. It was on the FFR forum and the guy simply pushed the cone into the end of the pipe and ran one bolt horizontal from the body side into the pipe itself. Sounds messy but it looked pretty clean. Of course, this would require removal of the pipe and drilling a hole into it. Maybe a muffler shop could look at your set-up and tack weld them in?

If my new set-up (DynoMax bullet racing mufflers) end up getting me in trouble someday, I may end up having to use a similar set of cones to avoid fix-it tickets.

[BMK]

rblong.....RedBarchetta



Thanks for the information there. I am considering placing one in per side. They are available here from our Speedway suppliers but in just steel not stainless.

I may just push one in the end and measure/see the difference.

Bernie

[Curt C.]

For what it is worth, I inserted a Vortex cone at the turn out and it really did not do a whole lot. In order to be effective, they need to be close to the collector.

[rblong]

Ok, I have just about decided on having another set of side pipes made with baffles. Would not take long to change out, and then I would be LOUD when I wanted and quiet when needed. Does anyone know a shop in the DFW area of Texas that builds side pipes for cobras?

Bruce