Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 235 headers

AMEN!

In terms of HP and performance gains, wouldn't short open pipes give the best numbers on a dyno?

I did a freeway test and never seen this engine accelerating so quick after 2000rpm or so. Amazing when you open up the intake and exhaust and let it breath.

Best sounding exhaust I ever heard on my old 235 - hands down!
Reminds me of old single-engine aircraft sound or choppers.

For mufflers, I would stay away from the generic glasspacks that muffler stores carry - too many louvers. Smithy's glasspack repros sound like a plastic toy engine. Nothing like the original steelpacking they used to have back in the 50s.

My favorites are short genuine Steelpacks by Brockman. The closest to an open pipe sound without the noise.


Thanks Gearhead, for all your contributions to this forum! Great non-confusing advice !!

I would think so, based on the Hot Rod tests, open long tube headers gave the best numbers, even though the tests were on a V8, open headers are still open headers. Its just not practical or legal to run on the street like that, not to mention what that will do to your hearing over time. But it's up to you.
I've noticed that alot of the rat rods run short tubes, one per port. I haven't heard one of these "get on it", but idling around the fairgrounds they are increadably quite. Of course, its not leagal to do that setup either, but...

I hear what your saying about the Smithy's, but the ones on my friends '52 sounded good to me. Another friend put some on an Edsel, and you couldn't tell it was even running. I've heard others say they don't like the Smithy's either. Go figure...
Alot of people running the Brockman Mellowtones swear by them as being the best.

You are right, open pipes are no good for the street - too loud.

I loved my 27" Smithys for the two years I had them.
But when I installed the 12" Mellowtones, I finally got to hear my old 6 like I knew it could sound after the open pipe test.
Great idle sound, but best when accelerating on the freeway ramp with wide open carbs.

I love going up elevations around 2500rpm right next to concrete freeway dividers....

Hi all,

I have been here for a long time and was reading at old posts. I found this one and had to reply. Of all that was said, I didn't read anythig about my thought.

Using an H pipe is the same as combining the 2 down tubes and creating single exhaust. If you were to dyno an engine with an H tube then dyno an the same with a 2 into 1 with a muffler and tail pipe that was double the flow capacity, it would be the same.

I always get a kick out of any today car with dual exhaust. Don't they all have 1 catalytic converter? HA! Just use one bigger pipe.

Sorry if I stirred up the S(#%.

Luis

An H pipe is not the same as combining 2 into one. What you're describing is just a typical single exhaust system like you find on any V engine.

Dear Luis;

It's long story. Not to worry with a 235, Its SMOG exempt so do what you like.

I started to prove it in the 70s, Pasadena, Ca. We had 10 vehicles with same loads, same streets, same times, same usage and ten different drivers that didn't know what was being done.

It was 'all set' till this stupid Manager @ a Muffler Shop "butt his nose in" and destroyed the experiment.

If you want to 'co-mingle' your exhaust, leave it stock is all.

Good luck.

Personally, I like two full length exhaust "systems" for each side WITHOUT mixing the sides. The difference in performance doesn't interst me, the sound of my Chevy Six does. To me, the best sound is the two single "systems" and some old steel pack mufflers. I think the best ever for old Chevy Sixes were Douglass Steel Packs.

Now that's my opinion. I would never try to tell you that my opinion was the only opinion. I have never cared for the notion of any person who thought that their opinion was the ONLY opinion. Opinions are like allot of other things, everyone has one. To respect a man's opinion is to respect the man.

Just as a side note, it looks like Brockman has shut down their website. Does anyone know if that is an indication that they are no longer with us?

Joe

I have an original Corvette cast iron Manifold and am considering installing it on my 1954 3800 series Pickup. Just wondering if anyone knows how these perform and or sound? Would have lots of room for long pipes under there!