“The super gauge machine we have here is used to measure all of our tubing and wire form and it is a very accurate machine. He works in the Research and Development department, where he uses equipment like a super gauge to design and test new exhaust systems. Paul Stevens, a Product Design Specialist for Cherry Bomb, has been in the exhaust aftermarket for over 31 years. Paul uses instruments like the flow bench to test its mufflers and exhausts What good is all that equipment without some knowledgeable folks to operate it though? The technology regarding flow, power, and efficiency has changed too, and Cherry Bomb has all kinds of high-tech testers to help them get the most out of their exhaust systems. The classic red color is back too, but powdercoated rather than painted on. But now they are made from aluminized steel, which helps prevent corrosion and rust. These mufflers were prone to rust back in the day, as any old hot rodder can attest to. Improvements have been made to the original Cherry Bomb glasspack over the years. Mandrel bending results in more horsepower and a smoother look, too. The bending itself is done by a specialized machine that is almost hypnotic to watch. Naturally, if you’re looking for performance, you’ll want the straight, mandrel bent pipes, as those wrinkles tend to hurt air flow. Then, depending on the application, the tubes are either crinkle-bent or mandrel bent. The process of building an exhaust begins with thin, flat steel that is slowly bent and massaged into the tubular shape we are all familiar with, before being welded together. The process of building an exhaust begins with bending the metal with a mandrel machine We had a chance to tour their 600,000 square foot facility in Loudon, Tennessee, where they still make a modern version the original Cherry Bomb glasspack, alongside several other new products from the legendary muffler maker. Their two-foot long fiberglass-packed mufflers became the hot ticket for every muscle car owner and drag strip junkie and it was the must-have part during the peak of the muscle car wars. Founded back in 1968 at the height of muscle cars, it was a simple product with a catchy name and a red paint job that would bring a new sound to the street. One of the first mufflers made for the hot rod market was Cherry Bomb, a common upgrade done many muscle cars. Today though, there are a plethora of aftermarket exhaust and muffler companies just a phone call away. Alas, causing such a ruckus was a good way to attract the fuzz, leading to tickets for disturbing the peace and thus siphoning money away from more modifications. So they hacked off their mufflers for a more natural and bombastic sound. It makes the driving experience more peaceful for the average joe.īut early hot rodders didn’t care about peace. That is why automakers have been adding sound dampening devices, called mufflers, to the exhaust pipes to lessen that raucous sound. It is a sound many of us have come to know and love, though we can’t imagine living with open headers on a daily basis. Uncontained internal combustion engines are loud, especially V8’s.
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