Well folks, after going back and forth b/w the SLP loudmouths, which I considered to be a rip off, and a custom job, which introduced its own problems (no shops in town have stainless pipe, poor selection of tips, little savings once labor costs factor in), I finally decided to go with the LM's. Picked up a set used from our very own Lord British (great seller, btw!), and after a long afternoon with my new toy, I am ready to announce the grades. They dissappoint on some grounds, live up to expectations on others, and completely surprise me in a couple ways.

First, what I expected:

-They are loud. They are called loudmouths, so I suppose this is obvious.
-They drone a little. No news there, but after 100 miles of mixed driving, the resonance is more than managable to my ears.
-They are great looking, and of extremely high quality. Installation was a snap (took about 2 hours, mostly because I took my time and did everything with a box wrench and two sockets). I set my tips to stick out about 1.5 inches past the bumper cut outs, and they look AMAZING.

Second, what lets me down a bit.

-I'm ambivalent toward the exhaust note. In many ways, it sounds like garbage. Loud garbage, for sure, but a thrashy, very unrefined sound. Sort of like the anti-magnaflows. Now, before you all flame, let me qualify my complaint by saying I didn't really *expect* the LM's to sound otherwise. From an audiophile's perspective, the LM's would be the perfect power amp, i.e., they impart no coloring to the source material (the raw exhaust note). Like a good amp, they simply magnify the existing signal, and step out of the way. Not a bad approach, but I think most folks expect an exhuast system that *does* filter the signal through it's own unique lens. Complaints aside, the amplification is absolutely addictive on deceleration, downshifts, and even engine braking. The car literally "communicates" it's every move with a snap, a burble, or a hearty growl. Very cool.

Finally, what totally rocks.

-The rumors are true, at least for now (didn't disconnect battery, so who knows whether the computer will trim out everything you're about to read). These puppies open the car up in the lower revs. I don't need a dyno to *prove* this to anyone. I drive my car agressively almost every day. I know when it pulls, when it screams, and when it lies down, and I swear on my life the LM's change the character of the powerband. MUCH torquier during "around town" driving. Below 3K, it really drives like a different vehicle. The effect is similar to a gear swap (say to 3.90s) on the bottom end. As for the rumored (though small) power loss on the top end, I cannot really say. In stock form, our cars generally go to sleep from 5500 onward (at least in 3rd gear up). After several high speed pulls, I cannot tell any difference. Maybe the car has lost a little in the upper band, maybe not. This much is certain however: the infamous "dead spot" is gone, and the car pulls noticably better at low engine speeds.

-I have seen a ridiculous improvement in gas mileage. After a 20 mile highway run, with speeds varying b/w 62-75, I averaged 27.5 MPG. I NEVER saw this kind of mileage stock (22-23.5 tops). Even after mixed city/highway driving (including 5 minutes in a McDonalds drive through), I'm sitting at 23.5mpg. That's V8 power with V6 mileage, folks. Remarkable, and completely unexpected. I know each individual car responds slightly different to mods, and I'm not ruling out the possibility that the brilliant computer will help the car "unlearn" all of these changes, but for now I'm smiling all the way to the gas station (and if my luck holds up, I may be frequenting that place a helluva lot less!).

So there you have it. My long winded review. The short form:

Sound quality: 6 out of 10
Sound quantity: 10 of 10
Build quality: 10 of 10
Performance/Intangibles: 10 of 10

Overall grade: A-

Recommended: Absofrigginlutely

 

Wow....That's a great write-up! Im surprised u noticed low end torque, though...

 

Good review, definetly helping me decide on my exhaust choice.

 

Glad you like the LM Loudmouths I sold to you :-)

It was just too loud for the Mrs.

 

I agree....great write up! Thanks for taking the time to do that.

I'm not saying you didn't gain anything on the low end (you're the one driving the car and feeling a difference), but I don't understand how you could just from the LM's? That's the first I've ever read about anyone experiencing that.

 

u guys need to go back(search) and read that gt_mufflers excel file that clearly showed a gain below 3500 rpms, a significant gain I might add. My FRPP's made my below 3k driving more responsive so Id have to agree with Purple Hayz.

 

Agreed, so is mine.

 

I hope mine come in today soon enough for the local monthly cruise in. If not they will be put on tomorrow night.

 

Mine should be in any day now. Great right up, by the way.

 

Love my Banks eliminator kit (Same as the LM's)..Heads turn everywhere I go and children run for cover =)

 

Yeah it seems that a lot of the aftermarket systems shift the amount of usable tq/hp downward. So while it seems the loudmouths probably won't add any peak power, it makes the existing power accessible alot earlier, which translates into a stronger pulling car at low RPM's, and in all liklihood, better stoplight to stoplight sprints. Stangnut's graph (posted below) is what drew me to the SLP's in the first place. As you can imagine, 37 ft lbs and 20 h.p. increases at 2400 rpm will DEFINITELY alter the "around town" driving experience.

 

 

 

Purple Hayz... you need to try a couple more things too... parking garages and underpasses/tunnels. Keep your windows open and go WOT. I get a big poo-eating grin every time I do that.

FWIW, when I first put them on, I was a little diappointed in the exhaust note too (but I wouldn't call it garbage... hehe). I still had my PowerFlos, and I was going to test the LMs for a week. I figured I could always switch them back. Then, over the next week, as I drove it more, I really grew to like the LMs. I sold the PFs, and I now look forward to hearing my car roar! And lucky for me, my wife likes them as much as I do!

 

yes...... parking garages..... underpasses...... OMG!

 

you have pics of them on the car anyone?

 

Very nice write up, glad to see this since I'll be installing my Loudmouth's sometime this weekend.

I was wondering, how did you install them? In other words, how did you get underneath your Mustang in order to put them in? Also did you weld them or just bolted them on. I have a few people telling me I should get them welded on. Is this really necessary?

Looking forward to seeing better gas mileage as well!

 

I put mine on late last night and have been finding ways to get out of work to go run the sound

People stare.

It's really really really COOL

 

No welding... just clamps. I used jackstands when I put the PFs on, but when I switch to the LMs, I didn't even use the stands. Just crawled under there (and I'm 6', 240#).

And don't count on better mileage... you'll be hard pressed to keep your right foot out of it!