drilling sts baffles?
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SHADY SPRING WV
drilling sts baffles?
While switching over to a TKO 500, I'm going to put on OBX side pipes with STS baffles. I have read that some drill the cap on the baffles and was wondering what size hole they start with and where most end up for a good sound without being overly obnoxious. My engine is a 410hp 350 with LT4 hot cam and Vortec heads with 2.02 and 1.60 valves. I have listened to the you tube videos but they don't say if they drilled them or how much. Any help would be appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 362
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From: nashville tn
I would try them stock first, Mine were very restritive. I drilled mine 6 to 8ea 1/2'' holes on both ends, later that week, I removed the baffles and cut them in half & found they were really 2 baffles back to back. So i drilled the other half of the baffle, much louder & found by moving them forward or back in the tube changed to tone quite a bit. Also with the baffle forward the tubes were a whole lot cooler. Well after all that I bought some hooker inserts, they were nice, then one summer day in shorts I was on the cell phone with the door open, causually laid my leg out the door and dang if I thought I smelled bacon burning, wish it was. $200 dollors in med bills and 3 days outa work, so later that month I bought some relly nice heat guards to prevent that from happening again, after all that I decided I really liked the way my 68 looked without them & put the headers back on. Well thats my experience with them, good luck & be careful.
Mike
Mike
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I drilled mine 1/2", and they sound perfect. With the top down on the Roadster, you can carry on a conversation inside the car without yelling, yet you can pull up next to someone talking on their cell phone and make them hang up... 
Lars
Lars
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From: SHADY SPRING WV
I am looking for a deeper tone so does the position of the baffle change that? Mine are 30" so there isn't a lot of room to move back & forth. Also does drilling affect the tone, I have heard some say they sound a little tinny if that is a word!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Butler Pa
IMO, if you want a deep tone, get the Hooker Max Flo's. No drilling required.
Instructor
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Pm
Check your mailbox.
While switching over to a TKO 500, I'm going to put on OBX side pipes with STS baffles. I have read that some drill the cap on the baffles and was wondering what size hole they start with and where most end up for a good sound without being overly obnoxious. My engine is a 410hp 350 with LT4 hot cam and Vortec heads with 2.02 and 1.60 valves. I have listened to the you tube videos but they don't say if they drilled them or how much. Any help would be appreciated.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Titusville Florida
keep the thread on a positive note pls.
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SHADY SPRING WV
Also, they are not installed yet, I just don't want to drill the tubes and find out they would have sounded better more forward or rearward. Just trying to learn from others experience. Thanks for the replies.
Lars, any insight on whether to install them more forward or rearward or does it even make a difference?
Lars, any insight on whether to install them more forward or rearward or does it even make a difference?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
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From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
I have mildly built 350 and drilled mine 5/8". I really like the way they sound now. Doesn't get noisy until you get into the throttle and then it's pure music. Can't wait to hear them after I upgrade to stroker 383 and increase compression! If you get them too loud, you can always weld a new cap on and start over, albeit a real PITA to get off/on again.
It's all subjective . . . I thought they were too quiet when fully capped, so the next time I had them off, I drilled them out. As Lars pointed out, you can carry a conversation a low RPM. When on the interstate running 3000 RPM, they sound incredible, but man it sucks the gas!!! Overdrive tranny is my next project.
It's all subjective . . . I thought they were too quiet when fully capped, so the next time I had them off, I drilled them out. As Lars pointed out, you can carry a conversation a low RPM. When on the interstate running 3000 RPM, they sound incredible, but man it sucks the gas!!! Overdrive tranny is my next project.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2006
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From: SHADY SPRING WV
I have mildly built 350 and drilled mine 5/8". I really like the way they sound now. Doesn't get noisy until you get into the throttle and then it's pure music. Can't wait to hear them after I upgrade to stroker 383 and increase compression! If you get them too loud, you can always weld a new cap on and start over, albeit a real PITA to get off/on again.
It's all subjective . . . I thought they were too quiet when fully capped, so the next time I had them off, I drilled them out. As Lars pointed out, you can carry a conversation a low RPM. When on the interstate running 3000 RPM, they sound incredible, but man it sucks the gas!!! Overdrive tranny is my next project.
It's all subjective . . . I thought they were too quiet when fully capped, so the next time I had them off, I drilled them out. As Lars pointed out, you can carry a conversation a low RPM. When on the interstate running 3000 RPM, they sound incredible, but man it sucks the gas!!! Overdrive tranny is my next project.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 664
Likes: 89
From: Marysville Ohio
I ran the STS baffles for a while, really liked the sound. I would not call it exceptionally deep, though.
I tried Hooker Max Flows recently, and those do sound a bit deeper to me - and I liked the sound even more.
As far as performance goes, my "Butt dyno" can't tell the difference...
I tried Hooker Max Flows recently, and those do sound a bit deeper to me - and I liked the sound even more.
As far as performance goes, my "Butt dyno" can't tell the difference...
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
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From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I have the STS baffles without being drilled.
I agree with others that the sound from the STS baffle can't be called "deep". I would classify it as "pure". It is a very sharp, mechanical sound that is more of a muffled straight pipe than a "toned" exhaust. I honestly don't know if that is a good or a bad thing, but it is a pretty good match to my solid roller engine.
If I had a more stock-ish engine, I would probably stick with the Max Flows since they seem to smooth the sound out a bit more.
I do not plan on drilling my baffles since they are quite loud enough. After driving my car around for anything more than an hour, it leaves me wanting to pop my ears. Not that the sound is at all similar, but it is that "darn I wish I had worn my ear protection before I ran the leaf blower for an hour" sort of feeling.
Maybe if my engine didn't "hit" as hard as it does, I could tolerate a little more sound. But I can handily scare women and children as it is. Couldn't imagine any more.
I agree with others that the sound from the STS baffle can't be called "deep". I would classify it as "pure". It is a very sharp, mechanical sound that is more of a muffled straight pipe than a "toned" exhaust. I honestly don't know if that is a good or a bad thing, but it is a pretty good match to my solid roller engine.
If I had a more stock-ish engine, I would probably stick with the Max Flows since they seem to smooth the sound out a bit more.
I do not plan on drilling my baffles since they are quite loud enough. After driving my car around for anything more than an hour, it leaves me wanting to pop my ears. Not that the sound is at all similar, but it is that "darn I wish I had worn my ear protection before I ran the leaf blower for an hour" sort of feeling.
Maybe if my engine didn't "hit" as hard as it does, I could tolerate a little more sound. But I can handily scare women and children as it is. Couldn't imagine any more.
Last edited by keithinspace; Dec 11, 2014 at 09:33 AM.
