Exhaust - 1 more try at this

Sorry about several posts on this topic... but I am wrestling with a problem and don't wish to make an expensive (in my terms) mistake... I do realize that this topic is subjective, but feel I can still gleen what I want, even in subjective terms...
Anyway, here goes ....

I have a Peco exhasst - complete front to back and am not happy with the tone. I am not sure if the muffler is damaged or not. I have found a replacement muffler alone but just am not sure if this is the problem or not. So I am wondering if I should just change to another "system" while keeping the Peco header. Recently, I replaced a damaged canon header (leaked) with the peco (along with many other changes elsewhere at the same time) and now just doesn't sound right. (For the record, it does seem odd that I can't remember if I liked the sound and stuff before the new header was added... so I am not sure if the header is not the problem too, or instead of the muffler).

Anyway, my problem is
1) The peco seems a bit louder than I would like.. mostly at low speeds and highway. Inbetween seems ok

2) There appears to be a 2nd tone/resonance. It is present at idle and most liklely up to 2500 rpms or so. On the highway, I think other noises over comes this 2nd tone.

So I quess the questions are...
a) for those who run a complete peco system, how do you like it
b) How does it compare to a monza exuahst (ansa is too expensive for me right now).
Are monza exhaust systems loud?
c) Does anyone have a peco head and something else after....

I really appreiceate any/all reponses, subjective or not. It would be really great if someone had a damaged muffler story to share. (BTW, the muffler does not "rattle" or in anyway give indications that it is damaged)

Thank you,

Ernie

I can't see how adding a Monza is an improvement. Unless you are looking at fart/hp.

IMHO the best set-up for fast-street use is a stock '62-'74 cast iron manifold that has been Jet-Hot coated mated to a Falcon Big-Bore stainless system with the single rear muffler. Total cost ~$500 for parts/coating. Should last the life of the car except for speed bumps/train tracks/pot holes.

Sound is good, quieter than a header, and there is much less heat under the hood. Less heat solved vapor lock problems that the car sometimes had. The original manifolds had good flow and are worthwhile for all but race applications given the drawbacks of any header. It is neat to look under the car and have the exhaust system look new as the stainless won't hardly rust.

My PECO sounds great at idle (with a lower exhaust note, but not raspy or loud), better at mid-range, and is quiet enough to carry on an easy conversation at highway speed. If it failed, I would buy another.

That is all subjective, but I can tell you I put a big bore on my Volvo 240 and HATED it. Went right back to the OEM design. So I am no fan of excessive or intrusive noise (dang it, subjective again!).

(Been meaning to ask you - is the Groton in your moniker FCPGroton out of Groton, CT? Been buying Volvo parts from them for 10 years. Great people.)

Hello Dave, from another Volvo 240/ MG family.(also TR, but not the proper forum)

I'd question if the new sound is the exhaust pulses resonating through the longer, thinner header tubes. A Cannon manifold is pretty stout. The LCB manifolds tend to give you more noise in the engine bay, most easily heard at low speeds (less wind noise) and on the highway when its more consistent. or maybe you just have loose baffle somewhere? Bang on the mufflers with a dead-blow hammer to see if you can sense any irregular resonance.

I love the Pecos on my Bs. Yes, they are louder than a stock 2-box system. I've never compared directly to a Monza, but Monza is really only for sound, not performance. Personally I prefer the sound of the Peco. It sounds like you will never be happy with the Peco since you want quiet.

Thank you all.

Jeff... I thought I'd hear the noise up front but I don't... its clearly the muffler area to me. Oddly enough though, I am not sure I hear it when I am out of the car (at idle of course :) )... and since it is too cold now for a test run, running with the top up was coincidental with all of this.... Grrrrr I broke my own general rule of thumb which was to change 1 thing at a time.

I have banged on the muffler - nothing

Hi Ernie,

I fall into your "c" category.

PECO manifold with a walker exhaust system.

The car came this way so I can't compare it to any former setup. It's a bit noisier than I recall my previous B's were but not unpleasantly so (no problem hearing the radio) and no resonance. At highway speeds (even with the top down) it's just a pleasant drone.

Marsh

On a 70 i had i replaced rear muffler with a "cherry bomb" brand and just a little louder than std on acceleration
only..Couldnt hear it at cruise which was fine with me..Got a 76 now and eventually will do same >
Hard of hearing may be a factor ??

Ernie:

I really think it is worth the time to go and talk to an independent muffler shop, not a chain store. On my 70 Gt I had a stock manifold and a "freeflow" system, either PECO or ANSA. I hated it as did the dogs in my neighbor hood and the parents of small children. You couldn't hold a conversation at 3000 rpm, the drone drowned out everything. On the interstate the radio had to be cranked to the point of distortion to hear it. It was all muffler noise, opening either of the side windows made it louder. My big concern about going back to stock was ground clearance on the center muffler since I have a b#$%@ of a hump at the top of my driveway.

Went to a local shop, showed him the car, told him what I wanted and $200 later I have 2 new mufflers welded in that give good deep (not deafening) sound on acceleration, (when you should hear it) and I can actually hear the engine instead of the muffler when I'm cruising at 3000 rpm. The center muffler he welded in is a pancake style so I didn't give up any ground clearance. My only complaint is at idle when first started from cold, it sounds a little wierd. My guess is that I have a small leak up by the manifold that needs tending too.

Gavin
1970 GT
1976 Roadster

Ernie. My suggestion is to have a glass packed tubular muffler installed in the Peco system where the original middle muffler would have been. This should cut down on the high frequency resonance you are hearing without adding much in the way of back pressure.

kelvin