Guaging Interest--new exhaust options

[PontiacDan]

Hello all, I am wanting to guage interest on a new axleback exhaust system for the G8 GT, offered at a very reasonable price, several tip options, etc..

SO HERE IS WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED:

*I am the owner of DG CUSTOMS, located in Danville VA--been in business since 2003. We specialize in one-off speaker boxes, suspension, performance, and exhaust installation etc... If it bolts to a car--we have done it.

*AXLEBACKS* will be constructed of heavy-duty flanges, mandrel bent 304 stainless steel 2.5" pipe & your choice of stainless steel exhaust tips. Mig welded construction.

The version we are working on now is a muffler-less design(straight pipe) and sounds excellent--very nice tone, virtually no drone at cruise speed and when the AFM is engaged. Very aggressive outside of the vehicle.

We will offer three different styled tips:
* Rolled Oval --about 5.5" wide and 3" tall
* Slant Cut Round --3.5" tip exit
* O.E. Style(these will be a little more expensive due to the price of the tips)

*VERSION II* will be just like above with the addition of one of our in house built chambered mufflers--extremely aggressive, sound fantastic, I would not recommend these to anyone who has not diabled the AFM. There is drone with this version when it is engaged. With the AFM disengaged, it is not bad at all--nice low rumble at cruise speed.

Both versions will be built on a jig, and will be test fit before shipped.

Initial price is expected to be the following:
-----VERSION 1-----
*with Rolled Oval Tips---
*with Slant cut tips---
*with OE style tips ---
-----VERSION II-----
*with Rolled Oval tips ---
*with Slant Cut tips ---
*with OE styled tips---
It is also possible we might have a pre-order sale with a little better prices. Looking to go into production by the end of March and shipping shortly there after. I have been talking to Charlie about becoming a vendor as well. These exhaust systems are all built by hand-by only two people in our shop, so quality will be first class--prices may vary slightly--I am working with two different suppliers getting prices & details

I will have more pictures & sound clips up shortly

I will get pics of the system installed on the car tomorrow, and show different tip options as well.

Here is a few pre-production pics with the slash cut tips:
(please note that this is aluminized pipe -- this is not final production assembly--it will be stainless)
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330024_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330025_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330026_large.jpg

Here is a few crappy quality cell-phone videos:
COLD START & IDLE
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x193/D_gusler/?action=view&current=014.flv

IDLE & REVVING
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x193/D_gusler/?action=view&current=015-1.flv

DRIVE BY
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x193/D_gusler/?action=view&current=004-1.flv

CABIN ACCEL & CRUISE-slow speed
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x193/D_gusler/?action=view&current=005-3.flv

FAST ACCEL (INTERIOR)
http://s184.photobucket.com/albums/x193/D_gusler/?action=view&current=006-2.flv

Depending on reaction to these axlebacks, we may offer a full catback system with the option of either an H or X pipe(your choice) and possibly looking into making a "cat delete" pipe--essentially making a true-offroad system. Projected pricing is looking around -- range for the complete cat-back system & around --for the off-road extensions(AS OF NOW--ACTUAL PRICING MAY VARY---)

WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, WE ARE ADDING A POWDER COAT OVEN LARGE ENOUGH TO BAKE COMPLETE MOTORCYCLE FRAMES, SO LOOK FOR MUCH MORE TO COME!!

Thanks for looking,
Daniel

[MediaGuy]

I'm sure you'll get some more valuable responses when you post the new pictures. Until then, here's my nugget of wisdom:

You want to make a great product for the G8 community? Provide us with an affordable electrically-switchable dual mode exhaust system, similar to the system on the C6 Z06. The only difference being that the Z06 exhaust cannot controlled by a switch.

I may be a new guy, but I've lurked enough to hear a multitude of requests for a system like this that can provide a quiet rumble or a beastly roar at the push of a button.

Either way, best of luck! -John

[PontiacDan]

Here is a few more pics, Including the tip option for the rolled-oval--which is my personal favorite--

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330029_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330028_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330027_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330030_large.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2851/4661/32127330031_large.jpg


My shipment of stainless has been delayed, and it should be here next wedsneday.

Mediaguy--I have thought about doing something with electric cutouts--possibly using a midmount single muffler under the center of the car--with dual electric cutouts after the muffler & before the axle-backs. With this setup you could still run the factory axlebacks if wanted, hit the button for the cutouts and go from stock--to drag car sound with the press of a button. The biggest issue with this is cost--quality electric cutouts get pricey. Although if there is enough interest, I can make this setup

[wreckwriter]

Axle-backs with cutouts would sell, the center section maybe not as lots of us have header systems already.

[Slizzo]

Hello all, I am wanting to guage interest on a new axleback exhaust system for the G8 GT, offered at a very reasonable price, several tip options, etc..

SO HERE IS WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED:

*AXLEBACKS* will be constructed of heavy-duty flanges, mandrel bent 304 stainless steel 2.5" pipe & your choice of stainless steel exhaust tips. Mig welded construction.

The version we are working on now is a muffler-less design(straight pipe) and sounds excellent--very nice tone, virtually no drone at cruise speed and when the AFM is engaged. Very aggressive outside of the vehicle.

We will offer three different styled tips:
* Rolled Oval --about 5.5" wide and 3" tall
* Slant Cut Round --3.5" tip exit
* O.E. Style(these will be a little more expensive due to the price of the tips)


I am VERY interested in the above. Been thinking about having a local exhaust shop do something very similar to this, but if you can produce something nice, and relatively cheap, then I'll be buying from you!


Now, I know you're still gauging interest, but ballpark, what do you think you'd be charging for something like this??

[Naptown99]

Hey,
Do you have a pic of those rolled tips on the car?
Stuff looks great!

[Kermit]

Axle-backs with cutouts would sell, the center section maybe not as lots of us have header systems already.

I second this, I have Kook's headers and the X-pipe but still stock mufflers. If you are going to do something for just axle-backs only will get my ears up. The straight pipe back sounds intriguing but don't know how the drown would be.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

With headers neither one will work, it will be too loud with the straight pipes and there will be too much drone with the other. I bought a set of custom Borla axlebacks from a guy with headers, and they were way too loud on his car but sound perfect on mine with the stock system.

[PontiacDan]

Hey,
Do you have a pic of those rolled tips on the car?
Stuff looks great!

I will very soon--My shipment of stainless pipe was delayed & will not be in until next weds, so i'll go cut and bend another section out of aluminized pipe--the pics of these tips do not do them any justice--and they fill the factory outlets of the bumper perfect.


It appears that there is some interest with electric cutout axlebacks--how loud are you guys wanting the muffled side to be?? standard fiberglass turbo mufflers? I'll try to do a little research & try to get some sketches together for you guys.



Kermit--I dont know how the drone would be with headers, but running the stock manifolds & mid-sections with the VERSION 1 exhaust, drone is non-existant at cruise speed with AFM engaged. I expect with the chambered mufflers it will be very loud--just like my mustang

[PontiacDan]

One more option I wanted to add--is there anyone interested in a 3" axle-back setup--I can offer these for about the same pricing as the rest--tip selection may be more limited

[-Ray-]

Do you have a mandrel bender Dan?

[PontiacDan]

I dont own one, but I do have unlimited access to one

[wreckwriter]

It appears that there is some interest with electric cutout axlebacks--how loud are you guys wanting the muffled side to be?? standard fiberglass turbo mufflers? I'll try to do a little research & try to get some sketches together for you guys.


For me, some growl but not too loud. About halfway between Magnaflow and Kooks would be perfect.

[MediaGuy]

It appears that there is some interest with electric cutout axlebacks--how loud are you guys wanting the muffled side to be?? standard fiberglass turbo mufflers? I'll try to do a little research & try to get some sketches together for you guys.


Awesome! I'd like to have a nice V8 growl with the cutouts closed- nothing to wake the neighbors, but enough that people take a quick look. With the cutouts open, I'm looking for a much more straight-pipe, NASCAR-motor sound. I know, I can't have my cake and eat it too. :)

[PontiacDan]

well guys, a little update--i am still working on design for the cutout-axleback--looking for a short muffler & cut-out combo that will work.

I also have a set of flowmaster super 44s coming in & will be making an axleback set with these--I hope that I find the sound that I am looking for--I will post videos when they arrive & I get my stainless shipment in.

Thanks,
Daniel


----PLEASE feel free to post any comments/ideas/etc... I am doing this to help everyone on here who thinks $500+ for two mufflers & a little pipe & a tip is crazy

[joemac]

Daniel, Found you over here on this board. We had exchanged a couple PM's on another board.

I'm seriously interested in version II, OEM tips with 40 series delta flow. Something a little more on the mild side compared to the Super 40 or the Super 44 would be the idea.

Having had three Mustangs, three Camaro's, and a TransAm previously, we're sort of keen to that classic Flowmaster sound.

[PontiacDan]

Daniel, Found you over here on this board. We had exchanged a couple PM's on another board.

I'm seriously interested in version II, OEM tips with 40 series delta flow. Something a little more on the mild side compared to the Super 40 or the Super 44 would is the idea.

Having had three Mustangs, three Camaro's, and a TransAm previously, we're sort of keen to that classic Flowmaster sound.

Absolutly so---I know exactly what you are talking about(although I am running MAC on my stang).

Once I get production started, I should be able to install your choice of mufflers with these--I will try to have the available options once I get a website up and running.

Thanks for the interest guys---keep the questions & comments rolling in

[Mav]

Posting so I can keep track of your progress. I may be interested depending on price. Although I have to say that I like the factory tips...

[Slizzo]

Hey Dan, any updates on progress on this?


Hope all is going well. :)

[joemac]

Daniel, just touching base to let you know some of us are still interested.

['02 ws6]

Very interested in the V.1 w/ OE tips. Seems like you may have some competition, as another member on here is close to offering a straight pipe setup as well. Just waiting for prices...

[PontiacDan]

sorry for the lack of updates guys--i've been out of town for the last 10 days(part business, part vacation). So here is where I am at now:

*I had difficulties with my supplier on the stainless tubing, so I am looking into another source.

* The jigs are about 80% complete. I have a few minor finishing touches to work on.

* i actually have more going on in the shop than I know what to do with, so progress is coming along slow(although this project is still planned as a go)

*I have built a set with flowmaster super 44s & flowmaster 40 series as well as our custom chambered mufflers, and IMO neither produces the sound that I am looking for. I am looking into other options here as well. The mufflers have to be placed too far back in the exhaust system & the lack of tailpipes leave much to be desired with a chambered muffler. I am looking into turbo mufflers at the moment, but I still prefer the sound of straight-piped exhaust

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

I have Borla turbo mufflers on my car and they sound great.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/DonRome/th_P1030154.jpg (http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a375/DonRome/?action=view&current=P1030154.flv)

[joemac]

*I have built a set with flowmaster super 44s & flowmaster 40 series as well as our custom chambered mufflers, and IMO neither produces the sound that I am looking for. I am looking into other options here as well. The mufflers have to be placed too far back in the exhaust system & the lack of tailpipes leave much to be desired with a chambered muffler. I am looking into turbo mufflers at the moment, but I still prefer the sound of straight-piped exhaust

Daniel, If you want to get rid of the set you made with 40 series Flowmaster please let me know.

Thanks