I think it's a cool idea. I've seen several versions of electric cutouts, but this keeps everything inside the muffler. Too bad the price is so steep. What do you guys think, neat idea, or just a fancy gizmo? http://www.pertronix.com/prod/ex/varaflow/default.aspx
I don't see the point. That wouldn't be a terribly noisy muffler anyway and now they have an on/off baffle to choke it. If it dumped out the side it would be interesting but overly complicated. If it could be adjusted to any increment between open and closed it would actually be tuneable, but on/of is a waste of space and time.
The Vara Flow prototypes are on my Falcon currently. They are NOT a cutout but rather change the exhaust sound by about 8dB, enough to make a difference but not an open header sound. They are perfect for ridding the car of the drone that a loud gl***pack can make when cruising down the highway, but you can make a bit more noise when you get to the cruise spot or show. They can be run in any position between open and closed and there is not a huge power difference between open and closed (although there is a slight difference, but if you were gonna run someone hard, you'd open them anyway, takes about 3 seconds) I also put a set on the "Build A rod" 34 Ford that was put together at the GNRS show this year - sounded good. Patriot says they won't be shipping until the end of May but I plan on using some more sets for a couple of customers.
Yep, will probably sell mostly to the higher end Street Rod crowd ~ the dreaded "Gold Chainers" LOL I do have a thousand miles or so on the protors now with no descerible sound deterioration, but I realize that's not a lot of miles. I also know the packing material is not the loose gl*** material that is shown in the cut a way but a hard ceramic made in Italy.
My gut says gimick. A rehash of a recurring gimick at that. I also don't trust the gizmos that make it work.
8db change is almost no change at all. If you want mild to wild on the cheep, go with 08, 09 corvette Bi-mode mufflers. The take off's are cheap and the db change is well worth the small effort. There known as NPP, 2 1/2 in. or Z06, 3 in. They have va*** controlled actuaters that can be controled if you want.
$360 each? Too rich for my blood but if it lets you get rid of some drone on the freeway that would be pretty neat. Not directly related but a friend of mine has similar ****erfly valve controlled motorized cutouts. They work O.K. but never close 100% like the ones that have a metal door sliding into placae do.
I have done some more testing for Patriot on these and there is a bit ore dB change than originally reported. AND 8 dB is VERY noticeable by the way. 302" Ford falcon (New Patriot Vara Flow Mufflers) Idle, 600 rpm 4500 rpm Closed Position 87dB 100dB Open Position 92dB 118dB Reference; Normal Conversation 60-65dB Busy Street Corner 70-75dB I Pod at Max volume 100dB Front row of a Rock Concert 100dB (125dB if it's The Who) Threshold of Pain 125dB INSTANT Perforation of the ear drum 160dB Normal Human Perception is a 10dB difference is Twice as loud while 20dB increase id Four Times Louder
I will never purchase a muffler with a bearing involved. I hear those things are a real ***** to find. along with early volkswagen beetle radiator caps, and oil filters. I heard they were all made in the same building the germans bombed in Pearl Harbor.
Bearing, bushing...either way. You will not get me in a position where I potentially have to ask for one.
At pep Boys they are right next to the Johnson Rods over by the Carburetor Percolators and Kuhneutson Valves. Always good to have in case you run out of Blinker Juice
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