How many mufflers?

Mikael,

My car only has the larger muffler at the tail pipes. My exhausts were fabricated by Wilkinsons when they restored the car, so while they look factory-original and were built using original parts, they lack that first muffler. I have a factory Longchamp Parts book and all exhaust diagrams in my copy include both mufflers, so deleting it does not appear to be a factory option.

The sound is definitely on the loud side. I would say it it noticeably louder (outside) than my stock ’71 Pantera. No complaints from me about that though. One thing I can say is that it definitely turns heads and people realize the car is something special. Under full acceleration it really has quite a good bark to it. The car is not as quiet a cruiser as one might want, but that's a fair compromise.

The audio quality of this is really bad, and there was a heavy wind but you can get a sense of what my car sounds like from this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENebBRp3aFk

Mark

Mark, that doesn't sound too loud I think. Funnily my exhaust was louder and once set off a car alarm when I had log exhaust. It got quieter with the thri-y headders. Maybe the logs give a more uneven noise?

I think I'll try without the small mufflers, also bearing in mind the new 4th gear will keep revs down when cruising.

Have you considered using an X or H pipe in that location. sometimes they will smooth out the loud pulses.

The bottom of the Longchamp is a nightmare to route exhaust. The frame is low and to the center, so no H or X-pipe. And the back seat foot well means the pipe has to run visibly under the door. And then the worst part, it has to snake through the Jag-type rear end, between cradle, axles and 4 shocks. So no room for much creativity.

Your sure those are mufflers and not " Cats " ?

In the parts book it is labeled "Front Muffler" as compared to the longer can which is "Rear Muffler".

As these were mid-1970's non-US market cars, I don't think cats would have been fitted except possibly to the very late cars.

quote:

Originally posted by accobra:
Your sure those are mufflers and not " Cats " ?

I believe cats would have to be much closer to the cylinder head to have the heat necessary to light off.

One would think the cats needed to be very close to the exhaust manifold to heat up adequately to function properly. However, Kirk Evans got the GT5Ss that he imported to pass EPA emissions with cats in place of the mufflers in the stock Pantera location. Granted, the Pantera exhaust system is not long to begin with. However, you brought back a terrific memory. Kirby Schrader had restored a Houston guy's Pantera GT5S for him and we did not realize the rear looking mufflers were actually catalytic converters. When the Pantera was started the interior of the cats began to glow reddish orange. As the exhaust tips were slightly larger in diameter and a bit shorter than stock, this glowing effect was clearly visible when following the car. We all (Space City Pantera members) thought that it was a super cool feature. Especially at night! I had pics on a previous computer that crashed. I would think Kirby has one or two; yet, I don't think he monitors this Forum.

My only knowledge is from guys who have had cat failures on Ford GTs and GT500s after installing long tube headers and thus moving the cats too far back for proper light off, In some cases causing Engine failures. But this is second hand knowledge and maybe due to more recent cat design. The new cats are sure packed tight with the platinum foil material.
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Guys, please forget about cats and get back to Longchamp mufflers please

Hello Mikael,

On my Longchamp GTS when I replaced my exhaust system, I deleted the middle mufflers and went for only two rear mufflers. This was primarily so I could clear speed humps on the roads in the area where I live. The exhaust system is now mounted as close to the underside of the floor as possible. It is a 2 1/2" system which is mounted behind custom-built tubular headers and exits through a single muffler each side. The sound emitted is LOUD, with cracks and pops on the overrun setting off car alarms, frightening old ladies, etc!

I agree with your comment about the tight space on Longchamps to mount an exhaust system, particularly through the rear suspension. I am not totally satisfied with what I have, but for now, I enjoy the "music".


Stuart