Ok, plenty of discussion alread on the forum about which muffler sounds better, what the HP gains are or are not. I still have a quesiton though, which is not related to any "which brand is better" list.

My Goal: Improve sound (according to my own taste, so no opinions on sound please), but do NOT effect drivability. I do not care about the nominal gains that an aftermarket muffler might add.

Car: 02 MAX SE automatic.

Background: OEM muffler has an internal gate that opens under heavier acceleration and allows exhaust gases to flow into an additional chamber and then out the second tailpipe. I have seen it written that this dual chamber exhaust is very important to the power for the MAX, but I'm not sure exactly why. Not sure if its important in all throttle positions or just WOT.

MY QUESTION: Does a change to the muffler with any of the aftermarket mufflers, none of which seem to operate in this same dual chamber method, cause any issue with low end power loss? I'm sure there's no high end loss, as the aftermarket mufflers tend to have better flow. But since I see plenty of bumper to bumper traffic, I dont want to lose anything down low.

If this topic is somewhere, sorry, please point me (no searching allowed for me anymore while server band-aid is applied). While I did have search available, i found mostly the "this brand sounds better discussions".

Cheers.

 

why do you want to change your muffler if it not for sound? Most aftermarket mufflers give Auto's
in cabin dronning @ low RPM's so you may want to
take that into consideration

 

Actually, I specifically said I want the muffler speciifically for sound.

 

Greddy Evo gives u a nice deep note yet not loud enuff to attract cops. My intake is louder than the exhaust at WOT. The greddy evo does sound like the g35 coupe.

 

Seriously folks, please respond only if you read my orignal post which states I do not want any opinions about sound. There's more than enough on sound in this forum. I'm trying to ask a semi-technical question about muffler functionality.

Thanks!

 

I used a Powertech PT-1011 muffler. It did not affect the driveability at all. It just looks nice, and the sound did change as compared to stock.

 

WTHell are you asking? A muffler's functionality? As in what? Sound will increase with any aftermarket muffler, more or less. Unless you get a catback, you will not gain any HP that is mentionable. Is that what you mean by "functionality"?

 

everyone that i know of that has gone to a freer flower muffler than stock in any car has stated they felt like they lost low end and obviously picked up some top end. there are other mods to help in the low end if you did feel it, but butt dynos cannot be trusted. with that said, i dont know of a single dyno of a maxima with a baseline compared to just having a free flow muffler. its known there is not much power to gain from replacing what is a good muffler already.

 

WTF your asking for sound, but you dont want opinions on sound?

Your best bet is trying to meet some org members in your area with diff mufflers so that "you" can determine the muffler you want in your car

Just remember that your bumper to bumper commute in your auto will get annoying with a free flow muffler- I suggest a b-pipe + stock muffler for no dronning

 

Forgive this exhaust newbie, but does a b-pipe replace the resonator? (or is that a straight pipe?).

Anyway, i had the PT1011 before but as you mentioned the drone is unbearable (To me) at lower rpm's and when taking off. I just want something that's subtle (G35c/FX45-like) but not annoying. Will a b-pipe do that or is it a lot louder than a stock set-up?

Thanks

 

That's correct Manny, if you actually read my original post, like sloppymax and PhxBlue did, you'd understand that I'm NOT asking about sound but I am asking if there's a negative performance effect to replacing the OEM muffler. Why is it so hard for some of you to understand that?

You've posted two responses to my quesiton, neither of which come remotely close to answering my question, and you giving ME the "WTF" response? Dude, seriously, read next time.

 

you keep going back and forth ....read your second
post

but yes with a fart can you will "feel" less power down low-because you are letting more exhaust out but not pushing any more gases through(stock exhaust) but we are not talking about hp loss/gain- a muffler has no gains on our cars

 

Nope, not at all. My "question" was very clear about low end drivability and the statement in parens was also clear.


Ahah! Now you're gettin it! This is eactly the type of input I was requesting. So you're saying that i'd lose a little low end torque/power for the commute kind of traffic with a free flow muffler. Damn. So now that's 2 to 1 of people saying I'll lose something down at the lower RPM's. Maybe I need to just try it and keep my OEM muff to switch back if I hate it.

Thanks for your last response Manny.