Just looking for feedback from anyone that has had an exhaust made. Looking at getting a Flowmaster muffler (or similar), and I'm debating how big of piping I want to go, 2.5" or 3". I know 2.5" seems to be the reliable one, but a 3" seems to have been putting out good HP gains. Sound levels are a concern with 3" though.

Thoughts and/or suggestions?

 

I was going to get a custom exhaust done at one point but decided I'd wait to see what the vendors here on NAM came up with. Personally, I wanted to go with 3" piping ALL THE WAY. In retrospect, I think a 3" centerpipe going into 2.5" after the split would yield good power gains yet help keep the noise level down some. A 3" exhaust all around will be loud and hard to keep the note down... Just my thought. Oh and I was going to use Magnaflow mufflers (2)... Good Luck!

 

I always wonder why everyone thinks a larger pipe make an exhaust louder just by virtue of having a larger diameter.
The sound frequency will be in a different range but sound volume won't inherently change. That's more dependent on how you dampen it.

At full bore a stock MCS exhaust is, to me , far more irritating than my Magnaflow. The stock system has a very piercing, broken high pressure air line type sound.

Done right the 3" would sound better, flow better and be quieter.

 

I'm just wondering what would be a good 3" Muffler.

 

Maybe Randy would sell you one of his muffler's? There suppose to be good, but I don't know. Someone else might shime in.

-Cody

Just wondering, how much is this going to cost you? What are the saving's, for this v. aftermarket?

 

When you say Randy, do you mean Webb?

Well, depends on muffler costs. Right now, it's looking to be around $300 for a 2.5. We'll see what happens when I bump it to 3".

 

Keep-in-mind also that bends have a way of knocking-down db's, but generally speaking, also rob power. Consider the path you plan to take...

If you go straight like I did, I'd recommend a resonator, like in the tunnel... I went with a Borla Turbo muffler from Summit racing which was a little over 100 bucks. I've been very happy with the outcome!

 

Wow, just saw your gallery, awesome looking exhaust!! I don't know if i want to go through the hassel of moving the battery though. I know this is a gripe of a lot of exhaust design. I will probably still have to do the bends, and I think I can get to work right. Keep the suggestions coming!!

 

Check here

Check out post #36 in that thread for a sound snippet of the exhaust.

 

I have a custom 2.5" exhaust I am now very happy with on my 03 JCW 210. It ends with a SuperTrapp muffler, #543-2519. There is a 3" version, #543-3019. I am still considering other options. A good start for any 2.5" system will be a SuperSprint 2.5" resonator pipe. I would follow this with a custom Y pipe with 2" exits, then exit out both sides with either two Burn's Stainless race mufflers or two SuperTrapp 443-2017's.

 

I can vouch for the SS 2.5" center pipe with resonator. That's what I use in my system... The resonator does make a difference, I tried both.

 

Ryephile, Maximusmini, and JS have 100% custom exhausts...try giving them a PM...

 

Some locals folks have gone with a resonator and a Magnaflow muffler (http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/s...ne=main&id=445) and had a custom single sided exhaust made with custom tips and they sound great! Sorry, no sound clip but is what I will be doing when I get an exhaust.

 

MSFITOY... aren't you running a modified Borla Race? I forgot how you modified it, didn't you up the piping for the centerpiece and run a glasspack or something like that. I remember hearing a soundclip your exhaust and it was AMAZING.

*EDIT* A full 3" exhaust including the pipes after the split should yield some good numbers. The WMS is 3" all the way around isn't it? This thread is making me want a custom exhaust or a modded Borla Race lol...

 

Yes, but it's not 100% custom...it is based on the Borla Race as you mentioned

 

do you get a squeak?

I squeak at the bushings/hangers in the middle..that whole bracket/bushing/hanger piece...polyurethane(sp?) squeak squeak?

 

Not that I've noticed...but my Mini is a symphony (cacophony to others ) of LSD whirrs, AGS whistle, Exhaust rumble, HK jammin, flywheel clanking...I think there's a song in there somewhere...

 

I have a feeling it's one of those tunes you hear and end up singing all day...just can't get it out of your head.

 

Back from the abyss...the only Borla left on my exhaust system are the two rear mufflers...

 

so what would be the right way of making a 3" exhaust?

i'm also toying with the idea of getting a custom exhaust made, 2.5" from the cat to the single muffler to be mounted similar to the way a Cooper's exhaust is mounted...

with "only" 2.5" piping, should i just have a straight pipe with no resonator made? or include the resonator?

i'm also still trying to decide what kind of muffler to use, not many options here in the Philippines (mostly japanese brands)