I'm lookin to make a set of baffels for my lake headers and elimate the rest of the exhaust system. Just lookin for a little feed back from others that have this set up on a closed cab car or truck. Whats the noise level like and any issues with exhaust fumes? I know its a hot rod and it should look and sound like one....
I've done it a few times as requested by clients. It's cool for about the first half block. I think every one was changed to something else in the first month or so. It's kind of like a gear drive. Wears thin real quick. Yes it is pretty loud. You do get exhaust fumes when you're stopped at a light or in traffic. Also illegal in Pa. and one of the things they will write you up for. A lot of cops don't know Pa street rod regs. and you can get away with a lot, but they do know noise ordinance. In my opinion, (ain't worth **** anyway!), I'd find a way to tuck the exhaust and open the plugs when you need to. I usually put internal plugs in the headers I build so you don't see them and run through the undercar most of the time. I know a hundred guys will post they say you can run them but PA. Supplemental Inspection Regulations, (See 175.75), require muffles and full exhaust and specifies how far the exhaust must exit to the rear. You cannot get the car legally inspected with this setup. T
Ironically, when I was building my lake headers, I stopped by a flea market and found a new set of baffles for a Harley. Fit well in the tube, added a sheetmetal flange to bolt between the header and my turnouts. Pitch perfect as far as sound, with the windows up, I can carry on a conversation. As far as exhaust fumes, put your turnout facing down and out, but yes at idle you will get a few wiffs of exhaust.
I did what the OP wants to do on my '32 Roadster. Sounds like a hot rod, not too loud, and no issues with fumes. Keep in mind, I live in Iowa, there are no inspections. From what I hear, east coast states can be a real b....
Thanks for the info. I'm not real concerned with the law or inspection issues. Just mostly interested in the noise level...
If you want to do it cheaply buy a gl***pack muffler, stick one half in each side.. no louder than under the car...
I drove da34guys deuce 3 window from LARS in about 2008 to Arizona. No complaints at all. Granted, I like my cars loud but my daughter doesn't and didn't complain. Windows down conversations ensued, we didn't smell like exhaust when we arrived. My '27 T Roadster build: www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t= 734383
Use two gl*** packs and cut the ends off. They are directional. Cut a hole in the end cap and slide the gl*** pack in until tight. Trim the length and bolt the whole thing together.
first time I did baffles I had to use ear plugs on long trips. lateri used motorcyle baffles inside with wrappings but still loud and the wrappings did not last.. I see some products available that look pretty good (in the mags) but not sure how they last
I think a lot depends on how healthy the motor is. I can handle a lot of things driving a car most people probably couldn't. But my truck with a big inch healthy big block was really loud! Ear plugs were a must no matter how long you would be driving it. And the first 2 baffle setups I tried. ( car chemistry then the cut off gl*** packs in the collector) you literally had to yell in the ear of the other person to hear anything! Another time I was at a friend of mines party for his bike club and I took the president for a quick ride. We're talking a hard core biker. I ask him do you want the ear plugs? No ill be fine he says. I get on it and I see him instantly plug his ears and then reach for the ear plugs hanging on the dash bar. Lol The fumes were a little annoying also. When I was stuck in traffic in DT Austin I remember looking over at my wife with tears in her eyes and laughing because of fumes. Last year I made an under car exhaust that helped but was still fairly loud plus some other issues with the mufflers rattling. So I'm on the 4th setup with 20" long 3-1/2" gl*** packs. Hopefully that does the trick. And I'm not trying to get it to be quiet just want to hear the p***enger once in a while. 😀 Plus there's no fumes with the under car exhaust. This is just my experience. Like I said I think it all depends on your on healthy your motor is. And from what people are telling me is its going to be worse now that's its blown. . Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Thanks for the video. Sounds great. I'll send you a pic and pm once I take apart which will be within the next two weeks. Thanks again
Here's a couple of pictures of what I did initially for my roadster until I had the time to build exhaust, took a 40 inch gl***pack and cut it in half, cut the bells off and flipped them around and re-welded them back onto the gl***pack to give it a tight fit. I ran these for about 1500 miles and it was noticeably quieter than open headers, but still was a little much on long trips, still seemed to get exhaust fumes plenty though. Later I ended up adding a "stealth" downpipe on the headers to connect up to the full exhaust I built for it. I added a block off plate sunk into the header cone a couple of inches, so at a glance it looks like open headers still and with a few bolts the block off plates can be pulled off. Definitely still loud, but in overdrive the exhaust is quiet.
30TudorSedan great idea, I have the same problem with my roadster. With my top on its even louder. I will be making some changes like you also. Thanks for the pictures.....
Had open lakes pipes on my flathead and then added car chemistry baffles to keep neighbors happy. One asked why my car had gone quiet - he loved the sound at 0600! Took baffles out and kept it that way. Some fumes at lights but not too loud really. Cops just give me a thumbs up. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
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