Best-Sounding Muffler - Stainless Steel or Mild Steel?

[BoyRacer]

I know it's subjective, but which gives the best, smoothest, quietest, sound? I'm inclined toward mild steel. Sources? Moss sells only stainless steel.

 

[vette]

I tend to agree with you but I have never had a chance to compare. Thinking maybe British Car Specialist would have them.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

We put a Falcon SS system on our BN2; I thought it sounded tinny at first, but as it got carboned-up it mellowed out some.

The argument for SS, besides looking shiny--IMO it distracts from the rest of the car (because the exhaust is so visible on a Big Healey)--is that it will outlast mild steel. Maybe so for a grocery-getter, but most of us don't fire up the Healey unless we're going to take a real drive, like 10 miles or more. That gives the system a chance to heat up and evaporate the moisture from condensation, limiting rust. I bought an Ansa system for my BJ8 over 30 years ago and still use the pipes, though I've spliced-in 'Heartthrob' mufflers (sourced from J. C. Whitney). Since most of the systems are of the shredded fiberglass/metal packing variety, the stuffing gets blown out before the metal rusts (I've heard this about the 'Tourist Trophy' SS systems Moss sells). I think the OEM mufflers were stuffed, but I've never been able to confirm it. On a Healey, you're likely to bash the system to unusable before they rust through.

AHSpares has a mild steel system FS: > Austin Healey Exhaust System <

 

[AUSMHLY]

I believe the factory mufflers were painted black.
Can SS be painted black? Any special procedure or paint?
I installed Moss' mild steel and spray painted it hi heat barbecue flat black.
It has a nice tone.

 

[HealeyPassion]

Of course this is personal opinion, my preference in sound is the factory style mild steel.... I have the outside ceramic coated in black to make them less visible and to help contain the heat.

 

[PAUL161]

As far as sound is concerned, everyone has different likes and dislikes so if I were you, check with Healeys with stainless and mild steel systems. Pick what you like and go from there. PJ

 

[Healey Nut]

I had a custom-made Stebro side exhaust on my '64. It was 304 stainless and had an extended muffler that filled the space between the outriggers, so it wasn’t too noisy but sounded wonderful. The new owner of the car loves it too.

 

[steveg]

Healey Surgeons sells a good British-sourced mild steel muffler. Better sound than the SS.

 

[Bob_Spidell]

...
Can SS be painted black? Any special procedure or paint?
...

I used this on both my BN2's SS muffler and my BJ8's mild steel muffler. It's held up well in both cases (the BN2 only has a couple thousand miles on it though).

https://www.autozone.com/paint-and-body/high-heat-paint/p/design-engineering-hi-temp-silicone-coating-aerosol-spray-12oz/720885_0_0?cmpid=LIA:US:EN:AD:NL:1000000:GEN:10574827360&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjc2QBhDgARIsAMc3SqTVq5ONAtuwyedqhk15h-npFHUUP9vfyxk5v8kKK6vxbDT4_iRy8_waAtYSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[twas_brillig]

We have a stainless; my impression/recollection is that the mild steel has a 'nicer' sound. Hopefully I'll be able to do a bit of a comparison with the car shows coming back this season. Doug