New Muffler Ideas / Specs?

Okay, it looks like PowerVault AND Morgan-Tec are out of the VX picture. It's sad, but we must move forward.

I'm considering 'moving forward' to a FlowMaster Extreme Off-Road Muffler, in the black diamond-plate steel. Perfect for an Ebony VX, no?

HOWEVER:

I know nothing about the technical aspects of mufflers. I know what the VX came with, stock...but how does that affect what we can or should do after-market? I mean, I can just buy a single 2.25" in / single 2.25 out model. But is there a benefit or drawback, HP-wise, to going with a larger single in, or a larger single out, or even a dual-out? Will it ruin the engine? Will it get amazingly better gas mileage? Will it do anything at all?

Also: does it matter if I get the single outlet centered or offset?

Thanks all!

The inlet size wil have no effect on the hp, or noise unlesss you increase the tubing in frnt of the muffler. The outlet is a different story. That will effect the sound level, hp, and tq. You can go to big and you will lose low end tq. But you an not really hurt the engine. You need an offset inlet to line up with the stock pipe. If you use a centered it will hit the frame and or the drive shaft.

I've been using a Borla Turbo #40658 with a 3" Dynatech Vortex insert cone in the exhaust tip & like that combination.
It's fairly quiet at idle & not raspy/ ricey sounding under hard acceleration, but still fairly loud.(I was able to pass the MN state db test last fall while wheeling @ Gilbert, MN OHV park.) :cool:
I found the Borla muffler alone to be too loud for me, so I experimented with a Supertrapp tip for a while, but found that to be too quiet/restrictive & just plain didn't like the way it looked.
The insert cone is perforated & took a bit of hammer work & more than a bit of foul language, to persuade it to take up residence in the tip...hope I never have to remove it.

How about this one?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Do you think it would be possible to find a matching exhaust tip?

Maganflow XL 3 chambered muffler...
http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...ne=main&id=303

In order to use the stock pipes you must get a in / out on the same side. I used a flowmaster 40 series it was the only one I could find the right combination in. shawn

Hey, I didn't know that. Thanks, Shawn!

Is it really vital to use the stock pipes? I don't know how much it would cost to have a muffler shop bang around and fit some new pipes to make another muffler work. I've seen some VXs with dual-exhaust set-ups, and I KNOW they had to have some custom piping done.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by psychos2

In order to use the stock pipes you must get a in / out on the same side. I used a flowmaster 40 series it was the only one I could find the right combination in. shawn

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I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on that psychos2...mine lines up just right with the front centered & the rear offset.
As they say...there's more-n-one way to skin a cat. ;)
Also, sorry for the insane corrodicity under there...it's been a sloppy cold rotten winter. :mad:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC00781.JPG

Cool! More options!

Again, though, has anyone ever heard of blacked-out exhaust pipes or exhaust tips that might match those diamond-black Flowmaster mufflers? I haven't seen anything like that online...but it sure would look cool on an Ebony VX!

carbon fiber?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHO2GR4

Cool! More options!

Again, though, has anyone ever heard of blacked-out exhaust pipes or exhaust tips that might match those diamond-black Flowmaster mufflers? I haven't seen anything like that online...but it sure would look cool on an Ebony VX!

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:p ...oh yeah, absolutely...my entire exhaust system is blacked out on the INSIDE ! :p

Seriously though...while I think your tip idea would look great, when is the last time anyone has actually looked to see if their muffler matches the tip ? :confused: ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on that psychos2...mine lines up just right with the front centered & the rear offset.
As they say...there's more-n-one way to skin a cat. ;)
Also, sorry for the insane corrodicity under there...it's been a sloppy cold rotten winter. :mad:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DSC00781.JPG

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Is the stock muffler IN/OUT offset same side ??? Mine was !!! Just makes it easier at the muffler shop. shawn

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

:p ...oh yeah, absolutely...my entire exhaust system is blacked out on the INSIDE ! :p

Seriously though...while I think your tip idea would look great, when is the last time anyone has actually looked to see if their muffler matches the tip ? :confused: ;)

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I don't necessarily need the tip to match the muffler. It's just that the muffler itself looks WAY cool. Since the tip is the only visible part, it would be nice it IT looked as cool as the 'hidden' muffler...

Besides, what if I roll my VX in Utah? How embarrassing would it be to have a muffler/tip combo that wasn't color-coordinated?!?

(kidding on that last one.)

So, do they MAKE carbon-fiber exhaust tips?

Why don't you get a normal exhaust tip, an oxy-acetylene torch and a bucket of (used)oil and black oxide coat the tip. It's durable and will be turn out a matte black. You can probably have the guy doing your muffler install do it right there since he should have everything except the used oil on hand. Oh, and by the way, I think that muffler is awesome. I was actually looking at it too a few weeks ago, since mine is about due for one. Let's see how it turns out!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PHO2GR4

So, do they MAKE carbon-fiber exhaust tips?

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Here are a couple I found on ebay...


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../C-F_TIPS2.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da.../C-F_TIPS1.jpg

You could have any tip powder coated black if that was the look you are going for. Normal powdercoat should be fine or there is high temp stuff for headers.

I ordered the Off-Road Extreme muffler today from Summit Racing. This is the first time I've ever ordered anything with the word "Extreme" in the name. (At least it wasn't spelled "X-Treme" or anything trendy...)

Here's the link:

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

I'll stop by my local muffler shoppe to find out about installation costs and exhaut tip options next week.

PHO2GR4 , let us know hows your project going because im really interesting in it. Im actually willing to get duals but will see...

i found a 2.25 in 2.5 out muffler made for a monte carlo by dynomax... im thinkin about it, obviously ill need to change out the exhaust tip and pipes after the muffler.. anyone have thoughts on dynomax mufflers?its got hangers on it to fit under the monte carlo that ill probably need to chop off, but how would this new muffler be attached? or do the exhaust hangers on the pipes support the weight of it?

etlsport I was running a Dynomax muffler on my custom dual setup... That was until I blew the muffler up since I need some tuning and I am running to rich. But while I was running it sounded great. I have replaced it with the Magnaflow, but I think the Dynomax sound as good if not better than the Magnaflow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by etlsport

i found a 2.25 in 2.5 out muffler made for a monte carlo by dynomax... im thinkin about it, obviously ill need to change out the exhaust tip and pipes after the muffler.. anyone have thoughts on dynomax mufflers?its got hangers on it to fit under the monte carlo that ill probably need to chop off, but how would this new muffler be attached? or do the exhaust hangers on the pipes support the weight of it?

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If your installer has his poop in a group, he should be able to cut the hanger from the stock muffler & weld it to the new muffler. Or fab a new one to accomidate repositioning.

sweet.. thanks for the info guys.. i should probably be doing the install myself (assuming i can find a welder to use) ive got a good track record of doing modding myself so id like to keep it up.. only thing i didnt do on my vx myself is mount my tires

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ldub

If your installer has his poop in a group, he should be able to cut the hanger from the stock muffler & weld it to the new muffler. Or fab a new one to accomidate repositioning.

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Yup. They can just re-use the original and tack it onto the new (Morgan-tec) muffler. The original has the rubber isolation too.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...SUPPORT_01.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/da...MUFFLER_01.jpg

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/DUALS_01.jpg

More pics, sound clips and info of my dual set-up with Morgan-tec muffler here:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...ght=Morgan-tec

PHO2GR4
so did you got your new muffler installed or not yet?

By happy coincidence, the install is scheduled at Meineke at 7:30 am tomorrow. That's Monday, 3/5.

Damn, that's pretty early for me to be getting out of bed...

Incidentally, the Meineke branch I'm visiting has an auto detail shop RIGHT NEXT DOOR. So we can all expect some updated photos afterwards. This VX looks radically different from when I took delivery of it in December. And by 'different' I mean 'better'! :cool:

(I wanted to wait on the photos until I'd received the front skid plate from Ron/Rudy, but I've given up on that idea. I still can't get an email from him. I had no idea it would take two months or more to get a damn skid plate...)

(Oh well. I ordered it as a Christmas present to my VX. I guess I can use it as a NEXT Christmas present. No worries.)

Also, I took a short video...just for the audio...of my wimpy, wheezing stock muffler today. That way I'll be able to shoot some video/audio of the new Flowmaster tomorrow for comparison. I'll try to remember to do it AGAIN after a couple of months, to see if there's a break-in period for this muffler. If I can figure out how to upload the clips to my gallery, I'll let y'all know when they are available.

Well, the muffler has been successfully installed, and I'm very happy with it. The VX now has a much deeper, throaty growl. And it must be my imagination, but the engine SEEMS to have at least a couple more horses now. (I know; wishful thinking.)

The carbon fiber exhaust tip loooks great too! Looks pretty stock next to the Ebony paint.

The throaty growl is so deep, though, that it is causing a loud rattle somewhere underneath. It isn't the muffler; I checked. It's coming from the front half of the undercarriage, and it sounds like it is on the passenger side.

Any ideas?

It was getting pretty dark by the time I got home, so I couldn't take a good look. When I'm out and about tomorrow maybe I'll take it back by Meineke and have them lift it up. Too dark for photos, too, so I'll get images (and sound) up as soon as possible.

PHO2GR4
Sounds good cant wait to see some photos and hear some sounds lol
P.S How much was installation and stuff?

Can we get a sound clip/video?
Ooh and the pictures!

I have a PV2 sitting here that I have yet to install. I don't know what I want to do?!?!

And yes, how much did the install set you back?

Installation: $185.

Stuff: Muffler $100 (incl. shippping) Exhaust tip $30 (incl. shipping)

Throaty growl: Priceless

Throaty Growl would go nice with my beefy tires, looking forward to seeing and hearing it this weekend.

Okay, here is my first attempt at uploading video and audio clips to this website. Please bear with me! I hope it works...

A couple of notes:

1) Stock muffler: self-explanatory. This is what a rusty old muffler sounds like on a 1999 Vehicross.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/sh...o=8557&cat=500

2) Flowmaster muffler: This is the Off-Road Extreme model from Flowmaster. Ignore the turbine sound at the start...I didn't realize that a jet was flying overhead. Also, listen carefully at 19 seconds and again at just before 30 seconds, and you'll hear the obnoxious rattle. It only happens at one resonance frequency. I must track that down...

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/sh...php?photo=8558

Also, look carefully at the videos and you'll see the difference between the tiny, rusty, downward-pointed stock tailpipe VS the new, improved, beefier, horizontally-mounted carbon-fiber exhaust tip.

Sah-WEEEET.

Sounds nice bro! I might have to check that muffler out!

Killer

Cant wait to see more than just your rear.

sounds really nice.. whats the volume like?

Mean !!!

Where's my damned bolt up dual kit? This is an outrage. ;)

I am really considering this now. I think I want to go the cat-back dual route though. But that does sound nice. WOnder how much a cat-back would set me back?

sounds really nice. I got same question as etlsport how is the volume?

You will see many people turn their heads when you start it up in a parking lot. It sounds like you are starting up some big V8 and they have to look to see what it is. shawn.