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continues: Exhaust Power Test
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We took the '31 to the new tech center at MagnaFlow Performance Exhaust and strapped it to the Mustang chassis dyno to reveal a base power level of 207.2 rear-wheel horsepower at 5,000 rpm. After adding Sanderso's 1 5/8-inch-tube, ceramic-coated shorty headers (PN CC158), a complete mandrel-bent 2 ½-inch exhaust system, and MagnaFlow's 4x9-inch Wide Open stainless mufflers, power increased to 230.7 at 5,100 rpm. That's a bonus of 23.5hp, which is more than a 10 percent gain.
The 350 has noticeable more throttle response at all rpm, and more importantly, burnouts are significantly improved. However, it wouldn't be worth it if we hated the
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way the car sounded. The Wide Open mufflers are just that straight-through perforated stainless steel tubes with no baffles, louvers, or restrictions. They looked loud, especially in the small size needed to fit the car, and we figured they'd be all blatty and annoying. No way. We were pleased with the mellow rumble at idle, the lack of resonance at cruise speeds, and the shriek of power during acceleration. The sound could be more tame with over-the-axle tailpipes, a crossover pipe, or both. The ceramic-coated Sanderson tubes look far better than the ram's-horn manifolds and the roadster sounds exactly like it should. Combine that with more power to play, and this is a setup we heartily recommend.
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The Price of Performance
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Sanderson headers, coated =$375
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Mr. Gaskets header gaskets =$2.95
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MagnaFlow stainless tubing kit =$449
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MagnaFlow Wide Open mufflers (pair) =$220
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TOTAL =$1,046.95
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Assume another $200-$400 in labor if you don't do it yourself.
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The MagnaFlow mufflers are available in multiple configurations of round or oval shapes, and they can be had in either 16-gauge stainless steel or more affordable aluminized steel. All the mufflers are fully welded and feature a straight-through, perforated, stainless core. The packing includes a layer of stainless mesh and a dense accoustical-suppression fiber imported from Italy.
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We were impressed with the fit of the 1 5/8-inch-tube Sanderson headers in our TCI chassis with Vega steering-but they were tight! We had to shorten the set screw on the Borgeson steering joint (arrow) plus grind a tad off the header flange just for safety. To make installation easier, we also TIG-welded the bolts to the flange. Our biggest fear with headers is that they'll sound tinny or leak, but the nice thick Sandersons were good and quiet.
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Here's the exhaust before and after. As you can see, the stainless, mandrel-bent setup is much swankier. MagnaFlow designed it by cutting and piecing prefabbed bends and then TIG-welding it all together.
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