Triad Exhaust Options

[pin31]

Has anyone installed a Triad exhaust and modified their rear valance (two holes)?

I thought I saw a picture on here not too long ago?

Right now I don't have the rear valance on...but I would like to (and not hack it up).

Anyone have any advise/experience/suggestions/pictures ?????

Thanks,
Tim

[drgchapman]

Has anyone installed a Triad exhaust and modified their rear valance (two holes)?

I thought I saw a picture on here not too long ago?

Right now I don't have the rear valance on...but I would like to (and not hack it up).

Anyone have any advise/experience/suggestions/pictures ?????

Thanks,
Tim

That was probably me. It was simple. Make a template of the exhaust cutout on the driver's side by tracing it on a piece of paper. Lay the paper on the otherside, mirrored and trace to the valence. Cut out with sabresaw, sand and paint. Took me about 2 hours, looks stock. I have a pic at home, I'll try to forward it.

[PeeGreen 914]

You don't need a rear valance. Triads look so good you should just keep the valance off. You could always ask for the 3" version like mine.

[pin31]

drgchapman: Cool thanks. I didn't realize the driver's side pipe was in the stock hole position. Makes sense, just mirror on other side. Pictures would be great !!

Blood Red: The Triad does look cool the way it is...that's why I haven't done anything yet. What do you mean by 3" version (shorter??). I have a 2.0L 4 banger although it looks just like yours.

Thanks guys,
Tim

[blitZ]

I did the same as Gary, just cut a 1/2 inch or less then the template. Then I used pliers to bend the metal back to match the look of the stock opening. It's fairly simple.

[pin31]

Another related question....

My Triad is starting to show signs of surface rust.

What do you recommend (wire brush off the rust real well & repaint)?

What type/brand of paint and color (to match existing) do you recommend?

Thanks,
Tim

[PeeGreen 914]

The pipe on mine is 3" pipe. Dave has only made three of them, and they are all because of people hearing and seeing mine. The normal size is 2-2.5".

On the rust issue... Yes, get it all off of there and reshoot it. The paint that is used is called VHT, and the color is gun metal grey... I think.

One of the people who has the same exhaust is a guy that has a 2.0l 4, and it sounds very nice on there.

[pin31]

I got ya...doh!! I misunderstood your reply. I believe I have the 2.5" diameter pipes.

Gun Metal Gray was my guess too.

Never heard of VHT paint...will google it and see if my FLAPS has it.

Thanks !

[PeeGreen 914]

I would imagine any tough paint would work, but Dave uses VHT. It is rather expensive, but it is good for high temp stuff.

[SGB]

I can get VHT at Autozone.

I also put on a Triad recently and it does sound cool under load, but when I back off the throtle with clutch still engaged I get a poppity-poppity sound. Not really a backfire, but sounds like gas combusting to me. I'm pretty confident HE to head connection is tight, as is HE to triad. Maybe it is just whats gonna happen with these bigger diameter pipes. It isn't offensive, but kinda raw. I've been told by others not to worry about it. Anyone else have similar experience?

[drgchapman]

I can get VHT at Autozone.

I also put on a Triad recently and it does sound cool under load, but when I back off the throtle with clutch still engaged I get a poppity-poppity sound. Not really a backfire, but sounds like gas combusting to me. I'm pretty confident HE to head connection is tight, as is HE to triad. Maybe it is just whats gonna happen with these bigger diameter pipes. It isn't offensive, but kinda raw. I've been told by others not to worry about it. Anyone else have similar experience?

Mine sounds just like that as well.

I like RAW..........and Nasty

[PeeGreen 914]

Sounds more like a carb thing. I love these exhausts though. There isn't one that I have heard that sounded better yet. Well, for a street car that is.

[AZ914]

So a search on Triad from userid ROUSER. He did the valance cut-out and added chrome tips. It looks great!

[Lavanaut]

Has anyone installed a Triad exhaust and modified their rear valance (two holes)?

I did this to my '74, here are a couple pics for ya. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[Lavanaut]

A few more to give you an idea of how I went about it. Dremmel with a metal cutting disk is your friend. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sawzall-smiley.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)

[Foster]

Now THAT, looks AWESOME! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[pin31]

I'm really glad you mentioned that (pop..pop..pop). I get it too !!

It's not a carb thing (checked it out pretty throughly, got the Weber book and went through it etc..), but I thought if might be an exhaust leak (I've got my reasons..PO). I have purchased all the gaskets and copper platted nuts etc. to reattach the exhaust from the engine, SS HE to the Traid just to eliminate any possibility of exhaust leaks. I'll do that job soon. While I'm at it, I'll clean the HE etc. and clean-off the rust and paint the Triad.

I think this might help my situation a little, although I don't think it will completely eliminate it.

I have the dual 2.5" pipe size Triad which I believe lowers the back pressure (probably quite a bit from stock single outlet) which I think causes the pop-pop-pop (kinda like an exhaust leak might).

I'd like to keep this thread going and have people like (Dave from Triad..Blood Red sounds like you know him, Jake..I know he got a lot to say about exhaust design and Chris from Tangerine..also tons of experience).

Maybe (if you want heat, therefore heat exchangers) this isn't the best choice for an exhaust for a street car (lower HP?) but a good choice for AutoCross.

It looks and sounds cool anyway !!

What do you experts out there think??


Tim

[J P Stein]

Valence?....we don't need no stinkin' valence....nor some of that other metal either (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Tho have no objective data, I think it helps the engine run cooler also.
Yes, that's a Triad.

[pin31]

Lavanaut: Wow; Awesome !!

I have the same car (74 2.0 but Phoenix Red) and that's the look I'm going for.

Where did you get the chrome tips? Do you have the template/drawing for the valance cut outs?

The exhaust looks cool the way it is but this really trims it out.

I'm still curious if this is the best exhaust for my application (cruising around)


Tim

[Lavanaut]

Lavanaut: Wow; Awesome !!

I have the same car (74 2.0 but Phoenix Red) and that's the look I'm going for.

Where did you get the chrome tips? Do you have the template/drawing for the valance cut outs?

Thanks. Actually, finding the chrome tips was the challenging part. Everything was either too long or had to be welded on. I wanted something bolt-on (or more precisely, bolt-off) in case I decided later I didn't like them. I don't remember where I got them, but the brand is Gibson. They weren't exactly cheap either. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I don't have the template any more, sorry. As you can see from the second set of pics up there, all I did was trace the existing notch on the driver's side, then flipped it and traced it on the passenger's side. You just need to be sure you space it exactly the same distance from the center of the valence as the driver's side notch. Mine was right on the first try. Sanded it, painted it, voila. The nice thing about my project was that the valence was dented on the passenger side when I bought the car, and this was a convenient "fix"! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

As for whether or not this is the "best" setup, I doubt it. But pair it with some SSIs and you've got a pretty nice system. I think Chris @ Tangerine Racing is offering headers with heat now, that'd probably be "better" in terms of any gains you'd see. I will say though, after puttting the Triad on I absolutely felt a difference in how the car drove.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)