Smithy on single exhaust sound okay or obnoxious?

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I love the sound of blueskies dual exhaust. I think Don Coatney has the same setup? I'll need to do exhaust and am considering going with a 30" smithy but wondered if any has run them on single exhaust with flathead. Don't want an obnoxious sound.

I've searched around for sound files of single exhaust smithy on a flathead and didn't find what I wanted.

This project is a "budget build" pretty low on the financial priority list - and I don't know I'll spring for a true split exhaust manifold when they cost more than the car. In the case of just adding another dump to stock manifold is that considered 'true' dual exhaust. My p20 has stock engine.

Ryan

[55 Fargo]

I have a single exhaust Smithy on my 48 Chrysler, it sounds pretty good, not as good as the duals, but it is a respectable sound........Fred

[Norm's Coupe]

I love the sound of blueskies dual exhaust. I think Don Coatney has the same setup? I'll need to do exhaust and am considering going with a 30" smithy but wondered if any has run them on single exhaust with flathead. Don't want an obnoxious sound.

I've searched around for sound files of single exhaust smithy on a flathead and didn't find what I wanted.

Ryan

Ya didn't search long and hard enough. Go to this link http://www.indfloorcoating-repair.com/1948plymouthenginerestoration.html

then click on "WANT TO HEAR THE ENGINE PURR CLICK HERE" You'll get the sound you're looking for.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

Actually I had your site bookmarked and checked it... Video wouldn't play because my QuickTime plugin was messed up (realized later). Anyhow, now I fixed it and and was able to play. I find the clips that are recorded up front under hood make it hard to listen closely to exhaust sound with all the pulley, belt, engine, ect., noise. Anything helps though.

The turquoise super large print reference does help though

So what size or length Smithy did you put on there? 30 or something smaller. Were you happy with cruising noise level?

Ryan

[Norm's Coupe]

Ryan,

To be honest I forgot the exact size of the smithy I have on there. It was the one that cost $25 back in 1995. Best I can do without crawling under there. It's between about 25 & 30 inches though.

It has a nice mild rumble to it. Actually, it seems like it gets louder with age. It's not all that loud when riding though, just a mellow noise level. However, it's nothing like the dual glass packs I had on my 57 Ford with a 390 Interceptor in it though back in the early 60's. Those would rattle your insides when you hit the gas and let off it.

Guess I'm getting old in my thinking though. When the Smithy finally goes out I'll probably put a nice quiet one on to replace it. I like it quiet in the car today.

I will say I can have the car idling in the driveway about 20 feet away from the back door. If the house windows and doors are shut I can barely hear the car running.

[Guest rockabillybassman]

Smithys come in three sizes, 22", 26", and 30". I have the 26" on a stock manifold, and it sounds pretty darn good. I would'nt go to the 30" unless you want it real quiet. The 26" gives a nice burble, no rap when ya hit it. If you want a loud burble and a bit of rap, you'd need the 22".

[bob westphal]

"In the case of just adding another dump to stock manifold is that considered 'true' dual exhaust."

Maybe some purist wouldn't call it a "true" dual exhaust" but I have since I did it when I was a kid and just did it again. When hot rods were built by the owner, that's the way we did it - cheap! Some people put a block plate between the middle ports but that took more time and expertise. something that a lot of didn't have. A "dual exhaust" is an exhaust system that has two complete exhaust systems off the engine. I have noted that in recent years a huge number of factory so-called dual exhaust systems split after the muffler. Now I don't call that a "dual exhaust"! I did just what you said on my P-15. It cost about $50 bucks including flange, welding, and 2" hole saw.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l291/wheelsport/100_0218-1.jpg

Many years ago I ran a single original 22" Smitty on my '36 Chev coupe. It sounded GREAT but not as great as dual Smittys.

[Don Coatney]

"In the case of just adding another dump to stock manifold is that considered 'true' dual exhaust."

Maybe some purist wouldn't call it a "true" dual exhaust" but I have since I did it when I was a kid and just did it again. When hot rods were built by the owner, that's the way we did it - cheap! Some people put a block plate between the middle ports but that took more time and expertise. something that a lot of didn't have. A "dual exhaust" is an exhaust system that has two complete exhaust systems off the engine. I have noted that in recent years a huge number of factory so-called dual exhaust systems split after the muffler. Now I don't call that a "dual exhaust"! I did just what you said on my P-15. It cost about $50 bucks including flange, welding, and 2" hole saw.

Many years ago I ran a single original 22" Smitty on my '36 Chev coupe. It sounded GREAT but not as great as dual Smittys.

I have a modified stock manifold dual exhaust setup on my car. It is a true dual exhaust system as the heat riser baffle plate has been welded to block the front and rear half of the manifold. I am running the pictured Smithy glass pack mufflers.

[blueskies]

I love the sound of blueskies dual exhaust.

Ryan

Keep in mind, I have a crossover pipe in my exhaust, just ahead of the smithy's. This evens the tone, and makes it a bit more quiet... Works for me.

Pete

[BobT-47P15]

Some guys, in years gone by, have come off the manifold with their single pipe, then made a "Y" into two mufflers....just like any other set of duals.

Not quite as pronounced as a regular manifold split, but you get at least part of the desired sound.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

I have a modified stock manifold dual exhaust setup on my car. It is a true dual exhaust system as the heat riser baffle plate has been welded to block the front and rear half of the manifold. I am running the pictured Smithy glass pack mufflers.

Don, are yours 26" or 30"? I guess I could later measure my block and try to get a scale for reference.

I have another project car (a Rambler ) with a small 6cyl. that I could see if i favor a particular size Smithy first on. I may check the cost to have a local guy weld a second dump on my stock manifold, it'd have to be really cheap at this point for me to go that way though over the single.

Ryan