What needed for a muffler system

[pope]

When this spider goes back together, what is needed as a muffler system. I have the original 4-2-1 manifold and a 15 year old IAP header (Poor design on where the 2 header pipes attach to the two pipes that take it farther down the line, the pipes also seem small). But anyways, I know that I can take off the cat conv., but how about the resonator before the axle? Is it there for sound or backpressure? I have an ANSA muffler with the twin crome pipes on the end. What is really needed for the system? Can an exhaust manifold and ANSA muffler be all that is needed for the exhaust system or is the resonator needed and benificial?
Thanks
Pope

[mbouse]

putcher flame suit on. open discussions about removing the catalytic converter generally get me in trouble.

!! check local ordinances concerning emission requirements and testing before discarding the cat....yeah, and here comes the legal disclaimer that cats are required by federal law in all 50 states. !!

i use a resonator on both my spiders, a "test pipe" on each, and a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold and standard down pipe.

the '80 has a two litre, carburetor, and an ANSA dual tipped muffler. love the sound.

the '78 has an 1800, carburetor, and a Danny O'Donnell stainless steel muffler. Love the sound...and it is definitely different from the '80. Danny strongly recommended i keep the resonator pipe in place to reduce the pop-popping when i get off the acellerator.

[spiderrey]

my 70 spider has a built two liter. marks awesome headers, and a rear muffler. thats it. i think the 1438,s only came with rear muffs. and the 1608 was the start of the center muff. i have a brand new factory center pipe in the garage with the two muffs.

[TJC]

From what I gather from reading board posts over the last couple of years, Spiders generally weren't exhaust restricted (in stock engine form, anyway) with the exception of the late 70's Spiders, due to their 4-1 manifolds and catalysts. This is unlike most cars I've owned (like my water-cooled VWs) where the exhaust is the first thing you cut off.

That being said, when I bought my '72 two years ago, some previous owner (we'll call him the PO, as I'm really PO'd at him) cobbled his own system together. He removed the two center resonators, installed a larger pipe, and connected it to a rear muffler of unknown origin. The car was buzzy, popped like crazy in decel, and was otherwise extremely cruddy sounding (and I think I was losing some mid-range torque, but that could be my butt-dyno talking). Therefore, when I get the "almost" stock head back on my engine, I'm going to install the original 4-2 manifold, y-pipe, and an NOS stock center section that indeed has the two resonators intact.

To finish the exhaust off, I found (i.e., Jon Logan found) a neat looking NOS rear exhaust section with a straight single chrome tip. The only trick is, it was originally meant for the Sport Coupe. BTW, has anyone successfully tried to install a Coupe rear exhaust on a Spider?

[mdrburchette]

To finish the exhaust off, I found (i.e., John Logan found) a neat looking NOS rear exhaust section with a straight single chrome tip. The only trick is, it was originally meant for the Sport Coupe. BTW, has anyone successfully tried to install a Coupe rear exhaust on a Spider?

I have an Ansa single chrome tip muffler on my 72 that came from IAP, along with the 2 resonators in the middle section. It fits nicely and sounds great. You may want to call and make sure it's still an Ansa. It's been several years since I bought it:

[TJC]

I have an Ansa single chrome tip muffler on my 72 that came from IAP, along with the 2 resonators in the middle section. It fits nicely and sounds great. You may want to call and make sure it's still an Ansa. It's been several years since I bought it:
http://www.international-auto.com/image ... 3000-2.jpg

Denise,
So, that was a picture of an ANSA muffler you purchased and installed in your Spider? (I thought all ANSAs were painted black) If so, then it's a good sign my unit would actually fit because that pic looks exactly like the one I got (right down to the inlet and outlet attaching above the muffler's seam). However, mine does have a tattered and torn sticker on it that says "Cou" which I assumed the "pe" was the part of the sticker that tore off. When I look at diagrams of coupe and spider rear mufflers, they look like they may route slightly differently around the axle. I'll try and find an IAP part number and call them up.

[pope]

I have the black crackle Ansa muffler with the twin chrome pipes. The picture (blue) above, I think its upside down? The tip of the muffler is the wrong angle and I think the pipe goes over the rear axle, not under. But it looks like its IAP's fault because of their verbage is printed there.

[So Cal Mark]

maybe it fits an Aussie version