I'm dumb. I'm stupid. I'm...cheap.
 

I realized, the other day, that I will be much happier if I have more money.


Consequently, I'm not putting on a new exhaust, I'm just putting on glasspacks instead of new mufflers. And I'm not getting it done at a shop, I'm doing it myself.


Also, instead of getting subframes welded on at a shop, I'm thinking about getting some bolt-on ones and doing it myself in an afternoon. So I'm wondering...I've heard that weld-in subframes are infinitely better, and that bolt-ons will eventually come loose due to the bolt holes widening. Common sense tells me that I wouldn't have a problem with that unless I'm launching 400+ hp on slicks, and that bolt-ons will be fine for normal street driving. Is this true? And, even if they widen a bit, will that damage any chassis components?


BTW, before anyone asks why I'm getting subframes if I don't race...I can post pictures of the cracked paint on my roof. :rolleyes: Thanks a lot, Ford.

IMOHO, get the subframes welded or dont bother putting them on.
You wanna save a few bucks, then get some that bolt on, then take it somwhere to splat some welds on top (no setup time that way). Should only be like $40.

Hmm, hard to argue with $40 in labor.


That's $40 less I have to spend on the clutch/flywheel/rear main, though. :(

Hey Jeb where in mass do you live?

'round Brockton.

Re: I'm dumb. I'm stupid. I'm...cheap.
 

Oh no, not gasspacks. I believe they actually cost you some power. Not only that, but they sound like sh*t. This is'nt the 70's anymore.

what is it they say again?? oh yes..


Do it right the first time! or don't do it at all..

False economy
 

'Jeb':

My advice is to have the subs welded and get regular mufflers.

Here's the deal; while doing your own work is a huge money-saver (and why I originally started doing my own stuff), using cheapo parts or doing things half-arsed is a big money loser...it just takes longer to see the expense.

If the subframe connectors pull loose and elongate the mounting holes (likely) you'll be losing the benefits of having them on the car to begin with and still have to get them welded in, anyway. What's gained?

Same with cheapie glass-pack mufflers. You do save some money - maybe $40. - but you also have a crappy-sounding car, they blow out in months and have to be replaced again, thus negating the 'savings'.

You can justify anything but the truth is that buying cheap parts or taking the 'easy' way out to save some money is usually a loser in the end and you actually pay more or don't get the benefit that you thought you would.

By all means, do your own work wherever possible and shop for the best price on aftermarket and repair parts but think it through and don't play cheap with your Mustang; it - and you - deserve better.

I should have clarified. I'm not going with the glasspacks strictly because they're cheap, I'm going with them because I would rather have them than plain old mufflers.

Man, you can do what you want, but geez. If someone told me they'd pay me $200 to put glasspacks on my car or I could pay $200 to put regular mufflers on my car. I would pay the $200 all day long. It's like the combover, a hundred people could tell someone it looks dumb, but the guy doesn't change. Hey, you know what would be cool, put big fuzzy dice and shaggy carpet in your car and those 13" or 14" gold wheels that stick out like a foot on each side. Anybody care to add to the list. Oh we cant forget the 8-track player.

Oh, man, that's harsh. :D


I have my reasons. I want open pipes, but they're just too damn loud. Maybe I could get one-chamber mufflers, or something?

Why don't you try the new "S muffler" from Car Chemistry Inc.. It's in Summit's Mustang section ($99 each though). Dynomax had some sales going on (don't know if there still), $25 rebate or something. Try Summit's own mufflers, their like $15 a peice for their Turbos or $38 each for their fully welded ones.

One chamber flow masters sound mean as hell on a 5.0.......Too loud for my taste but they do sound intimidating.

This is what got me interested in glasspacks. I loved the sound of that car, and it turned out the guy had a stock 5.0 (a lo-po one, to boot), and stock exhaust plus X-pipe. Entirely reproducable on my car, I would assume.

Sounds ok at idle, but there is a whole different unspeakable sound when you hit the gas. A guy across the street from where I used to live had 'em and I cringed everytime I heard it. I can compare the annoying sound to fart mufflers, i'd say they're just as annoying.

Did it sound anything like this?

lol, go ahead and throw on one of those 'foot' gas pedals.


Dude, the way i see it, you will weaken your chassis with bolt in sfc's, dont you have to drill?

If I have to drill to bolt on the subframes, I might as well get them welded.


See, this is why I love to ask questions here. Half the people pick on me, and the other half help me out. :D

I didnt think anyone with a 5.0 still used glass packs. The only people around here that still use those are chev trucks. And ivce read that they actually hurt performance. A friend of mine has a set on his 289 hi po comet, and you can barely stand sitting in his car. The noise is horrible and resonates way too much. If you like it, by all means, go for it. But im sure lots of people will agree, look around at some regular style mufflers. They make almost anything now.

I've got some used 50 series Flowmasters (3chamber) for sale. both for $60 bucks. originally $89 each.