I am researching to buy a 5th gen muffler for my 4th gen. Are they all the same in performance. I know that the look changed a little from 01 to 02, but do they have the same stats?
Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

5th gen mufflers are variable flow mufflers, which means that the flow is limited at idle and low RPMs, but if you punch it, the flap inside opens up and gives it a full flow

 

i think the only diff is that the 00-01 had the little cover aroudn the tailpipes, and the 02-03 dont have it. I think as far as performance they should do the same, but someoen please correct me if im wrong.

 

The butt ugly muffler for the 2001 AE Maxima was supposed to put out 5 more h.p. due to the less restrictive muffler.

 

now that i think about it, maybe it is only 02 and 03 that are variable flow. someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

the mufflers are identical for AE and everything else. the only difference is the tip. there is a different part number for the b pipe on an AE compared to other 2k-2k1s.

 

they are all variable flow mufflers

 

all the same

 

can anyone explain the benefits of the variable flow muffler?

 

more backpressure = more torque at lower RPMs

 

or, specifically, it's not the backpressure which produces torque... it's the higher flow rate due to the restriction.

 

Or lack of restriction thereof...
Thanks for the posts, guys. Keep them coming.

 

Its only there to quiet down the exhaust at idle at any RPM below 2,000rpms. Its back-pressure actuated so if any piping before it is more free-flowing, the actuator will open at a lower rpm.

Backpressure doesn't=TQ. I can't believe people still believe that.

At any rate, its a nice muffler to have. But if you load it up with an aftermarket Y-pipe and b-pipe, make sure to buy a b-pipe w resonator. It sounds really ugly without it. It looks sweet also in cold weather because if your driving behind it, you can see it when the actuator opens and smoke comes out of both tips.

AE or other models, they all have the same part# for the muffler. The only difference in the exhaust system if the B-pipe part#'s. The AE's ECU part# is also different from other models of the same year.

 

Where would be a good place to get a nice resonator, screamingvq? Thanks for the comments, by the way.

I am planning on having exactly that set up. I just got my Stillen y-pipe, and I am going to have a custom b-pipe and midsection made. I need advice on the resonator though, because I am going to be using a 5th gen muffler, if possible. I am trying to find one right now.

Any other comments would help concerning the resonator, screamingvq (you seem to be quite knowledgeable about exhaust stuff) or anyone else.

 

ive got a y pipe, custom b with no resonator and i think it sounds pretty good. it has more of a slight low tone rumble at idle. but at full throttle you cant hear a difference in the cabin. i had someone drive my car and it does have the same lower rumber driving around but it sounds the same from the cabin. maybe with a test pipe and no resonator it might sound bad but i dont have any complaints from the setup but to each his own.

 

sloppymax, how loud was the rumble that you heard from behind your max? I just don't want anything all that loud. And, are you running an aftermarker muffler?

 

just running the stock ae muffler. its not loud at all. if you want, ill get some short video put together and get a friend to host it for me. the loudest it sounds at idle is obiviously in the morning when its been left all night. i wanted to have some short video put together anyways.

 

cool, sounds good.
That would be great!
That is what I am wanting, nothing all that loud. Sounds like that is the setup.

 

Just wanted to add that the stock inlet on the 00/01 muffler is only like 2" diam. While you're at it you might want to cut it off and weld on a 2.25" or 2.5" diam depending on your b-pipe size.

I'm actually pulling mine off and doing just that to help hp and cut tq just a touch.

 

umm. no. you are dead wrong.
see....on the AE muffler, the tips point downward...the "thrust" of the exhaust, obviously, pushes the car up off the ground a little, thereby making less friction between the wheels and the road, which in turn increases your quarter speeds by at least 2 seconds. Also, if you gun it real good, you gotta be careful...the downward exhaust thrust could actually lift the back end up in the air and flip the car over. oh, and it looks like two limp d i c k s....

That said, I hate how the stock 2k exhaust looks too, can't wait to change it!

Oh, by the way, I am being facetious....

 

yep, I like the look of my 2K's exhaust... Oh yeah, can I bend my tailpipes downward to simulate that thrust effect???!??!!!!???? Cool man, I could improve my 1/4 time by a few seconds with the use of your breakthrough super-advanced exhaust system efficiency boost!@##!@@!##@!@!

 

well, the 2k thingy that goes around both exhaust pipes (I call it the "pontiac wanna-be pipe") adds 10 hp don't cha know.....and if you bend it downward, it doubles to 20 hp...

In all truth though...I really don't like the stock pipes with that thing wrapped around them on my 2k....I just ordered 3" magnaflow tips so that will solve the problem

 

I definitely don't like the "***** pipe" look, and having huge tips on the ends is serious so the 2K's look is perfect for me

 

Irish, are you wanting to sell your stock muffler then?

I think if I don't keep the tip that goes around both of the pipes on the muffler, I will probably get another chrome tip off another 4th gen and just have two tips on there. I think that would look pretty good.

 

quieter.....

 

I got one from someone. It is a 2000 SE Muffler with the oval chrome tip.

I will let you know how everything goes when I get it installed. I should be getting it in today or tomorrow.

 

No, I'm keeping the stock muffler for now...just putting new tips on them...the 3" magnaflow tips, which are big enough to look good but small enough not to look rice....someday maybe I'll get the frankencar catback, but right now need the $$ to do home improvements, so major car mods are on hold for a while...

 

priorities, priorities...ha ha