Muffler - help, please!

[NYScott]

Hi, all:

I need a new muffler & tailpipe, and both Midas & Monro say they can't find the proper parts... I searched this forum, using the word "muffler," and spent the last hour reading post after post, and I honestly still have no clue what to do! Most of them were about performance upgrades, or parts no longer for sale, etc., and others seemed to die w/out any resolution.

If anyone can give me some advice, I'd appreciate it (and if you keep in mind that I'm not a gear-head, that would help a LOT):

2001 - no mods - OEM exhaust/muffler/etc.

I really don't care about big performance upgrades, or anything that's louder than normal; I just want a new muffler... this week... and if I have to order one online & have it sent via 2-3 day shipping, that's fine - I just want to know what will fit w/out any problems, and where to get it.

If you have any suggestion, I'd be grateful.
email: NYScott at gmail

T h a n k
Y o u !

[tom4bren]

Well, it's almost a certainty that you will NOT be going OEM. Too pricey.

I'm suprised that none of the muffler shops even recommended an aftermarket.

Basically any will work as long as the muffler shop can adapt to the existing pipes. The trade offs will be: sound, backpressure, longevity and price.

Many members have put on PowerVault products but the preference seems to be the PV1 which is no longer available.

My 2 cents worth of advice is to tell the muffler shop that you want to use what they have available & will fit. Minimize back pressure & go with Stainless Steel if you can afford it so it'll last longer.

[Gussie2000]

Hi scott.

I'm bit confused as how/why a muffler shop wouldn't "find" a single muffler to fit into your VX along with the pipes.

Beside the OEM muffler actually ANY muffler within a reasonable size can be added to the VX.
The OEM muffler brand new goes from $300 up from a dealer & i bid you aren't willing to put that amount for a regular muffler.
Off course the size of a muffler & the diameter of the pipes will increase/decrease the VX performance once installed & alter the torque either in low or high RPM's but you can definetly find a muffler that comes very close to the OEM muffler's specs.
Because you aren't into big mods or no mods at all it's much easier for you to have that job done instead of wondering which high performance muffler to go with.

You can call merlin @ st charles isuzu & ask for some advise as which kind of aftermarket muffler you can go with and/or wait for fellow members to help you out though looking thru the many options you can choose from.

[NYScott]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I really have to emphasize that I'm not a gear-head... :) To me, "minimize back pressure" means "lift with your knees." ;)

Are you saying I should call the guys at Monro (where my VX is currently located) and ask if they can find an aftermarket muffler & tail pipe that will fit, preferably something in stainless steel?

Or should I go get my VX, drive to Pep Boys, or NAPA, or Auto Zone, and see if they can dig one up? Also, if it would be better to search for one online (even if I'm searching the site of one of those auto parts stores I mentioned), is there anything I should be looking for (a certain size, or dimensions, etc.)?

[NYScott]

Well, I'm not opposed to a high-performance muffler, it's just that I don't want to spend a ton of money on this, and I don't want something loud (not my style).

Honestly, all I'm looking for is something that will fit w/out a problem, something I can get my hands on ASAP (I have a few days off, so this is my time to get things done), something that isn't going to cost a bajillion dollars, and isn't going to wake my neighbors.

[Gussie2000]

Hey scott!
It's time for you to have some home work done.
Take few hours & go google to look @ customer's review on every single bran,plus you can use youtube to see/listen to videos about mufflers
All muffler brands offers products suitable for our toys and the rest is up to you choosing the right one.
Go to the shop & explain them what are you looking for,something very similar to the OEM muffler which will not cause any huge difference on the VX's driving performance & not cause any disturbance to the neighbor.

[PittVXr]

For what it's worth, I replaced my stock muffler with a Dynomax Super turbo muffler. It cost about $60.00 shipped from summitracing.com. I think with the stock pipes you should be able to get a new muffler put on for about $100-$150.

The muffler has a little more "growl" than the stock muffler, but it is not much louder. After about 500 miles of driving it seemed to get a little quieter. I like the sound personally and would recommend it for someone who doesn't want to wake the neighbors with their exhaust note.

I have noticed better gas mileage since putting it on. (about 1MPG improvement in the city) A little more "pep" when stepping on the gas too.

[NYScott]

Thanks, Gussie!

I just picked up my VX from Monro, and spoke with the very nice, and very apologetic, manager for about 30 minutes. He told me all the things he did to try to locate the appropriate parts (called suppliers, researched other models that would have the same fit, called a couple salvage companies, etc.), but found nothing. I asked about aftermarket, and he said that's certainly an option, and would probably be cheaper than OEM, but I may not like the loudness. He said he's online quite a bit, and he knows a lot of sites to do some more research, and said he'd look around & get back to me.

Addressing your "homework" suggestion: you're absolutely, 100% correct. I have done some homework, will continue to do more, and I've viewed a few videos on Youtube. But here's my problem: if I don't know specifically what to look for, I may buy the wrong thing, or bypass the right one... When I go to a site that has the "choose your vehicle" option, they either don't have VehiCROSS listed, or there are zero results. When I go to a manufacturer's site, I see tons of options, but I have no idea which will fit. And as for Youtube, from the few videos I've seen so far, it seems to me that if someone's posting a video about their muffler, it's because it's loud. Don't get me wrong--they sound great, but that's not what I'm looking for. I have a neighbor who has a newer Firebird, and every time he drives by, I think about how nice it would be to strangle him. It would be the height of hypocrisy if I tortured my neighbors, too.

On my way home, I stopped at a couple auto parts stores. All they did was punch the data into a computer, and then looked back at me & said: "No luck, sorry." When I asked about aftermarket, the guys in both places said they had nothing for me.

So I'll continue to sift through the "muffler" posts here, but if anyone has any specific info (brands/models, links), I'd owe you one.

Thanks!

[NYScott]

PittVXr: Thank you!

I'm on summitracing.com, and I found the Dynomax Super turbo mufflers, but there are 84 of them... This is a great example of what I mean when I say I'm not a gear-head. If I knew, for example, that a "2 1/4 in. Inlet -- 2 1/4 in. Outlet" is the right or wrong size, I could narrow it down. Same with "14.000 in. Case Length," and "18.500 in. Overall Length," and so on.

I have no problem doing my homework--I'm eager to learn, and I want to make an informed decision, but holy crap, I feel like a fish out of water here.

[PittVXr]

PittVXr: Thank you!

I'm on summitracing.com, and I found the Dynomax Super turbo mufflers, but there are 84 of them... This is a great example of what I mean when I say I'm not a gear-head. If I knew, for example, that a "2 1/4 in. Inlet -- 2 1/4 in. Outlet" is the right or wrong size, I could narrow it down. Same with "14.000 in. Case Length," and "18.500 in. Overall Length," and so on.

I have no problem doing my homework--I'm eager to learn, and I want to make an informed decision, but holy crap, I feel like a fish out of water here.

I went with a 20" case, Offset Inlet, and a Center Outlet. That was recommended to me by another member who used the Super turbo. It fits just fine where the old muffler was.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VX_0063.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14405)

I also went with a 2.50 inch pipe which is slightly larger than stock. For the record I am not sure what diameter the stock exhaust pipe is, but I am sure someone here knows. (I THINK it is 2.25")

[NYScott]

I went with a 20" case, Offset Inlet, and a Center Outlet. That was recommended to me by another member who used the Super turbo. It fits just fine where the old muffler was.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/VX_0063.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=14405)

I also went with a 2.50 inch pipe which is slightly larger than stock. For the record I am not sure what diameter the stock exhaust pipe is, but I am sure someone here knows. (I THINK it is 2.25")


Awesome - thank you!

Did you buy the Dynomax Performance 17748 (http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17748) ? When I narrowed down the results to match what you stated, I came up with just one remaining, so I assume that's the one.

OK, and now for probably the dumbest question I've asked (so far): do I need to buy a tailpipe - is that separate?

[newthings]

I just put on a Dynomax Super Turbo 17747. The body is 20". They do not offer stainless.
I replaced the tail pipe with stainless. I used a 2 1/2" and welded it to the stock tip to match. The stock size is about 2". The shop bent up a piece to match the stock curves. I stayed with 2 1/4 on the muffler to minimize the sound.
The sound is less than my Power Vault I, which had grown too loud. I tried a Flowmax and I found it much too loud. I hit a resonance at 2500 rpm.
Roy

[rowhard]

Hey NYScott, I know John, aka Travelin2 would normally jump in but he and his lovely wife Gloria are off on vacation. Anyway, the VX he bought had a something or other and it was too loud, so he went with this which I think is the same as Roy, aka newthings. Think it might solve your problem. http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=15346

[JULIAN911]

Midas installed flowmaster 50 series muffler on mine and it was not that expensive... I think < $200

[NYScott]

Thanks, everyone, for all the help.

It looks like the Dynomax Super Turbo 17747 may be the one to get. But the tailpipe question: is it a big deal? I mean, is it something I should also purchase, or can the muffler shop handle that?

Also, I saw this on the Advance Auto Parts (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Muffler-Dynomax_18290115-P_15_R%7CGRPEXHAAMS) site - I assume this is the Dynomax Super Turbo 17747, but it's hard to tell... The part number says 17747, but there isn't any additional info. Plus, it's listed for sale at $39.99, which is about $20 cheaper than I've seen anywhere else. But when I do the "will this fit my vehicle" thing, it says "No." WTF?

Thanks again., everyone. I'd be lost without your help...

[newthings]

If it is the "Dynomax Super Turbo 17747", it is the right one. It will not list the VX as a fit, it just is a fit. (20" body) That is a very low price. Give them a call to verify the maker and model.
Any shop can bend up a tailpipe on the fly. You may not need one if the tube is solid. Bigger mean less back pressure. (2" vs. 2 1/2") Weld your tip on the end.

Roy

[Ldub]

There have been other threads in the past on this topic, & it just flat out amazes me that NOBODY who works in a chain muffler shop, or auto parts store, is even slightly inclined to think outside the box...:upsetgray

If it's not in the database, there is nothing that can be done...:_confused...:_thinking...:_confused
I realize I'm painting this picture with a pretty broad brush, & there may be a few exceptions, but seriously...:rolleyesg It's a MUFFLER...:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray
The dumbing down of this once great nation continues...:sighwgray

[rowhard]

It's a MUFFLER...:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray
The dumbing down of this once great nation continues...:sighwgray

Yes Dub, it's that and corporate telling management and down the line to the monkey under the rack, don't waste time making something work. That machine in the corner isn't to be used to neck something up or down, it is a tax write off. The better shape it's in at the end of it's tax write-off, the more we get in trade in. You wasting time pleasing this one customer, (NYScott) making something work means two other customers that don't get their muffler installed today.

Time is money.

Now ain't it a great world we live in

[Ldub]

Yes Dub, it's that and corporate telling management and down the line to the monkey under the rack, don't waste time making something work. That machine in the corner isn't to be used to neck something up or down, it is a tax write off. The better shape it's in at the end of it's tax write-off, the more we get in trade in. You wasting time pleasing this one customer, (NYScott) making something work means two other customers that don't get their muffler installed today.

Time is money.

Now ain't it a great world we live in

Not aimed at You John, but in general...

:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray. ..:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray... :upsetgray

[tom4bren]

Rekin I'm one of the lucky ones. The kid that does exhaust work at one of the local tire shops is GOOD. All I need to tell him is the basics of what I'm looking for ... he corrects me on a few minor details ... I come back in 4 hours to an installed muffler.

Scott - you shouldn't have to worry about the tail pipe. Walk in with the muffler of choice & they should be able to take care of the rest.

As far as back pressure - that's just the amount of force required to push the exhaust through the entire exhaust system. It's not a number that they typically publish but more of a general statement if the muffler was designed to minimize it.

[NYScott]

If it is the "Dynomax Super Turbo 17747", it is the right one. It will not list the VX as a fit, it just is a fit. (20" body) That is a very low price. Give them a call to verify the maker and model.
Any shop can bend up a tailpipe on the fly. You may not need one if the tube is solid. Bigger mean less back pressure. (2" vs. 2 1/2") Weld your tip on the end.

Roy


Thanks for the information.

I'll call to verify if the "17747" on that page is the one I'm looking for, but in the meantime, I found it on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00029J3IO), too, for $42.65, so there's another option...

[NYScott]

Scott - you shouldn't have to worry about the tail pipe. Walk in with the muffler of choice & they should be able to take care of the rest.


That sounds like something I can handle - thanks!

[BigSwede]

Call the smaller shops around the area and ask if they do custom exhaust work, in other words bend their own pipe. The shops that just install pre-bent pipes aren't going to be able to help you. Or look for a specialist, around here there is a shop called "The Wonderful Muffler Man" (not a chain AFAIK) that can do anything you want.

Get a 17748 for 2.5" pipe or 17747 for 2.25" pipe...I suggest 2.25" for your situation.

[newthings]

I wanted the smaller inlet and outlet at 2 1/14". I wanted a 2 1/2" tailpipe. It took 10 seconds to flair up the outlet to 2 1/2" on the muffler man's machine. Best of both for me. I also went with stainless for the tail pipe.
Roy

[PittVXr]

Scott - you shouldn't have to worry about the tail pipe. Walk in with the muffler of choice & they should be able to take care of the rest.



X2

[rowhard]

Not aimed at You John, but in general...

:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray. ..:upsetgray...:upsetgray...:upsetgray... :upsetgray

Oh buddy, not taken that way at all. Just adding my 2 cents to what you were saying. I totally agree what you were saying about 'not thinking out of the box'.

[NYScott]

Well, I went to my local Advance Auto Parts, confirmed that the one on their website (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_Muffler-Dynomax_18290115-P_15_R%7CGRPEXHAAMS) is, in fact, the Dynomax Super Turbo 17747, and paid the low price of $39.99 (lowest price I've seen anywhere). I brought it to a local auto repair shop, and one of the guys took a look at my VX and said he could install it. He also said he can use the existing tailpipe. So I left it with them & they'll install it tomorrow morning, hopefully without any problems...

I'll let you know how it turns out, and I really appreciate the help & advice you've all given! I was in a rush to get this done immediately, since I have the time this week, and if it weren't for you, I don't know what I would've done. So thanks again. :)

[rowhard]

I love a happy ending:p

[tom4bren]

The grass is green ... the sun is shining ... Scott no longer has an embarassing exhaust ... and he's left with some 'ching' in his pocket.

Life don't get much better-n that.

[Ldub]

The grass is green ... the sun is shining ... Scott no longer has an embarassing exhaust ... and he's left with some 'ching' in his pocket.

Life don't get much better-n that.

Unless of course, you become a site supporter, & get to see your name "up in green"...:smilewink

[NYScott]

Unless of course, you become a site supporter, & get to see your name "up in green"...:smilewink

Actually, I sent a donation, via PayPal, a few days ago, but it has yet to be reflected on the "donation goal" graphic, or on my "status" here (but it has been deducted from my bank account)... :confused:

[tom4bren]

Maybe Moncha is O3 (Out Of Office) right now so can't update status.

Don't get yer panties in a bunch over what Ldub said:). Nobody takes Ldub seriously 'round here ... God bless his little heart. We just post a few dancing bananas every so often ... that seems to keep him happy.

:dan_ban::dan_ban::dan_ban:

[Ldub]

Actually, I sent a donation, via PayPal, a few days ago, but it has yet to be reflected on the "donation goal" graphic, or on my "status" here (but it has been deducted from my bank account)... :confused:

Good on You Scott!...:thumbup:...:dan_ban:...:dance:



Maybe Moncha is O3 (Out Of Office) right now so can't update status.

Don't get yer panties in a bunch over what Ldub said:). Nobody takes Ldub seriously 'round here ... God bless his little heart. We just post a few dancing bananas every so often ... that seems to keep him happy.

:dan_ban::dan_ban::dan_ban:

YES!:yes:

I like the dan-ban WAY better than in the olden days, when you guys would throw REAL bananas in my cage every so often...:dan_ban:

[NYScott]

Just picked it up, the mechanic said it went smoothly, and I have to say, it sounds great! Not at all what I'd consider "loud," and it has a very nice grumble/gurgle sound. Very nice...

The final totals, including tax: $43 for the muffler, and $161 for installation, so just slightly over $200!

I'm pleased, and grateful. Thanks, everyone! :clap:

[Gussie2000]

Just picked it up, the mechanic said it went smoothly, and I have to say, it sounds great! Not at all what I'd consider "loud," and it has a very nice grumble/gurgle sound. Very nice...

The final totals, including tax: $43 for the muffler, and $161 for installation, so just slightly over $200!

I'm pleased, and grateful. Thanks, everyone! :clap:

Hi scott !
Good to know your are now a happy VX'er.

Now get the VX back to where it belongs to: The road

[mrtew]

Yesterday I got the Dynomax Super Turbo 17747 from Amazon.com based on this thread's advice and I like it. It's nice and quiet at rest and maybe a little too loud and raspy at full throttle but if it quiets down a little it'll be fine. Thanks for the vx.info!

[Gussie2000]

Yesterday I got the Dynomax Super Turbo 17747 from Amazon.com based on this thread's advice and I like it. It's nice and quiet at rest and maybe a little too loud and raspy at full throttle but if it quiets down a little it'll be fine. Thanks for the vx.info!

I bought two of those super turbo last week & hoping to get them installed this weekend :yesy:

[mrtew]

I bought two of those super turbo last week & hoping to get them installed this weekend :yesy:

"two"??? "them"??? what the heck? on one VX or two?

[Gussie2000]

"two"??? "them"??? what the heck? on one VX or two?


Two Dynomax on one VX buddy :naughty:

Serious high performance stuff !

I currently running dual pipes ( one pipe off from each head),but the mufflers aren't up to my expectations so they must go & let the dynomax do they stuff

[kronopoliz]

Got too tired of to many references to Midas, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.... You have a VX so find a specialty shop in your area with knowledge and respect by referral and they'll fix u up. Got mine for $89 out the door at Discount Muffler in Spokane if you happen to be in the area. Otherwise don't assume your brand name FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH shops got your back. They don't rely on word of mouth and they don't know your VX. Guess I'm just pissed with a grounded VX but it's worth the effort.

[Gussie2000]

Got too tired of to many references to Midas, Pep Boys, NAPA, etc.... You have a VX so find a specialty shop in your area with knowledge and respect by referral and they'll fix u up. Got mine for $89 out the door at Discount Muffler in Spokane if you happen to be in the area. Otherwise don't assume your brand name FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH shops got your back. They don't rely on word of mouth and they don't know your VX. Guess I'm just pissed with a grounded VX but it's worth the effort.


Hi krono !

If you're refering about my VX well the current mufflers was a experiment,though i could try with regular mufflers first,now i'm convinced the dynomax are the way to go.
The shop i deal with is belongs to a former isuzu engine specialist & good friend (can't be better) plus he used to own one of 1rst 15 VehiCROSS imported into the US back in 1998 (ironman) i guess i'm very lucky to have him located just 2 miles away from my house :yesgray:.