How important is an aftermarket muffler?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 1,798
How important is an aftermarket muffler?
A few months ago I put the stock muffler back on my car and I feel like my car is being restricted some.
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
#2
Originally Posted by AsthmaMax11
A few months ago I put the stock muffler back on my car and I feel like my car is being restricted some.
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
#3
Originally Posted by AsthmaMax11
A few months ago I put the stock muffler back on my car and I feel like my car is being restricted some.
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
So how important would you say an aftermarket muffler is when you already have a good amount of bolt-ons?
#4
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (10)
The fastest run on my car was with the stock muffler. I have a Vibrant straught thru that I can change in about 10 mins that I put on at the track. One day I was lazy and didn't change it and ran my fastest time so I think its the noise that makes you think you are quicker.
#5
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Posts: 5,437
That may be true for a 5th gen but I certainly would not have left my original 95 catback/muffler on my car. The cattman is considerably larger (2.5") and doesn't have a crumpled section halfway through. Plus that thing was just rusted.
#8
My fastest runs were with catback, but I haven't analyzed my average runs from before and after catback. Maybe I'll do that some time. I still have alot of timeslips to put in my spreadsheet, like 100 of em lol.
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 1,798
interesting to see so many veterans with different opinions. The guy at the Dyno was telling me that the muffler is one of the most restrictive parts of the exhaust system. This didn't make any sense to me considering I've heard it's only a few whp difference.
What do you guys think of the cheapo Ebay mufflers?
What do you guys think of the cheapo Ebay mufflers?
#11
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
Posts: 5,437
The most restrictive part of the exhaust system is replaced by headers. The rest is far less important, but IMO if you're going to do it, do it once and do it right. I bought my entire exhaust system (Headers, Cat, Catback) at the same time. No rusted pipes falling off.
#16
I don't think the muffler applies much for horsepower gains
However I do think that the b-pipe, which is the most restrictive part does. The area under the curve gained just changing to a 2.5 inch b-pipe can be seen on www.motorvate.ca
However I do think that the b-pipe, which is the most restrictive part does. The area under the curve gained just changing to a 2.5 inch b-pipe can be seen on www.motorvate.ca
#17
Senior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 1,798
Originally Posted by Larrio
I don't think the muffler applies much for horsepower gains
However I do think that the b-pipe, which is the most restrictive part does. The area under the curve gained just changing to a 2.5 inch b-pipe can be seen on www.motorvate.ca
However I do think that the b-pipe, which is the most restrictive part does. The area under the curve gained just changing to a 2.5 inch b-pipe can be seen on www.motorvate.ca
When I put my stock muffler back on they had to replace some of my old piping with the stock diameter piping. (I had 2.5") It was only about 2 feet or so but do you think that would affect my car's power?
#18
It probably wouldn't contribute much
the 2.5 inch b-pipe on 5th gens replaces two severe crush bends that hinders power, however the overall length of the extra diameter in the piping also helps a lot by freeing up exhaust flow
the 2.5 inch b-pipe on 5th gens replaces two severe crush bends that hinders power, however the overall length of the extra diameter in the piping also helps a lot by freeing up exhaust flow
#19
Originally Posted by AsthmaMax11
Well let me ask you this,
When I put my stock muffler back on they had to replace some of my old piping with the stock diameter piping. (I had 2.5") It was only about 2 feet or so but do you think that would affect my car's power?
When I put my stock muffler back on they had to replace some of my old piping with the stock diameter piping. (I had 2.5") It was only about 2 feet or so but do you think that would affect my car's power?
Further, if your 2.5" pipe was mandrel bent (as a good cat-back would be) and they crush bent any bends in the new pipe, that's potentially an additional restriction on top of any the reduction in pipe size would cause- which was 3/4 of the reason you got a cat-back/b-pipe in the first place. A good exhaust shop should have been able to fabricate a transition from the 2.5" pipe to your muffler... so why they didn't, I'm not sure.
If you have a tube in your mouth to breathe through, and I take it away and put a narrower tube in place of it, you might notice it depending on how hard you need to breathe- doesn't matter if it's two feet or two inches long. If I then put a couple of bends in it, that would narrow the tube at those bends more than the narrower tube by itself. You've gone to a smaller pipe on your car (potentially added retriction), and then partially restricted the flow with the crush bends (definitely added restriction). You may have restricted your exhaust twice!
The smaller diameter pipe on the muffler "may" have caused an issue even if you left the 2.5" pipe in place (with a transition). The crush bends are what is probably killing you most, but the muffler/pipe size and the bends together could be significant. Hope you kept the pipe they cut out so you can put it back later. My guess is that the car feels fine under most conditions, but you feel it when you WOT and get above about 4000rpm +/-. Your upper RPMs are choked off some.
#20
Originally Posted by JC93SE
Further, if your 2.5" pipe was mandrel bent (as a good cat-back would be) and they crush bent any bends in the new pipe, that's potentially an additional restriction on top of any the reduction in pipe size would cause- which was 3/4 of the reason you got a cat-back/b-pipe in the first place.
The first problem is your pipe. The second "may" be your muffler.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post