SSI vs headers w/ M&K Exhaust

[marksearls]

I recently put a M&K Sport (two in two out) on my 82 3.0 engine w/ CIS and it currently has headers. The drone at 2200 - 3400 is tough to take. Would SSI's help or are there alternatives?

[kiwiokie]

I have the same muffler with ssi's on my '83 SC and have a drone at 2200rpm but it is gone by 2900rpm. I just keep it out of that range.

[James Brown]

ssi's wont help much but they do have heat!! If it still is too droney, try caping off one exhaust outlet. What series is the M&K muffler? (gen 1,2,3,4)

[marksearls]

Not certain which generation as I purchased here on PP. it looks fairly new, however. I have ordered a cap but was wondering if there was a different solution.

[esample]

Originally Posted by marksearls

Not certain which generation as I purchased here on PP. it looks fairly new, however. I have ordered a cap but was wondering if there was a different solution.

I purchased an insert that goes between the muffler and tail pipe. Same idea but you keep the dual tailpipe look. Either one will work without altering the sound much.

-e.

[G450X]

Try a search on the issue, I think there are a few old threads on this.

I had an M&K 2/2 which was great above 3k rpm, but killer drone from around 2.2k rpm's through around 2.9k rpm's.

I picked up a used factory '74 2/1 and it was nice and fit the best, but a bit too quiet.

I picked up a used M&K 2/1, and it's just about right by my ears....

[tobluforu]

Yeah it's a bummer they drone like this, and I think the only way to stop it is to cap one side, but what fun is that, plus it looks goofy IMO. . Do those inserts really work in decreasing drone, I read that all they do is decrease noise levels, and very little?

[esample]

In my case it reduced the noise very little and I don't notice the drone at all. YMMV

-e.

[RarlyL8]

Drone is the bain of the dual outlet street mufflers. How much and where it occurs depends on engine type, modifications, tune, and if your car has sound deadening material intact. An engine bay can become an empty drum when the sound deadening material is removed, amplifying the effect.
The easy/cheap fix is an internal taipipe plug that shuts off one pipe without changing the aesthetics of the system. Paint the plug flat black and you can't tell it's muted. All but extreme mod engines will not notice any power decrease.

[marksearls]

esamplersample: where did you get the inserts you are talking about? Sounds like the way to go.

Quote de marksearls

Not certain which generation as I purchased here on PP. it looks fairly new, however. I have ordered a cap but was wondering if there was a different solution.

I purchased an insert that goes between the muffler and tail pipe. Same idea but you keep the dual tailpipe look. Either one will work without altering the sound much.



-e.

[1986911]

I have ssi's and the 2+2 M&K on my 3.2 Targa. The plug does not help much with the drone, maybe 10%. It does quiet it down at idle and cruising around.

Hey, tell the wife ssi's will help with the drone! I love the way the ssi's sound with the M&K dual in and out. I get asked about the setup all the time. Top notch craftsmanship on both items.

Good Luck

[esample]

Originally Posted by marksearls

esamplersample: where did you get the inserts you are talking about? Sounds like the way to go.

Contact RarlyL8 above. Instead of plugging the tailpipe as he describes, I just put mine between the muffler and tailpipe. Easy and invisible. Works for me.


-e.

[RarlyL8]

You should have yours shortly Mark, it was mailed last week.

[snbush67]

I bought these on a whim. These are Auto Sensing baffles that open and close based upon the pressure form air flow.

When I went from SSI's to the larger pipes I lost a little low end torque.

The baffles work as advertised, they put the bite back into my low end torque, and take the edge off of the sound. The sound is a bit deeper/throatier tone, but at a calmer lower decibel. The engine seems to spin up to 7K a lot easier, I burned right through red line, oops. The car is much more street-able with the baffles.

Installation took about 20 minutes total, it is a simple as drilling a small 1/4" hole for the mounting screw in the tail pipe. I can take em out in a jiffy. Fit is perfect in the M&K Tail pipes, installed about 6 inches in, right at the curve.

For me, this ends the baffle question, they work.



Sound Video Preview; M&K with RARLYL8 Headers

Rocky Mountain Performance Quiet Riot Exhaust Baffles

[marksearls]

RarlyL8: thanks, looking forward to installing.

snbush67: interesting option, thanks for sharing. Do these also cut down on the drone?

[marksearls]

PM Sent.

You should have yours shortly Mark, it was mailed last week.

[oliver88]

Very interested in the Quiet Riot baffles....looks like a neat solution.

[snbush67]

Originally Posted by marksearls

RarlyL8: thanks, looking forward to installing.

snbush67: interesting option, thanks for sharing. Do these also cut down on the drone?

I had drone with SSI's/M&K and the 3.0. But after building mi to a 3.2SS and larger headers I do not have the drone. I have my tailpipes angled down and maybe that helps as well.

Drone is your muffler telling you to accelerate or down shift, or both.

[super9064]

I have the two out M&K exhaust it droned when I first got it, but seems to have reduced a bit over time.

[RarlyL8]

Engine size vs header size and configuration does influence drone, as well as the tune of the engine.
I have one client with a 3.6L using an M&K sport muffler, no drone. Another 3.6L with M&K sport muffler droned horrible ~2800rpm. The only difference I could find was the non-droner had factory Bischoff exchangers and the drone monster had SSI's. The SSI's are WAY too small for a 3.6L engine. With an OEM sport muffler the drone went away but so did a lot of power. The OEM muffler is also too small for that engine but sized similar to the SSI's which must be a key to the mystery. Not sure why this phenomenon occurs but your ears don't lie.