I'm in the process of researching mufflers to replace the stock version
on my 76 TR6. My muffler has several small holes that are getting
larger. The recent Daytona Muffler thread on the List was very helpful
until the topic evolved into the merits of Merlin piston, General
Electric turbine and Atlas rocket engine swaps for Triumphs. Undaunted,
I continued my search!!!
My UNscientific Survey and Observations follow.
STAINLESS STEEL vs NON-STAINLESS. I always assumed stainless
was superior because it lasted longer, though more costly. Daytona's
web site says "stainless steel exhaust systems are too rigid and vibrate
more than mild steel used in Daytona systems. This results in fine
"saw-tooth" cracks in mufflers and pipes causing misalignment of pipes,
leaks and shortened service life." As well as being more difficult to
weld. Daytona systems use a 14 gauge mild steel with a 10 year
warranty. I'm neither a metallurgist nor an exhaust systems specialist,
so I'm just passing on the quote. I do know that the stainless steel
muffler on my 83 Mercedes turbo diesel was still good when I sold it
after 12 years and 145k miles. And the SS muffler on my 91 Nissan
NX2000 is still fine after 102k miles. Non-stainless mufflers on my
other cars have never lasted that long.
PERFORMANCE. Most folks assume that an expensive "performance"
muffler system will improve performance. The gist I get from reports
I've read over the years (don't ask me to quote them) is that there
will be some margin of increased performance due to less backpressure
which enhances the engine's ability to "breathe," but that it can't be
consistently quantified unless there has been some significant
improvements to other parts of the drive train (e.g. higher compression,
polished air passages, headers, etc.).
SOUND. The most common comment people make when talking about
muffler systems is how they sound. That, up to a point, louder is
better, but the quality of the sound (not well defined) is what people
are really looking for. V12 aficionados like to hear the rippy/snarly
sound of those engines. V8ers like the burble at idle and the
deep-chested sound of acceleration. Smaller-displacement 6s and 4s
have a distinct, raspy, higher-pitched sound on acceleration. Most
everyone liked to be able to hear the sound of overrun and the popping
during deceleration.
SUMMARY. People seem to be more likely to buy muffler systems
for subjective reasons ("It sounds good!") than for objective reasons
("Improved performance" or "Better gas mileage"), though longevity of a
muffler system seems to be somewhat important.
Types and brands of mufflers:
STOCK: Made in US? UK? Burma? China? Most owners have 'em.
Most owners like 'em well enough. Many owners have thought about
changing to stainless (for longevity) or other aftermarket (performance
and/or sound). The relatively low price (about $135 for the muffler) or
a desire to maintain stock configuration usually wins out.
MONZA: Made in ?? Most that have them like them, though all
agree that they are loud. Many say that two hours is a long trip with
Monza mufflers. Of the 10 or so live people I've talked to at shows and
the TRF party and those on the list, perhaps 3 thought they were so
loud they would or should replace them. Two thought they sounded great.
The remainder thought they were loud but nice, except on long trips.
Cost: $300+ for TR6
ANSA: Made in Italy. The one person on the list who had them
really liked them. Another at the TRF Party said they weren't as loud
as the Monza and since they emitted sounds at a lower frequency than the
Monza, it was more tolerable. $300 from IFE for TR6
DAYTONA: Made in Italy. The three people who had Daytona
really liked them. Nice sound, but not too loud. Daytona bases their
free flow designs on those of ABARTH, whose production stopped in the
early '80s. Construction quality - based on their Web page and owner
comments - appears to be high. If available, about $375 for TR6
************************
I'll have to admit that the sounds a car makes does good things for me.
Even if performance has not actually improved, it will sound like it
has. I like to let folks hear me coming. If I didn't want to stand
out from the crowd, I wouldn't own an LBC. I also expect an expensive
muffler to last a long time. Of the people who expressed an opinion
about their mufflers, the most enthusiastic seemed to be the Daytona
owners and that's the one I think I'd like to buy. The problem is that
the Daytona distributor, Italy's Famous Exhausts, only has the ANSA in
stock now and only two or three sets of those. I exchanged several
e-mails with John Tzortzoudakis (Pronounced "Sore-Sue-Dah-Kiss), Owner
of Italy's Famous Exhaust. Some excerpts of that exchange follow:
> >
Q> . Does Daytona make an ABARTH-style muffler for the TR6?
A. NO WE ONLY HAVE NOS ANSA.
Q. What > is the delivery time and freight cost to the DC area?
A. ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS TO DC BY UPS AT $25-33
> >
Q> . What are the differences between ANSA and Daytona in terms
of:
> design?
SIMILAR
Quality?
VERY DIFFERENT: STEEL IS TOO HIGH A CARBON IN ANSA SYSTEMS AND
WELD CAN'T STICK AS WELL, THICKNESS IS 16 GAUGE INSEAD OF DAYTONA AT 14.
Performance?
SIMILAR
Sound?
ANSA MUCH LOUDER DUE TO THIN PIPE AND MUFFLER
CAN/CARTRIDGE/CONSTRUCTION,
Cost?
WE SELL OLD STOCK ANSA AT 30-40% LESS THAN DAYTONA
>
Q> . Does ANSA carry the same 10 year guarantee that Daytona
offers?
A. NO ONLY DAYTONA SYSTEMS HAVE THE GUARANTEE. ANSA IS 1 YEAR.
>
> Q. Does ANSA use the stock TR6 clamps and hangers?
A. YES
Q. Is there any chance DAYTONA might manufacture TR6 exhaust
systems?>
A. IT > LOOKS LIKE WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY TR6 SYSTEMS FOR THE NEXT
FEW MONTHS. I WILL BE WORKING WITH THE MANUFACTURER MORE SERIOUSLY
ABOUT PRODUCING MORE IF I GET MORE DEMAND FOR TR6 SYSTEMS. IF YOU CAN
GIVE ME SOME FEEDBACK ON THIS ISSUE OF DEMAND OR ANY OF YOUR FELLOW TR6
BUDDIES/CLUBS CAN SHOW A DEMAND, I CAN GET DAYTONA SYSTEMS WITHIN 3-4
MONTHS. IN THE MEANTIME THE ANSA SYSTEM IS A GOOD BUY AT THE $150 PER
SIDE PRICE.
>
Are there enough listers out there who need new muffler systems and are
interested enough in the Daytona to convince IFE to convince Daytona to
manufacture a bunch? If so, please e-mail John and let him know.
Except that I believe the Daytona system is the one I'd like to buy, I
have no financial interest or incentive in this matter.
Italy's Famous Exhaust (IFE) Web page: http://www.famousexhaust.com/
John Tzortzoudakis' e-mail address: famous@earthlink.net
Rob Reynolds
76 TR6
CF58073UO
Reston, VA
"You can't die from carbon monoxide poisoning if you keep the top down
and the speed up!!!"
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