Aftermarket mufflers - the noise factor, Factory vs. Bursch vs. Triad... Options

[Lavanaut]

Hi all,

I'm looking at swapping out the factory muffler on my '74 2.0. I've read through every exhaust-related topic on the board I could find and came up with a ton of useful information. Based on that information I'm leaning towards a twin tip from Triad. Still I'm left with one concern, and that's the noise factor. Posting a question like, "Hey guys, how loud is the Triad compared to the Bursch compared to the stock muffler?" elicits good-willed responses like "It's louder/better/not that much louder/deeper/throatier/meaner", etc...but that's all in the ear of the beerholder. I'm wondering if anyone out there has or has seen any data, in the form of decibel level comparisons, on some popular aftermaket muffler options? I did see the one on the Triad website, but it didn't really have enough information to do a comparison.

At this point I've narrowed it down to either the Bursch or Triad, so that's what I'm most interested in seeing. I'm sure if this info were readily available I would have come across it in the forums already...figured there's no harm in asking though.

If I lived in SoCal or the like probably just ask if anyone would let me hear their triad/bursch, but the 914s seem to be few and far between up here in Bend, OR....

Anyways, thanks in advance!

Reid

[sportlicherFahrer]

RockinOldSchool has a Bursch on his car, and I had one on my 1.8L. Really kind of a raspy loud high performance bus/decent porsche sound to it. The Triad is made of much better steel, has a really nice paint coating on it, AND all the welds are not only like someone used thier finger to smooth them out, but are also guranteed for life. If you ever have an issue with it as far as welds(which you shouldnt, they fit, sound, and hold up great) Triad will fix it. He also supplies the Stainless hardware and nice metal gaskets with the muffler included in the price. The Bursch definatly sounds like a 4 cyl. and the Triad sounds A LOT more like a Porsche should, a six.

As far as performance, the Triad gives a nice gain all around. It gives nicer take off torque, and gives a very nice flow throughout the power band. The Burch doesnt do as much, but having said that, I have never driven/riden in a 2.0 with a stock muffler. But like most cars, a well engineered exhaust will give you a gain over stock.


Just my few dollars.