Installing a muffler

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:42 pm

Ok so Im about to bite the bullet and try to install the glasspack by myself

Once I saw off the old muffler, there's no turning back. If for whatever reason I screw up the install, is it gonna be ok for me to drive the car to a shop to get it done properly with the exhaust ending ~16" under the car?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:44 pm

You should be okay if it's just a short drive. If you're worried, you could get a tailpipe extender or some flexible exhaust tubing just in case.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:45 pm

It's about a 45 minute drive from here, Im in the boonies

What is there to be worried about?

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:50 pm

Apart from getting pulled over, I mean

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:00 pm

The main issue is that there's a lot of heat coming out that pipe, and it has the potential to eventually scorch or melt any polymers in its path, like the ones forming your bumper cover. I guess in principle it could even cause fire. But one short trip shouldn't be a big deal.

I would think 45 minutes would be okay. Maybe stop partway through and take a break to let things cool off if you're worried.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:03 pm

Alright sounds good!

Pics and soundbites should follow shortly if all goes well

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:22 pm

Ok small snag

What do I use to cut off the old muffler?

I dont really have much in the way of power tools, and the pipe looks a little too hefty for a dremel cutting wheel

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:36 pm

They make these devices called tailpipe cutters that you can buy for like 20 or 30 bucks. It's like a chain with cutting wheels in between the links. So you put some oil on it, slip it around the pipe, and turn it back and forth while tightening it.

Or you could just use a hacksaw.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:39 pm

Looks like Im gonna have to make a trip back up to the auto store

The stock exhaust is 2.25", right?

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:41 pm

I don't know. But if you're wondering, a tailpipe cutter isn't really made for a specific size pipe.

This is probably something I don't need to say to someone who's used to living out in the middle of nowhere, but I'd call ahead to make sure they have one.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:48 pm

No Im wondering just to make sure I have the right sized mufflers

I actually have two, a 2" and a 2.5"

The exterior circumference of the backaxle (thats the right term for the exhaust pipe just before the muffler, yes?) is 7.25", which makes it about a 3" diameter on the outside.

That'd mean the pipe has pretty thick walls if its a 2.25 interior

But, if its 2.5" already, why do people spend so much money on getting a 2.5" installed??

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:53 pm

7.25" divided by pi is close to 2.30.

I don't think it's 2.5". 2.25" is probably right, but you should search for a post from someone who knows.

But even keeping the same diameter could be helpful if you switch to mandrel bends from the stock crush bends.

People usually call the portion of the exhaust all the way from the last flange to the muffler tips the "axleback."

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:56 pm

vrg3 wrote:7.25" divided by pi is close to 2.30.

I don't think it's 2.5". 2.25" is probably right, but you should search for a post from someone who knows.

But even keeping the same diameter could be helpful if you switch to mandrel bends from the stock crush bends.

People usually call the portion of the exhaust all the way from the last flange to the muffler tips the "axleback."

Gah I did my math wrong... I cant believe that. lol

Thanks for your help, I'll give them a call and see what happens

vrg3 · Post by **vrg3** » Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:58 pm

Hehe, no problem.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:29 am

Goddamn idiots gave me the wrong size sleeving.

GAH.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:47 am

Holy shit, sounds fucking awesome

pics and sound clips (if I can find a recorder) coming soon!

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:12 am

This is just temporary til I figure out a permanant rigging solution

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:57 am

Props for the bungee! Are you sure it won't melt though?

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:24 am

I took it for a spin around the block and when I got back I could smell burning rubber, the cords were still ok, but I replaced the ones near the tip with some planters wire that I rolled 4-fold. Good job too, because after a 10 minute drive the one near the intake end melted.

I picked up another muffler clamp while I was out, Im still not sure how Im gonna do this tho

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:02 pm

Ok I picked up the other muffler clamp and some proper metal ribbon for mounting it. I should be able to get it all set up this coming weekend.

Im sure its just my imagination, but the car seems to pull harder with this thing on.

The Scooby · Post by **The Scooby** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:03 am

well whats intresting about glasspacks, they creat scavenging which will help pull out the exhaust from the engine, so ya i bet you would feel a difference.

it actually will out flow strait pipe.

also please get up soem sound clips, my car is like yours twin, and ive been thinking of putting on a glasspack since i dont want a TBE.

BAC5.2 · Post by **BAC5.2** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:19 am

The Scooby wrote:well whats intresting about glasspacks, they creat scavenging which will help pull out the exhaust from the engine, so ya i bet you would feel a difference.

it actually will out flow strait pipe.

also please get up soem sound clips, my car is like yours twin, and ive been thinking of putting on a glasspack since i dont want a TBE.

I think you may be mistaken.

The muffler will have no scavenging effect on a turbo car. Sorry.

Do you have proof that a glasspack will outflow a straight pipe? I don't see how that is possible.

Splinter · Post by **Splinter** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:38 am

I'm with Bac on this one.

I noticed only a slight difference in power going from the OEM muffler to the glasspack, I dont see how the difference between a glasspack and a straightpipe could be appreaciated, in either direction.

The Scooby · Post by **The Scooby** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:16 am

when i was still going to school we got to use a flow bench.

we put on a peice of 2.5inch strait pipe that we used for header extentions on the T-buckets, and ran it, then otehr muffler and saw what mufflers where restrictive and what ones wheren't too bad. we also ran a thrush cherry bomb, it actually out flowed the 18inch peice of pipe, the cherry bomb was also 18inches long.

Post by **Legacy777** » Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:39 am

What was the ID of the 2.5 in pipe and the ID of the glass pack? Were they the same?

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Installing a muffler

Installing a muffler