03 M45 Muffler

[nmgoodthing]

Okay guys, hopefully you might have some advice. I know that modifications for the exhaust system don't produce any gains, but what I'm wondering is, if anyone has changed their muffler for sound? If you have, did you lose any HP/Performance? did ti make a difference in sound, or are the three cat backs already diluting that?

I'd love to have a little bit more aggressive sound. Something nice and throaty, kind of like a Mustang GT but not that quite that aggressive.

Any suggestions? Flowmaster?, MagnaFlow? Any others?
Modified by nmgoodthing at 5:12 PM 2/18/2008

[saeedakobiakov]

i cut out everything after cats straight into the stock muffler. my friend did it for $150 and very littler difference in sound. i would not pay more that it is just not worth it unless magnaflow of course.you do the same and use magnaflow and let us hear it.less restricted exhaust on v8 always a plus. don't listen to what they gonna tell you here.Most of the people here playing very safe. magnaflow on my 96 cobra was the best choice,#1. quiet,#2. the best flow.#3.low tone sound was very nice.

good luck.

[nmgoodthing]

I'm having a Flowmaster expert look at the set up underneath tomorrow. I'll see what he says. He says he can probably get a 50 series delta flow on there and some custom pipe work. I know a few guys on here used the Magnaflow with success, Ive just heard nothing but good things about Flowmaster.

[saeedakobiakov]

flowmaster will be louder as usually. just make sure you cut out all 3 resonators.lets do this.

[nmgoodthing]

You have any issues with the removal of the electronic duel mode muffler?

It's a valve inbetween the left side resinator and the muffler.

[saeedakobiakov]

no problem at all.i tied it open with wire, so it is always open.

[nmgoodthing]

Just got back and good news. We first unhooked the muffler it'self to see what it sounded like. Sure enough, quite as heck. So we then tested it with the electronic valve thing open. (BTW that thing is worthless IMO) No difference in sound. Next we disconnected it from the very first resinator off cateltic convertors. Started it up and bingo, nice sound and not to loud and not to soft. So, we are going to run a 3 inch pipe off of there and bend down into a performace muffler. We don't even need a flowmaster or a magnflow for the sound, just a performace muffler that will tighten up the sound a little. Not only that but I'll be losing at least 15 to 20 pound sof weight and all that restriction. Should bump up a few HP to the rear wheels. The guys really liked the M. They were excited to dyno it so they are going to do a before and after because they are really curios to see what it puts out. I'll keep you posted. Should be mid next week when all the parts come in.

[DRIPS]

if i remember right there are three resonators??? You are only removing 1...the first one behind the cat?

If i remember, after that resonator it splits to two pipes...each with a resonator...and then back together for the muffler. So removing one resonator at the front near the cat and also opening the valve thing made it sound that much better? what is the cost of this job if I keep the stock muffler out the back?

[nmgoodthing]

Yes, there are three resonators.

One closest to the engine and then the pipe splits in 2 and goes into the other 2 resonators. I'll be removing the two that closest to the back so at the flange off the main resonator they will run strait pipe to the new muffler with duel tips.

When they removed the bolts at the flange from teh first resonator closest to the engine, that was the sound I was looking for. The muffler should tighten it up a little so theres not crackle and back fire... etc.. Should sound good. The said it should sound like a stock Vette.

[nmgoodthing]

They estimated cost around $500 give or take 20 bucks.

The are using a open flow dynomax muffler.

[saeedakobiakov]

please take a photo of the connection of two pipes going to the muffler. take out the middle resonator too.27 lbs total if you take all 3 resonators off. i weighted i bet you will get 5 hp at the wheels. better more then less, we need it.caug.

[FoxApe]

I'm glad you're doing this because this is a mod I'd like to throw on pretty soon. Any chance you could put some reving and drive-by on youtube for us to hear?

[nmgoodthing]

Should have it done on Wednesday and I'll post video and sound an pictures of the install.

[nmgoodthing]

Just got back from ordering the parts. 16 gauge 3 inch pipe, Dynomax flow muffler, agressive slant chrome tips, hangers etc. $475.00 total. I expect labor to be a few hundred bucks probably. So total cost will be over $600. It will be worth it IMO.

The place doing the work is called Motiva Performance Engineering. They do great custom work and are excited to work on my M, since it's a first for them. The owner just told me they just finished a G35 twin turbo pushing 800 horses . He asked if my M was next . Parts hopefully will be in Thursday or Friday. It's lookin like early next week . I'll have to be patient. It will be worth it.

I'm curious to what the dyno shows at this altitude (5600ft).

[saeedakobiakov]

trust me, take out one in the center resonator out too. good for dyno.i got no resonator at all with stock muffler, very little difference in sound.

[nmgoodthing]

You have to be kidding me with very little in sound. We ran it with just the one resonator and it was pretty damn agressive. I don't want it to sound like a dragster. I'm not to worried about performace to much. A few HP doens't matter to me, I just want a more agressive sound and for it to breath better. The guys at the shop said it will sound great with a 3 inch pipe strait to the dynomax muffler with duels out. Take that first resonator out an I think it willl be a little to much for my taste. And I can always bolt on the old stock system back on if need be.

[CakeDaddy]

Just got back from ordering the parts. 16 gauge 3 inch pipe, Dynomax flow muffler, agressive slant chrome tips, hangers etc. $475.00 total. I expect labor to be a few hundred bucks probably. So total cost will be over $600. It will be worth it IMO.

The place doing the work is called Motiva Performance Engineering. They do great custom work and are excited to work on my M, since it's a first for them. The owner just told me they just finished a G35 twin turbo pushing 800 horses . He asked if my M was next . Parts hopefully will be in Thursday or Friday. It's lookin like early next week . I'll have to be patient. It will be worth it.

I'm curious to what the dyno shows at this altitude (5600ft).

I’ve heard nothing but praise about these guys. I have a buddy that just purchased a 350Z yesterday and I’m sending him there for some advice. I’m interested in what they have to say about the Z, so I may take a walk over there to meet him since my office is across the street. Any status on the M setup yet?

[nmgoodthing]

The appointment is set up for Thursday at 10am.

Pipe bends came in on Friday. I'm going to drop off my camera so they can take before and after photos. I'll take vid clips when I get home later that evening.

Ask for Dave Rochau, he's the owner, I was inpressed with their customer service. They should be able to hook him up w/ his Z.

[nmgoodthing]

Just got my car back

I'm very happy with the results. The sound is awesome. I will post a video once I get a chance. I have some other stuff to do also.

Dyno'ed it and it has 234.1 at the rear wheels and 253 torque. About what I expected at this altitude. (5600 ft)

I'll post pic and sound clips and dyno sheet as soon as I can.

[nmgoodthing]

UPDATE PICS and Video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The video is louder then what it really sounds like due to the garage amplifying the noise.

Video Clip

Dyno Sheet

On the Dyno

From Last Resinator



Side Views



From the Back



From Underneath




Modified by nmgoodthing at 5:03 PM 3/2/2008

[saeedakobiakov]

what was the gain in h.p. on the dyno?do you use K&N?
Modified by saeedakobiakov at 6:53 PM 2/28/2008

[nmgoodthing]

what was the gain in h.p. on the dyno?

Hard to say I didn't dyno it before hand like I originally planned, but I'm guessing around 5-8 hp. Not much. Comparing WHP to others dynos on here that were pushing 225 and 215 and I was pushin 235 at high altitude I'm sure it's a decent gain.

No K&N, Stock air filter.
Modified by nmgoodthing at 8:06 PM 2/28/2008

[MATTEO]

Hi.

Very nice setup.

Just wondering, any of you guys that did a custom exaust have the old center resonator? Mine broke and I am trying to keep the same factory setup...At least for now.

[saeedakobiakov]

why they desided to use only one pipe, two pipes will get better performance?i know these are dual inlet mufflers.

[nmgoodthing]

Well if you think about it that second pipe with the butterfly valve that regulates the flow and sound on that second pipe is purely for sound.

Duel would have been nice from the cats back, but I wanted a set up so if I decide to sell the carlater on, I can bolt the stock system back on as is. That 3 inch pipe to a single inlet does just fine. I wanted this for sound, not performance. I think the car is plenty quick for me and I can tell I did gain some performance.

How's your set up working? From your dyno numbers it doesn't sound that great.

[saeedakobiakov]

i did not dyno the car with pipes?i have stock muffler, which i will change hopefully after listen your sound clip,my will be dual inlet muffler.

[FoxApe]

Can't wait for that video. Did it end up having the stock vette sound?

[nmgoodthing]

Finally got the video to upload. Youtube would fail so I used Google instead.

The video is louder then what it really sounds like due to the garage amplifying the noise.

Nice and throaty though.

Video Clip

[saeedakobiakov]

sounds very good.how does it sound on high ways cruising vs. flooring it doing 75mph?

[nmgoodthing]

Cruising on the highway is quiet like stock. No drone. When you floor it you know you have a V8. Sounds good. I'm very happy with the results. Wish there was a CAI for our car.