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Installing a muffler
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:42 pm
by Splinter
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?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:44 pm
by vrg3
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:45 pm
by Splinter
It's about a 45 minute drive from here, Im in the boonies
What is there to be worried about?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 9:50 pm
by Splinter
Apart from getting pulled over, I mean
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:00 pm
by vrg3
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:03 pm
by Splinter
Alright sounds good!
Pics and soundbites should follow shortly if all goes well
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:22 pm
by Splinter
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
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:36 pm
by vrg3
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:39 pm
by Splinter
Looks like Im gonna have to make a trip back up to the auto store
The stock exhaust is 2.25", right?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:41 pm
by vrg3
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.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:48 pm
by Splinter
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??
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:53 pm
by vrg3
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."
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:56 pm
by Splinter
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
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 11:58 pm
by vrg3
Hehe, no problem.
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 1:29 am
by Splinter
Goddamn idiots gave me the wrong size sleeving.
GAH.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 12:47 am
by Splinter
Holy shit, sounds fucking awesome
pics and sound clips (if I can find a recorder) coming soon!
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:12 am
by Splinter
This is just temporary til I figure out a permanant rigging solution

Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:57 am
by Richard
Props for the bungee! Are you sure it won't melt though?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 6:24 am
by Splinter
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
Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 8:02 pm
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:03 am
by The Scooby
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:19 am
by BAC5.2
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 5:38 am
by Splinter
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:16 am
by The Scooby
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.
Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 6:39 am
by Legacy777
What was the ID of the 2.5 in pipe and the ID of the glass pack? Were they the same?