Exhast system modification complete (lots of pics, high bandwith warning)
05-06-2002, 07:52 AM
#1
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Exhast system modification complete (lots of pics, high bandwith warning)
I finally got fed up with the sound of this car while driving through a parking garage Friday night. Even with the resonator off, and the windows down, it sounds like a Buick. My preference is to hear the motor pretty much all the time, with what I would consider a "sports car" type tone. Never loud enough to drown out conversations or music, but always enough sound to hear what the engine is doing. A nice little burble at idle, a little raspiness at on/off throttle, nice sounds at WOT.
On Saturday morning I went to B&B in Carrollton, a pretty well regarded muffler shop that does lots of high performance cars. I went fully expecting to try straight pipes based on postings by AutoUnionJack, and others. Off came the mufflers! We started it up and, well, it was too loud for me. Now I know that with the rest of the exhaust pipes installed, and driving around, it might have been ok. But I decided to try some alternatives.
The first issue is what will fit up there. Space is somewhat limited, and there is an unusual entrance point at lower inside corner of each muffler.
Nothing we tried up there would fit, except a cylindrical rear muffler used on a Cadillac. Just from philosophical standpoint, I said no!
We tried several cylindrical mufflers from dynaflow, but all were either too long, or too wide. Finally the tech suggested a basic cylindrical glass pack. Now from my old hotrod days, I was thinking "Cherry Bomb"...but he said no, these are high quality ones that they order and use for additional mufflering on peoples cars who install "high performance" exhaust systems on Honda/VW/Acura type cars that end up being too loud.
As you can see from the pictures, the muffler fit perfectly into the stock locations, the tips were welded on the mufflers to allow the exit at the stock location, and a small twist of an adapter was all that was needed to hook up to the existing pipe.
The sound - well it sounds great! Just exactly how I wanted. I left directly from the muffler shop, picked up a friend at the airport, and drove to Austin (220 miles). It was interesting to hear the engine in the background, but not obtrusive. A slight burble at idle, and pretty quite with the windows up around town. Great sounds at WOT. Engine is definitely spinning up faster too.
Total cost = $130
Stock
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/stock.jpg">
Old Muffler vs. new. Notice how close the overall lenghts are comparing the inlet and outlet.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/mufflers.jpg">
Prefit
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/prefit.jpg">
Adding the tips
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/addtip.jpg">
Fist hanging to check fit
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/1sthang.jpg">
New Install
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/new.jpg">
In stock location with subtle chrome tips
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/tips.jpg">
On Saturday morning I went to B&B in Carrollton, a pretty well regarded muffler shop that does lots of high performance cars. I went fully expecting to try straight pipes based on postings by AutoUnionJack, and others. Off came the mufflers! We started it up and, well, it was too loud for me. Now I know that with the rest of the exhaust pipes installed, and driving around, it might have been ok. But I decided to try some alternatives.
The first issue is what will fit up there. Space is somewhat limited, and there is an unusual entrance point at lower inside corner of each muffler.
Nothing we tried up there would fit, except a cylindrical rear muffler used on a Cadillac. Just from philosophical standpoint, I said no!
We tried several cylindrical mufflers from dynaflow, but all were either too long, or too wide. Finally the tech suggested a basic cylindrical glass pack. Now from my old hotrod days, I was thinking "Cherry Bomb"...but he said no, these are high quality ones that they order and use for additional mufflering on peoples cars who install "high performance" exhaust systems on Honda/VW/Acura type cars that end up being too loud.
As you can see from the pictures, the muffler fit perfectly into the stock locations, the tips were welded on the mufflers to allow the exit at the stock location, and a small twist of an adapter was all that was needed to hook up to the existing pipe.
The sound - well it sounds great! Just exactly how I wanted. I left directly from the muffler shop, picked up a friend at the airport, and drove to Austin (220 miles). It was interesting to hear the engine in the background, but not obtrusive. A slight burble at idle, and pretty quite with the windows up around town. Great sounds at WOT. Engine is definitely spinning up faster too.
Total cost = $130
Stock
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/stock.jpg">
Old Muffler vs. new. Notice how close the overall lenghts are comparing the inlet and outlet.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/mufflers.jpg">
Prefit
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/prefit.jpg">
Adding the tips
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/addtip.jpg">
Fist hanging to check fit
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/1sthang.jpg">
New Install
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/new.jpg">
In stock location with subtle chrome tips
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/5503/tips.jpg">
05-06-2002, 08:09 AM
#2
That's awesome, they have anyone they could refer me to in Pittsburgh? : )
I swear, no one wants to do any custom work here. I called up some place that is supposedly awesome and works on RUF turbos and stuff. They said I should buy a catback system becuase it's too much of a hassle to get a muffler to fit the stock mount points. ****, I can bolt on an exhaust, I want someone to provide a real service.
Great pics BTW.
-st
Great pics BTW.
-st
05-06-2002, 08:11 AM
#3
Sounds like a great modification at a great price. You worked with a good shop. Too bad...
... you can't see the work! Is it me, or do the stock mufflers look like bedpans?
I also assume that with the resonators in, the sound would be even more muffled. That may be important to us older turds. Any chance you could get the manufacturer and serial no.s for the glasspacks?
I also assume that with the resonators in, the sound would be even more muffled. That may be important to us older turds. Any chance you could get the manufacturer and serial no.s for the glasspacks?
