Exhaust

[Supertuner700]

What exhaust does everyone buy? Muffler? Has anyone switched over to dual exhaust?

[SoCalCoupe]

Originally Posted by Supertuner700

What exhaust does everyone buy? Muffler? Has anyone switched over to dual exhaust?

Great question!


I've had my car for a year and it has single exhaust with a single muffler that exits with two tail pipes presumably installed by the previous owner just for looks. Not true dual exhaust.


A highly respected and recently deceased member of this forum did lots of dyno work and documented it in a book called "Ford Facts." His name is John W. Lawson. I bought the book on Amazon and read it cover-to-cover. According to his data, headers and dual exhaust make no difference except to sound. Who doesn't like the rumble of dual exhaust, especially from a flathead?


From other experience, I've heard that crossover pipes make a very small positive difference in a dual exhaust system.


That said, with a single exhaust system, I already have the functionality of a crossover pipe so my plan is simply to replace my extremely quiet muffler with a louder muffler.


The expected performance difference is a more pleasing sound but no torque or horsepower gains.

[Ford Freak]

I have MagnaFlo glasspacks on my '37. Love the sound! I got them @ PepBoys. - F F

[47topless]

Forget the muffler, If you want a truly wonderful, full, classic flathead sound, go with headers and straight pipes all the way back. Tweek the sound by reducing the pipes halfway back. Then you'll have something really cool.
If you don't like it, just add a smitty on each side.
Phil

[solidaxle]

You should state what car and engine you have.

[Ggmac]

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Dual straight pipes on 3 of the flatheads . Its not that loud unless getting on it as in passing .
Cant tell anyreal performance increase it just sounds faster .

[RalphG]

I just love the sound of the single straight pipe on my 52 Merc. Sure I'd rather have true duals and glass packs but that involves a lot of expense trying to find headers or the appropriate left exhaust manifold. Nobody has complained its too loud. https://youtu.be/xGpqYee4IDI

[Lawson Cox]

Nothing sounds sweeter and non offensive as a simple gutted muffler on a flathead. I'm VERY old but I could not abide loud exhausts even in my youth.

[Jack E/NJ]

No mufflers. Removable baffle inserts if drone bothers some of your occupants.

[Supertuner700]

So many great answers! Everything I have is loud, so I think I’m going to start by just replacing the muffler with a piece of straight
Pipe and go from there, if too loud I’ll add a muffler

[Zax40]

I bought the complete dual exhaust system with headers from Red's Headers for my '40. It sounds pretty good. Uses Smithy glass packs.

[Tim Ayers]

I have 1.75" headers into '36 drive shafts that dump out right behind the door.

Sounds incredible. It can get loud when to the wood, but even my wife doesn't think it's too loud.

[Supertuner700]

Originally Posted by Zax40

I bought the complete dual exhaust system with headers from Red's Headers for my '40. It sounds pretty good. Uses Smithy glass packs.

What did that run you?

[Ol' Ron]

John Lawsons book goes into detail on this subject. For street use I like the sound of duals and 2ft glass packs with stock headers or cast iron aftermarket headers, However this doesn't increase hp a measurable amount.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I have 1.75" headers into '36 drive shafts that dump out right behind the door.

Sounds incredible. It can get loud when to the wood, but even my wife doesn't think it's too loud.