Weekend Happenings

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/29/2016 at 09:30 • Filed to: None

1. Finally timed my truck. Used a camera on the speedo and edited the video to get the time. I know my wheel speed sensors line up with the GPS, so it should be pretty accurate.

Did 3 runs, got consistent 0-100kph times of 7.5 seconds. 0-60mph I got 7.1, 7.1 and 7.0 seconds. Considering the magazine tests come in with 0-60 of 6.7-6.9 seconds, I think that’s pretty good. The interesting thing is, though, that these were far from optimum conditions (though there were a few tradoffs). It was cold (good for engine, bad for traction), surface had plenty of salt grit (bad for traction), I was on Blizzaks snow tires (bad for traction), and I forgot to turn traction control off (could go either way, at least on this surface—I got in one run were it didn’t come on, so since my times were consistent I don’t think it did anything), and 89 gas (good for power).

I realize I’m just flattering myself to think it would go much faster even though the indications are that it would, but that feels good. I may not test it again just to keep that feeling :)

Nah, who am I kidding.

2. Installed new muffler. Borla ProXS.

First impressions. Quieter than I’d like, but that’s the reason I chose it. Flow benefits without bleeding ears on the highway and without pissed off neighbours. It isn’t much louder than stock, but it’s a much nicer noise. Under load at low revs you can hear it much better, which I love since that’s one of my favorite aural spots in the rev range. Overall, I like, though if I had nothing else to worry about I’d have put on a Flowmaster Super 10 instead.

I have to say I don’t get why GM put the stock muffler there. The Borla is lighter, smaller, about the same volume level and flows better. GM already has a contract with Borla (they supply the GMPerformance exhaust systems), so it wouldn’t be difficult.

DISCUSSION (14)

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 09:39

I don’t want to do a 0-60 because I’m sure I’d be disappointed.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 10:01

I’ve always wondered that myself, about the mufflers. There are some really good aftermarket ones out there that flow much better and are much lighter, without making much of a change in volume or tone. It’s free HP which translates into better efficiency and fuel economy, and saving weight also helps with economy. I’d think in this day and age they would be chasing every MPG they could get.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Snuze: Needs another Swede
02/29/2016 at 10:05

The only thing I can think of is that they can sell “GM Certified” upgrades afterwards since they have a GM/Borla badged system they sell. But they never made one for my truck, so why hold back?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 10:40

Super 10!!

Hahaha, man that would be loud, I have dual super 44's on the Montego and it’s almost ear bleeding loud on the highway....of course I only have 3 gears and no overdrive so I’m waaaay up on RPMS on the highway. Also - fuck the neighbors if they mind haha.

BigBlock440 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 10:45

Possibly construction methods or shared parts makes the stock one cheaper. I don’t know what either one looks like though, so it’s just a guess.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/29/2016 at 10:48

Sounds absolutely MEAN on a 5.3L:

But then it’s SERIOUSLY loud, too. You can hear the thing pretty far away. As far as the neighbours go, they’ve been real nice, quite, decent people. Don’t want to upset that. Especially as they just had their first kid, whose bedroom window happens to be right next to where I park. I doubt they’d appreciate me waking the kid up every morning like that :)

One thing I was considering for down the road, though... Why not 2 mufflers side by side with a butterfly valve? Borla on one side, Super10 on the other? That said I could just do that with an electric cutout...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BigBlock440
02/29/2016 at 10:51

Kinja'd!!!

Borla is a straight through design, stock appears to be chambered. Heavily.

From Summit (I paid more because I’m in Canada) you could get one in the US for 87+shipping. I can’t imagine the stock one being cheaper. The Flowmasters are a chambered design and are more expensive.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 11:00

Damn that sounded good.

When I start up in my neighborhood with the Montego I never go past idle and I just idle it right out of the neighborhood. Don’t even wake the wife if I sneak out for an early car show.

And you I think it would sound better with a 10 on it than straight cut outs. It’s probably extra work/money but I don’t think straight pipes sound good on modern motors. It’s actually a really clever idea to sneak a 10 + electric butterfly valve on it.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/29/2016 at 11:04

That’s kind of what I thought. I figure just a dumped exhaust would probably be too loud to enjoy, the Super10 would probably be better.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 11:07

Have you heard my Super 44's? I like the tone better than the 10's I’m working with a classic Ford 5.0 vs your modern GM 5.3, so it’s different but I listened to a lot of mufflers before settling on the 44's.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/29/2016 at 11:14

I haven’t heard yours, but I did listen to Super44's on a 5.3—liked them better than the 40's that were the first consideration. Didn’t really like the tone on the 40's. Too much of a raspy/hollow sound. In the end I decided that since I have to live with it every day I’d be better finding something quieter for now.

So this is what I’ve ended up with... not super loud, barely louder than stock in fact, but nice tone. Not my truck but same engine and almost exactly the same setup, just with a tip.

That, combined with this chart that showed the Borla was one of the best flowing mufflers around sold me.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 11:34

That’s mine.

Yours sounds good man, I like that it’s got a bit more rumble. If my Montego was DD’ed there’s no way I’d have it this loud. I wish that review chart would have called out which flowmaster they used though

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
02/29/2016 at 12:14

Sounds great. Exactly how an old ‘murican V8 should sound.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/29/2016 at 12:35

Thanks man, i’ve been thrilled with how it turned out. And no headers, those are stock exhaust manifolds.