While I was having my X inspected (as required by Texas law), I talked to my mechanic about an exhuast system for the X. The conversation got to the point where I asked him whether it would be legal in Texas if I didn't have a muffler. He dodged my question and said not to bother with an exhuast system altogether. He said that too many people he knew that put one on, complained about how much noise it was making. From there he suggested that I get a "Turbo Muffler". Did anyone here have one installed? Or know if it makes much of a difference?

 

I have typed my response twice now and everytime I submit it says I am not logged in. If this goes thru, I just wasted at least half an hour.

Sorry, it's almost 1am. I'll reply later today.

 

I am not sure what the laws are in Texas , but up here (PA) it states in the inspection regs that a turbocharger is a noise attenuating device and no muffler is required on the vehicle. I am assuming (yikes) that the mechanic is referring to a type of muffler. Something like Sears calling a certain type muffler or a local auto parts store selling a "turbo" muffler or a "glasspack". It has nothing to do with what the muffler actually does or where it mounts. Hope I didnt confuse you too much.

 

All the "Turbo Muffler" really is is a cheap knockoff of a Flowmaster. It's a high flow deal that serves some sort of purpose as a muffler but doesn't restrict the flow too much. They are sold in about ever mail order car parts magazine like J.C. Whitney, Summit, etc. They claim to have a benefit of horsepower, etc, same as Flowmaster. A muffler shop told me that they are pretty much the same product, but Flowmaster are ****** to deal with, and charge a ton for their dealers to keep the products on their shelves, so they go with the Turbo Muffler instead.

 

All your resposes so far have answered my question, but now I have another: If I do get one of these cheap Flowmaster knockoff mufflers, would it give my exhaust system a different note? Or something to that effect?

 

I would expect that it would flatten out the exhaust pulses, and reduce flutter considerably, compared to a straight through muffler. However, if you've got the stock SuperDuty muffler on it now, that uses the same principle, so you might not see much difference. My truck, with the straight through muffler, would likely see a bigger difference.

 

I put a Turbo muffler on a 94 Explorer. It breatherd a lot better and sounded better also. The best place to get one is Summit Racing. Tell them to ground ship it (shipping is free) and they even have their own summit knock offs for around $20. Can't beat them.

 

I just put the 4" banks monster exhaust on our 02 X. I love it. The only thing I would watch out for with putting a cheap 20 $ muffler on, would be that it is most likely aluminuized metal and would rust or oxidize quickly in compairson to the stainless steel (be it a low grade but still stainless) you currently have on your truck.

Here is a straight through muffler from the banks kit:


I would post the price that I paid for the kit but I think the moderators do not like that. I would honestly go with a straight pipe if you are going to keep your exhaust mostly stock and not chip your ride. It honestly is not that loud on an X. Here is a clip of straight exhaust, this is with it exiting right off the downtube. I held the microphone within a foot of the exhaust tube for a while, then I stood up (when it gets quiet) and rev'ed the vehicle standing right next to where the downtube would be under the vehicle. Microphone height was 3 feet off the ground.

Exhaust with only Downtube

 

DCClark, thanks a million for the pic and for the advice. Based on what you've said, I think I'll just save my money and buy the Banks system with the Power Elbow. Thanks again for the pics and advice!