Sweet Thunder, too loud
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Sweet Thunder, too loud
I recently bought a set of the sweet thunder 2 1/2" inserts for my side pipes. They sound really mean, but on a 2 hour trip my wife and I both had to wear ear plugs. I like the way they sound but it's just too loud. Any suggestions for a good sound but not so loud?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I took out the reverse flows to get better performance and a little more sound. What I got was a lot more performance and a lot more sound. I'm thinking about calling Sweet Thunder and see what can be done if anything to tone them down a little.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,404
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From: Ansonia/NYC CT
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John
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
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From: Schererville IN
Depends on your engine compression and hp.
From my research before buying the JCL...The JCL with the caps installed are quieter than the Sweet Thunders and flow about the same. You can drill out the caps to increase flow and hp, but this also makes them louder. How loud depends on how large you drill the holes.
My engine is approx 375hp and I fealt comfortable with the caps on. I saw no reason to drill them out larger. If your stock to about 375hp, I'd say run them as made before modifying them. If your pushing more hp than that, you may want to drill them out for more flow.
From my research before buying the JCL...The JCL with the caps installed are quieter than the Sweet Thunders and flow about the same. You can drill out the caps to increase flow and hp, but this also makes them louder. How loud depends on how large you drill the holes.
My engine is approx 375hp and I fealt comfortable with the caps on. I saw no reason to drill them out larger. If your stock to about 375hp, I'd say run them as made before modifying them. If your pushing more hp than that, you may want to drill them out for more flow.
Last edited by blckslvr79; Jun 1, 2010 at 01:24 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
Talk to Mike at Sweet Thunder. He made me some 2" to 2.5" adapters to mount in front of the inserts. They knocked the sound down to a tollerable level.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
"Spiral Turbo Specialties" designed/sold by "JCL"
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
The baffles are great!
Here's a short video driving through town with the baffles capped, small block 375 hp, 4 speed.
http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/m...1014095348.flv
They are pretty mello until you get on it hard.
Last edited by blckslvr79; Jun 1, 2010 at 10:53 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 10
From: Charleston SC
STS and JCL are the same.
"Spiral Turbo Specialties" designed/sold by "JCL"
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
The baffles are great!
Here's a short video driving through town with the baffles capped, small block 375 hp, 4 speed.
http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/m...1014095348.flv
They are pretty mello until you get on it hard.
"Spiral Turbo Specialties" designed/sold by "JCL"
http://www.spiralturbobaffles.com/corvette.html
The baffles are great!
Here's a short video driving through town with the baffles capped, small block 375 hp, 4 speed.
http://s298.photobucket.com/albums/m...1014095348.flv
They are pretty mello until you get on it hard.
I ordered some STS baffles a few weeks ago...once I get home I will put them in.
From all the videos I've seen and heard, I think I'll like them a lot!
And since I've already established that I'm a dummy...what does everyone mean by capped and uncapped? I know that uncapped is much louder, and that you can regulate how big it is to match your preference...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,962
Likes: 5
From: Schererville IN
Well now I feel like a dummy... :o
I ordered some STS baffles a few weeks ago...once I get home I will put them in.
From all the videos I've seen and heard, I think I'll like them a lot!
And since I've already established that I'm a dummy...what does everyone mean by capped and uncapped? I know that uncapped is much louder, and that you can regulate how big it is to match your preference...
I ordered some STS baffles a few weeks ago...once I get home I will put them in.
From all the videos I've seen and heard, I think I'll like them a lot!
And since I've already established that I'm a dummy...what does everyone mean by capped and uncapped? I know that uncapped is much louder, and that you can regulate how big it is to match your preference...
I believe JCL is the inventers initials. His first name is Jim. When you look at them, the end that goes toward the engine has a cap welded on the center tube and spiral fins around the center tube. Leaving this cap in place is considered "capped". Drilling holes in this cap will allow more air flow by making the center tube a straight through design and also make them louder. You may not need to do this. If you install them and they are too quiet or you feel you need more flow, just drill a hole in the cap or even cut the cap off. You can always weld the drill hole shut or weld on a new cap.
In a sense, the STS baffles are tunable.