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LX 308 Exhaust system advice

Started by _Mondie_ , Apr 07 2006 09:50 PM

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#1 _Mondie_

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Posted 07 April 2006 - 09:50 PM

l would like some advice from the LH/X gurus on how to modify my LX's exhaust system so that it has a nice deep but not too loud note. The system on the car is fairly new and consists of standard 308 headers feeding into twin 2.5" pipes right through with a balance pipe. It sounds shite, has a very hollow note that l dont find at all satisfying. l suspect the mufflers are to blame but perhaps its more to do with the diameter.

A well regarded mechanic has recommended Redback mufflers for a nice note and good flow. Should l consider a change of mufflers, a change in exhaust diameter just from the mufflers back to something smaller, or both? l am not bothered about taking the car back to the original 1-7/8" (?) pea shooters so my preffered option is to keep the system as is and just put in some decent mufflers.

Any advice would be appreciated on what you would do and what mufflers would be best :spoton:

Simon

Edited by Mondie, 07 April 2006 - 09:51 PM.

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#2 LS1LX

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Posted 07 April 2006 - 09:58 PM

On a stock 308 Id be running dual 2" or 2 1/4", i think the 2.5" is a touch too big for a stock-mild 308. Id suspect the large pipe size is causing most of your problems, but shite mufflers dont help.

Get some good mufflers and maybe some short resonators/hotdogs too cut out drone.

I put some Borla mufflers on mine, cost a motsa but sound is fantastic and different as nobody stocks Borla's in Oz I had to have something different to give my car a different sound.

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#3 _Mondie_

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Posted 07 April 2006 - 10:03 PM

Thanks for the reply.

l should have mentioned that the engine is not stock, l dont know exactly whats been done but it has a fairly lumpy cam, higher compression for sure. Very tourquey. has stock heads and carb, not sure if the heads have been worked on.

The current exhaust doesn't really drone, it just doesnt sound good. Am hoping l can get out of this without replacing the whole system as it looks very new. l have never heard of Borla mufflers, did you import them yourself? How many kidneys did that set you back :huh:

Cheers

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#4 _ultrabluea9x_

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 12:53 AM

i have borla,s on my 94 vette and they sound great,
ps,,,, it is coming on the market 4 sale ,when i get some pics i will upload and maybee some one out in torana land might want one or know of somebody that might want one .cheers Glenn

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#5 _MRNOS_

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 07:29 AM

On my old chev powered LH i had Magnaflow mufflers, really nice sounding!!! Or USA made hooker mufflers

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#6 mr5000

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 09:23 AM

yeah the old redback mufflers arent to bad i scored one from work sitting in the garage the bloke at the exhaust joint nextdoor to our work swears by pacemakers

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#7 _Mondie_

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 10:09 AM

So do you all think l should retain the 2-1/2" system and just change mufflers? What do all the other 308 owners on here run diameter wise?

Thanks all :spoton:

Edited by Mondie, 08 April 2006 - 10:10 AM.

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#8 MRLXSS

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 01:44 PM

i think you should keep the system and juyst change the mufflers, im not sure wat mufflers are on my car, but i got twin 2.1/4 with a balancer.. i really love the sound of my car, its not too loud at idle, but when i put my foot down its roars! My Car is the best sounding car among all of my mates! they just love my car!

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#9 Guns n roses

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Posted 08 April 2006 - 02:58 PM

yes very nice exhaust matt!

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#10 LXCHEV

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 12:15 AM

Hmmm interesting topic.

NOSLH - those Magnaflow mufflers you mentioned - are they a straight-through, or triple-flow type muffler??? And what about the Hooker mufflers??

I too want to change mufflers on my 383 Chev's system. It's got a twin 2.5" straight-through system on it (mufflers are nothing fancy, but they're straight through with an interference chamber in the middle, can't remember what brand they are). I hate my exhuast note when I hit the pedal - it 'barks' really loudly, and has a poppy kind of note. Surely if I went back to a triple flow type muffler I wouldn't sacrifice too much power and I'm hoping it may improve the note??? I prefer nice deep, rumbly exhaust notes.

My old 4-into-1s, with twin 3" straight-through system that dumped at the diff, now that was a sweet note!!! Now that I have Tri-Y's again, it's bought back this "thongy-flappy" note.

Edited by LXCHEV, 10 April 2006 - 12:15 AM.

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#11 _MRNOS_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 07:13 AM

LXCHEV-the magnaflow mufflers are straight through, and if you get the right 1's so are the hooker mufflers, on my old chev engine with the magnaflows it also had dump pipes at the diff, 4-1's and twin 3inch mandrell bent exhaust-the sound with the big solid cam.....unbelievable!!!!

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#12 LS1LX

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 08:49 AM

Magnaflows are pretty good and fairly reasonably priced if you buy direct from the wholesaler.

Id be scrapping Hookers off the list though, very cheap looking built muffler.

Lukey mufflers look pretty good as well and there a local company.

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#13 _Loki_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 10:12 AM

My old 4-into-1s, with twin 3" straight-through system that dumped at the diff, now that was a sweet note!!! Now that I have Tri-Y's again, it's bought back this "thongy-flappy" note.

Are you running a Balance/X-Pipe on that dual setup?
Thong Slapping seems to usually be a culprit of a missing balancer.

Tri-Y's, 2.25 dual and simple Balance pipe on my 314 has no thong slapping.

Edited by Loki, 10 April 2006 - 10:12 AM.

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#14 Tiny

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 10:44 AM

Mondie: Maybe you could consider going for a 2-1/4" tailpipe to create a little restriction, that may help the note a bit. you could then play with exhaust tips to tailor the sound a little more maybe?

I'm running twin 2.5" system with X pipe and single stright through muffler each side, and i reckon mine sounds not TOO bad... it does have a bit of that thong slappy sound that i'm not too fond of and i would like more bass ( same as LXCHEV was saying! ) but i'm not worried enough to go do anything about it at this stage!

One thing i noticed was when i had the tailpipes off.. the bass note was incredible. I belive that the angle/size of the exhaust outlet ( read: Fully Siiik Tip Bro) makes a big difference to the overall sound of the exhaust!

Cheers

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#15 _Joanne_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 11:21 AM

Mondie: Maybe you could consider going for a 2-1/4" tailpipe to create a little restriction, that may help the note a bit. you could then play with exhaust tips to tailor the sound a little more maybe?

One thing i noticed was when i had the tailpipes off.. the bass note was incredible. I belive that the angle/size of the exhaust outlet ( read: Fully Siiik Tip Bro) makes a big difference to the overall sound of the exhaust!

Cheers

I just got my exhaust done on Friday for my 308 lx.. I got dual 2 1/4 inch pipes from the extrators back through to the tail pipes, balance pipe, (mandrel bend all the way), and high flow mufflers & i think it sounds awesome!

i had been driving around previously with 1 x 2inch pipe which was cut off before the diff with no muffler & it sounded shocking! it literally sounded like i was driving a tractor!!!

I agree with Tiny - i had to take the tailpipes off yesterday (ive got 2 flanges before the diff) as i had to take the centre out of my diff & it sounds even louder & better with the tailpipes off!! i couldnt believe how much beefier it sounded..

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#16 _MAWLER_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 01:28 PM

I've heard good things about the magnaflow, because of their acoustics they are supposed to be able to give a good flow without to high a db, was recommended to me for trying to keep a high HP car legal in the noise department.

I'm not sure what produces the big deep sound LXCHEV and how much of it can be attributed to the mufflers, but I wouldn't be changing back to a triple flow, it will block your's straight up I reckon. My understanding is that mucking around with the collector size/lengths etc. might have an influence, possibly in connection with a different muffler you might see improvements.

Mine sounds way more crackly than yours, its heaps lower than it used to be, but I don't think I'll be able to get away from the crack, just the nature of a worked 308?

Cheers,

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#17 LXCHEV

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 01:34 PM

Loki - Yes I am currently running a balance-pipe, although the guy who built this system actually did it quite strangely - the balance pipe is quite long and it bends around in a big arc as opposed to just being a nice straight join. In addition - the arc is actually backwards if you can follow what I'm trying to say. I should post a photo. Either way, I'm not sure if it's having an effect on the note or not.... if I had money to throw away I'd start playing with different mufflers, but that won't be happening for a long time!

Damn exhaust systems, I never seem to win with them!! Next time I hear an ace sounding system, I'm just gonna have to go up and ask them about their system!!!

Cheers.

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#18 LXCHEV

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 01:36 PM

Hmm interesting Liam - I need to come and listen to your system sometime to see what it sounds like, I haven't heard it since you had it all re-done. I wonder if Les used the same mufflers on both our cars???

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#19 _J&S Racing_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 05:22 PM

Brett, youv'e heard my system when i passed you on that cruise (can't remember what cruise it was) that was with a full system, Pacemakers, 2 1/2 straight through the mufflers and out the back, a couple of weeks ago i took the tail pipes off and now it's very deep it's awesome, when it's at idle it has a deep rumble vibration noise i love it. I might add it's only a weekender other wise the tail pipes would be going back on lol. Now i'm not sure what mufflers are on it but i can find out, oh and it's a 308 worked....... just a little!!!!

Edited by J&S Racing, 10 April 2006 - 05:23 PM.

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#20 _EXLXSL_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 06:13 PM

Stroked 308 (supposed to be 355 but hasn't been checked) cheap brand mid range cam, 700dp Holley, unknown brand dual plane inlet manifold.

I have an unknown set of triY extractors, balanced 2.5 twin with Redback mufflers. Has a very deep bassy sound that I feel is a little loud but everyone else reckons is OK.

Oh almost forgot - is dumped before the diff - illegal - yes.

If you are still running the original cast exhaust manifolds it will sound different. Fitting extractors will surprise you by how the engine sounds but that also depends on if you want the total standard look or begin to modify.

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#21 _Mondie_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 08:01 PM

Cheers for all the advice :spoton:

l will get to the exhaust shop this week and see what makes of muffs they have and what they recommend. Tiny you may be right, l may need to go back to 2-1/4" as the hollow noise is probably due to the large diameter (as well as the mufflers)

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#22 Tiny

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 10:16 PM

Just a thought mate! and i'd do it only on the tail pipe section as leaving the larger pipe SHOULD ( you watch.. i'll get shot down by a specialist here..) allow the gasses to get clear of the collectors faster too.

Cheers mate (By the way.. thats what was reccomended to me by my exhaust guy :spoton:

)

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#23 _ultrabluea9x_

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Posted 10 April 2006 - 10:45 PM

i think you defineately need the system that i have on ultrablue,no fuss no shit just a full on race system,mind you the epa would have a field day with it,but who gives a shit its a weekender,a few guys i think will back me up up,,Tiny 830hp.yirriss just to name a few seriously though it personal and it,s what you want,good luck with it,simon cheers glenn,

ps i will probally take it to calder on sunday or monday let me know when you guys are going and we shall see,

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#24 WhiteA9XS

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Posted 11 April 2006 - 01:22 AM

jesus glenn , mondie would never pass his roadworthy with a system like yours

and i reckon your neighbours love you !!!!!!

i think what tiny says makes sense and wouldnt cost the world