240 General: Stainless steel exhaust.

[anncath]

Hi everyone, Can anyone tell me a good company for a stainless steel exhaust for my 1993 240 se. My only concern with stainless steel is that it may change the tone of the exhaust, I would like it to sound near enough the same as it does now.Any advice would be useful.

[Antz]

Youll probably have to get one custom made by a local custom exhaust shop.

Stainless exhausts (even standard diameter ones) always give a very slight different sound to mild steel that's a bit "tinny". Its just due to the nature of the material but not having to replace the exhaust ever again is a plus point.

That's why Ferraris use mild steel exhausts. They cant replicate that signature Ferrari sound of a thousand vespa scooters revving wth stainless so they use mild.

[anncath]

Hi Antz. All very interesting. Unfortunately the one word I was hoping I wouldn't here was TINNY. When stainless steel exhausts were first fitted to cars the one feature I did not like was the tinny tone to them. You have given me second thoughts. Thanks.

[classicswede]

The reason most ss exhausts sound tinny is because the metal is to thin

[Sig the V40]

Originally Posted by anncath

Hi Antz. All very interesting. Unfortunately the one word I was hoping I wouldn't here was TINNY. When stainless steel exhausts were first fitted to cars the one feature I did not like was the tinny tone to them. You have given me second thoughts. Thanks.

There is a Simonz full stainless system available which is identical to the one I'm running which gives a lovely deep burble, bit loud for most peoples liking I'm sure, but not a "Japanese" sound by any means.
Only other car I can liken it to is a Mk II Escort sound.

[anncath]

Thanks to everybody for the info. I realize now that without being able to listen to the exhaust note of a 240 with a stainless steel exhaust fitted it is to much money to take a chance on. I had hoped that the stainless steel system would sound similar to the standard layout and I was looking forward to not having to fix leaking exhausts but the exhaust tone is important to me. My other option is to fit a top quality steel exhaust can anybody advise me what make to purchase. Thanks.

[Derek UK]

A genuine Volvo one doesn't mean it will be mega expensive. Get a quote from a dealer. I'm sure FRF will quote a good price but carriage can be expensive.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=57125

[Stephen Edwin]

Yes it's a good idea to ask Volvo dealers for a quote. Use them or lose them ...

My local dealer gives me a discount on the basis that I have mentioned the forum, and they deliver heavy items by their van for no additional charge.

.

[Sig the V40]

Ok, so this is what the Simonz sounds like;-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLeGyrdBZDc

and this is what a single muffler custom package sounds like (specs in comments);-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbN9uRTI5wc


Mine just has the backbox, so is a lot lower than the standard in tone, but the "tinny-ness" is more of a rasp as opposed to a higher frequency. No mention of it on recent MOT (it failed on other stuff...) and going through tunnels is marvellous Pops and bangs etc.
It was on the car when I bought it, but have seen the same system pop up on Ebay for £210 fairly regularly. Still polishes up nicely too!

[anncath]

Thanks again for the advice. I will ring FRF Motors in the morning. I need service parts for my car so I can enquire about the price of the exhaust then. Hopefully it will be a good contact,and as I live only 40 miles from Swansea, I. could pick up if needs be.