Stock Muffler ? FlowMaster ? Others ?

[norros]

Ok, so I’ve done some research on this so I’m not just ‘blindly’ asking for someone to fix my problem, and not a ‘can I import a Defender into the US’ type of question AGAIN… haha.

Anyway, after getting my new GoodYear MTR’s on the truck late last week and taking them out for a ‘test’ in the local Appalachicola Forest, I really saw what a difference they were from my ‘old style’ BFG MT’s of 4 varying tread lengths. Totally amazing… to say the least.

Well on the way home yesterday, my tailpipe disconnected itself from the end of the muffler right on the outside of the ‘clamps’ that hold the tailpipe on. The tailpipe kind of corroded and just broke off. I’m thinking I can just have a muffler shop weld a piece to hold it on but I’m also wondering if the muffler is bad.

I did some research on replacement mufflers and aside from the ‘stock’ one, which is probably well overpriced, I notice that a lot of D90 owners opt for the Flowmaster, for a more ‘aggressive’ sound. Well, I’m not so much into the more ‘aggressive’ sound regardless of HP gains, sounding cool, etc… I like the sewing machine, low-end sound and was wondering if there are any replacement mufflers that sound ‘STOCK’. ???

Or am I just going to have to suffer and pay the $$$ to get the stock muffler if I want that stock sound ???

Any help is appreciated.

Nicholas Orros

[Mike Hippert]

Hmm, I don't know about the stock sound or what other then stock muffler would reproduce it. You could just ask the guys at a muffler shop if they can order a generic muffler to replace the one you have. Does anyone know if the NRPs sound stock?

[javelinadave]

I went to a hotrod show last night. A lot of the rods had Flowmasters on them and they sounded real sweeeeeeet! I loike the "ticking" sound they make. I know if you look at a flowmaster ads they claim to increase HP. I think that a FM muffler is in my D-90's future.

[rover4x4]

There are differnet models of the FLowmasters. I think the delta flows are a little quieter than the regular. the 40 series is loudest. I think HP increases would be negligible. flowmaster 50 series delta wouldnt be over bearing I dont think. you can play sound clips off the flowmaster website of the different mufflers.

[sherpamike]

One of the POs of my truck had a borla system put on. It sounds really nice. It is not loud, but I think it has just a little more rumble than a stock exhaust. Plus it has a really cool tailpipe that is tucked up almost inside the rear wheelwell. I can shoot you a picture if you would like. Just thought I would through in my .02.

-Mike

[norros]

Thanks fella's...

I've been hearing some pretty good things about the Borla, maybe I'll go that route. I just really don't feel like spending $500+ on this whole thing.
I'm wondering if my muffler is 'ok' and I just need the tail pipe welded back on... ? The muffler looks fine, so I'll see on Tuesday when the shops are open.

Nicholas

[javelinadave]

Flowmaster Sounds (http://www.flowmastermufflers.com/cgi-bin/flowmaster/suvh.html?id=pxd4hbpR)
Upper right hand corner click on sounds.
Give this a try. See if you find the right sound for your ride. :party

[chrisconnie]

I am running the 50 Delta series on an otherwise stock exhaust. A touch louder than stock at speed and a nice rumble at idle. Highly recomended. $150 installed at the local muffler shop.

To check your current muffler just bang on it with your hand. If you hear stuff rattling around inside you can bet it's toast.

[norros]

Thank you all for the responses...

I think I am definitely looking into the Delta FM series... I'd go for a slightly beefier sound..
The reason why I am hesitant in placing a 'high performance' muffler on is the time I had my Jeep redone, and they put a 'cat back' exhaust on it, and yet the performance increase was significant, the sound was immense.

If I can go that route for well under $500 then I'm probably going to do it.

Thanks.. I'm out.. very tired..

Nicholas

[norros]

A little groggy last night during my last post... I left out a few questions:

Since this is Tallahassee, and I'm not sure if there's a decent high performance muffler shop, I may have to order it online... where's the best priced place for FlowMaster's ?

Also, Mike if you could post a pic or just send to my email of your FM and how the tailpipe is tucked under that would be great. I'm curious to see.

And lastly, the expensive Borla/NRP route ... I'm assuming Borla's are the best, and I noticed the tailpipe was pretty slick. Who knows... If Borla's are the best, where is the best place to buy ?

Thanks, and am about to go bang on the muffler to see if it's shot... I think it is.


Nicholas

[Mike Hippert]

I think the only reason you would stay away from the NRP is they have been known to rust at the welds, they may have fixed that but I don't know. That being said, I love the Borla! But I do like the FM 40 better; my 90 came with a Borla when I bought it so that’s why it’s on there. I may redo my exhaust system due to the fact it is in the way of some plans of mine (PTO winch). I would sell my slightly bet up Borla for the price it costs to have my system redone, if you’re interested.

[loykd]

summitracing.com

[norros]

Mike,
I appreciate the info and the offer, but I mostly buy new... especially exhausts...

And Ken, thanks for pointing me in the right direction... I did see one at RoverConnection for $549... and another for less than that (this particular one, the website has 2 prices...more to come...)

My thinking is... my tailpipe is shot pretty much, and regardless of whether or not the muffler's shot yet, it really looks bad and would rather just get it over with and get a new system. I looked at the NRP, not bad, but I like the look of the Borla better, and the warranty as well.
I would go the FlowMaster route, but then I'd have to get someone to bend me up a tailpipe and in this town, and stainless on top of that, I trust no one... haha... you wouldn't either. And I'm not one for using a torch.

So, I guess to do it once, do it right, I need to go for the Borla.

Thanks to ALL !!!

Nicholas Orros

[javelinadave]

Nicholas,
I would think that any of these places could cut, bend, and weld stainless exhaust tubing. Most muffler shops do it all day. Good luck.......Dave

Advanced Automotive
1320 Capital Circle Southwest, Tallahassee, FL 32310
(850) 385-2044



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jones Auto Electric and Muffler Service Inc
2609 Springhill Road Suite A, Tallahassee, FL 32305
(850) 576-9437



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Jones Complete Exhaust Systems
2609 Springhill Road, Tallahassee, FL 32305
(850) 576-9437

[norros]

Dave,

No Sh$t...lol...

Yeah, I've heard of those places, and was going to call them tomorrow to find out the scoop. I just hate going to places that I haven't heard 'good things' about.

Did you get those address of the internet ? Or are you in Tallahassee ?

OH... and in case I go the 'Borla' route, it says that 'self-installation' is easy without welding... Is this true ? Has anyone done it on their own ?

I guess I can ask them as well about a 'lower sounding' melody than the FlowMaster, etc...

Thanks man...

Nicholas

[Mike Hippert]

No welding I think the hardest part will be getting the old rusted stock system off.

[norros]

Mike,

I did have a question for you.

(this will help my decision, trust me...)

If you already have a Borla on your D90, and it's stainless and warranted for 1 million miles, then why would you opt for the FlowMaster ?

Better performance ? Are they stainless as well ? Don't like the Borla ?

Your input is appreciated.

Nicholas

[Mike Hippert]

It runs under the T-case, the PTO on the t-case will drop right down where the Borla runs. So I would have to either chop up the borla and have some new pipe welded in or I can just remove the Borla all together and start from scratch, and sell the Borla to cover the cost.

[evilfij]

Borla is nice but LOUD.

Stock is actually the cheapest (tailpipe is 100-125 and muffler is not much more and can be found generically very cheap) and in FL it should last about as long as it takes you to bend up a stainless. NRP has had welds rust out. There is a lifetime warranty but only to the original owner and if you send in the paper work yadda yadda yadda.

So if you are ok with loud go borla and it will be the last you buy ever, otherwise stock is not that bad.

The biggest install issue is cutting off the rusted nuts and pressing out the old studs in the y-pipe and replacing with new.

[norros]

Hmm... The Borla may not be the choice then because now some are saying how loud it is... I wish I could hear a Borla before I purchased.

Oh and Dave... I called those places you listed and none of them do stainless, like I had suspected...
The guy at one place didn't know much as far as aftermarket units go and once I find out they have NO IDEA what kind of truck it is, they're pretty much useless to me at that point.
The other guy, a younger guy who seemed to have a clue... Said that a 'MagnaFlow' was a good choice, and it comes in stainless... a higher performance muffler without the loud sound for daily use as he put it. They don't do stainless tailpipes but use aluminized which I would get about 7-8 years out of according to him.

SO... Does anyone have any experience with MAGNAFLOW ?

Thanks

Nicholas Orros

[javelinadave]

Got them off the internet. I am in Scottsdale, AZ where it is suppose to be 108 degrees today. Good luck..............

[norros]

Dave, Gotcha...
Well, I ended up at a place called 'Mighty Muffler' where the owner, Mel, was the only one who took the time to answer a few simple questions over the phone and seemed to be fairly knowledgeable with mufflers, etc...
I had him install a FlowMaster 50 Series Delta Stainless Steel on the D90, along with a custom aluminized tailpipe and a stainless steel tip for about $250. A little more than I wanted to spend, but not the $500+ I was originally planning.

Impression so far... nice idle, a little louder than I wanted speeding up out of 3rd gear... not bad ... The guy said if I didn't like it he'd switch it out no problem.

Thanks again to everyone...!!!

Nicholas

[norros]

This muffler sucks the big one.

I ordered a OEM one from Mohammed at RoverCity today for $250, and be done with it.

I can't believe any of you guys like the sound of the FlowMaster, and the 50 Series delta is supposed to be quieter than the 40 because of the added 'chevrons'..... the muffler sounds like a tin can, and backfires beyond belief, and does NOT sound good when increasing speed
...
I'm getting the thing off Monday when I get back in town from NJ and my new Land Rover muffler has arrived.

ugh...

Nicholas

[Mike Hippert]

:eek: Sorry

[loykd]

Nicholas, real sorry to hear about that. I think you got some pretty impartial advice, but sorry that it didn't work out for you. I have that muffler, except not stainless, and have been pretty happy with it for over a year. Hope you enjoy the stock muffler better!