Removing Muffler

[DHeidloff]

Any one out there running a 2004. 5 or newer with out the muffler. I am thinking about doing this looking for the Pro's and Con's



Thanks.

 

[SShafranko]

That was the first thing i did when i bought my truck and it sounded pretty much the same. The cat is where the restriction lies. Thinking back i wish i took my cat out and left the muffler just to hear what it would sound like.

 

[drewRoberts]

I still have the stock muffler, but the kitty go bye bye. there is a bit more low end rumble, but stays VERY tame. I'm realy considering something else right now to ditch the back pressure the stock muffler has.

 

[JDiepstra]

When I bought my truck it had the stock cat and no muffler. I like it loud, but put on a Silverline muffler cuase it was just too loud for plowing driveways at 4 AM. I have no EGT issues with the cat and muffler.

 

[BHolm]

My '06 has the cat and no muffler. I LOVE IT! Nice deep rumble at idle, you have to open a window to notice much noise difference, but it is definately louder out there. It rips if you ride it hard, sounds very good though. I have done long highway runs, towed heavy and never felt it was too loud or had any bad drone to it.



In a silent neighboorhood at 4am though... . well that I understand

 

[thashane]

I just put in the Geno's MEP about two months ago, and coming from a motor head perspective, I love it. There is noticably more noise in the cab at around 72-78mph's, but at 68 and 82 it's pretty quiet. Trouble is driving at the 68 the drone inbetween is livable though. THe turbo does alot of resonating itself.

Removing the stock muffler was a PITA. I was trying to heat it up and wiggle it off, but eventually just used an angle grinder to cut slits back to where the stock clamps were until it loosened the pressure. (stock clamps crimp muffler to the pipe) Then grind off the steel nubbins on the stock exhuast and the MEP slips right on.



I love driving around with the passenger side window's open just to hear it bounce back to the cab, completely a different sounding truck. Sounds beautiful. Haven't towed anything heavy yet.



Turbo spools quicker too... .



Did I mention it sounds *****in?

 

[thashane]

I'm also looking into the idea of a tip or an extension to hopefully move the pipe exit further out from the bed of the truck, hoping that it would reduce some in cab drone.

 

[JDiepstra]

I'm also looking into the idea of a tip or an extension to hopefully move the pipe exit further out from the bed of the truck, hoping that it would reduce some in cab drone.

I'm pretty sure that won't help, but I'd get a second opinion.

 

[thashane]

I'm pretty sure that won't help, but I'd get a second opinion.

Well the theory was to remove the exit of the pipe further away from the underside of the quarter panel, and hopefully catch some of hte sound waves exiting from the pipe and push them out further beyond the underside of the truck. Basically trying to keep any noise from bouncing back under the truck.



If anyone has tried this, let meknow, notto hijack the post

 

[Wayne M.]

I just put in the Geno's MEP about two months ago, and coming from a motor head perspective, I love it. There is noticably more noise in the cab at around 72-78mph's, but at 68 and 82 it's pretty quiet. Trouble is driving at the 68 the drone inbetween is livable though. THe turbo does alot of resonating itself.

Removing the stock muffler was a PITA. I was trying to heat it up and wiggle it off, but eventually just used an angle grinder to cut slits back to where the stock clamps were until it loosened the pressure. (stock clamps crimp muffler to the pipe) Then grind off the steel nubbins on the stock exhuast and the MEP slips right on.



I love driving around with the passenger side window's open just to hear it bounce back to the cab, completely a different sounding truck. Sounds beautiful. Haven't towed anything heavy yet.



Turbo spools quicker too... .



Did I mention it sounds *****in?

This is what I've been thinking of myself. However, the FedEx truck tone is cool, and taking a cue from Stan's headers, using a Donaldson muffler. SLarsen, would it be possible to get a measurement of the straight run in that ME kit? I would splice a Donaldson in that kit. They make a dozen 4" units in different lengths. I would try no muff but I'm afraid of drone. How is it @1800-2000 rpm on the hiway?

 

[BHolm]

I have to say, tossing around the word "drone" is distubing to me. Fact is, if you remove the muffler completely the truck is going to be louder. Calling extra exhaust noise drone has a negative connotation to it.



The exhaust is louder, you can hear it in the cab. Calling it drone doesn't work for me though. I run my truck at highwat cruise speeds everyday. I haul clients and friends around in it all the time. I have never heard anybody say the word drone in conjunction with the exhaust tone. "Sounded like a race truck when you blew past me", now that I have heard:-laf I have towed with it for hours on end at varying speeds. I have varied the speed empty. I have done 15 hour days on the highway with it. I definately hear more exhaust sound, sounds good to me:-{}Sounds a lot better than the four totally stock third gens I owned before this too.



Just because you can hear it, just because it is louder, doesn't make it drone in my book.

 

[WNowlan]

I took my cat off and replaced the muffler with a MBRP resonator. It sounds great to me. Not noisy at all. I can hear it when I gun it. So can everyone else. When I tow it is louder!:-laf

 

[thashane]

measurement of the straight run in that ME kit?

Not too sure what speeds I'm hitting at those rpm, I have the 48re with 3. 73's and am around 1550rpm at 60 and the truck is almost as quiet as stock at that cruising speed.

By straight run do you mean total length of the pipe Like if I stood the pipe up next to a yard stick how tall would it be, or total amount of pipe following the bends in the kit (this would be a longer length due to the diagonal length)? The kit has two bends in it to match the offset of the stock muffler. I'm guessing you want me to run length of the kit from end to end? I wont be able to do it until I get home, but I'll try to remember and give ya a post. The kit should be close to the length of your stock muffler +- an inch as it is a direct bolt on replacement. Here is a link to the kit from geno's MUFFLER ELIMINATION KIT ('04. 5-'07 5. 9L DODGE)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage <br>

I have to say, tossing around the word "drone" is distubing to me.

Sorry to offend you, dont get me wrong I love the sound of my truck, and dont consider the examples of drone I used above to be too loud or unbearable. I was just trying to say that at those speeds the the trucks exhaust seems to hit a harmonic resonance and the tone is much louder than it is at other cruising speeds. To some this could be considered unbearable or uncomfortable as the continuous tone could be fatiguing.

 

[BHolm]

All I am saying is that ALL exhaust noise could be classified as "drone". A constant noise of the same pitch or tone right? Heck, it could be said that they drone stock, they drone louder with a different muffler and probably louder yet with no muffler at all. My guess is they are super loud if you ditch the kitty and the muffler. I know that mine is right on the brink of too loud, meaning most folks would already think its too loud



It also could be that I am tone deaf to the frequency of offensive drone. I think the best thing anybody could do is seek out another owner with the mod they are considering and get a ride. I would happily demonstrate mine for anyone who asked, I think it sounds awesome.



It just bugs me for people to say it drones too much, that is way to broad a stroke. First hand experience and personal preference should rule, not internet opinions, we are all going to have different opinions. :-{}

 

[1965LONEWOLF]

Any one out there running a 2004. 5 or newer with out the muffler. I am thinking about doing this looking for the Pro's and Con's



Thanks.

STRAIGHT PIPED INTO TWIN STACKS SETUP - SOUNDS GOOD, I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THEY THEY SOUND AND HOW MASSDIESEL DID IT. I USED THE BOX SETUP INSTEAD OF THE Y PIPE LIKE MOST PEOPLE DO. :-laf

 

[Wayne M.]

Not too sure what speeds I'm hitting at those rpm, I have the 48re with 3. 73's and am around 1550rpm at 60 and the truck is almost as quiet as stock at that cruising speed.

By straight run do you mean total length of the pipe Like if I stood the pipe up next to a yard stick how tall would it be, or total amount of pipe following the bends in the kit (this would be a longer length due to the diagonal length)? The kit has two bends in it to match the offset of the stock muffler. I'm guessing you want me to run length of the kit from end to end? I wont be able to do it until I get home, but I'll try to remember and give ya a post. The kit should be close to the length of your stock muffler +- an inch as it is a direct bolt on replacement. Here is a link to the kit from geno's MUFFLER ELIMINATION KIT ('04. 5-'07 5. 9L DODGE)-Dodge Cummins and Ford Power Stroke Diesel Truck Accessories - Geno's Garage <br>

Sorry to offend you, dont get me wrong I love the sound of my truck, and dont consider the examples of drone I used above to be too loud or unbearable. I was just trying to say that at those speeds the the trucks exhaust seems to hit a harmonic resonance and the tone is much louder than it is at other cruising speeds. To some this could be considered unbearable or uncomfortable as the continuous tone could be fatiguing.

The straight run I'm refering to would be the length between the elbows that attach to the system, as if you were to measure to put a hi flow muffler in there and remove the section of pipe.

The term "Drone" isn't always meant in a negative manner. I like it for a little while. Our engines engines do seem to set up a heavy, intense frequency under light loads and between 1700-2000 RPM, and I call this a "drone". I drive through a long tunnel daily, and it's real noticable even with the stock exhaust- but not annoying. I worry about modifying my exhaust and winding up with lots more of this particular frequency, which can happen on the highway. It can get annoying, especially with the family on a 500 mile trip.

 

[BMH95]

Ok, we need to clarify something: the definition of drone. Exhaust tone / volume is one thing. That's just how loud the exhaust is, or what it sounds like. For example, a certain exhaust set up may be very loud while towing heavy at 2000rpm. However, DRONE is something totally separate. It is not volume dependent in any way. The older Vette's had a drone problem, with a very quiet exhaust sytem. Cheby added resonators to fix that, much like many do hear. Basically, drone is the pulsing or resonance of exhaust pulses that make a "drone" sound. It sounds like someone is drumming in your ear drums. It pretty much makes you nuts, although it's not making you nuts because of the volume. it's the sound - like someone dragging their nails down a chaulkboard. Different sound, but the same feeling. Does that make sense?

 

[BHolm]

Well, by that definition, my '06 with no muffler but still with the cat in place, exhibits no drone whatsoever. I have made 1500 mile trips, I have towed big and small, never had an issue like that.

 

[BMH95]

I did the same thing to mine, and I've got no drone either.

 

[WStephens]

I removed the muffler on my truck and it has the 5" tip on the end. when I am not towing it not very loud and sounds but when I pull the tailer it gets pretty loud on a long tip ( PA to WY) especially on the passes you get tired of it. I ended up wearing my Bose noise cancelling head phones after awhile.