Muffler shopping--LOBAKS, blank shells, etc.?

Mike Braddock · #1 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002, 09:13 AM

We're still searching for the parts to build our headers and sidepipes for the 351C in our old EM frame. Seems to be a lot of discussion lately about sidepipes

. Anyway, we're trying to figure out what mufflers we want to go with and on EM's suggestion we're looking at the LOBAK brand which have an augger style insert like the following picture shows:

We desire a muffler that isn't going to get louder as we put miles on the car and we want one that doesn't quiet the car down too much. The current mufflers on the car have about a 3" pipe with baffles stamped into them and I assume there is packing of some sort between this 3" pipe and the 4" outer casing which dampens the sound pulsations.

We've decided on 3-1/2" inlets and outlets on the muffler and an overall length of 24". We will use 'turnouts' that turn a full 60 degrees instead of being cut off almost parallel the the sidepipe centerline like most of the turnouts we've seen. We are going to build the headers with 1-7/8" starter tubes that lead to 1-3/4" primaries and finally 1-7/8" primaries that lead into the collectors.

Has anyone used these LOBAK style mufflers? I've been told that they are a little louder than regular 'glasspack' style mufflers that are pretty standard on most sidepipes, but the difference is mainly noticeable around idle. They are available with either a 5/8" straight through pipe, or 1", with the 1" being obviously less restrictive and louder. Approx. 20% of the exhaust flows straight through this middle tube while the other 80% flows around the spiral.

Does anyone know where I can buy a 4" OD muffler shell--a canister that is emply as far as baffles or inserts? My idea is to buy one (or make one) that also uses a 3-1/2" inlet and outlet. Then I could weld a 3-1/2" tube all the way through and use a pair of the Car Chemistry inserts that I've heard pretty good things about. I would make the turnout bold on so I could easily add or remove the inserts to adjust the backpressure. If I can't buy a blank shell I think it would be pretty easy to make out of two pieces of 3-1/2" and 4" tubing. I just have to figure out how to form the end cones that neck down from the 4" to the 3-1/2" OD.

Thanks for any ideas and advice you might be able to offer.

Mike

Rick Parker · #2 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002, 11:54 AM

Mike: This topic regarding lobacks vs glasspacks vs?? has been discussed at length previously. Suggest doing a search on this topic. I was using lobacks but my observation was that there was extensive "bluing" of the 3" tube prior to the first baffle. After reading and rereading all the feedback on the subject I decided to use the mufflers from Arizona Muffler (do a search also). All feedback indicated good quality (I concure) relatively inexpensive, and minimal backpressure and good sound. My main reason for change was that the heat buildup was observed during startups after fitament. It was also apparant that the "bark" was not going to be acceptable, and I like loud exaust notes. the lobacks have a very hollow.

..........Rick

Mike Braddock · #3 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002, 12:16 PM

Thanks Rick. You would think I would know how to do a search by now

.

My question still stands about the muffler blanks though

Mike

Mike Braddock · #4 (**permalink**) 08-15-2002, 01:16 PM

Okay, now after reading about 10 threads about mufflers

I plan to call Lucien Donafro the owner of Arizona Exhast (602-415-9737) and speak with him about buying a pair of muffler shells inside which I can put either CC inserts or a 3 or 3-1/2" perforated tube or baffle... Thanks Ed for the contact information on all of those other threads!

Mike

Jack21 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-18-2002, 01:09 PM

Do a search under Classic Roadsters muffler replacement.

Had an opportunity to listen to and talk to the owner of a pair of Luciens 30"x4"x3" on a 302. A tad on the loud side. Expected with less than 1/2" packing between core and case.

Used 30"x 4"x2 1/2" glasspacks from pagemufflers.com (also in Arizona). Mellow idle, mellow cruise, loud when you get on it.

Have another set for winter use with top on. 36"x4"x2 1/4". Can carry on a conversation in car with these.

BT SNAKE · #6 (**permalink**) 08-18-2002, 10:22 PM

I have Lucian's mufflers on my car. They are by far the best set I have ever had. They are stainless and sound soooo sweet.
Lucian is a very good friend of mine. He really works hard to make sure his pipes are right. The man actually worked for Carroll Shelby in the 60s. He's a spry 78yrs and I would have a hard time keeping up with him. Somehow he has figured out the best of both worlds between sound and flow. I know of no one that has a complaint about his mufflers. He makes his own inserts on a machine that he fabricated. I think the secret to these mufflers are these self made inserts.

Hersh

750hp · #7 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 04:35 AM

I agree with Hersh about the sound quality of his car - a nice deep, strong exhaust note at idle - and you can still have a conversation at 80mph!!!

A friend over here has the LOBAK style muffler in his 3.5" system. He has a 13:1 compression, 500 cube motor and it is LOUD at idle. It's so loud that I seriously have to watch my tacho to verify that my own big block car is actually running when we're side by side at traffic lights. To stand near the exhaust is quite uncomfortable. That style of muffler really needs airflow before they start working. I have a video of our cars racing each other at the dragstrip - at the startline you literally cannot hear my car over his. As soon as we accelerate away, my Dynomax Race Magnums start bellowing while his LOBAKs go eerily silent....

Mike Braddock · #8 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 07:27 AM

Hersh,

Thanks for the info. How did you attach the stainless mufflers? Do you have any pics of your sidepipes? Thanks.

Craig,

Thanks for the heads up about the lobaks. I'm going to call Lucien this week about getting a pair of his mufflers.

Mike

BT SNAKE · #9 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 07:46 AM

Mike,
I cut my old muffler off at the collecter. Before I did that I marked the locations for reference with a small punch so that I would know where to reattach the new muffler and end pipe. I then had them welded together and finallly ceramic coated.

Hersh

PS....I have some pictures but I don't know how to post them on the tthread. Send me your E-mail address and I will send them to you. WWW.hobcobra@msn.com

Mike Braddock · #10 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 08:09 AM

Hersh,

Thanks. My email is braddock@mfg-labs.com . I would really like to see the photos. If I may ask, why did you get the mufflers in stainless if you were intending to have them ceramic coated? Thanks again Hersh!

Mike

BT SNAKE · #11 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 09:14 AM

Mike ,
I will send the pictures tonight . I don't have them with me at the this time.
My side pipes are not stainless but the new mufflers are, so when I welded them on I had to have them coated to look the same. Sometimes moisture collects in the muffler and lays in the bottom of it causing corrosion. I felt that the stainless was the way to go. Besides, I really like the way they look when they are coated and the extra heat reduction doen't hurt either.

Hersh

Jack21 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 05:04 PM

Drill a 1/16" hole at the low point in the muffler (any muffler, any car), and water won't collect and rust your muffler.

Don · #13 (**permalink**) 08-19-2002, 05:45 PM

" Recently modified my side pipes for the 2nd time after having removed the factory Classics Roadster pipes. 1st set was extremely loud, very loud, using an " open chamber " muffler, or basically a case only.

The most recent set-up uses a muffler from Arizona Exhaust. My request to Lucien was for a muffler as quiet as possible without using reverse baffles, or baffles of any type. Prior to the muffler, installed is the Car Chemistry 3 disc set-up. Did not use either of the two end cap alternatives which go on the center pipe of the discs.

As a general statement, the db varies from a low of 74 to a high of 82/84 depending upon distance, at idle, cruising speed, or accelerating.

Very pleased with the results and the system as described is quiet. However, there must be a performance compromise, but the reduced db was the prime objective."

Second time doing business with Lucien at Arizona Exhaust, excellent vendor.......give him a call