The dual SS exhaust system that I installed 5 years ago is very loud. It's a Falcon system. I realize that these cars were loud when new, but this seems extremely so. I'm thinking of replacing the muffler. One supplier has a Bell muffler, but can provide no information about its sound level. Another supplier has an SS muffler and claims that the sound level is the same as original. Has anyone out there had any experience with these mufflers, or any other for that matter?
Submitted by NC19-47963 on Tue, 06/05/2012 - 15:57
Hi George,
Without any doubt, the place to go for your exhaust is Bassett's Jaguar. Bill Bassett uses a stainless muffler, and then fabricates the mild steel pipes which are tuned (available originally only with the 120 SE dual exhaust) and the sound is wonderful, a deep honey-toned note that money can't buy for any other model Jag. Stainless gives a much harsher sound. The XKE folk, (I have one also) would love to duplicate the 120 SE sound, but can't due to different lengths of the exhaust system and a different pipe dia. One XKE owner is willing to spend $1800 for a custom system from Bassett just to get that sound. Like you, I had a Falcon, then a Bell system, then I heard a Bassett system on a 120 and scrapped the other two immediately.
By the way, my 120 SE roadster happens to be on page 110 of Automobile magazine this month. A surprise to me as well as it is just a 'driver', but I drive it a lot! They also loved the 'sound'.
Lee Jacobsen,53 XK120 SE roadster, 52 XK120 SE roadster , 67 XKE roadster