Aftermarket Muffler with Stock Piping

[totalB5]

Does anyone have this particular setup?

I want an aftermarket muffler with no custom piping and was wondering how it sounds like. I honestly don't want it loud at all but something where it would be decently loud (not annoyingly loud) on higher RPM's or when I'm actually gunning the car. This will probably 80% for look only.

Anyone has any recommendation on which muffler? I know lots of people have Magnaflow but how does it sound without the custom piping?
Does anyone here have Remus? I know they have got some universal mufflers out there.

I tried searching this on YouTube but everyone seems to be running one with the piping.

BTW, the car is a 1.8T. Thanks guys!

[lotusgardener]

So you want to put in a muffler with the stock size piping? It gonna sound pretty much the same, maybe a little louder, if that.

[collins123420]

I had this idea when I first got my B6, but then after searching I realized (and was told many times!), that it's better to save up some more and get a full exhaust...

[prodrive]

Borla FTW !! but I agree ^^ saving up some more and get a full exhaust is the way to go ..

[turboquattro068]

right but if you can get a decent muffler for a decent price go ahead and have it put on. My buddy sold his nuespeed muffler to my other buddy for 20 bucks and we welded it up......so do what you want, it's certainly not going to hurt you in the meantime.

I have Borla FTW though!

[HaLf3ViL]

i have a 2.8QM with a magnaflow muffler on stock piping with a res delete and there is a really noticeable difference in sound

[somebody5788]

Wow so much misinformation..... If its a turbo car I can see it not being as big a difference but I know on the 2.8's you can REALLY tell the difference. Much lower exhaust tone, nice growl when you get on it, and it is still as quiet as ever if your not on it. Even on the turbo cars I would think that it would make a good difference. Anyways I'll link mine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzxJHoISGYw

100% stock piping just a Magnaflow 14862 muffler. I even kept the resonator.

[B5A4Kevin]

not really mis-information, changing your muffler will definetely change your exhaust tone. no one is arguing that, but the people who say get a full system are saying that (from experience) so that the OP's powerband will match his aggressive exhaust note. removing only one restriction will have less of an impact than addressing all points of restriction (aside from the turbo), and if he does decide to upgrade later, he may have to junk the original upgraded muffler along with the stock piping (i.e. bad investment).

so bottom line, figure out your goals. if what you care about is sound, do it, but if you want more performance down the road, just save up and get a whole system. ive been looking at the 3" turboback from 034, since it would be good on a stock turbo, but great on a 71r elim, which is my goal (for right now).

[zrowcool]

theres definitely a difference. just replaceing the muffler will get you a different sound dependign on the muffler you install, if you delete the resonator, you will get tons of drone and it will be much louder, adding in a glasspack will help with the drone

[dbtong]

I have a 1996 2.8 12v. First I put on Magnaflow cats (OEM ones were toast) and there wasn't much change in sound...so basically stock. I then put on a Magnaflow muffler and the sound definitely changed. There is a lower tone and sounds really good at high RPMs when giving a good bit of gas. However, there is a band around 2500-2800 RPMs when I get some droning (I think that's what it is)...it depends on the throttle position. The drone can be quite loud to me and I was wondering if it was possible to quiet that down. Would replacing my stock resonator/mid-muffler with a glasspack accomplish that?

[zrowcool]

no a glasspack wouldnt be better than your stock resonator. the stock resonator really quiets it down a lot. i would try installing a glasspack in addition to your resonator and see if that helps, the glasspacks can be had on ebay for less then 25 bucks shipped.

[dcampana]

the guy i bought my a4 had a custom exhaust done with a dynamax 3" from down pipe back for $280... this included full install. For that price, it might be worth it to save the extra cash for this. The reality is most muffler shops will charge you a minimum for labor and for a few extra bucks, might as well have all the piping down. This will give you the flexibility to upgrade later ( and I am sure you will get that mod bug). BTW- my car is very quiet while just cruising and then "livens up" at WOT....

I have a friend that owns a muffler shop and he has guys come down wanting to change the muffler and thats it, but what they dont realize is the best bang for your buck is to do the piping as well.

just my .02, for what its worth.

[totalB5]

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions guys! I appreciate it.

Anyway, it wasn't really money that was the issue, but I just wanted something subtle and quiet. Something that won't wake up the neighbors when I come home 2 o'clock in the morning.

I'm really not looking for any performance gain over this as I'm mostly looking to increase the visual/exterior look down there. However, like I mentioned, if I do get that sound during high RPM's (similar to G35-350Z - I know they are V6's but those exhausts sound loud during high RPM's ), I'll be beyond happy!

Basically, I was just making sure it won't be too loud with stock piping and as some of you mentioned, it will not be that big of a difference compared to stock, which is what I'm looking for. And as for illuminating the resonator, I think I'll be keeping it so it won't be a hassle when it comes time to pass smog.

Once again, thanks guys!

[andyrew]

The borla exhaust using the stock cat is pretty quiet driving around.. I mean its so quiet I removed one of the mufflers on mine because I wanted it louder..

[B5A4Kevin]

the resonator has nothing to do with passing a smog test (unless they check for oem equipment? cali?), as all it does is act as an echo chamber to deflect sound waves which would result in drone, the glass-packs are a type of straight-through resonator which have better flow (hp), but are known to have the fiberglass settle after a few months resulting in unwanted drone. for this reason, i would suggest a steel wool packed resonator (magnaflow), as opposed to a fiberglass one, although i have heard the magnaflow resonators are slightly more restrictive than the glasspacks.

but if you are leaving the stock resonator in place, you dont have to worry about this, and you should have less or no drone, but less horsey power compared to a full system with a flow through resonator. just please dont put on a 50 dollar fart can and a picnic table-sized wing, although i hear GReddy decals add 15-25 hp each.

[audiloverz]

no a glasspack wouldnt be better than your stock resonator. the stock resonator really quiets it down a lot. i would try installing a glasspack in addition to your resonator and see if that helps, the glasspacks can be had on ebay for less then 25 bucks shipped.

I've ordered a glasspacks in ebay last week..

[PoormansA4]

yup borla

[quatrroking]

you will see little to no difference i did it years ago when I first got my b5

[dcampana]

FWIW, I do not have a resonator and i just recently went through a smog. they did not get under the car to inspect, so should not be an issue from that perspective (no worries)...

Also, with the 3", I dont have droning issues that I have dealt with. Bottom line, do what you prefer, as its your ride!!!

[totalB5]

Thanks again for all the suggestions and infos guys! I appreciate it.

So far it looks like I'll just be getting a muffler without any piping and keeping my resonator. However, I might go do custom piping once I decide I want it louder.

It looks like I'm set for a E46 (non M3) Remus that I'll be fitting onto the B5.

Does anyone know how much muffler shops charge just to put in a muffler?

Once again, thanks! You guys are awesome.

[B5turbo]

Thanks for all the responses and suggestions guys! I appreciate it.

Anyway, it wasn't really money that was the issue, but I just wanted something subtle and quiet. Something that won't wake up the neighbors when I come home 2 o'clock in the morning.

I'm really not looking for any performance gain over this as I'm mostly looking to increase the visual/exterior look down there. However, like I mentioned, if I do get that sound during high RPM's (similar to G35-350Z - I know they are V6's but those exhausts sound loud during high RPM's ), I'll be beyond happy!

Basically, I was just making sure it won't be too loud with stock piping and as some of you mentioned, it will not be that big of a difference compared to stock, which is what I'm looking for. And as for illuminating the resonator, I think I'll be keeping it so it won't be a hassle when it comes time to pass smog.

Once again, thanks guys!

i get what you're saying... but you're doing it wrong!

[B5turbo]

Thanks again for all the suggestions and infos guys! I appreciate it.

So far it looks like I'll just be getting a muffler without any piping and keeping my resonator. However, I might go do custom piping once I decide I want it louder.

It looks like I'm set for a E46 (non M3) Remus that I'll be fitting onto the B5.

Does anyone know how much muffler shops charge just to put in a muffler?

Once again, thanks! You guys are awesome.

once again, no need for custom piping.. if you shop around, you will find a nice exhaust made for the B5

[totalB5]

^ What am I doing wrong?

Do you mind explaining to me the correct way?

[biketsai]

^ What am I doing wrong?

Do you mind explaining to me the correct way?

You're not doing anything wrong. He just thinks its probably best to spend the money right the first time around. If all you want is a little sound, then go for it, get the muffler.

When I had my car just chipped I used to have the magnaflow muffler and it had more sound down low than it did up high.