Issue link: http://undercardigest.epubxp.com/i/532830
July 2015 13 nation produced an undesirable sound or "period" during some part of the acceleration process. OE and aftermarket exhaust engi- neers would try to tune the "peri- od" into a short shift interval – normally between first and second gear. "But vehicles have changed over the years with five- and six- speed and even higher-speed transmissions. Often the period – even on OE systems – is between 1,800 and 2,200 rpms, which is the "For us, that's our opportunity and that's why customers like Solo, because when you go for a ride in their cars, once you get out on the highway you would be staggered when you hear the ex- haust note and how rich and '60s muscle it sounds at start up and acceleration – and then it's almost OE-quiet at cruise speeds," Boychuk said. "The '60s muscle- car sound that comes out of our systems is really something we are truly proud of, whether it's a Mustang, a Challenger or a Ram pickup. "At least 30% to 35% of our sales are from people who are tak- ing off somebody else's perfor- mance exhaust to put ours on, because that period is too big. We're very proud of that fact be- cause it takes a lot of research and development and a lot of work to be able to create that quality sound." Bob Notar, a Solo manager who is also manager of the Mufflerman shop in Kenmore, proved the point in a driving demonstration with a late-model Dodge Challenger SRT- 8 with a Solo cat-back system in- stalled. At start up and through acceleration he noted the deep rumble exhaust sound, and then pointed out a much quieter "tune" once the car reached cruising speed. "None of us have any formal engineering – just a wealth of ex- periences and a tenacious desire to create great products," Boychuk said. In fact, his career goes back to his childhood. His parents, Jack and Judy Boychuck, opened the first Zoro shop in 1968 when their son was 4 years old. In another example, Boychuk had the owner of a new 2.3-liter turbo, four-cylinder Mustang rev up the engine. "No four banger will ever sound as good as a V-8," he said, "but our Solo system elim- inates that ratty or 'putt-putt' sound that is common on sports compacts. Ours sounds better than any other system for four-cylin- ders." Today, Solo Performance offers a wide variety of stainless-steel ex- haust that is sold direct to shops, as well as over the Internet. Some of the early systems by Solo are now 10 years old and still This cat-back performance system for the Challenger provides stainless-steel tip choices. Ron Urquhart and Brian Vanier are in charge of mandrel-bent pipes and also operated the Zoro shop in Hamilton.