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Old Mar 3, 2012 | 06:55 AM
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odering obx sidepipes with no inserts. now I have to decide on what inserts to order. I was thinking sweet thunder, but what diameter? I want good rumble but not waking up the neighbors. Thinking 2.0 or 2.25 inch.
anyone out there use these or have suggestions?
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Old Mar 3, 2012 | 07:52 AM
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It's a "beaten to death" topic. Performance 1st STS Baffles or Hooker Max Flo's. Sound 1st it's a matter of opinion. Some people think the Sweet Thunder are too loud as well. In general I would say the less noise the more restriction. The 2" should be a little less noisey than the 2 1/2" but they will be more restrictive and you may still find them too loud. Unless your neighbors are "car people" I don't think they will be thrilled with the noise from your sidepipes no matter what inserts you use. IMCO buy what ever sound/performance level you like the best and just have respect for your neighbors when going and coming through your neighborhood.
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Old Mar 3, 2012 | 10:00 AM
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I just went through this and in way still am. Below is a link to a video I put on Youtube of the OBX side pipes with Hooker Max Flow. The main thing that is going to influence the noise level is the engine and whether you have a coupe or convertible.

Convertibles don't hold the noise inside the way a coupe does, even with the tops out. I have a thumpr cam which alone is designed to be louder (mission accomplished) My compression is 9.5:1.

The Hooker max flows are very Deep in tone and it is the same tone from idle to WOT. In my personal experience the idle volume was fine but as soon as you put a load on the engine and touch the throttle the volume doubled and under acceleration around other cars I'd swear the inserts must of fallen out. On the interstate after 5 miles my ears had a fuzzy feeling going on and the tone was getting annoying. The upside is the performance and flow was great. Throttle response was crisp and the power was there.

I have since installed the Hooker Glasspack inserts. These are restrictive but the volume is much better. The tone however isn't all that great, it's fine but nothing exciting. I thought about trying some sweet thunder's and couldn't decide between the 2" and 2.25" as you are but based on the sound decibel test they did in my case I would probably lean towards the 2" knowing the engine volume I'm working with.

If your engine is closer to stock or just a mild cam I think you could go with the 2.25 or even the max flows and be alright. Currently I'm having a set of vettepacks being custom made and hope to get them in the next week or two and see how they do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51wm5...f7AUAAAAAAAAAA

Good luck and remember if you try an insert and don't like it you can sell them and recoupe most of your cost and try something else until you find what you want. I sold my max flows to another member and they worked great for him. I'll sell the glasspack inserts once I find the combo that works best.


Good Luck,

Eric
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