Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 06:03 AM
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Default Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I am looking to buy a new muffler for h23a1 turbo prelude. I want a free flowing deep sounding muffler. I will be using a electronic cutout at the end of the downpipe for at the track but when it is closed on the street I would like something that is not restrictive and has a deep sound. I don't like the cacle sound. I am running a 3" mandrel bent exhaust without cat or resonator.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 06:48 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

No such thing as "best" and no one knows what your definition of "deep sounding" is.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:23 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Deep in tone do you understand? And high quality how about that? High/free flowing. Maybe I should have better explained sorry
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:25 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Go on youtube and look for some sound clips...

What I think sounds deep or good may not to you.

Dont expect anything to sound halfway decent not using a resonator.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:34 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Doesn't the resonator have restricted flow? Some of the sound clips for deep tone I checked out sound a litlle high and others exactly what I expect. Probably the high ones were the guys without a rez
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:40 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

How would a resonator have restricted flow when you can see right thru it?

A resonator is no way shape or form like a cat if thats what you are thinking
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:41 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Inside a typical resonator...
Name:  Vibrant%20Resonator%203.JPG
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Size:  54.3 KB
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:49 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Very nice thanks! I believe I'll go with a rez like this above and a vibrant or borla. There is a dynomax I keep seeing but it seems a bit cheap that scares me.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:53 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Has anyone had a high quality muffler that was on a turbo car that they experienced a deeper tone and was very happy with over a time of use?
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 07:56 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

i would run a magnaflow glasspack muffler as a resonator part #18129 and a vibrant black street power muffler, this all straight through designs and will flow good and sound good. i have a b20vtec allmotor with a type r header, magnaflow muffler for the resonator and a vibrant muffler its sounds deep and quiet.

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/d...rtnumber=18129

http://vibrantperformance.com/catalo...products_id=50
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 08:33 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Huh, interesting setup. Sounds like it would work well. So the vibrant is going to my choice for the Rez and muffler. I have nothing against the setup but I wanted a match set if I was to run a Rez witch now I am since I want a clean sound. A rez seems to be pretty much a glass pack anyhow to me, have guys been using these instead of a rez commonly?
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-1142

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-1042
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 09:38 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Originally Posted by JuggerNaut-CTR
Go on youtube and look for some sound clips...

What I think sounds deep or good may not to you.

Dont expect anything to sound halfway decent not using a resonator.
Plenty have great sounds without resonators. Its about baffling for the muffler itself. A resonator assists in that process, but without a good baffling system, the muffler can still sound terrible with a resonator.

But I tend to agree.. This is a really subjective question.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 12:56 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

im fond of my magnaflow 3" straight through muffler
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 12:58 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Originally Posted by balbowskie
Huh, interesting setup. Sounds like it would work well. So the vibrant is going to my choice for the Rez and muffler. I have nothing against the setup but I wanted a match set if I was to run a Rez witch now I am since I want a clean sound. A rez seems to be pretty much a glass pack anyhow to me, have guys been using these instead of a rez commonly?
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-1142

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/vpe-1042
i've heard a vibrant rez and i dont care too much for it, sounds kinda raspy and ricey but every setup is different, post some before and after sound bits of your exhaust when you get it done.
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:25 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I'll do that. They make a few diff vibrans check the one out I put a link above to. Its a quite rez it states but yea you know how that goes
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 01:45 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I've had an apexi n1 3" with straight piping on my turbo itr for years.

I've been pleased with it - no restrictions and sounds great with the turbo.

I'm actually going to go with a 60mm mugen twinloop and a cutout.

That way I can have a very quiet and stealthy system, but open it up if I ever need the extra little bit of power.

I don't mind losing a couple hp if it can be quieter and stealthy.

Alternatively, they have exhaust systems with built in valves that silence until you go wot.

And they have add on pieces for their exhausts, like this:

http://apexi-usa.com/shop/index.php/...-silencer.html
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Old Jun 17, 2013 | 03:35 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I'm running an eBay special on my car. N1 style exhaust that is 3ib mandrel bent and stainless steel, $140 shipped to my door. I'm not a fan of knock off brands but if its not a Moving part you should be alright
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Old Jun 20, 2013 | 09:46 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I bought a $140 dollar 3" full exhaust off of ebay..cut the muffler off of it and put a 3" magnaflow muffler on. Loved it. Got lots of compliments too.
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Old Jun 20, 2013 | 11:38 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I would recommend "Thermal R&D" muffler
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 07:01 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Thermal r&d, I've never heard of them. I will check it out but I still believe im sold on the vibrant rez and SST muffler so far. I've not ordered it yet but seems to get great reviews and and sound clips of the setup sound nice as long as its the quite setup (sounds deeper). Thanks fellows!
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Old Jun 23, 2013 | 09:51 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I love the thermal R&D. That was all that was available years ago for a full 3" cat back of good Stainless quality and quality muffler. I know guys STILL on those after 8 yeas. I'd do that before ANY vibrant mess. Plus, they are a good solid company that works with you in case there are any problems
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 03:43 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

I'm still pretty much sold on the vibrant since they are the above products are known to be quite and deep. The thermal r&d is still catching my eye though. Just a idea but anyone used a blitz nur spec? http://www.frsport.com/Blitz-MPP804U...FcWZ4Aodt10AGw What do you think? I just happen to know a guy selling one? I'm going to kick around this thermal r&d idea and see if I can dig some more info. Has anyone used vibrant the quite free flowing series mufflers and rez? http://www.thermalrd.com/mufflers.htm
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Old Jun 24, 2013 | 06:40 PM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Thermal R&D 3" exhaust systems

Idle

Running

Blitz Nur Specs are nice but for Honda piping is a little on the smaller side of piping. you won't find any videos on that for a turbo honda application.

Vibrant being "quiet & deep" is based solely on the number and right type of resonators to use. The THermal R&D out of the box sounds a lot nicer. No guess work.

You have your options.. now make a decision and move onto the next phase, already..
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 01:31 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Love my N1 with KTeller piping and no resonator, had this setup about 6yrs now.





I'm at 1:25 in this vid:
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Old Jun 25, 2013 | 05:56 AM
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Default re: Is there a "best" sounding & build quality muffler for 3" exhausts? If so, which?

Originally Posted by balbowskie
Thermal r&d, I've never heard of them. I will check it out but I still believe im sold on the vibrant rez and SST muffler so far. I've not ordered it yet but seems to get great reviews and and sound clips of the setup sound nice as long as its the quite setup (sounds deeper). Thanks fellows!
If you want a muffler that's not to loud i would say go Thermal R&D and it's perfect if you dont have any interior in the car. I used Vibrant muffler before the R&D that i use now and it's much better for your ears
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