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Silencer = Good Gas Mileage?

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Old 08-30-2010, 08:04 AM
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Silencer = Good Gas Mileage?

Anyone ever experience an increase in mpg when putting the silencer in their exhaust?

I know there are lots of variables, but I took my 98 SE on a road trip this weekend, had 5 people and a trunkload in the car and ran the AC the whole time. I wanted it to be a little quieter so I put the silencer in my cat-back system. I got the best gas mileage I can recall for my car (26.7)

I took it for a similar distance trip the weekend before with only 2 people (including myself) and the silencer out and only got around 24 mpg. Any scientific reason the silencer would increase efficiency?? Seems counter-intuitive.
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Old 08-30-2010, 08:08 AM
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how did you measure your mpg?
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Old 08-30-2010, 08:18 AM
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I always measure full tank to full tank. Reset the trip meter EVERY time I fill up and divide by how many gallons I put in.
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Old 08-30-2010, 08:28 AM
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from what i know it has to do wit backpressure...lesser backpressure=better mpg...but i don't knw how that would relate to your situation
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Old 08-30-2010, 09:20 AM
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Exactly, adding the silencer should reduce performance and efficiency. In reality, it probably does absolutely nothing in terms of measurable difference. That's why I scratch my head with this gas mileage improvement.
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Old 08-30-2010, 01:07 PM
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did a quick google search on back pressure n dis is wat i found

Backpressure in the exhaust system is a strange science. Too much of it and the engine power is reduced. Too little and you get more power, but poor gas mileage. The key is to find the balance between the two extremes. Aftermarket mufflers and exhaust systems tend to reduce backpressure, increase engine power, and increase gas mileage.
source http://www.fullsizechevy.com/archive.../t-303516.html
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