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Magnaflow muffler questions

Ertech

E500E Guru
Member
The exhaust on my car is in ok condition but was a little more umph

the muffler will be 3 inch in and 2 outlets
Should I put a staright pipe plus resonator
magnaflow 2 into 1 cat staight to muffler?
Thanks
 
I went with hi-Flo cats, y-pipe 3" to a magnaflow muffler where the resonator used to live, then a smaller magnaflow muffler for the back box. But I did the full treatment. You can see the setup in my profile.

If you want to do "less", a simple resonator delete to the muffler might be fine. But where you do get to 3"?

maw
 
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I think on the factory stuff, the resonator outlet / muffler inlet with the 3-bolt flange is ~70mm diameter, or a little under 3". I'd need to double check though.

:rugby:
 
I think I need to implement an “Unlike” button per that bagged 124 with the Lambo mirrors.

Sigh.

That photo seriously defaces our forum.....

Bags are awesome although the mirrors are quite awful.


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If bagging is your thing, then MBWorld is probably a better fit, or 190Revolution.net.

Just sayin’. most folks here prefer to preserve the value of their .036s. I don’t think it’s a topic that would see much receptive/productive discussion here.

It’s a free country though. I certainly wouldn’t censor the topic.
 
so took a closer look. the aftermarket cats go from 2 to 1 < 3 inch> , the stock cat go from 2 to 2 so I will need a" y"after the stock cat that cost 80$ . aftermarket cat cost 110$ and has a built in "Y".
should I still keep stock cats and purchase a "y" or aftermarket cat and save on the "y"?
hope I am clear lol
 
Thanks , I get the stock ones are way better
Since I got new info like the cost of the Y pipe is almost the same as an aftermarket cats and my cats have 130k
Thaught your conclusion would be different
all good will keep the stock cats as per your always amazing advice
thanks
 
Well, see if they are rattling. Jury is still out (mine is, at least) on whether cats are a time or mileage thing. My guess is it’s some complex algorithm that takes into account those two variables and several others we can’t think of. Mine were done (rattling) at under 65k miles, but can I say there was never any 100 Octane run through there? No. So I say if they rattle, replace them. But I get that you might have to “re-do” this later if you don’t do it now. Also, I’m not sure if 3” is too big, but if it’s after the cats, it’s probably not a problem. I forget what year is your car, but ‘92’s didn’t even have O2 sensors downstream of the cats (IIRC), so cats may be optional. All of this may be “off strategy”. If all you’re thinking about is sound, why not just cut it before the resonator and install your Magnaflow back box and call it a day? Fewer components, less gray matter, less money, more sound.

And... this makes it easier to replace the stock cats (with whatever you choose) if and when the time comes.

maw

P.S. sound clip here...https://youtu.be/WUaiWYgX8xs I’ve heard several of these with all sorts of exhausts, from Magnaflow to RENNtech. IMO, they all sound basically the same — the engine is the engine and the length of pipe is the same. The real difference to me is whether you keep (or replace) the resonator, or not. Notice how that’s the biggest piece of the system. So given that you’re changing the muffler, the only other choice to make for me, sound wise, is whether you want to keep it quiet (some form of resonator) or “unleash the beast”. I went for the former.
 
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I listened to GSXR and kept my stock cats as well. I have a custom setup with a cutoff valve. If you go under my owners thread you can see it there. Ill attach a link of how it sounds for you

https://youtu.be/HuJFqsofFq0

Im planning on removing my cats and doing all custom work before the cats as well as the stock pipes are flattened in areas and I would like it to be a little louder.

:deniro:
 
Well, see if they are rattling. Jury is still out (mine is, at least) on whether cats are a time or mileage thing. My guess is it’s some complex algorithm that takes into account those two variables and several others we can’t think of. Mine were done (rattling) at under 65k miles, but can I say there was never any 100 Octane run through there? No. So I say if they rattle, replace them. But I get that you might have to “re-do” this later if you don’t do it now.
Yes - maw is correct, check for any rattle. If the cats are rattling, then they will need replacement soon, if not overdue. Whack the cats hard with your fist, you'll know right away if they are bad. The honeycomb inside breaks apart and keeps disintegrating over time. But... if no rattle, and there's no indication they are plugged, leave them alone.


Also, I’m not sure if 3” is too big, but if it’s after the cats, it’s probably not a problem.
Also correct - after the cats, this is close to factory size. No problemo.


I forget what year is your car, but ‘92’s didn’t even have O2 sensors downstream of the cats (IIRC), so cats may be optional.
All years 034/036 (and the E60) used the identical catalyst pipe, and all had the O2 sensor upstream of the cats. However, 1992 models spec'd a different part number O2 sensor vs 93-up. Early & late O2's are interchangeable, and appear functionally equivalent, I have no idea why MB did this. There is a slight difference in the metal shroud that covers the sensor, but that's it. Maybe it was related to the WOT enrichment deletion from 93-up. (??)


Oh, and I'll :plusone: with the comment above that "they all sound basically the same". You're not going to make the M119 sound like a Ford Voodoo engine, or an M120. Even a RENNtech 6.0 with tubular headers and full custom exhaust front to rear ($10k total) doesn't sound drastically different than a 500E with Y-pipe an Remus.


:sawzall:
 
I used a Magnaflow muffler in place of my Time Valve Y-Pipe to cut down on the noise inside of the car. I took a brand new Magnaflow muffler that an exhaust shop installed for me and did a lousy job to a Stainless Steel exhaust fabricator in Costa Mesa, CA. Next door to BURNS STAINLESS STEEL SYSTEMS. Anyway to make a long story short. Chris jigged up my stock resonator and then cut out the resonator leaving the connectors in the jig. He then welded in the Magnaflow muffler. I believe it was for a Camero originally. Attached are some pics of the job. I installed it back on the car myself. NOTE that either part is bolt up to the stock connections.

Some pics are of the Y-Pipe installation the rest are the Magnaflow. To do it over I would use the Magnaflow muffler with the INTERNAL X per Jono's statement on cutting down the drone inside of the car.

Lately I have been contemplating re-installing the Y-Pipe since I have a new KIA Optima beater to drive everyday (it's real quiet inside). I only drive the 500E myself and if anybody rides with me they would be car guys. My wife rarely rides in it so noise is not that big of an issue anymore.
 

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hi Terry do you have a back picture of the car so I can see tailpipes ?
thanks

The back box is a RennTech off of an SL500 or SL600 I had to move the hanger to the center of the muffler. When I got it the hanger was offset to one side. You won't find those tips unless you get a RennTech muffler. BTW it's straight thru. You can see thru it.

NOTE: I tried to delete one of the DBL pics and could not. Can an Administrator do it for me please.
 

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Wow love them
was not to sure about putting pipes under the bumper since I did not want to cut it
Thanks guys for all your help
 
I think a magnaflow "muffler as a resonator" is a great idea, which I'd never think of. Fortunately someone thought of it for me. For reasons TerryA states, if I had it to do over again, I might replace that resonator with a straight pipe.

maw
 
Terry! You are such a dewd!

proxy.php


Awesome stock plate. :) being that its a CA 3, are you the original owner?


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