Muffler Questions
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
Muffler Questions
I've done a search and have also posted this question before(about a year ago) but I am hoping someone new or someone knows if there is a benifit to removing the muffler on a 7.3 PSD. The truck is a 03 550 with about 50,000 miles on it, bone stock except for the ebpv brake mod. Also it has a catalytic converter. Does removing the muffler add alot of noise even if the cat is retained? I know I could add alot of mods to this truck, but I dont want to put much money into it-just trying to do the cheap stuff! Hope someone can help.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 10
From: Parker, CO
The biggest benefit of modifying the exhaust is to reduce egt's by allowing exhaust gasses to flow more freely. By removing the muffler only, you probably won't notice much more than a change in exhaust tone. It won't be loud, since most of the noise is reduced at the turbo. You'll receive more of a benefit if you upgrade to a 4" system, especially if you decide to add a chip or programmer.
BTW, some of the 4" exhaust systems are available with a muffler delete pipe. There are a few on this forum who are running a setup like that.
BTW, some of the 4" exhaust systems are available with a muffler delete pipe. There are a few on this forum who are running a setup like that.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 637
Likes: 0
From: Forest Hill, MD
Originally Posted by Ggg6
On 99+ trucks the muffler is rather restrictive. 94-97 the stock muffler was a real nice straight through design, very low restriction.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,365
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From: IOWA
I lost my cat and muffler, have been running it that way for 6+ months and like it alot. I also put a 4" SS turn down tip on it which made it quieter from the cab. It directed the noise more towards the ground kind of deadening it. Worth a shot at trying.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,418
Likes: 197
From: AZ
I have a 96, so if my muffer is not very restrictive, what would be the +'s & -'s of just removing my cat and adding a better down pipe?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,365
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From: IOWA
Originally Posted by Ggg6
1965 doing what you asked will help your EGT's, and flow much better. The stock down pipe SUCKS for flow, it is smashed to make clearance. But it is illegal to remove the cat.
Know the emission laws in your state, they vary from state to state, testing the trucks and the such. If you do get tested where you are at, I'd be very weary of cutting the cat. If you don't get tested, then you can. I took the gamble and cut mine out, but we don't do any testing here in Iowa like they do other states, so far I've been ok!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Northern IL
farmbOy I agree with you as I have done the same. But it would be a diservice not to inform someone of the risks. As far as I know the emission laws are federal so they should not change much except for the state of CA.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
The method for testing diesels varies from state to state, and from county to county within certain states. Some places will conduct a visual inspection of the rig, looking for a catalytic convertor, among other things. Other places will conduct some sort of a running test on the truck. Here in Seattle, all they're looking for is measurable smoke at WOT. In other places, the test is a lot more comprehensive. My daughter lives 20 miles south in another county, and there's no testing at all.
Find out what's required in your location before acting.
Find out what's required in your location before acting.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati usa
In Ohio, (southwest anyway), they test for opacity, which is a fancy way to say they test for smoke in the exhaust. Anywhere they do testing, I would not remove the cat. I have heard you can gut it though. I don't know if I would risk that either!