Muffler / Exhaust

[JMNY]

Thoughts?

I have a custom shop willing to install a MagnaFlow muffler and the pipe to the exhaust with a a chrome tip for about 330.00..

Does that sound reasonable? I called mERLIN (who was great by the way) - THEY WANT 400.00 AND change just for the muffler!!

Thoughts on the muffler and price are appreciated!

[CowboyErik]

Does sound like a good price; I wanted to stay stock so I bit the bullet, spent about $900 on a new OEM muffler and tailpipe; my old ones had rotted out completely; then the tail pipe broke out of the muffler, car sounded terrible all year; then my tranny failed; just had it re-built at $1250-$1500 range; to get tranny out, cats had to come off or I said please take them off; very THICK metal, spent 2 days sanding and grinding them down to shiny metal, then used 2000 degree fire proof paint from autozone and advance autoparts to prime then paint the new and old parts; re-installed with new gaskets and stainless steel hardware; now I can't hear the car start up! silent! and shifts like a Lexus! I think the owner before me ruined the tranny towing class 3; the rotted out class 3 hitch was the first thing I ever did to the car: took it off! Taped off flex pipe and O2 sensors!

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_0796.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23008)

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_0797.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=23009)

[JMNY]

Wow. Sounds like a lot of time, money and work.
Yes. I have a hole in the interior muffler and I need to replace it.
I should get it done Monday.
It is a custom exhaust shop here in NJ.
Stainless steel MagnaFlow Exhaust - Lifetime warranty.
Building it all the way out with new Chrome tip as well.
I looked into dual exhaust - he said with the gas tank and other object it was in my best interest to avoid it.

But - I figured this is a nice system, price, custom and done by a performance exhaust company that has been in business since 1977.

I plan on having my VX for a long time - so when it needs anything I want to do it right.

Thanks!

[Gussie2000]

@ JMNY

I do have a true dual exhaust and gas tank is not a issue at all if the shop knows how to do the job

[JoFotoz]

Yup..pretty good price.

I too have a dual...One in/Two out.

The gas tank was no issue...let me know if you want pics..I'll take some.

I paid about $450..with a Super 44 muffler, dual out pipes...
...and then dual tail pipes.

Jo

[VXR]

I also have dual exhaust and a nice sounding borla:thumbup:

[JMNY]

So you all have a dual exhaust - on each side of the back of the VX?
He had it on the lift - and showed me what it has to go through to get to the other side. He said it can be done...but the heat does not go well close to the gas tank - and some things would be moved. I will check with him again.


Thanks!

[89Vette]

That "other thing" is probably the fuel vapor (aka purge) canister.

[JMNY]

I dont really want to move anything around. My VX is pretty much stock and while I would love dual exhausts....still nice to get the new muffler, exhaust and chrome tip installed. I have a hole in mine now...so it is time.
Tomorrow morning is my appointment with the shop...lets see what he says.
thx.

[Ldub]

I have a unusual sounding borla :dance:

Have you made an appt with some sort of medical professional with regard to that?...:_thinking


Yeh..."out of context" is my new normal...:yesgray:

OR, at the least...playground...:yesgray:

Let's PLAY...:naughty:

[Gussie2000]

I do have true dual exhaust,i mean each bank running independently and never had any issue with "vapors" or such and neither had to move the canister so......

[JMNY]

Custom installation was done today and I love it! Nice sound, nice custom chrome tip, but by far the difference is the power. My Muffler was in bad shape - worse than I knew - I cant believe the difference in the performance. A new exhaust/muffler system should not make that much of a difference - but it did!
Very happy - and thank you to everyone for your input/advice!

[VXR]

Yeh..."out of context" is my new normal...:yesgray:

OR, at the least...playground

Good luck with that:rollb:

[89Vette]

My Muffler was in bad shape - worse than I knew - I cant believe the difference in the performance. A new exhaust/muffler system should not make that much of a difference - but it did!

I was talking to our Isuzu guru Jerry Lemond last summer, who mentioned the strong possibility that our mufflers have a warm-up valve inside. But he couldn't confirm it...nor could this forum.

If there were one...and it were stuck, it might explain an obstruction severe enough to cause a pronounced improvement.

???

[JMNY]

That would make sense. I cant describe the change in power enough. I have not driven a VX in 10 years - so I dont remember what it should be like - not to say I know now - but I am happy with the difference in power and the sound. :happyface

[JoFotoz]

I sold Blacksambo a virtually new OEM exhaust ....


I was talking to our Isuzu guru Jerry Lemond last summer, who mentioned the strong possibility that our mufflers have a warm-up valve inside. But he couldn't confirm it...nor could this forum.

If there were one...and it were stuck, it might explain an obstruction severe enough to cause a pronounced improvement.

???

....Maybe can cut up his old one...and check out the "valve" ??

Jo

[blacksambo]

Sorry, I through it away. But, I have noticed when loose it rattles like something is loose inside. Hope this helps.

[Leon R]

So... In 14 years of existence of these cars no one cut-up a stock muffler? :)

To truly "feel" power increase, most "normal" drivers need at least 10% of extra power or 20hp in this case. Unless you had a clogged system, you wouldn't see that from a simple muffler swap. A clogged CAT could cause this, but not a muffler.

Also, if you have a significant enough blockage in your exhaust to "feel it", you should see it in your fuel consumption.

[evillecutter]

is this mythical warm up valve supposed to be inside of the muffler or exhaust pipe? my muffler has a rattle when i rev up the engine and im going to get a new one (non oem) - if noone knows ill save my old exhaust and get to it sawzall style then let you know what i find

[blacksambo]

Thanks. We're all curious.

[JMNY]

Not sure exactly what the difference was but they changed my muffler,the extension of the exhaust after the muffler and a new chrome tip. It was done by a performance muffler shop called Mufflex here in NJ. I wish I drove another VX recently to really understand the difference but for me it feels completely different. Definitely more horsepower and general flow. I am really happy with the increased performance and sound. I actually called the shop afterwards to thank them for the work and explained the difference and he said it should different but not be that much different. But he did say there may have been something clogged becuase our mufflers were actually encased and maybe there was something wrong in the interior .... but there would definetly be an increase in horsepower. He was happy that I noticed such a difference.

Not sure if it was possible.....but I love my Killer Bee even more:grinb:

[89Vette]

is this mythical warm up valve supposed to be inside of the muffler or exhaust pipe? my muffler has a rattle when i rev up the engine and im going to get a new one (non oem) - if noone knows ill save my old exhaust and get to it sawzall style then let you know what i find

I just asked Jerry again. He said inside the muffler. And, for sure, the 98 and up Troopers had this "feature". It was supposed to help hold heat in the exhaust and help warm up the cats faster.

Kinda makes it sound like the same kind of thing as the Dynomax VT muffler -- expect the reasons for the valve are different (warm-up vs sound control).

[Leon R]

If VX has such feature, then it would be illegal to install ANY muffler, other than OEM. Because such swap would temper with actual emissions system... Why would Isuzu condemn their customer to such restriction?

But in a real world, no one is ever this strict (or educated) about emissions :)

Getting back to this "feature", if there is such mechanical devise, I can see how its malfunction could cause a major power (or fuel economy) reduction.

[blacksambo]

Smart!

[evillecutter]

got a new "turbo" muffler installed and it sounds great ($75) - i told them i didnt want anything too loud and he said it def wasnt enough engine for flowmasters so they put one on that they said they use when someone comes in with a v6 mustang and want it to sound like a gt - cut up the old stock muffler with the sawzall and i think i might have found the mystery valve but not exactly sure how it works - ill take pics this weekend and put them up next week

side note: the stock muffler is a behemoth - very heavy - but i was surprised at how clean it was inside after 12 years

[evillecutter]

the side with the valve is towards the front of the vehicle

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http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/medium/Picture_0091.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/23047)

[Leon R]

Fascinating! So what makes that valve open/close? The volume of the exhaust gas flow?

And is that the maximum amount that it can open?

Thanks for cutting it up!

[89Vette]

I'm baffled by the valve too. (Get it? baffled? LOL)

It's difficult-to-impossible to determine flow path and what that doo-dad really does. I also wonder if it's really a direct obstacle to the "main flow path"...or something in a "secondary circuit"?

[cheetah2390]

After reading through this thread and seeing the innards of the stock muffler, I decided to replace mine. I went with Magnaflow #11225. Had it installed last week for $111 (muffler and labor) at Modern Automotive Performance (employee pricing bc my brother works there). I’ve had it on for about 300 miles. It’s mellowed out a bit, kinda loud if I step on it. Not much if any increase in HP. I will report back on MPG.

[89Vette]

I'm also making a switch. SpinTech makes a 16" [body] offset inlet, dual outlet muffler. I ordered it in the quietest version. (Sportsman XLP)

My shop is going to add resonators before the stainless/chrome tips. They'll point straight rearward vs. being angled down like factory.

Hopefully, I won't regret the change in sound! Hoping for a big of responsiveness out of the deal. Maybe another mpg too.

[angeno]

Hi, can you possibly tell me where you broght your VX for this repair? I have been pulling my hair out trying to get my 2000 Ebony VX's exhaust system fixed. Thanks in advance!

:happyface





Wow. Sounds like a lot of time, money and work.
Yes. I have a hole in the interior muffler and I need to replace it.
I should get it done Monday.
It is a custom exhaust shop here in NJ.
Stainless steel MagnaFlow Exhaust - Lifetime warranty.
Building it all the way out with new Chrome tip as well.
I looked into dual exhaust - he said with the gas tank and other object it was in my best interest to avoid it.

But - I figured this is a nice system, price, custom and done by a performance exhaust company that has been in business since 1977.

I plan on having my VX for a long time - so when it needs anything I want to do it right.

Thanks!

[JMNY]

Mufflex Performance Exhaust

609-890-0481

Ask for Dennis

Tell him he worked on my Proton Yellow Vehicross

I have a Magnaflow Muffler..new chrome tip and he replaced everything from the muffler to the exhaust.....

Let me know if you have any questions....

[JoFotoz]

:confused:....



I looked into dual exhaust - he said with the gas tank and other object it was in my best interest to avoid it.


I worked with my local custom exhaust shop ( not Midas type!)...

...and we found plenty of room for a dual , going to dual tips either side.

I never had an issue with space or routing pipe...

..but flattened several tips thanks to Moab !

Jo
(DOHHH..just realized I posted something similar ages ago..I guess I've got "Oldtimers" )

[angeno]

Thanks very much. :) I'm on the opposite end of NJ, but if I can't find anyone local to do this I am not averse to driving across the friggin state to get it done. <sigh>

[JMNY]

Let me know how it goes....Good luck!

[Beavertractors]

For the NY VX's..I am going to Northeast muffler in Millerton NY..They have been around for many years.I have seen a lot of hot rods and street cars they have done..Putting new flex piece,40 series flowmaster and tail pipe.. They are not cheap..Not sure of the price..Got to bite the bullet tho.TonyB