My stock muffler == Shot!

[SkidPlate]

After 83k my stock exhaust has finally given up on me, I can easily put a screwdriver through it...


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/515/medium/IMG_4589s.JPG


The front pipes still seem good so I am going to replace the muffler, tailpipe, and add a resonator tip.

I've decided on a MagnaFlow muffler (http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=484) that was the closest to stock size. (this one is actually 2 inches longer with a center outlet) I believe it will fit, lots of room between the rear shock and axle. I hope.

Then I'm going to have the muffler shop, who says they do custom mandrel bent pipes, fab up a tail pipe with a Monza big-bore pencil tip. (http://www.pacesetterexhaust.com/tips.htm)

This size muffler is only available with 2.5 in/out lets, I figure they can adapt it to the stock 2.25 front pipe. I ordered the Monza tip w/2.5 inlet also, so the tailpipe is increasing a bit.

Your thoughts?... Discuss.

[etlsport]

if your going to have some custom bent pipe anyway.. go dual exhaust :cool: hehe j/k thats a whole 'nother level of project... im hoping my stock muffler goes soon so i have a way to justify new muffler and tailpipe... heh

i'm no muffler expert but i have heard good things about magnaflow.... for mine i was looking at a dynamax (or dynapro... i forget the name) that is made for a 3.5L monte carlo.. its got 2-1/4 in and 2-1/2" out

[SkidPlate]

Heh yeah, I thought about duals but decided I would rather just stick w/ a single tailpipe and nice tip.

I am mainly concerned about that large Magnaflow I picked out fitting up under there. It should be OK, there seems to be some wiggle room.

Hopefully they can re-use all of the stock mounting points, all seem pretty solid but will need to be cut off the existing muffler and welded to the new one.

Has anyone ever replaced the Rubber in the stock exhaust mounts? I'm sure they are worn out and would benefit from a refresh.

[SkidPlate]

Parts finally arrive (&@%# backorders).
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/IMG_4658s.JPG

Heading to the muffler shop tomorrow for the install.

[Joe Isuzu]

please keep sharing the updates, I'm closing in on 90k but the underbelly looks pretty rusty like it lived it's life up north, at least hte wearable items look pretty rusty (thank goodness)
I may have to consider doing the same thing at some point in the future

[blacksambo]

This looks like a valid solution. I've got a stock muffler problem as well and Isuzu says 3 months and $391.00 for an OEM muffler. Ouch!

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

sorry, little late
but we stock these Magnaflows. They come in 12" and 18" body
lengths. Both flow the same, better then stock, but the longer one
is just a little quietor then the shorter one. Mostly it changes the
cockpit sound levels. Youll hear both over stock, no doubt. Both will
easily fit in place of the factory huge muffler. I suggest keeping
the single set up to be honest.

[Pghachey]

You wouldn't happen to have any universal Catalytic Converters that would work for our VX's? Thanks

[Solitude]

found a cool website. www.shoponline.com. try doing a search for vehicross and see if ya come up with anything

[Pghachey]

Thanks for the tip Quad!

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

You wouldn't happen to have any universal Catalytic Converters that would work for our VX's? Thanks


We do, Hi Flow Magnflow too.
I was under mine today. Its a dual 2" pipe that Ys into
a 2.25" pipe and muffler btw.

We offer Nice hi flow 50 state legal cats for about $95
too

[Chopper]

Beat me to it .....Went Magnaflow about a year ago. Lost at least twenty pounds in the process. You may want to consider a resonator.....that muffler is gonna "drone" a bit...a lot.:o Sounds nice and burbly at start up tho:)

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

One thing we can promise you all and for anyone considering
buying parts online.
When you buy from us, we garauntee all we sell
We can usually match or come very close to anyones price
online, but if we cant we'll let you know that too.
We have way more personable service and chances are
if you call my shop, you can talk directly to me everytime.
We are only a phone call away 6 days a week.
Im online 7 days. (and rarely take a vacation...)
Youll be buying from another VX owner, not someone who has
never seen or driven one.
And all the stuff we design or sell, will probably be tested on our
own Vx prior to putting it out there. ;)
Just something to keep in mind when buying. :bgwg:

[Kenny]

Beat me to it .....Went Magnaflow about a year ago. Lost at least twenty pounds in the process. You may want to consider a resonator.....that muffler is gonna "drone" a bit...a lot.:o Sounds nice and burbly at start up tho:)

Oh ya!
Go with a resonator.

[UtahVXer]

If you want improved performance and mileage go with an Aero:
http://www.aeroexhaust.com/aero_performance_exhaust.html
I have been enjoying the performance gains on my aero-turbine for nearly 4 years now.

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

We also offer that brand too, but to be honest they are
a little overpriced for what you get.
The Magnaflow imho is a little more affordable and works
really just as well. Their 18" version wont be too loud either.
The aero mufflers Ive heard on other local Suvs are a little
too throatie for alot folks.

[Joe Isuzu]

my exhaust system is likely due for a replacement in the next couple of years as it looks kinda rusty, no holes yet but I'm sure it's simply a matter of time, I'm not necessarily looking for improved (more aggressive) noise, if I was only interested in that I would have kept one of my Alfa's and besides, the VX is plenty loud already
but when I am looking for a replacement exhaust system, are there tangible benefits such as performance or gas mileage, or will it all be in my head (or ears! hahahahahaha)

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

Generally speaking to improve on hp or mpg you
need a nice free flow muffler. Some of the best performance
mufflers are straight thru design. Ie Magnaflow and some
others. How they pack the muffler overall length of the muffler
generally determine how loud it will be.
Magnaflows are packed with stainless steel. Last longer and does
better at quieting things up then something such as the old
fiberglass packed mufflers, ie turbo mufflers etc.
I suggest something that should be the best of both worlds is
this one:

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/shopexd.asp?zone=main&id=459

Covers all the bases and well built and cost under $100.
If quiet is a MUST, then we offer and most shops around all offer
the old school turbo style muffler with an S pattern tube inside for
flow and glass packed, avg cost about $50. The S pattern inside the muffler
flows a little better then stock, but still packed with fiberglass it will be
pretty quiet. Problem is over a few yrs time, it tends to get louder with age.
The Magnaflow wont do that due to its stainless guts.

[Joe Isuzu]

Great! Thanks for the input Vehi-Cross-AZ!

[vxfan97365]

just out of curiousity ive been wanting to replace my stock exhaust sytem but how much does the actual muffler weigh?

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

just out of curiousity ive been wanting to replace my stock exhaust sytem but how much does the actual muffler weigh?

The new one about 8lbs
less then the OE suitcase sized muffler.
Ill be installing one on my own Vx in the next few weeks
with pics before and after and even a few vids on youtube
to be able to hear it.
Im also going to get a baseline of my mpg at the moment
stock, and then after the muffler install.
Ill even weigh both mufflers let you know the results if you want.

[Chopper]

If you want improved performance and mileage go with an Aero:
http://www.aeroexhaust.com/aero_performance_exhaust.html
I have been enjoying the performance gains on my aero-turbine for nearly 4 years now.
Put these on a customer hot rod a couple of years back. No "seat of the pants" performance gains (a muffler never does boost that much, regardless of what they say) but a flat-head Ford never sounded better!

[ZEUS]

I am torn between a Supertrapp and Hushpower muffler. I'm leaning toward the Hushpower right now. If I get it should I stay with the 2.25" pipe or step up up to 2.5"? Or will it even matter?

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

I am torn between a Supertrapp and Hushpower muffler. I'm leaning toward the Hushpower right now. If I get it should I stay with the 2.25" pipe or step up up to 2.5"? Or will it even matter?

the stock pipe is actually 2" in and out..
Id leave it, and the supertrapp is going to be
pretty loud..
I still like my Walker Super turbo

[ZEUS]

2"? Really? Learn something new every day. I just want to try something no one else has. Thanks for the tip on the Supertrapp. The Hushpower it is then! I don't suppose you carry them...?

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

I dont carry it that I know of, I can see if one
of our whse's has them if you want.

[ZEUS]

That's alright then, I'll just go through Summit. Thanks!

[ZEUS]

I won a 2" DIA Hushpower II on eBay just now for $85 shipped! Thanks for the tip Vehi-Cross-AZ.

[Vehi-Cross-Az]

if you can get it in an offset/center inlet and outlet
that will help out for the installer..
just fyi :)

[ZEUS]

They are pretty compact units at 4x5.5x18 - and I paid $100 less than what Summit was asking! YAY me!

[tom4bren]

UH-OH. 'Nother 0.1% increase in throttle response????:)

[don moore]

time to invest in new tires with that output...zoom zoom:smilegray

[ZEUS]

.1% x .1% x .1% x.1% - a whole whopping 4.0% increase - because Tom sucks at math!

[etlsport]

now now boys, everyone knows that if you really want to add hp and throttle response you need to use these http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/spoiler_0050.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=10082)

now nobody can keep up with me!

[tom4bren]

I just put gell inserts in my shoes to get the same effect. I can't tell that I'm pressing on the gas any harder but the increase in acceleration is phenominal.:)

Zeus - Shoulda told you earlier, my mantra is: No horse is so dead that it can't be beat one more time.

BTW, my math is great: I work 8-10 hours, I multi-task so I'm logged on here for 2-4 hours each day so I must work at least 10 to 14 hours of each day.

BTWA, if you keep her washed & waxed, less air friction= another 0.1% increase in throttle response (but only at highway speeds).

Eric - What're those? Your spoiler have Zits?:)

[don moore]

i put my 3 300 pound friends in my rig .so it rides lower to the ground..
les. wind under car .better performance..I think i gain .04% ..but for some reason my milage sux????:p:p:p

[ZEUS]

BTW, my math is great: I work 8-10 hours, I multi-task so I'm logged on here for 2-4 hours each day so I must work at least 10 to 14 hours of each day.:) At that rate you should have a post rate of .1% a day because your hours per day would almost double. And if you look at it that way, you have the fastest VX in the world! ...Or is it the slowest..? Yep, it's the slowest. I admit it, I suck at math.

[tom4bren]

"And if you look at it that way, you have the fastest VX in the world! ...Or is it the slowest..? Yep, it's the slowest."

Yup - 'Difference is ... I make it look good.' (MIB)

[tom4bren]

Eric,

Just kidding about the spoiler zits.:) They actually look nice. Are they lights or reflectors or just bling?

Tom

[Chopper]

Vortex generators.....but they only begin to work at 97mph. They flatten the roostertails in the rain.

[tom4bren]

OK. I can forgo that pleasure. Mine's never been over 85mph.

[etlsport]

Eric,

Just kidding about the spoiler zits.:) They actually look nice. Are they lights or reflectors or just bling?

Tom

just bling lol i took the wheels off of carin's del sol over to pep boys to get new tires mounted and i got really bored waiting because it took them over an hour and they told me it would be like 20 min so in my boredom i wandered and came across them.. originally i was thinking of matching the fangs on the hood insert with them but they didnt mock up as well as id hoped.. so i didnt want to waste 4.99 lol so i stuck em up on the spoiler.. i like them up there now.. just a small detail nobody really notices

[bullsender]

Had my aero muffler for several years - a little loud if you get the one without a resonator - but no other muffler comes close - pricey at $250.
It actually speeds up the exhaust by venturi effect - put one on my diesel motorhome also and the results were really amazing there.