quote:Originally posted by Cowboy from Hell:
Gary,
I'm not sure if anyone is making stainless exhausts for the Pantera. I know you drive yours a lot, so if you feel anything like I do, quiet is important. I like the GTS exhaust for that reason, I'm not claiming its the best at making power, but it is reasonably quiet and performs better than the stock exhaust.
Pat Mical makes a Pantera header I can recommend without hesitation, they are expensive, but a true piece of craftsmanship. I don't think they're made from stainless, Adams Hudson can answer that question for us.
The only other muffler I've heard that didn't sound too loud, was the Magna-Flow muffler, which are the mufflers sold by PI Motorsports. The drawback is they are too darn long, if I was going to run them I would have them cut shorter & re-welded, now we're talking more bucks.
Good luck with your search.
Just saw this post. My Pat Mical headers were twice as costly, but - in my estimation - 4 times the product. He's got the dyno figures, but for starters, the primary and collector are both larger, they mated up to my STOCK Ansa (early style) after opening up the end, and sound beyond belief. Personally, I HATE loud, but love performance-tuned sound. This car sound better than any car I own; just menancing enough but by no means a rattly annoying sound.
As far as craftsmanship, the headers were sent to Jack Roush's #1 specialist for install, who said, and I quote - "All our products are first-rate, but this is the nicest set of headers I've ever seen." They were ceramic coated in 'stainless steel' look and after 500 miles look as good as day 1.
CASE IN POINT: I was at a car show Saturday. Maybe 60 cars, mostly friends, not a judged show. A Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari bb512 (mine), twin turbo Porsche (my former car) with a $4500 exhaust (sounds and performs unreal, highly researched, called "PSI"), plus all manner of great muscle cars, the nicest Cobra kit I've ever seen (really), plus "M" powered BMWs, Ferrari 360 with aftermarket exhaust, a V12 Mercedes, and more than you care to read about.
Basically, this was a GREAT collection of horsepower and tons of very critical ears were around. AT LEAST A DOZEN of them came to my Pantera to marvel at the sound and look of the exhaust. Honestly, it was a 'hit' of the event.
Pat Mical is also a champ to deal with. HIGHLY recommended, built my suspension too. pat@patsauto.com or call him at 1-978-649-2211.
Honestly, if I had another Pantera to 'redo', I'd send it to him the first day. Call him and get the best.