mdc

While checking out the different options on catback exhausts, I noticed there are a lot of muffler choices out there. Is there anyone who has knowledge on the performance characteristics of different mufflers?

- Single or Y pipe designs with dual straight mufflers (Specialty X, CP-E, most single exits) This seems like the best flow design. Ground clearance seems to be a problem. Can anyone comment?

- Y pipe with small dual straight mufflers (UR, ETS) Similar to previous with smaller mufflers.

- Single OEM style muffler with center entry (with a possible Y pipe inside) (Invidia, Perrin) Similar to previous design but we dont know how the gases flow inside the muffler.

- Single OEM style muffler with offset entry (I feel this poses some restrictions but most manufacturers prefer this, maybe becouse it is similar to OEM and easy to manufacture?) (Blitz, Buschur, Greddy SE, JIC, Monster, T1R)

- Dual straight mufflers at OEM position with a lot of 90degree bends (Amuse, ERZ) This is interesting but there are at least 4 90 degree bends and it seems to be a heavier alternative.

Or maybe this is all a non issue and mufflers have negligable effect on flow restriction. Does anyone have good info on this?

Brokenevo

iTrader: (18)

straighter the better! Im a jet engine mechanic! lol

IMO the best X cat back there is, is the AP

mdc

It is logical that straighter the better but what about OEM style transverse mounted mufflers, do they hinder performance? Are they more silent? Why? Is there any comparisons of effective flow resistance between different systems?

Toxin

iTrader: (2)

Stock exhaust is all about silent... It hinders a lot of performance.

DaFastOne

iTrader: (4)

Do we really know how exhaust gases flow? I think people have the impression that if they can see thru it then its high flowing. but since exhaust gases are pulses it has a tendency to ripple around every thing it encounters it doesnt make too much of a difference how many bends it has and since the exhaust gases are hot it also has a tendency to expand where it can expand.

So when the exhaust gases entered into the straight thru muffler the gases expand where the perforate tubes are so gases are not flowing thru the muffler like how everyone thinks its flowing.

Something to think about is that the muffler's job is to muffle the sound. how do you think the muffler on ur car is suppressing that sound? the straight thru design muffler is suppressing that sound w/ its perforated tube and packing material.

DaveGSR

Edmunds blog tested the twin tip AMS catback vs. the Single exit and the power difference was negligible at that cars power level. It would be a great test to see at what power levels each muffler design began to supress power.