DR Cobra exhaust manifolds ?

[rayjay]

I don't see these on his site. Do they bolt up to the factory system? Cost? Noticeable gain? Thanks

[Marauderjack]

He sells as a package with hi-flow cats and x-pipe.....Bolts directly to oem mufflers and tail pipes!! :up:

Call him and get pricing as well as dyno gains....20 HP or so...I think?? :)

Marauderjack

[RF Overlord]

^^^what 'jack said^^^

You can't replace just the manifolds only...the outlet on the passenger side is different and won't match up to the stock cats, and the driver's side outlet, while the same type as stock, points at a different angle.

I just got the package installed, but haven't re-dyno'd it yet (I'm going to), so I don't know what HP difference it makes. I can FEEL a big difference, but I also had the 4.10's done at the same time, so I can't tell how much of the difference is attributable to the exhaust.

My wrenches both commented on the fit and finish of the system and on the (relative) ease of installation...

[Marauderjack]

RF....

Did you retain the stock mufflers and if so how does the system connect to them?? :o

The folks at Paul's HP were working with Basanni on an x-pipe that would bolt up to stock manifolds but now they are changing mufflers to.....I'm not interested in chopping the system up and doing a bunch of welding!! :down:

I had a bad rattle when I put duals on a CV without the "vibration damper weights" and wonder if anybody has had exhaust rattle with aftermarket mufflers without the weights?? :cry:

Marauderjack :up:

[MM03MOK]

We went with Flowmaster 40s. The stock system was cut behind the OEM mufflers, leaving them attached to the H-pipe - all one piece. The weights were transferred to the Flowmasters.

I'll let Marauder8 comment on the aftermarket mufflers without weights.


RF....

Did you retain the stock mufflers and if so how does the system connect to them?? :o

The folks at Paul's HP were working with Basanni on an x-pipe that would bolt up to stock manifolds but now they are changing mufflers to.....I'm not interested in chopping the system up and doing a bunch of welding!! :down:

I had a bad rattle when I put duals on a CV without the "vibration damper weights" and wonder if anybody has had exhaust rattle with aftermarket mufflers without the weights?? :cry:

Marauderjack :up:

[RF Overlord]

I'm not interested in chopping the system up and doing a bunch of welding!!


Dennis's sytem will bolt up to the factory mufflers...it comes with adapters just for that...no cutting or welding necessary...

[bugsys03]

I left the stock mufflers in place as I didnt want it too loud. I am glad I did as it is considerably louder than OEM setup. Totally different tone, nice and throaty :up: . In my opinion I think to realize the performance gains from this mod you will have to get the lower gear and retune the car as it definitely moves your power band up the rpm scale. Another plus is my mpg has been increased since I did this mod.

A word of warning to anyone when washing the engine compartment. Dont use commercial grade(Super Wash) car wash soap!! It took the polish right off the jet coat. Now I have to try to repolish them :bigcry:

[HwyCruiser]

I had DR's cobra exhaust installed last month. Here's a few pics of the manifolds and x-pipe (click to make bigger):

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/501/1594Cobra_EM_1-thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/503/1594Cobra_EM_1-med.jpg)... http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/503/1594DR_X_PIPE_1-thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/503/1594DR_X_PIPE_1-med.jpg)... http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/501/1594DR_CATS-thumb.jpg (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/501/1594DR_CATS-med.jpg)... http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/503/1594exhconn-thumb.JPG (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/503/1594exhconn-med.JPG)

My svc tech didn't have any problems with the bolt-on. You can see how the kit connects to the OEM mufflers just before the OEM pipe strap in the last photo.

I think DR stopped here for a couple reasons:

First, I've read and heard that the OEM mufflers are pretty good performance wise, but since they are 2" inlets, a good neck-down connection had to be made somewhere. I think the ball and socket setup with the swaged coupler is a very nice solution for the do-it-yourselfer.

Second, there's quite a variety of opinions on what aftermarket mufflers are the best, so by design he's leaving that decision to you. I remember DR posting that he liked the sound with the OEM mufflers. I agree when standing outside of the car and listening to her tool around a parking lot (my wife has to humor me every once in a while). But from inside the car, its still a pretty quite ride. I've gotten several complements on the sound.

Third, not including a muffers save's a little bit of cash on the package. I paid $900 for the kit during the "Spring Sale" group buys. I think it went up a little though, just call him for current pricing.

Performance results? Check this thread out:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10643

I've got a couple Magnaflow "universals" on order (2.5", offset-center, 4x9 oval, aluminized steel pn: 11256 - BTW, SS pn: 14356) to plumb the exhaust 2.5" to the tailpipes. I'm hoping for a little more aggressive sound and a few more hp. We'll see what the results are.

There are plenty of dynos posted in the gallery for all three exhaust setups. I suggest you study them to see where the power is along the rpm range. Even with the 2" restriction and the OEM mufflers, my car pulls in any gear like never before.

- JD