The rear section of my exhaust has a small leak. Barely noticeable but will need replacing. I found a Walker OEM type replacement for roughly $200. Figure another couple bucks to have it welded in. I've had my resonator replaced with a straight pipe for a little over a year now and figure if I went this route I'd just have them cut the pipe somewhere after and keep the straight pipe as I believe the resonator is included with the Walker unit. I could be wrong but the pipe is rather long going towards the front of the car.

My question to you all - does anyone have any experience using a universal muffler in the r50(magnaflow/walker?)? I'd rather keep it quiet which I'm not sure this will do but perhaps with a resonator it might be very close. This isn't exactly something I want to experiment with but if anyone has any first hand experience or better yet, sound clips my ears are open.

 

Just a guess but if the Walker is a direct OEM replacement, just aftermarket, it should be about the same sound levels. Maybe just a little louder. I cannot say for certain. My Megan Racing is down right loud. Borla and Magnaflow are not know for being quiet.

 

Thanks for the response man. I figured as much. I'm actually not 100% the one I have a quote on is a Walker unit. They're just the primary brand the local parts distributor deals with. This is the unit I'm assuming it is. Will confirm later in the week. This isn't exactly a major rush as it's just started to leak.

http://www.partsgeek.com/qq15r1j-min...m=Mini+Muffler


The ideal solution I've had dancing around in my head would be to find a universal muffler with dual outlets and put another matching stock tip on the left hand side. I never liked the center exhaust on the S and think my idea would look pretty cool. I'm just not going to do that if it's obnoxiously loud. I average over 100 miles a day, mostly highway, and have had loud 4 cylinder cars before. That sound isn't appealing to me in the slightest.

 

In the past, many have put a second exit on R50's. It does look good but you do need to cut the lower black molding on the bumper cover. Routing a pipe to the left side will necessitate the permanent removal of the spare tire and hangers welded in, as would a center R53-type conversion. You can search the forums and find out what is actually needed. If you remove the spare tire, weld in some hangers there, you should be able to get a muffler shop to set you up with something that is quiet and have a left and right exit and have it all nicely balanced. It may cost more though.

 

Pretty sure I saw a pic that gave me the idea on this board. I need new tires and would be willing to go back to run flats if I could make this work and get a good recommendation for tires. Justifying the loss of a spare I suppose. I just wish I could hear the car before spending the money - things to think about... Thank you.

 

Thought of a good one-How loud is your Megan racing exhaust? Curious if I do one soon.

 

It's loud. Not obnoxious but loud, especially when cold. I think that it has a nice tone, much deeper than stock. It's not a straight through muffler. Not as stainless as I would like but my house doesn't have a garage so it sits outside 24/7. Once the metal warms up, it gets a little quieter, but you will never sneak up on anyone. There is some drone at highway speeds if the pavement is smooth.

 

Considering this exhaust of course price, but fit and finish especially the exhaust tips look nice. But don't want something near obnoxious my 2nd car is a Z06 corvette and that isn't driven much and is loud. I am also planning on some sound deadening from the front seats back and the doors to cut down on road noise.

 

I really like mine. I wouldn't call it near obnoxious, but still much louder than stock. The stock muffler makes the car very quiet. With this exhaust and an open intake the sounds that this naturally aspirated engine makes is really awesome. A very Old School sound. It's on the lines of an carbureted motor.


It was crowd sourced here on NAM for what people at the time wanted. Fit is very good. Finish is also good. The tip is the only thing that isn't as stainless as I would like, but it still looks great. It has the look of a race pipe that has been used in anger. I really like it.


But it volume is your main concern, I think that this one is the quietest of the ones for the R50. The Borla, unless it has changed, is probably the loudest. A bonus with the Megan, it makes a nice little burble on lift off - no EVU tuning needed. Not like the early 05 S, but a burble nonetheless. You will never not know its there.


My power band has moved up the tach as well. Things used to start to happen around 3500 RPM, now with the aFe and Megan exhaust, things start about 4000 RPM. The power gains from my set up are in the most optimal conditions would be... not a lot... my guess would be about 10 hp. So after 13 years and just under 140K on the clock - we are probably back to the factory rating of 115 hp - on a good day.

 

Sound good! I have the Megan Racing intake but afa mods I am considering exhaust since the brakes will need done soon. Long term pulley etc. but this my daily and enjoy it a lot. I'll have to find some more clips online with this catback.

 

The crowd source thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-you-like.html


Thread with all the mufflers:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ce-thread.html