Hi all,

I am contemplating getting a new exhaust. When I bought my 1999 TH solara it came with a "sports muffler" on it. I highlight "sports muffler" because to me it just looks like the guy has put a tip on the stock muffler, but I have no idea. Anyway it looks a bit rusty to me and it is also pretty loud, which I don't mind too much but would like a slightly quieter one. I have attached some photo's so hopefully some of you can tell me what muffler I got and if it is worth me installing a new one, I did some research and I think the Lukey bolt on ones sound all right, might get a tip for it too as long as it isn't too loud.

So yeah, is it worth me getting a new muffler? Maybe I could just buy a new tip for the one I got, make it look a bit nicer and also reduce the noise slightly? I plan to keep this car for as long as I can (untill it dies) so yeah just want the best for my car, especially if a new exhaust will increase fuel economy, performance etc.

P.S my budget would be about $300, and my mate mechanic would help me install it probably for free or cheap.

Cheers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0931.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0927.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0926.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0932.jpg

That is definitely not the stock muffler. Looks like some sort of aftermarket muffler. Go with a Lukey or Redback as most people have good experience with these.

FYI, the tip won't change the volume or note of the exhaust. The muffler does all of that, the tip is purely for looks.

Lukey AL4-5597 is what I used to have on my car, worked a treat if you wanted a slightly beefier note without being overly loud.

definately not stock. who ever fitted it, did a dodgey by the looks of it and welded the support directly to the car and muffler.

Yeah thats something aftermarket. I'm suprised its not very loud with that small muffler on it.
Only my opinion but would go genuine sports muffler. They are not cheap prob being between $250 to $300 but it will have a good note.
I'm also very suprised you are not getting nasty vibrations/rattles with that being directly welded to the body. Should be mounted on a rubber hanger.

Can you get a pic of where the muffler is welded to the intake pipe? Is the genuine join still there between the intermediate pipe and the origioinal rear muffler piping?

That photo of the mount in my first post is a bit misleading, I think it is actually attached with a rubber mount. I have included new pics.

I didn't know exactly what you were talking about in regards to where it is welded into the intake pipe so I took some photo's of all the joins I could see. I can easily go out and take some more pics if needed.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0934.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0937.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0939.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0944.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v627/Foxstar/IMG_0938.jpg

You can get a full Redback cat-back exhaust on eBay for $300. Just search "magna exhaust" and you'll find it.
Do a search on the forums there's a bit on info on them here.

Also looks like from those pics that the centre muffler has been taken out as well. Maybe due to it failing.

I would look at a new exhaust from the Cat back with a full size rear muffler (same size as genuine rear muffler even if its not a genuine brand.)

The mid section between the Cat and the rear muffler are prone to rusting through anyway and by the looks of the rest of the exhaust and by the age of your car, if it hasn't already done so, it may do soon so better to do the whole job from the cat back at once.
Mid sections are not that expensive, myabe round the $150 mark, and as for a rear muffler(non genuine but full size), im not sure. Maybe someone else can help with brands and prices.

Thanks for the info, I have been reading on the forums that maybe the Lukey AL4-5597 is the way to go. That way I should be able to install it myself with the help of my mate, we can use his lift at his shop. I read a few reviews of members having the redback system and it being too low and having to modify it to fit etc. Is the only difference between the AL4-5597 and the LR2779 that the 5597 is set up to bolt on, where as the other one I would need it installed by a professional.

I will ring around for some quotes for an exhaust and also installation, even if I don't need it, although I am in Townsville so there are not too many places to choose from.

Do the lukeys have a package that comes with the cat-back pipe?

Cheers.

Thanks for the info, I have been reading on the forums that maybe the Lukey AL4-5597 is the way to go. That way I should be able to install it myself with the help of my mate, we can use his lift at his shop. I read a few reviews of members having the redback system and it being too low and having to modify it to fit etc. Is the only difference between the AL4-5597 and the LR2779 that the 5597 is set up to bolt on, where as the other one I would need it installed by a professional.

I will ring around for some quotes for an exhaust and also installation, even if I don't need it, although I am in Townsville so there are not too many places to choose from.

Do the lukeys have a package that comes with the cat-back pipe?

Cheers.

Because your pipe work has been altered,i dare say the AL4-5597 will not bolt on,as it bolts onto the original mitsubishi system i think

BTW,that muffler has a far too small body to do any decent muffling IMO,seen the original one?,bloody mammoth!

correct me if im wrong
Steve

Go to Bob Parks Mufflers on Charters Towers rd that is where I got mine done. There prices are good and there workmanship is topknotch.
Where abouts in Tsv are you?

Go to Bob Parks Mufflers on Charters Towers rd that is where I got mine done. There prices are good and there workmanship is topknotch.
Where abouts in Tsv are you?

I am in Hermit Park, so pretty close to Bob Parks Mufflers. I might send them an email now and ask for a rough quote as they have a website. What kind of muffler did you get and how much?

Thanks.

I am in Hermit Park, so pretty close to Bob Parks Mufflers. I might send them an email now and ask for a rough quote as they have a website. What kind of muffler did you get and how much?

Thanks.
I paid $550 for mine, but mine is a Cat back 2.5" Mandrel bent with 12" Resonator and Lukey Sports muffler with 3" dump tip.
http://i316.photobucket.com/albums/mm329/grelise1/NewExhaust1.jpg
I'm in Kirwan.

Looks nice, Just got a few questions:

What does it sound like?
Is the resonator just to make it a bit quieter (I am an exhaust noob)?
So would it be possible for me to get what you got without the resonator? If so do you know roughly how much cheaper it would be?

I think I might get a quote from them for the setup you have minus the resonator (if possible).

Thanks.

Looks nice, Just got a few questions:

What does it sound like?
Is the resonator just to make it a bit quieter (I am an exhaust noob)?
So would it be possible for me to get what you got without the resonator? If so do you know roughly how much cheaper it would be?

I think I might get a quote from them for the setup you have minus the resonator (if possible).

Thanks.
You busy tomorrow? I could swing by and show you.
The Killer for me in price was the Mandel bends. You go without the reso but the drone and sound would make the car cop bait.
Mine has a nice deep burble at idle and sounds horn on full song.

Ok, so I might as well get the 12" resonator. Now, these mandrel bends, what are they and what benefits do they have. Is it something to do with keeping the piping the same width or something throughout the bends?

I think I might just cave in and get the whole lot and just put off on getting my sound system for a while.

Cheers.

Ok, so I might as well get the 12" resonator. Now, these mandel bends, what are they and what benefits do they have. Is it something to do with keeping the piping the same width or something throughout the bends?

I think I might just cave in and get the whole lot and just put off on getting my sound system for a while.

Cheers.
Thats correct, it keeps the pipe the same diameter through out. It helps the exhaust flow better. You'll find alot of FI and Hi-Po NA cars have this system. I went for this because soon I'll be buying another motor to work on and having the exhaust in place is one less thing to worry about.
If your not after power gains but want a nice sounding replacement exhaust there is nothing wrong with the standard press bent system.

Hmm, what kind of power gains roughly would mandrel bends produce? I'm guessing not that noticeable to the everyday driver? Also would it increase the longevity of the muffler at all? I expect to have this car for a good long time so I want to look after it as much as possible.

And by the pictures I posted up before of my muffler, do you think it would be worth me getting a new one seeing as it supposedly is a sports muffler, albeit a rusty one?

Sorry about all the questions but just want to do the research before going a head as it is between this and installing an amp and new speakers.

Cheers.

Hmm, what kind of power gains roughly would mandrel bends produce? I'm guessing not that noticeable to the everyday driver? Also would it increase the longevity of the muffler at all? I expect to have this car for a good long time so I want to look after it as much as possible.

And by the pictures I posted up before of my muffler, do you think it would be worth me getting a new one seeing as it supposedly is a sports muffler, albeit a rusty one?

Sorry about all the questions but just want to do the research before going a head as it is between this and installing an amp and new speakers.

Cheers.
You may pick up a Kw here or there, the everyday driver wouldn't notice.
I would replace the whole system as your system looks like it has been patched up here and there. If you want to save money keep the same size stock diameter and standard bends and just have the lukey muffler, it's essentially a VRX muffler.

The exhaust gases will flow around the outside of the bend anyway, so like grelise has said, unless you are going FI or hi-po n/a, then its probly not necessary. The standard magna system is very good right up until the muffler. If you want to save yourself a few $$, just go for a replacement rear muffler. You can get a direct bolt on job, or a weld on replacement.

So you know, the power increase from the standard tj 155kw motor and the sports/vrx 163kw, is a muffler change only. You also get an additional 17nm of torque as well.

If you have the 3l engine, your exhaust should be 2 1/4", if you have a 3.5l, it should be 2 1/2".

IMHO, if you just want a good sound and a little more power, just get a replacement muffler. I really dont see a need to change what is essentially, a very good standard system.

I had a redback weld on jobby on my te and it sounded the horn. Nice quiet burble at idle, and screamed its tits off when you relly got up it. No drone either, but it was a manual.

Have fun.

I just noticed that grelise has an AWD so there would be no point in going to have a look or listen to it as AWD's and FWD's sound nothing alike.
The setup would sound totally different on your car.
Hey there grelise, wouldn't that system drone like a mofo on your AWD? I have an AWD and have been through over a dozen muffler/reso combonations and found that anything smaller than a full size(factory size) muffler on an AWD is unbearable inside the cabin.
Yeah they sound better but are to loud.

I have a bit of drone but is barely noticable, once I sound deaden the boot it should hardly be heard. Seriously I can't remember what my stock system looked like but if I remember correctly the exhaust in both FWD and AWD run over the top of the rear IRS/cradle set up, where as mine(in pic posted earlier) takes the path of least resistance and goes under the suspension close to the suspension cradle, it doesn't for some reason scrap the ground like my stock did, strange.
And my rear muffler looks factory size too.
My two kids actually fall asleep to the sound of the drone, haha

lukey al-5597 on my magna sounds aggressive


to hear the lukey's
http://www.lukey.com.au/default.asp?pageid=GROWLSOUND&template=GROWLSOUND&catid=37

The path of your exhaust is the same as the stock AWD system. It is the FWD with the bends and over the axle.
That muffler is about half the size of a stock muffler. A stock muffler fills that whole area. That is why im suprised its not loud.

Hmm, what kind of power gains roughly would mandrel bends produce? I'm guessing not that noticeable to the everyday driver? Also would it increase the longevity of the muffler at all? I expect to have this car for a good long time so I want to look after it as much as possible.

And by the pictures I posted up before of my muffler, do you think it would be worth me getting a new one seeing as it supposedly is a sports muffler, albeit a rusty one?

Sorry about all the questions but just want to do the research before going a head as it is between this and installing an amp and new speakers.

Cheers.

That muffler has a hole in it - throw it out.