Do you want to make your car sportier with an aggressive sound? Then, a muffler delete is for you. Removing the muffler from the car’s exhaust system is becoming an increasing popular service rendered by many mechanics.
If you need answers to what a muffler delete is, its pros and cons, how much it costs to have one done, and other related questions, then this article is for you. You will also get to know if a muffler delete adds more horsepower to your car or not.
Table of Contents
What is a Muffler Delete?
A muffler delete is simply the procedure of removing your car’s muffler from the exhaust system. This action does not have any adverse effect on your vehicle, aside from the increase in engine noise that you will notice immediately.
Many riders see this as an attractive feature for their cars, needing a muffler delete. Sometimes, a muffler delete is necessary if it has gone bad due to blockage or corrosion. In addition, you should pay attention to any deviation from the usual sound when inspecting your exhaust system. To know if you should have a muffler deleted, read on.
Types of Muffler Delete
Different brands and models come with unique mufflers in their exhaust systems. However, they all play the same role in reducing the noise from your car’s engine. Some of the standard mufflers you find today are:
1. Turbo Muffler
A restrictive muffler allows air into the same path as the emissions before entering other parts of the exhaust system. A turbo muffler effectively reduces the engine’s noise while restricting the flow of exhaust gases.
The turbo muffler is the most effective today, thus making it the most common in today’s market. Its mode of operation permits the sound waves from the exhaust gases to bounce around, causing a cancellation effect on the engine’s noise.
2. Straight Through or Absorption Muffler
The straight-through muffler operates using a perforated tube that releases emissions silently. The absorption muffler causes noise to leave through the perforated material and absorbs it into the insulating material. This process causes the noise to become kinetic energy, leaving the system heated. However, it is not as restrictive and effective as the turbo mufflers.
Pros & Cons of Muffler Delete
Let us look at some of the pros and cons of muffler delete to help you decide if it’s an excellent shot to take.
Pros of Muffler Delete
Better Exhaust Sound
Although subjective, it counts as one of the pros of a muffler delete. A powerful rumble caused by rushing hot gases is desirable by some car owners. You can find this enjoyable as you move faster while firing up your car.
More horsepower (hp) at high RPM (Revolution Per Minute)
Over time, it has been discovered that muffler delete adds to the HP of a car’s engine, especially for older cars whose manufacturing date is around 20 years ago. An increase in exhaust flow is directly proportional to the rise in power because it reduces harmful backpressure in the engine.
This is mostly true for older cars because they come with a very restrictive muffler that eventually reduces their power. So, you get more torque and HP from the better exhaust sound, just like the old racing cars.
For newer cars, the muffler technology has improved, so the exhaust flow is silent, such that a muffler delete might cause more harm to such vehicles. Also, ECU will go into LIMP mode when a muffler delete is done, and you can see this from your check engine light.
Clean appearance and lightweight
The rare view of your car will look more beautiful with a muffler delete. In addition, you lose some 25 pounds if lighter weight is a property you desire.
Cons of Muffler Delete
Dirt buildup
You should know that since a muffler helps manage the emission sound from your exhaust system, removing it will create a buildup of dirt and other blockages. Sometimes, the buildup could lead to costlier repairs if the muffler delete is not done carefully.
Tendency to develop a poor engine performance
This could develop when your exhaust sensors or ECU goes terrible due to poor muffler delete services. Before considering a muffler delete, you should either get a high-flow muffler or a tuner chip as a replacement.
Droning Sound
Although the sound from a muffler delete is attractive, it could lead to a noticeable droning sound while driving. This can, in turn, affect your NVH tuning of the internal components, leading to more dissatisfaction while driving.
Muffler Delete vs. Resonator Delete
You need to decide the kind of modification for your exhaust system to get the desired sound since the cost for the resonator and muffler delete is similar. Though muffler delete and resonator delete serve the same purpose, the apparent difference is the sound. But, of course, the muffler delete is standard because it produces a better sound.
The resonator delete sounds terrible, and droning occurs at lower speeds. But, unlike the muffler, it keeps the resonating frequencies from reaching an unbearable state. So, it will still be less effective if all you desire is a louder sound. However, if you live in a state where muffler delete is illegal, you should go for resonator delete.
Should you Have a Muffler Delete?
A muffler delete increases the sound from an engine’s exhaust, but you can never tell the change your car will experience until you have a muffler delete. In addition, speed reduction caused by the back pressure created in the exhaust by the muffler is taken care of when you have a muffler delete.
The presence of a muffler robs you of more horsepower than you could get without it. Of course, most people want a non-disturbed ride while in their vehicles, but if you are the sporty kind that loves speed, then the muffler delete is for you.
How Much Does a Muffler Delete Cost?
It depends majorly on the brand and model of your vehicle and the location of your car. When performed by a mechanic, a muffler deletes costs between $100 to $250, while doing it yourself will only cost you $50 – $100.
The mechanic’s location relative to your vehicle’s location also affects the total cost of a muffler delete. Here is a quick overview of muffler delete prices for some cars.
| Manufacturer | Brand | Price |
|---|---|---|
| BMW | BMW E90 | $125 – $135 |
| BMW | BMW E46 | $135 – $145 |
| GMC | GMC Sierra | $135 – $145 |
| Mazda | Mazda 3 | $110 – $120 |
| Infiniti | Infiniti G37 | $200 – $250 |
| Dodge | Dodge Charger | $115 – $125 |
| Golf | Golf MK6 GTI | $110 – $120 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to do a muffler delete?
No, except if it’s illegal in your state then you should consider a resonator delete.
Does muffler delete lose horsepower?
No, it rather enhances your horsepower if you modify it with stock mufflers for more power. Most cars will not gain power while some will, but it’s not much.
Is a muffler delete louder than a straight pipe?
A straight pipe is louder because it involves both the muffler and resonator delete and sometimes the catalytic converter. Read the full comparison here.
How much HP does a muffler delete add?
It adds about 5 to 10 HP to your car’s engine.
Can a muffler delete damage your car?
A muffler delete may not directly damage your car, but it can lead to increased noise levels, attracting unwanted attention or violating local noise ordinances. Additionally, removing the muffler may affect backpressure and alter engine performance, potentially harming fuel efficiency and emissions.
Is a muffler delete loud?
Yes, a muffler delete typically results in a louder exhaust sound, as the muffler’s primary function is to reduce noise generated by the engine’s exhaust gases.
Will cutting off the muffler hurt the engine?
Cutting off the muffler could hurt the engine by changing the exhaust system’s backpressure. This, in turn, can negatively affect the engine’s performance. Though it’s unlikely to cause harm, it can increase emissions and reduce fuel efficiency.
Wrapping Up
By now, you should decide if you want a muffler delete or not. Consider the pros and cons of a muffler delete, the laws guiding your state, and what you want for your car before taking the decision. In addition, the fact that it relatively costs less to have a muffler delete does not make it ideal for your car brand and model. Do your research before taking the shot.
