[gtome]

I would say that since I like the left one the best, it would be of great value to me and anyone that is missing theirs. Again, awsome work on returning a wonderful option!!

[OVERULD]

Ditto, sign me up.

Now for the stupid question. What does VOE stand for? I don't even know what it means but I want it.

Dang that car sounds awesome.

[Jack Gifford]

VOE == Vacuum Operated Exhaust
The mufflers used a vacuum diaphragm (actuated by the "Tiger" switch) to open a poppet valve within the mufflers to change them to "straight through".
Tom Hand can enlighten you more on 'VOE'.

[Tom Hand]

Good day all and thanks for the valuation of the nut information. I believe the ones present with me will stay with me.

After having the pleasure of building and sending the others, I finally got my own done and on the car last evening. It is a 340 Plymouth so I am not running as much exhaust through as the 400 and the 455s will but it is awesome to drive. Actually, it is little strange to be honest. When they are quiet on my car, I hear way more engine noise and squeaks and rattles then I recall the car having when I drove it all the time back in the early 80s. It is exceptionally quiet and this is pretty amazing for a 2.5” muffler that is smaller inside than the GTO units were. When loud, it reminds me of Flowtech Terminators or other non-packed or short, small, glasspack-type mufflers. However, mine does not crackle or fart or bellow like the others I built; partly due to the fact that mine are not offset offset. Mine are offset center configuration and the exhaust has to do some funny things to get out of them. I think the internal path tends to take some of the crackle out of it. Plus, I run the OEM 2.25" tailpipes that neck down to 2” at the large chrome tip. This all tends to hold the exhaust in the muffler more than 2.5" tailpipes would. It is much louder with the larger tailpipes.

I need to permanently mount the vacuum canister and not sure where. I may do so under the battery tray as it seems to be about the best location for now. The switch is in the same hole where my Nitrous Oxide switch was back in 1979.

I will get a video together with sound later so others can see this set in action. I may set the camera up inside too and we will go for a short ride. I have to swap gas tanks as my brand new one (from 1977) got pinhole leaks in it and I have a new one (from 2007) to install but I am still awaiting the filler tube seal grommet.

As I get time, I will post some more comments. I forgot to add these had about a 9 to 10 dBA sound differential across the board but they never ht the 100 dBA level in the loud mode at 3500. Mine stay at 98 dBA whereas the offset offset ones hit 100 dBA on this car.

Saturday Update: I took a 40 mile drive around showing off the sound and can say this. When in the quiet mode, it is so quiet you have a tough time driving/shifting only by engine sound. Honestly, it sounds the same as or quieter than the OEM stock 340 Mufflers from 1969 which I still have. It is darn near silent. When loud, after a while it has that obnoxious droning that over time makes you irritable and ready to get out. It sounds cool and tough but if you had your wife with you or kids in the back seat, it would get very old. It is not as loud as most chambered mufflers when it is open because the car does not have that crackling, higher frequency sound like they do but it is loud none the less. Doubtful the police would even notice you but one would not want to take a long trip in the loud mode. I can only imagine what they would sound like on a higher HP Pontiac of 400 or 455 cu. in. It is really cool to drive.

These shots from the rear are looking up at them. They are supported in the stock location by stock hangers so the height is dead stock. They are lower in front to clear the actuators.

Here is the world's only VOE-equipped 69 340 Barracuda!

[Jack Gifford]

Thanks for sharing all that with us, Tom.

[Silver Judge]

Wow, those sound great and they look like a really well engineered setup

The HUMBLER lives again !

Is that an original 1970 VOE control-knob & bracket shown in the video (under steering column) ?

[Tom Hand]

SJ, that is one of the original, true VOE GTOs still in existence. It is the original bracket with most of its original parts. The owner did use steel tubing instead of the original black nylon (I think it was nylon) to evacuate the actuators.
I agree, it does sound pretty awesome on tape. I wish I could hear it live.

Tom

[Engine-Ear]

I am thankful, too, that I hung in there with the others...my problem is I don't know which car to use them on...probably the GP.

You just can't beat something that's Hand-made.

thanks again, Tom.

[Jumpstart]

testicle donation: http://www.snopes.com/college/medical/testicle.asp not possible but funny

[johnmilza]

I'm saving my money. Any word yet on who's going to be making/selling the exhaust system? Any idea on pricing? - other than street value of left nut

[Tom Hand]

Guys/gals, here is a summary of a preliminary email that went out last week. Please note Joe does not claim these are exact reproduction of the originals. Neither he nor I have tried to fool people into thinking these are exact copies of the originals. The body dimension is different because the sizes they used back in the late 60s is different but the rest of the fit and sizing is spot on. The good thing is that with today's technology, you can now have a muffler that lasts longer and works better in both the loud and quiet mode. What we traded off for originality, we gain back in longevity. . These new ones have virtually the same internals as the ones I was fortunate to have been able to build over the last few year and these new ones are built using high volume production techniques; they too look and fit right. These make an awesome addition to GTOs and other muscle cars. I've already gone through a bunch of fuel in my Barracuda and plan to burn up some more before it gets to nasty. Lots of fun to drive and switch sounds.
Tom

"This is an update on progress and plans.
The product(s): DCE Mufflers (Driver Controlled Exhaust)

Waldron’s Antique Exhaust will offer the DCE mufflers in stainless steel construction and they should last indefinitely. The vacuum actuator housing will be aluminized steel because we have been unable to locate a stainless steel actuator with the required output and stroke. I’ll attach a photo so you can see how our mufflers look. I’ll include a photo of the mufflers as installed in a 1971 GTO.

The mufflers are designed to follow the function of the original Oldberg design (Oldberg made the original mufflers for Pontiac and held the patents), but utilizing today’s sound absorbing materials and stainless steel components.

DCE Control kits: We will offer two versions of the control package:

1. Standard control kit

This kit includes the hoses, fittings, reservoir, dash switch, firewall grommet and mounting bracket required to install and operate the DCE mufflers. This kit will install into virtually any vehicle and is designed for non-Pontiac applications or for applications where original, Pontiac appearance is not required.

2. Pontiac style control kit

This kit is a reproduction of the original “Pontiac” parts. It includes the vacuum hoses and fittings, vacuum reservoir, firewall grommet (non-A/C), dash switch with Pontiac type control knob and switch mounting bracket. This is the best choice for the Pontiac owner who requires a “Pontiac” looking system. NOTE: THE PONTIAC STYLE RESERVOIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.

Mufflers will be available individually or in pairs. The control packages are designed for dual exhaust applications and can be used for single exhaust as well.

Prototype build:
We have completed our prototype build and sound tests. We will be ready to accept orders and we plan to begin shipments by November 15.

Here is a link to a video of our mufflers installed on a 1971 GTO with a stock 400, M-20 4 speed with a 3.23 posi rear. Even though the video camera microphone limits the highest volume to protect its internal circuitry, you can still get a good idea of how the DCE mufflers work and how great they sound. Enjoy!

LINK TO DCE MUFFLERS ON 1971 GTO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSEvVso21pM

I installed this system on my own GTO and have been having A BLAST with these mufflers! They totally change the sound characteristics of the exhaust; it is a lot of fun to drive with these on your car!

The complete Pontiac style control kit is not yet available. We DO have an under-dash switch with the correct (reproduction) Pontiac knob available, but not the correct vacuum reservoir.

We will be adding these products to our online catalog shortly and will also be introducing them to the broader marketplace in early November. You will be having fun with your new mufflers before everyone else knows they are available!

To ask any questions or to place your order, please call (800) 503-9428 or (269) 467-7185. We look forward to serving you!

Joe Tonietto; President

Waldron’s Antique Exhaust
Ph: (269) 467-7185
Toll free (US): (800) 503-9428
[email protected]
www.waldronexhaust.com "

[Jack Gifford]

Wow, Tom, that's fantastic news- that you got them into production! Even totally "made in USA". I won't be surprised if they sell very well. I was impressed with how well the Waldron DCE video was produced, too.
We all owe you a big "thank you"!

[Tom Hand]

Thanks Jack.

Many of the parts are made in USA, some in Canada, and some assembly is done by our northern neighbors as well. I sure hope they do well for Waldron's.

I added about 80 miles to my car yesterday and it is fun to drive. A 69 Fastback, bright B5 blue 340 four speed Barracuda with Centerlines and these mufflers grabs lots of attention when surrounded by 2000-2007 "vintage" cars. Got lots of thumbs up and comments in the 75 degree sun. It is very cool to have choppers giving the signals too! Too bad the quietest chopper is louder than the loudest mufflers though!!

The Waldron YouTube video shows how much the X-pipe changes the tone. None of the tests on the mufflers we made and had on my car have that burble or cackle or choppiness like Joe's stock low compression GTO. The X-pipe really tames and quiets the exhaust, which coincidently matches what we saw in all of our tests on them when they first came out. That is why all of our cars have them.
Tom

[Jack Gifford]

Tom- Nothing wrong with a little "cackle" for those of us who like it- that's why my GMC won't have any 'H' or 'X' pipe on it!
Can you tell me again how many VOE mufflers you built? Sometime in the future, when sales of DCE mufflers are going well, I can see myself wanting to point to mine and say "that's one pair out of just ?? pairs of DCE prototypes hand-built by Tom Hand himself!". If only I'd had you autograph them...

[Tom Hand]

Jack, We built one set to test actuation theories, one set for the guy in Ohio that loaned me his old parts, one set for the guy in Wichita and then four more last year. This year, we built six sets and then one for my car. In fact, I did autograph yours I think but it is on a plate that no one will ever see internally.

[Ziggy]

As indicated earlier:

I saved my nuts, (and my cash) and bought one of the first sets of stainless VOE mufflers and was very happy with the quality. I waited a long time as I knew the final product would be first class. Great Job Tom H.

Tom V."

I can only offer compliments to Tom H. He did a great job and I think I have the only "polished" stainless steel 2.5" VOE II set in the world. They sound great as I cruise down the highway mounted in the '63 Catalina convertible, which has a 421 with dual 4's. Even my 82 year old dad (original owner of the car) was impressed when he took the car out. We also noted that when operating them there was minimal affect on the vacuum. It maintained 16 at idle and when cruising and the VOE II's are open, the vacuum is maintained between 22 to 24 inches. GREAT JOB TOM! PS - I think it actually improved the gas milage!

Ziggy

[Tom Hand]

Right you are Zig! the one and only polished 2.5" set in the world.

[Jack Gifford]

Aw, cripes- I've got enough to do- now I gotta spend time getting filthy polishing on my VOE-II 2.5s???!! (Don't worry- your world title is safe)

[Dan Linebarger]

Yesterday I had a set of Doug's 2.5" elect. cutouts installed on my Goat.
I can't wait to get them wired up next week.
VOE would be cool. Curious as to the price difference.

[Tom Hand]

Dan,
Substantial.
Tom