2" (core) perfomance muffler - do any sound good ?

[cos]

Most axle back and/or cat back systems for 4 cyl cars (e.g. Honda Accord) come with 2.25" mufflers. I'd like to replace the 2" OEM muffler with an 2" aftermarket performance muffler to have a nice sporty sound and no interior resonance. Has anyone had experience with a 2" performance muffler that had a decent sound or is just simply to small? Maybe a Thrush glasspack?

The tech help lines at Flowmaster, Magnaflow and DynoMax were of no help.

 

[Steve S]

A muffler from a turbocharged engine that will fit would work well.

 

[TylerL]

The Flowmaster 60 delta series may fit your needs. I doesn't put out much noise until you step on it. Cost is $130 for aluminized steel version. Check youtube for sound clips.

 

[jsharp]

The Flowmasters are really durable and I agree with Tyler on the sound. They don't sound much louder than stock until your foot is in it.

 

[pickled]

Steve S. is probably the closes to your no interior resonance request. I love the sound of magnaflows and dynomax ultraflow mufflers, but my tastes in noise control aren't everyone's cup of tea.

 

[Drew99GT]

If you keep the resonator and cat, I don't think interior resonance would be a problem with Magnaflow or Dynomax Ultra Flo - both being the freest flowing mufflers you can get (straight pipe essentially).

Flo Master doesn't flow very well and I think they sound lame on 4 bangers. 40 series on a 5.0 Mustang is like Viagra for gearheads though.

 

[pickled]

Much agreed on the 5.0 sound!! VIVA!

 

[mvw2]

Best option is a straight through design. Look at Magnaflow, Hooker, Borla, and others. There are a variety of options out there, and the right choice will simply depend on the sound you're shooting for.

Other than sound, the muffler will do little to nothing for performance, especially if you're still using stock cats and stock manafold. Generally to take full advantage of any parts, the whole system needs to be up to that level. You are only as good as your weakest link. In this sense, you'll want good aftermarket headers, a low cell count high flow cat (or cats) and a straight through muffler.

Some useful links:
http://headerdesign.com/
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/engines_drivetrain/exhaust/0505phr_exh/index.html
http://www.andersonfordmotorsport.com/media/rumble1.htm
http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=24

If you're shooting for a certain sound, Youtube will be your friend. Look for other Honda Accord clips and clips will all the muffler choices you may be interested in. You can get a decent enough idea of how a particular muffler will sound if you hear it first on a few vehicle clips.