DSMunknown
15+ Year Contributor
- 4,109
- 39
- Sep 16, 2004
-
Worcester,
Massachusetts
After finally upgrading my OEM exhaust system to the Thermal and RRE DP last year (and before that, sticking with the OEM system for 7 years!), it was time for a change. Don't get me wrong. I love my Thermal muffler, but not everyone shares my enthusiasm. So I took inspiration from both Dan's (sd_ff22) and Mack's (kenamond) threads and combined them into my own conniving little monster. I would also like to thank both Mack and Kevin (95GSXracer) for doing the math for me, and ensuring that I wouldn't be sacrificing performance by going with a dual chamber muffler and reducing the tips. A small nod goes out to Brian (redeclipse7782) for also being a minute source of inspiration. He also had a similar setup, but I doubt he took any photos to prove it. I don't think he did it intentionally either. (IIRC he bought someone else's customized muffler and stuck it on. IMO the muffler was kind of a hack job.)
Just for reference sake, here is the thread where the math was done out. And, of course, how could I forget about Dan's thread. Thanks again guys for being my muses.
When I saw Dan's thread I was enticed. However, he was forced to stick with the 3 inch single tip due to the muffler he purchased. So I started looking into the Vibrant Performance Stealth lineup. I found out they sell a muffler with a single 3 inch inlet and dual 3 inch outlets. Interesting. As I was considering my options (as well as looking for other possible vendors who sold a similar muffler but with smaller tips) Mack started his own four threads (Mack, you're such a noob. ) trying to create his own stealth muffler with dual OEM-looking tips. Here is the thread where he posted up some finished photos. In the end he was happy with his accomplishment and finished progress. I, however, was not. His tips look way too big and bulky for my liking when aiming for a stock look. So I set off on my own quest.
Here are the other two threads Mack started regarding his new muffler setup. As to why he thought he needed to start four threads on the same topic, IDK. But here are the other two. Mack was really concerned about the DIY aspect. But I had neither the time (aka lack of effort) nor the experience nor the materials for this to be an option.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...fler-dimensions-g-power-ebay-3-turboback.html
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/roc...8009-good-ss-welding-exhaust-shop-denver.html
After reading through Mack's threads, I still had a few questions. I didn't want to just throw on some smaller diameter tips if it would hinder performance. So I contacted Mack and Kevin to confirm the calculations were done correctly, and to let them know how I intended to apply it in my own situation. After being confident in their opinions (not that I doubted either of them in the first place) I decided to go with 2.25 inch tips. I would have gone with 2.12 inch tips, but I wanted to ensure there wouldn't be any unnecessary exhaust restrictions. (Good thing too, as you will later read.) And having a shop do the tedious work of customizing pipes to near exact parameters seemed way too fussy. Plus, there really isn't that much difference between the two sizes in terms of visual appearance. No one would know the difference besides me, myself, and I. So 2.25 inch piping it was. Compared to the enormous 5 inch (outside diameter) Thermal tip, this would fly under the radar all day long.
Hopefully this will start a trend in the DSM world for all those who like the stock look with the high performance. This is what we live for.
I looked around a bit, but found no online vendor that sold the muffler I was hunting for. So at the beginning of June I got myself a Vibrant Performance Stealth Muffler (part number 1149). It was a very nice piece covered in a decent flat black finish, but the tips were too big for my liking. Not only that, but after getting into some trouble with the cops, I didn't need any more 3+ inch tips hanging at the rear of the car. As I have said in the past, patience is a virtue. So I waited. Finally I found the down time and funds to take it to a local trusted performance shop (ESP). I told them to use stainless steel with mandrel bent tubing, and of course 2.25 inch piping for the tips. I also had them cut the tips at an angle to mimic the original VP tips. Had to leave the car for a few days there so they could mock up the piping to the Thermal B-pipe (aka mid pipe) and to order the smaller tubing for the tips. Almost forgot to mention the need for hangers. Told them to copy Thermal's design where possible.
If you know me, I like to take pictures of my installs. So here are some photos of what I got back from ESP.
Just for reference sake, here is the thread where the math was done out. And, of course, how could I forget about Dan's thread. Thanks again guys for being my muses.
When I saw Dan's thread I was enticed. However, he was forced to stick with the 3 inch single tip due to the muffler he purchased. So I started looking into the Vibrant Performance Stealth lineup. I found out they sell a muffler with a single 3 inch inlet and dual 3 inch outlets. Interesting. As I was considering my options (as well as looking for other possible vendors who sold a similar muffler but with smaller tips) Mack started his own four threads (Mack, you're such a noob. ) trying to create his own stealth muffler with dual OEM-looking tips. Here is the thread where he posted up some finished photos. In the end he was happy with his accomplishment and finished progress. I, however, was not. His tips look way too big and bulky for my liking when aiming for a stock look. So I set off on my own quest.
Here are the other two threads Mack started regarding his new muffler setup. As to why he thought he needed to start four threads on the same topic, IDK. But here are the other two. Mack was really concerned about the DIY aspect. But I had neither the time (aka lack of effort) nor the experience nor the materials for this to be an option.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...fler-dimensions-g-power-ebay-3-turboback.html
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/roc...8009-good-ss-welding-exhaust-shop-denver.html
After reading through Mack's threads, I still had a few questions. I didn't want to just throw on some smaller diameter tips if it would hinder performance. So I contacted Mack and Kevin to confirm the calculations were done correctly, and to let them know how I intended to apply it in my own situation. After being confident in their opinions (not that I doubted either of them in the first place) I decided to go with 2.25 inch tips. I would have gone with 2.12 inch tips, but I wanted to ensure there wouldn't be any unnecessary exhaust restrictions. (Good thing too, as you will later read.) And having a shop do the tedious work of customizing pipes to near exact parameters seemed way too fussy. Plus, there really isn't that much difference between the two sizes in terms of visual appearance. No one would know the difference besides me, myself, and I. So 2.25 inch piping it was. Compared to the enormous 5 inch (outside diameter) Thermal tip, this would fly under the radar all day long.
Hopefully this will start a trend in the DSM world for all those who like the stock look with the high performance. This is what we live for.
I looked around a bit, but found no online vendor that sold the muffler I was hunting for. So at the beginning of June I got myself a Vibrant Performance Stealth Muffler (part number 1149). It was a very nice piece covered in a decent flat black finish, but the tips were too big for my liking. Not only that, but after getting into some trouble with the cops, I didn't need any more 3+ inch tips hanging at the rear of the car. As I have said in the past, patience is a virtue. So I waited. Finally I found the down time and funds to take it to a local trusted performance shop (ESP). I told them to use stainless steel with mandrel bent tubing, and of course 2.25 inch piping for the tips. I also had them cut the tips at an angle to mimic the original VP tips. Had to leave the car for a few days there so they could mock up the piping to the Thermal B-pipe (aka mid pipe) and to order the smaller tubing for the tips. Almost forgot to mention the need for hangers. Told them to copy Thermal's design where possible.
If you know me, I like to take pictures of my installs. So here are some photos of what I got back from ESP.
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