I am in the process of getting a 283 ready to replace the tired one in my truck. I am going for a warmer cam so I can make a little noise but nothing too radical. I have decided to put dual steel packs behind it.
1) What is the difference between longer ones and shorter ones aside from the obvious. 2) What is a good length to go with? 3) Will X-pipes make a difference? 4) Will echo cans do anything more than make more noise
General rules of thumb...X pipe will take some of the "bark" out of the sound. Mixes the pules and softens them. Longer muffler with everything else the same will give a lower sound, short will have a higher note. What is an "echo can"? That is new to me. "Resonance" tubes were just a nice name for the pipe that went over the rear axle. They did make a mellow softer sound than dumps at the wheel well. So I guess that is where the name came from. SBC engines have the same pulse dynamic across the line, so any muffler brand that sounds good to you will work no matter if you have a 265,283,327,302,350, or what ever. Glass packs are their own animal. Short ones will get louder and harsher over time. Old school types with real fiberglass will do that faster than the newer types. You can have all the fun you want when comparing different types and manufactures for "ultimate" performance but for sound just listen at some car shows. If you like the sound get the information from the owner. He or She will talk your ear off about this stuff. Enjoy!
I have been planning on Brockman Mellow tones since I first heard them. I really like the steel sound better than the glass. I will probably go middle of the road and get the medium size ones. I don't want to make too much noise just enough so I don't need a radio.
Echo cans are the same as resonance tubes, maybe I will go without.
Right now I am running a single no name steel pack from the previous owner. It sounds great at idle but I cant really hear it once I get moving.
