Are the "Cherry Bomb" brand gl***pack mufflers still being made & where do ya get 'em? I've tried searching (Google, Dogpile), but can't seem to find anything. I have found the turbo style in their brand, though. And, anyone know where to find a sound clip of a pair of Smithy's mufflers? Preferably through a SBC. Thanx
I run cherry bombs on 3 cars; hot flatty, warm 292 Y Block and a warm 396 Chebby. The note is INTENSE on the 396 and real nice on the others. Try searching for "Thrush". My 50-60's era experience with Smithys is they sounded great when new but burnt out fast and the sound got harsh. Used to collect tickets at a regular rate with them. Havent used them since; are they still the same?
My cherry Bombs came right off the shelf at Pep Boys for under $20 a pop. You just gotta get through the schpiel..."what make, year, motor size, a/c or no a/c)
i have some smithy's on my nova, really not that impressed, it also appears that they are very restrictive for flow (Eating up hp) they are also really quiet, unless you hammer hard then they sound ok. if i wanted to be quiet i would go with a proper muffler and not loose the HP. Also the hammertone finnish on the smithy's burned off kinda quick... I think i prefer the sound of cherry bombs, but would like to hear some thrushes first.
Im runnin the smittys in my car with a sbc and they sound great.. Ive used cherry bombs and wasnt to impressed with em......
Thanx for all the input. I've heard clips of Cherry Bombs & love the way they sounded. But if you look up "cherry bomb", not much shows up of where to buy them. We got an O'Reillys here locally- I'll ask them next chance I get. I remembered Pep Boys having 'em back in the late '80s, so I can check there next time I'm in Corpus Christi since it sounds like they still carry them. I honestly didn't know if they were still produced. Smithy's are 2" in & out only & that has always bothered me a little. Now after hearing what's been said about 'em in this thread, I think I may steer clear of them. But I'd still like to hear their sound.
Check on Ebay if you can't find them locally. I've seen them on there. I also bought a set of 25 year old NOS Thrush Turbo 400's for my 70's Plymouth from the 'bay.
I run Smitty's on my 50 pickup with a 350. They have a great sound to them. I will say this though. People will know you are coming long before they see you!
Haha, I had a screaming baby on my arm when I wrote my first response, so please allow me to elaborate further on the Brockmans.... 1) They sound perfect. 2) Call up Brockman and he will custom make a set to your engine hp and desired sound. 3) Brockman can do any size in and out, gl*** or steel packing, any length or diameter. 4) They're still around $50/pair. Ed!
I had cherry bombs on my 52 till about a year ago, then put Smiffys on. I really like the way they sound, but I can guarantee that most people on the HAMB would disagree. They don't rap much at all, and they are noticeably quieter than the cherry bombs were... but they have aa sound that's mellow, yet performance-sounding "growl".... I've described it before as being that Smiffys are more Louis Armstrong and cherry bombs are more like James Brown... if that makes any sense???
Brock is the MAN! He actually makes them in a small shop. He's a real custom guy, as well, give him your business! He will also make them with NO packing if you want them a bit louder. He makes them in any length you want, as well, longer = quieter, but still with a great "rumble". Usually bigger engines, and serious horsepower enginges need the longer ones to tame the sound. But a stock small block, with very short steeies, will sound great. BTW, back in the 70's, mufflers like Cherry Bombs, and Thrush were considered jokes, a super cheap alternative to doing things right! Loud does not equal High Performance!
Mark, What size / packing are the muffs behind the 318 Poly? I want my truck to sound exactly like that! Ed
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