| From | Message |
Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
11:48:25
|
 Subject: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I was looking for a performance muffler for my '03 4.7 QC Dak that had a nice rumble, but not too much more than stock. I thought it would be fine if it got loud under hard acceleration or above 3500 RPM. A little more power and better mileage was the goal. My thought was a Flowmaster 50 series would be just fine. I checked around with a couple of muffler shops to get prices. The second shop I stopped at, the owner told me tales of woe; how Flowmaster wouldn't stand behind their product after the mufflers came apart, claiming that the failures were due to blow-outs rather than defective welds. He suggested a "Mean Streak" which he had on his Suburban. (The Mean Streak is a 3-chamber muffler similar to a Magnaflow XL.) I asked for "a listen". After starting it, I could barely hear it idle. We sat inside and I had him rev it and run it at a constant 2500-RPM. It sounded quiet. Outside with a little revving, it sounded just like the slight rumble I was looking for. Installed, it was a bunch cheaper than the Flowmaster too. After the technician got it all welded on, he brought it around front. I thought it sounded LOUD; much louder than on the 'burb. I certainly had a rumble. Well, maybe I just wasn't used to it. But, after a couple days of driving, the resonance at 1800-2200 RPM during my commute was giving me a headache. (NoMarSlowpar over at www.dodgetrucksextreme.com had the same problem with a 14" Magnaflow.) I have a nice drive in the country to the next town, up and down hills, around some corners etc.; a biker's dream. It wasn't that I was on the throttle; I was taking it easy and keeping the R's low, to see if it would boost my gas mileage. It was just as loud with the foot off the throttle in the 1800 to 2200 RPM range. I also kept the R's low when the wife was in the truck so I wouldn't get a lot of questions. Taking off gently after backing out of the driveway, I set off the neighbor's car alarm, TWICE.
I talked to the owner of the muffler shop about the resonance. He said, "bring it in and we'll take a ride." He agreed that with the stick on the Dodge, it sure was louder and had more resonance than on his 'burb. He suggested adding a "resonator. " We discussed where to put it, and though he wanted to put it between the cat and the muffler, I felt that this wasn't so good as it was under the floor and might heat things up too much. I had him install it behind the Mean Streak, but in front of the bend over the tail pipe. That way I was also keeping the mods limited to the section between the hangers where the OEM muffler had been. The resonator the shop installed was a 12" "reverse glass pack" with a 3-1/2" OD and a 1-1/2" chamber. It sounded OK idling and at part throttle; the resonance was virtually gone. BUT, when getting on the throttle, it sounds like an old bus with a bad muffler, like gramma passing gas - LIKE CRAP. There is a huge whooshing or VSHZZZ sound. It sounds like the resonator is blocking the exhaust until the gas rushing through the resonator is making this whooshing- VSHZZZ sound. The truck also runs differently. After accelerating and pushing in the clutch, the R's don't drop as they used to. Like the computer is holding the throttle to clear the engine. Kind of like when a 4-barrel gets loaded up and the R's stay up until it's cleared. So the resonator is going to come off - but what do I do now?
Here are what I think my options are after the resonator comes off:
-Add a 14" long, 4" or 6" round Magnaflow behind the Mean Streak. (Magnaflow's website says the bigger the muffler the quieter.)
- Take off the whole mess and put on a 24" Magnaflow.
- Take of the whole mess and put the OEM back on.
Anybody care to voice an opinion on which one would give me what I'm looking for - a bit more rumble, little resonance at 1800-2200 RPM and no headaches? Does someone have a better idea? Let me know. I have seen a few web posts from Dodge owners that say Flowmasters are too loud or don't sound good on a Dodge so I don't think it’s an option. I've looked at Dynomax and it looks like a cheapie muffler - the shop owner agrees. If I go with options 2 or 3, I'll have a really loud Mean Streak for sale, any takers?
|
hybrid
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
11:58:22
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Now I'm no exhaust expert, but I would recomend moving the resinator pre muffler.
|
spt
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
12:15:58
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Does your tailpipe go all the way to the back? I got a Magnaflow muffler put on my truck (3.9L) and I did not want loud in the cab, so the muffler shop suggested running the tailpipe all the way to the back. This worked out great the cab is quite but if you stand to back of the truck there is a nice deep rumble.
|
Figols
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
12:17:10
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I replaced my stock muffler on my 4.7L with a Pacesetter turbo muffler which was on my garage shelf for over ten years. It was intended for my old Camaro, but obviously I never installed it. My original was rotted so I just thought since I already had the Pacesetter I would give it a shot. Low and behold it was a direct fit on the Dakota. The sound is perfect for me! No resonance AT ALL!! Sounds great when accelerating and barely noticable when cruising on the highway. Idle leans slightly towards the muscle car tone, but is VERY respectable for the neighborhood. I got better throttle response and even get a solid 1 MPG more with it!! I was very surprised and happy with the cheap muffler that was one step away from the garbage. I think you can still get the same muffler for about $40.00. I've had it on for over a year through 1 1/2 winters and it still looks new and sounds great! Who needs expensive cat back systems!!!
|
00_Grn_Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
13:51:15
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I have no advice for what you should do. But I wanted to defend Flowmaster a bit. I had the 40 Series put on my truck with cat back duals. It sounds awesome. It is so beautiful just to stand behind the truck and listen. Its not an annoying loud cracking sound or anything like that, just a sweet sweet rumble. So for all who want great sounding exhaust... I would still recommend Flowmaster. It's been on for about a year now. I wouldn't want any other sound... all the girls love it too.
|
00_Grn_Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
13:51:47
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Oh by the way... its a 4.7L
|
OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/13/2005
14:03:31
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
FIGOL'S experiance sounds like exactly what your looking for > You need to step back and think a bit > Your talking about experimenting more with something you don't like > Take your bashing > Put what you really wanted in the first place on or myself I'd go with FIGOL > In my mind he has the perfect answer >
|
GraphiteDak
GenIII
5/14/2005
00:13:15
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Like hybrid said, the glass pack in FRONT of the muffler will help and work like a resonator.
I had to do JUST that after rellentlessly trying to get ANY muffler to sound good on a POS V6 Chrysler FWD sedan (after cutting out the STOCk resonator(s) turned out to be a BAD idea on my wifes car!)
As for my Flowmaster Delta Flow 40 series, I STILL rave up and down that it sounds bad a$$! And NO resonance at any speed in the cab. have stock piping still.
and it's been on about two years. And if yo ulook at my old videos, I've taken the thing flying through 3 feet of water. If a HOT muffler being SUBMERGED in water and mud several times doesn't mess it up, nothing will I suppose.
Turn up your volume...
|
Nips
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/14/2005
10:23:19
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Stick Shift: Instead of using a cobbled up exhaust, start over from the cat back. I know what your trying to acheive in sound and power. Go to Midas Muffler and ask for the Raven Cat Back. Mine is the Z-55 series. They have 3 levels of design. z-33, z-55, z-77. goravin.com is the website but its not pulling up right now. They have sound bites there. Just my 2c worth from a happy exhaust costomer. Good luck.
|
Joe.C
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/14/2005
15:22:40
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
hey stick shift..
Sounds like to me they intalled some Cherry on your truck. My cousin had a set of CB's installed on his 97 Ram pick up and you could here it 3 miles going rumbleing down the road.
|
01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/14/2005
21:00:13
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I had a Flowmaster 70 on a GenII '92 5.2 RC for 200K miles with no problems, and one with 100K ona '01 4.7 RC. The Flowmaster 70 "Big Block II" is 22" long, and has a deeper tone that sounds like an engine bigger than a 4.7. This muffler was designed to greatly reduce interior noise and resonance, but still give a "performance" sound. I had 2 1/2" duals exiting the 70 Series, but recently I had the exhaust changed between the pre-cats and the muffler incorporating a Magnaflow dual 2 1/2" into 3" Y-pipe, and a 3" Magnaflow Carsound cat. converter. Those changes definately made the exhaust louder, but more efficient as well.
|
wakely
GenIII
5/15/2005
09:35:37
|  RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Stick Shift, I suggest you do what I did.
I installed a Magnaflow and could not stand the drone noise at about 64 mph.
I took off the Magnaflow and re-installed the factory muffler.
2004 QC 4X4 4.7L auto Sport
|
Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/16/2005
02:24:18
|  RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Thanks for all the advice. I'm still in a quandry though. Some questions for all of you who contributed.
wakely - What size Magnaflow, 14", 18"??
01 Motorsport - I've thought about the 70 series -did you get a constant drone or a low rumble in the 1800-2200 RPM range on the 4.7?
Nips - you may be happy, but do you get a low rumble like I asked?
GraphiteDak - I respect that you're a regular contributor here. Tell me true, you really don't get a low rumble in the RPM range I'm concerned about? Regarding the bad a** sound, if that sound is your truck, the Flowmaster 40's are a kitty and the Mean Streak is king of the jungle. Mine set off the neighbor's car alarm, TWICE, let'n it out easy. It produced a real thunder when gettin' on it! Now that's bad a##; which I don't need.
Comments on other input:
Figols - Pacesetter doesn't seem to sell mufflers - just "Kat backs." I had a couple of Pacesetter Quicktrip headers on my old Datsun. When I replaced the first one after 5 years, the reseller was amazed it lasted that long, he didn't expect more than 3. Lucky you, you had the muffler. Glad you like it.
All I am replacing is the muffler, the rest of the system is staying stock, including the tailpipe.
|
wakely
GenIII
5/16/2005
08:54:36
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I think it was a 14 inch.
I also could not stand all the sucking noise from a FIPK air intake-sold it.
2004 QC 4X4 4.7L auto Sport
|
Nips
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/17/2005
20:32:10
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
You seem to be REALLY concerned about the resinance in the cab at cruising speed. Your going to have to give up some if you want a better performing muffler than stock. Just the nature of design. All the contributers here have their own sence of sound they like. You want quiet with a rumble. Tough combination. But one is out there for your likes. Brand loyality is what I am reading on this thread. All I can say is good luck picking yours and hope your happy with it. Just continue in the research.
|
Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/18/2005
12:00:26
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
I'm, still considering my opitions but I did a search on the subject and found these two posts from last summer with the same problem:
Subject: Thanks Dodge, for a badass exhaust note 7/07/2004
Dan Fay said he was happy with his 24" Magnaflow and he's a grandpa.
Subject: I need a quieter option 8/08/2004
Roaddog said his 40 Series was ..."IT'S SOOOOOOO LOUD.....WHY????????"
ric "had a Flowmaster 50 Series Delta Flow muffler S/I D/O in my 04 quad. The drone in the cab hurt my ears (ear peircing!!)around 1800 rpm."
MoPowa solved this problem with an 18" Magnaflow and a Magnaflow resonator.
I sounds to me like the 24" Magnaflow is the way to go.
|
dan
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
5/19/2005
13:15:53
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
See if you can find the muffler and taipipe assembly from an R/T where the owner changed to duals. It has a 3" stainless outlet and sounds great on a 4.7.. put the word around muffler shops what you're looking for...I asked a guy at traffic light what he did with his...turns out he wanted to sell it before his wife found it in the garage....it's the sound you're looking for and simple to install.
|
Stick Shift
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/01/2005
01:24:37
|  RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Just to let everyone know what I chose, I took the other stuff off and went with the 24" Magnaflow, p/n 14250; $90 wholesale w/ shipping. It's on and sounds good. No resonance in the cab. At idle and low R's it's quiet so I can sneak away while the wife and little one are napping! Give it some gas and it roars plenty for me. No loud rumble when letting off the gas, which was part of what was giving me the headache with the Mean Streak. Sure wish I'd read some old posts and gone with the big Magnaflow to start with!
|
TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/01/2005
10:25:09
|  RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Heck, try what I did.
My 01, 4.7, manual tranny, etc., had the two pre cats, with O2 sensors, and a third, big, main cat, with no sensors.
I had a shop cut out the third cat, and put an aluminized pipe welded in it's place. Already passed inspection here near Houston. That third cat is very restrictive, as it has a fine mesh screen all the way across the pipe.
It's a little louder, has a rumble, but still quiet.
Cat-backs? ON a 4.7, that's an expensive sound change! That's all your doing. If you think not, dyno before and after, with about the same ambient conditions-often get a loss.
If you really want to make a perf change, have a shop fabricate true duals from the pre cats back, You'll definitely dyno a gain!
|
Super Dak
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/01/2005
19:20:10
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
You might want to check for exhaust hangers that are attached to the cab or in the cab area. I had some exhaust work done and had a terrible resonance problem in the cab - just to find out that a hanger was the problem.
|
GraphiteDak
GenIII
6/01/2005
23:32:46
| RE: Too Loud Muffler - what now?
IP: Logged
Message:
Stick Shift, sorry I forgot to check back.
To answer your question... no my 40 series delta flow is actually very mellow at highways speeds and with the windows up. it's LOUD at low sppeds in parking lots with the windows down. but I LIKE that. With the windows up, I just hear the DEEP grumble, but nothing too loud for me. I think it sounds much like your typical Mustang GT with nice pipes.
No drone at any RPM in the Dak. And I've heard the Flowmaster drone on several vehicles before, some that I welded them on to myself.
I got lucky with the Dak I guess.
|
| | P 1 Next Page>> |
