Better sounding muffler

[wbmoore]

I have a S1 Elan with what looks like a stock exhaust system installed. It sounds awful in first gear.....not unlike a Fiat 124 Sport Coupe I had as a youngster......a tinny, two-stroke like note. It sounds okay in two through four. The engine is stock.
Is there a good sounding alternative muffler ?
Thanks. Brad Moore.

[el-saturn]

hi brad: its pretty simple: get yrself a stock stainless muffler, open it up to 2inch stainless, add the new tubes and the perforated tube (minus 2inches both sides unperforated or covered by a larger dia. then fill in the new muffler "filler filaments" made of synthetic material??? weld or close and fit. mine sounds almost like a toyota at 2000rpm and like a porsche 962 at 7000 - i listened to lots of engineers/specilalists B4 i built it ----- as we know: some of the best solutions to a problem develop due to coincidence!! sandy, alps PS -------- worked for porsche: 956 + 962 --- flaacht zuffenhausen ----------------------------------- when i was younger and of course VERY proud to have them as client!!

[Davidb]

El-saturn: any chance of a diagram? I'm a little stupid...

[el-saturn]

it's here on the forum as photos. i could also make a sketch cheers sandy --- remind me here: winesATjohnsonDOTch

[Davidb]

I have emailed Sandy for a diagram but found this entry from him last year-it links to a previous post as well. Still need more info though Sandy! What muffler is it and ...

lotus-twincam-f39/silencer-very-very-silent-but-t34297.html

[el-saturn]

hi dave - here's a sketch - before you weld the 2" tubes on, you'll have to fill the body with this synthetic insulation material which i bought on fleabay germany. the material expands once it gets hot! hope to have been of help sandy

[Certified Lotus]

Brad, I also had the stock muffler system on my S1 when I first started my rebuild. Hated the way it sounded. Although it looked original as it came from the factory (and I had just purchased the stainless steel OEM style muffler for very many $$$) I just couldn't bear the wimpy sound.

So I went full bore (no pun intended) to a 2 inch complete system with headers from TTR. It wasn't cheap, but worth every penny

Here is a short video clip of what my car sounds like now (listen on a computer with good speakers).

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

And a few photos;

TTR 2 inch muffler

TTR collector tube to exhaust pipe

TTR 2 inch muffler installed on Elan S1

Needless to say, I really like the way it sounds now!

You can read my full rebuild post here:
lotus-elan-f19/elan-rebuild-story-t34178.html

[el-saturn]

i reckon that's more or less the same thing - all of the tubes and corners were from burton and all told 50quid incl freight - the silencer cost me around 80quid incl freight AND 2hrs of grinding, welding etc.. so it was pretty cheap and does what it should: from 800 to 2000 llike a suzuki swift - from 4 to 7000: extremely eco-freak unfriendly. me and my buddies adore it!! sandy

[Davidb]

Many thanks Sandy!
I am not there yet but in about six weeks I should be ready for the muffler...
David

[wbmoore]

Sandy...... My old boss (a Wonderful man) would give me drawings like this and say " does this make sense ? Make me one ". Thanks.

[el-saturn]

...........that's why i love british fabricators: a (maybe so-called) idea sketch is all they need!! i actually also worked as a draftsman for a while, swiss DO need a proper drawing!!! sandy

[el-saturn]

.........i'll have to figure out HOW i can record mine for you gentlemen: my 11mm lift (310?) cams add quite a bit to the ever so lovely NOISE!!!! sandy

[Grizzly]

Here is a short video clip of what my car sounds like now (listen on a computer with good speakers).

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

Wish i could make mine sound like that, i have the later straight through system and it just sounds to raspy on over run etc.

[cabc26b]

I'm using a 180 Suitcase Muffler that transitions to 2.5" oval for the mid-section and exits the real as 2.5 round stainless from the collector back - with the hardtop on its defiantly on the loud side but i like the tone - top off more tolerable .

George

[el-saturn]

i don't know whether the additional 20% (+/-) surface also adds up to 20% more noise?? - i also studied your option and love it!! sandy