Muffler Swap

[FordNut]

I've been running Edelbrock Performer RPM mufflers for a long time. They sound good, but I've decided the car is too loud (actually the wife's nag,nag,naging about the loud exhaust) so I did some research on muffler sound/performance comparisons. Ratings for quieter performance mufflers said the Borla XS were quieter so I figured I would try them out. Then I found out the XS are a lot shorter than the Edelbrocks and stock Marauder mufflers so I got the Turbo XL instead. Longer mufflers are supposed to be quieter than short ones anyway, so I figured this would be even better. Downside is they are a lot more expensive. The Turbo XS and Turbo XL are high end consumer grade, the XS Pro is physically the same as the Turbo XS but it is commercial grade and about 1/2 the price of the Turbos.

With both sets laying on the floor, a couple of things are apparent. The case on the Borla is a lot thicker, they feel and sound solid when you tap on them while the Edelbrocks have a thinner case and it has a kind of echo sound when you tap on it. The Borlas are also heavier due to thicker metal. Both are stainless, but the finish on the Borlas is highly polished while the Edelbrocks are more of a satin finish (I think one is 300 series SS while the other is 400). The inside baffle construction is also different, the Borlas are a straight-thru pipe with perforated lining and metallic packing similar to glasspacks, while the Edelbrocks are hybrid, with perforated lining formed into chambers with ceramic packing between the lining and the case.

Right now, the Borlas are test-fitted with band clamps holding the system together while I wait for some more parts, but initial impression is good. The sound out the exhaust is deeper and more throaty, inside the car is quieter. This is just a test with the car still on the jack stands, but so far I think it has achieved the desired result.

[DEFYANT]

Interesting. Thanks for posting. I am considering some changes in the future so this comes at the right time...

[ctrlraven]

Aero Turbine AT2525 mufflers or nothing! :lol:

[FordNut]

Aero Turbine AT2525 mufflers or nothing! :lol:

Ain't that the same thing?

[RR|Suki]

Ain't that the same thing?

true statement

[ctrlraven]

Ain't that the same thing?
Nothing isn't as cool or sounds better than Aeros. :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDTTOa77efs
iDTTOa77efs

[babbage]

Wait until it's under load to know how quiet they'll really be. How long are they?

Sounds like a good setup. If those aren't quiet enough try the Dynomax Superturbos - (about $70 each)

[FordNut]

A little delay... Got the rest of my parts yesterday, I was out there working on it today and a band clamp got me. Had to quit so I could go get some stitches.

[martyo]

Let your wife ride in my car.

She will never complain about your car again.

Ever.

[FordNut]

Good idea, but since we've got another one she always says "let's take mine". I'm hoping if I make it a little more pleasant for her we'll use mine more often 'cause it's more fun for me.

[dohc324ci]

Aero Turbine AT2525 mufflers or nothing! :lol:

I disagree:D Corsa db Black Series!!!
Corsa db Black - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0OQ0nVz_CM


A little delay... Got the rest of my parts yesterday, I was out there working on it today and a band clamp got me. Had to quit so I could go get some stitches.

Ouch!


Let your wife ride in my car.

She will never complain about your car again.

Ever.

lol....this might actually work?


Good idea, but since we've got another one she always says "let's take mine". I'm hoping if I make it a little more pleasant for her we'll use mine more often 'cause it's more fun for me.

I know all about the belly aching that's why I left the resonators on JUST IN CASE. I believe it would be obnoxiously loud without them. Post up some vids/pics if you can?

:beer:

[Blackened300a]

I have cherry bomb vortex mufflers. They sound great, but once I deleted the rear cats, they sound scary and obnoxiously loud. I already scared a few little kids and a old lady had a look of fright when I started the car.

[babbage]

A little delay... Got the rest of my parts yesterday, I was out there working on it today and a band clamp got me. Had to quit so I could go get some stitches.

Ouch - it was basically tight and then -- pow flew off?

Yeah, yeah on the stiches, did you get a new clamp? :D
Post up a pic of those stainless Borlas!

[FordNut]

It's a step-type clamp, I was stretching it out and it slipped. Them edges are sharp-went right to the bone. Only took 3 stitches. Doc said to keep them clean and don't rip them out. I said I would try.

I'll shoot some pics tomorrow.

[boatmangc]

I had the Turbo XL Borlas on my Mark 8
I thought they sounded great.
Nice low rumble, good growl under WOT.
I have a video clip of them somewhere.

[babbage]

It's a step-type clamp, I was stretching it out and it slipped. Them edges are sharp-went right to the bone. Only took 3 stitches. Doc said to keep them clean and don't rip them out. I said I would try.

I'll shoot some pics tomorrow.

Ouch sucks. Did it get your hand/finger? Makes wearing ring-mail armor seem plausible eh? ;) My last MM injury was having my hand slip off the socket wrench on the 18mm nut on my lower CA, hit the brake caliper, nail turned totally black and eventually came off.

I was wearing my weston mechanic gloves but they don't work too well against a hammer like dead blow. :censor:

[FordNut]

Didn't get any pics yet. Got one side pretty much done today, the other side ought to go a little quicker now that I've figured out how to go about it.

[FordNut]

Ouch sucks. Did it get your hand/finger? Makes wearing ring-mail armor seem plausible eh? ;) My last MM injury was having my hand slip off the socket wrench on the 18mm nut on my lower CA, hit the brake caliper, nail turned totally black and eventually came off.

I was wearing my weston mechanic gloves but they don't work too well against a hammer like dead blow. :censor:

It's right there....

Not really all that serious, but if I skipped the stitches it would keep getting ripped open and bleeding everywhere.

[FordNut]

Got everything fitted and band clamps tightened down, just gotta take it to have the hangers welded to the mufflers tomorrow. Fired it up with everything connected and sealed, it's eerily quiet.

[Krytin]

I have cherry bomb vortex mufflers. They sound great, but once I deleted the rear cats, they sound scary and obnoxiously loud. I already scared a few little kids and a old lady had a look of fright when I started the car.

"....and when I gun the motor, I want it to sound like the world is coming to it's end." Doh!!

[babbage]

Got everything fitted and band clamps tightened down, just gotta take it to have the hangers welded to the mufflers tomorrow. Fired it up with everything connected and sealed, it's eerily quiet.


Nice! So it's a dramatic improvement in quietness over the last ones that were on there -- How are they driving? pics? What is the overall length and pipe diameter.

[FordNut]

The pipe diameter is 2.5" ID so they slip over the 2.5" OD pipes I have. I used #40665, case size 19"x4"x9.5"

http://www.borla.com/products/product_multi_detail.aspx?cat= 2&type=80

[FordNut]

Welding done. They sound even better on the road than I had imagined. Stomp it and it sounds off, but not obnoxious. Can't keep it in the throttle too long 'cause it gets sideways, but you can certainly hear the blower over the exhaust. While it was on the rack they found my oil leak, I thought it was the oil pan but it appears to be higher, most likely the valve cover.

[twin03]

Aero Turbine AT2525 mufflers or nothing! :lol:
Second this statement...I love my Aero Mufflers.:D:D

[FordNut]

Y'all go ahead and make your obnoxious noise, I'll just blow on by nice and quiet!

[babbage]

Y'all go ahead and make your obnoxious noise, I'll just blow on by nice and quiet!


+1 - I'm done with loud, plus I get enough sound from the K&N CAI. Looks great Brian. Nice X mid pipe too - is that a custom fab part? Your car looks very clean underneath.

[babbage]

OTA pipes are 2.5" -- are those MBS pipes?

Those muffs look nice - when mine blow-out or rust - I may try those Borla Turbo XLs

[FordNut]

+1 - I'm done with loud, plus I get enough sound from the K&N CAI. Looks great Brian. Nice X mid pipe too - is that a custom fab part? Your car looks very clean underneath.
I hear ya, too much unwanted attention.
Mid pipe is custom, built with a Bassani X pipe and 2.5" stainless pipes.
Thanks for the compliment, one reason it's clean is I hit it with Castrol Super Clean and a hotsy after it blew the transmission and sprayed tranny fluid all over the underside of the car.


OTA pipes are 2.5" -- are those MBS pipes?

Those muffs look nice - when mine blow-out or rust - I may try those Borla Turbo XLs

The last muffler shop that worked on the car hosed up my tailpipes where they welded them to the outlets of the mufflers. So I had to cut them off, then get 2.5" mandrel bent stainess 90 degree pipes to adapt between the muffler outlets and the stock 2.25" tailpipes.

[babbage]

Coolness, well good job. You did it right. Are you going to the drags before the year ends, perhaps someone could get a vid of how it sounds.

[FordNut]

Going to SSHS10, but not racing. Can't risk breakage, no money to fix it.