Exhaust Questions - How easy? Resonator, etc.

[bradentyrer]

I have been getting annoyed with the seemingly bulky resonator-muffler set up that is on my 03. I find myself looking at it, naked and alone since I removed the spare tire and moved it to the roof rack. I want to channel the pipe to the right side, like the 3rd gens had. Is it as simple as hacking it off and welding new, curved pipe on? If so, how much would it cost for pipe? I know a guy wit welding equipment and some skill so hopefully he can hook me up.

Any advice?

Thanks

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The cost of the pipe should be under $20, probably closer to like $10 I would assume, plus the cost of a tip if you want one. Just hack the resonator off, I sliced mine off with a grinding wheel because I got tired of the sulfur smell when I rolled my window down and was worried about crushing it when offroading. I just sliced mine after the axle and its done good for now.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Yep. You can buy the pipe from autozone for $10-$15 and add a tip if you want. Just a matter of cutting, bending and welding back in place.

 

[emmwhat]

like THIS!?




I just went to a local exhaust shop (meineke), I paid $150, but they removed my 3rd cat and replaced with a straight pipe, removed the resonator, angled the exhaust tip to the side, and welded everything (including a new hanger). The price could have been lower, but then again it could have been higher too.. I don't have any equipment to weld so it was worth it to me, plus I kept the 3rd car and resonator, I know you can sell them for $crap.

Since I had the tail pipe repositioned, I have had NO exhaust fumes come in my rear window (used to be that horrible sulfur smell we all were gifted with), and the v8 has a sweet rumble when starting up and under load now that the resonator is gone!

 

[bradentyrer]

Yeah, that's what I was looking to do. So just hack off the rear bulbous thing with a hacksaw and order the pipe, but it doesn't come angled to the side?

 

[zopperman]

Would you be able to just use a bolt on side exit tip and avoid the welding?

 

[bradentyrer]

I didn't even know they made those... would it be sealed?

 

[zopperman]

I didn't even know they made those... would it be sealed?

That was my concern - i know I saw one that had a 90 degree bend and you put in on with a U bolt type thing and i'm assuming high temp sealant. I can't find the link now though, of course when I want to see it... :redbrick:

 

[emmwhat]

Yeah, that's what I was looking to do. So just hack off the rear bulbous thing with a hacksaw and order the pipe, but it doesn't come angled to the side?

Yeah, that's exactly what they did at the shop, sawzall it off, then they bent a new pipe and welded it on, if you can find a pipe already bent to that angle and the right size, that's awesome, I imagine you'll still have to weld it on there though so it doesn't leak fumes under the car or rattle, and you have to weld a hanger onto it. JB Weld holds up to 500 degrees so if you wanted to go that route it should work!

 

[bradentyrer]

So what does bending the pipe entail? I thought they must come that way. Haha this is becoming more work than I thought! And the hanger, what would you recommend as far as that goes?

 

[emmwhat]

So what does bending the pipe entail? I thought they must come that way. Haha this is becoming more work than I thought! And the hanger, what would you recommend as far as that goes?

You may be able to get a pipe pre-bent, we have "salvo auto parts" here in Maryland, they're like a non-commercialized autozone, check a store like that and you may be able to find a pipe that's been pre-bent. You should be about to get a hanger at the same place, they're just generic exhaust hangers that you'll attach (ideally weld) onto the new pipe to hold it in place on your vehicle, or else that thing will be bouncing around with every bump you hit

 

[ebg18t]

I have heard if some just chopping the rear section just after the axle and just leaving it like that. I might just do that as I don't need a pretty tip, just not want the pipe out the back anymore.

 

[WXman]

Just had a shop do mine on Friday. $62 bucks including my choice of tips. They recommended not to angle it out the side so I went straight out the back. It hides more of the pipe that way.

I'm pleasantly surprised at how much better it sounds with the resonator gone. It's at least twice as loud now under throttle...but the VT muffler is still quiet as stock with the cruise set on the highway. I'm as happy as a pig in slop.

Now...if I could just afford to replace those crappy stock manifolds....