Replacement muffler

[Disco LT]

Sadly the muffler on my ute is cactus, and I was told by the mechanic last time I had it rego'd that I'd need to replace it by next rego, so here I am. According to him, there was a problem with the baffles so I gather that means I'm looking at a complete new exhaust.

My question though, is whether its worth purchasing the sports exhaust over the standard replacement exhaust? I don't know whether it makes any sort of difference for the price, thoughts?

Thanks

Edit: It's an XH Falcon Ute, 4.0lt straight six - that might help. It's not a performance vehicle, it's just a work ute.

[Artful-dodgeR]

Firstly, if the baffles are rooted then that's just the muffler. That's the part that muffles the exhaust!

Secondly, exhaust systems can come in many shapes any forms.

You have:
-Muffler alone
-Cat-back system
-Full system

Muffler alone would cost you anywhere from $30-200 depending on how stupid you are. Money spent on a muffler is only good when you have the rest of the system...

Cat-back systems are where the custom exhaust starts from the catalytic converter, meaning you don't touch the headers (being the first point the exhaust gases escape). Most people just do a cat-back as it's substantially cheaper, still yields decent results and usually sounds awesomesauce. For a 4L V6 I'd go a 2 1/2 inch full system with 18" resonator... maybe even 2 x resonators. These help with vibration. You'd normally find this for between $250-600 depending on location and bend type.

Lastly, the full system is just that, everything from the block to the tip in terms of gas release. Doing this maximises gas flow to its fullest, with the gasses escaping at optimal speed and sequence. Remember, they came out of the factory to be quiet, not to be awesome. Getting extractors can be a costly experience mind you, with a full system going from $800-$1500.

A few things to know as well. There are 2 types of bends:
-Press bent
-Mandrel bent

With press bent exhaust systems they literally just press the bends out, meaning that there could be minor restrictions and kinks along the way that could impede airflow. This is done as a cost effective method as it takes half the time and equipment to do.

A mandrel bend is used whereby the pipes are forced to be bent slowly and make no strangeness in the system. If you're going price > performance, press bend will do. This generally reduces cost.

Lastly, do you do much highway driving! This is f**king important. If you do, ensure the exhaust DOES NOT DRONE. You don't ask them, you tell them. NO DRONE.


Oh, and you should fix your air-intake, falcons LOVE being able to breathe more.

[Disco LT]

For a 4L V6 I'd go a 2 1/2 inch full system with 18" resonator... maybe even 2 x resonators. These help with vibration. You'd normally find this for between $250-600 depending on location and bend type.

It's a straight six, not a V6 - does that change your opinion?

I'm going to budget $350 for the new exhaust, so if I can get a 2.5" cat back for that price or less, it might be the way to go. I'll call around during lunch and see what I can find in town.

Oh, and you should fix your air-intake, falcons LOVE being able to breathe more.

How exactly does one fix an air intake? >.<

[Artful-dodgeR]

I'd still go with my suggestion.

Regarding intake, fairly sure you can directly upgrade. Let me check with my cousin. He races falcons of all varieties

[Disco LT]

Cool Arty, I appreciate it.

I don't want to spend much on the ute, it's just an old reliable work ute but since I have to replace the exhaust I might as well see whats going to be my best bang for buck while I'm at it.

Edit: Ute is booked in for a cat back 2.5" exhaust (centre and rear) on Saturday morning for $260 - cheapest I could find and a mechanic that actually had a chat rather than "yeh what u want".

[Bluefire]

Just a side note, putting a "non-stock" exhaust can cause you issues at rego time... if they do not have a dB. meter at the place you go to get rego and you dont have an engineers cert .. they will fail you as "non standard exhaust"
Ive got a 2 1/2 lukey cat-back on my 92vp. I put a stock exhaust on to get rego done even tho the other IS legal, It was cheeper to buy a new stock exhaust to pass rego in nsw than it was to get an engineers cert.

[Disco LT]

Just a side note, putting a "non-stock" exhaust can cause you issues at rego time... if they do not have a dB. meter at the place you go to get rego and you dont have an engineers cert .. they will fail you as "non standard exhaust"
Ive got a 2 1/2 lukey cat-back on my 92vp. I put a stock exhaust on to get rego done even tho the other IS legal, It was cheeper to buy a new stock exhaust to pass rego in nsw than it was to get an engineers cert.

Thanks for that Bluefire, I've never heard that before and I've owned a few cars with sports exhausts - I don't think I'll have any difficulty but I'll mention it to him when I drop it off just for clarification

[Artful-dodgeR]

...I've had 4 cars with exhausts, not one failed rego. I doubt it'll be an issue, but if you're concerned just ask them to make sure its legal (90db iirc).

My mini on the other hand... has no exhaust restriction. Pre-74 ftw.

[steve_rogers42]

straight 6's love more air, CAI etc.

IF its just the exhaust take it to a muffler or exhaust shop and tell them your looking to replace for rego, they should be able to sort you out with something thats legal, in most cases you should be able to get something stock that was pulled from someone else's car when they upgraded.

Most important thing is if your car was fitted with a cat (catalytic converter) from stock your replacement exhaust WILL require one to be installed. If it didnt have one to begin with it might be an idea as they are generally seen as the more environmentally friendly thing to do, but in some cases might not be appropriate for the vehicle, best to check with the shop you go to.

Also shop around, should be plenty of people about town to give you a good deal, even if your looking to stay stock/rego only and not for performance upgrade...

Artful's write up is pretty much on the money... but i doubt it would be hard finding something for a falcon...

[Bluefire]

could just be the locals here .. take a modified holden to a ford dealer for inspection I assume most places have the gear to check dB. Just not where I live
no choice arround here tho as the other guy that does rego for a reasonable price got shut down .. roumor was something about doing 10 inspections in an hour.. when each inspection takes over 30min

[Disco LT]

Haha there are plenty of blokes out here in the country like that bluefire, it's good - I really shouldn't have passed last time because of the exhaust so I can't complain.

What state are you in? Just wondering if maybe they're a bit more anal than NSW re the exhaust?

[Bluefire]

Yeah nsw, car was modded in qld where it wasnt an issue, bring it here and they **** and moan.
Its suspension is 5mm _above_ legal minimum.. *looks at guy inspecting car* .. above legal minimum.. so its legal? .. "Yeah, but only just!" *looks at guy again*

Latest one was the wife's subbie.. its missing a steat buckle.. fail...
Yeah.. no its not.. the buckle has just fallen down between the seat cushions

Welcome to the country!

[Disco LT]

I had a friend knocked back by a Ford dealership in Dubbo for his seats having tears in the fabric, bought seat covers and took it back, no issue.

Update:

Re the air, I considered doing a home job CAI system but not sure whether the benefit would be there and whether it's worth cutting holes in the car. I might just replace the stock filter (which could probably be done anyway) with a K & N Filter and leave it at that.