Custom GT3 style MK w/pics. THANKS BEN!

[Wavey]

Here's the custom muffler I've been working on with Ben at MK Exhaust. He sent a standard single-in can with the pipes loose, and I marked them for placement and sent it back. Just got it Thursday and installed the same day. Tailpipes are 2.5" diameter.

The sound is really good! I was afraid it would be too loud, but it's not a lot louder than my Dansk Sport was, maybe 15%?. But the sound is deeper and growlier. There's a sweet burble at a steady 2000 - 2500, and it definitely screams more above 5K. I don't notice much difference in power, maybe slightly more bottom-end torque.

We only cut a hole in the can for the right pipe, but it's a pretty big one, kind of oval-shaped to match the way the pipe curves into the can. That pipe is just past the end of an internal baffle; a hole in the left pipe would have a direct path from the inlet. So that's why the volume isn't too bad. But all that's inside is one large perforated tube - no sound deadening material. The whole thing only weighs about 10 pounds (vs almost 50 stock?). Pretty amazing. Left pipe has high-temp black in it so it doesn't look fake, for the time being.

Ben says that big holes make deep sounds and small holes make higher frequencies. So... I may try a small, like 3/4 or 1 inch, hole inside the left pipe. I'm thinking I may get a cool dual-tone sound without too much more volume, and I can always weld it back up if it's too much.

After all that is settled, I have pair of polished stainless Borla tips which I may add. They're the same diameter and have the cookie-cutter inserts like the factory megaphones.
If I do add them I'll fit so that the tips end up about 1/2 to 3/4 inch farther out.

For now I just pulled the stock rear valance so I could get the muffler on the car, so I can move ahead on the Ruf bumpers. The rear Ruf valance will need trimmed to fit so I wanted the exhaust worked out first, which is what's driving this whole project.

Ben has been absoultely great to work with too. Many thanks Ben!

[SCWDP911]

How much for one of those Ben. I love the look! Awesome. Would love to hear one with a cat bypass hooked up as well. How about a sound clip Wavey?

[Wavey]

Thanks. No sound clip yet. But I 've heard Ben's standard 1-in 1-out on other cars, and mine sounds almost identical.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

looks awesome Dave! Forget the rear valence... jethot coat the muffler and leave the valence off for all to see.

"Sounds" like it will be a Happy New Year!

S

[Zeke]

Very clever to leave the one pipe blank. Now, I'm really thinking of something different.

I think a valance with some body work, not just a cut out, would look spectacular. Check out the treatment on Boxsters and GT3's.

[mb911]

looks great glad it all worked out . I am going to save the pictures thanks

[Wavey]

Thanks, Shaun, just PM'd you too. Actually yours was the first MK I heard , and I still remember our wild ride around Cambridge!

I should have also thanked Mike (MOMO3.2) for his assistance and advice. Mike and Ben did a similar muffler a few months ago. Thanks Mike!

Milt - the GT3RS was definitely an inspiration! I think the Ruf bumper, with the row of vertical vents across the valance, will lend itself well to the center pipes. I'm hoping I can just remove a few vent dividers and keep the bottom in place, so the pipes fit through the valance. If not I'll just leave a 3-sided open spot in the middle. Should look good either way.

Just went for an early run this morning, up the Great River Road and into a state park. The echo off the winding roadside hills was, uh, rousing. I was going to say "arresting" but I'm trying to avoid that.

[azasadny]

That looks great!

[Venetian]

Love the look. I"m not sure I care for one pipe being for show only-makes it a little "phony" but I do understand the loudness issue. Perhaps just a small hole as mentioned would make it "purposeful" and not much louder.

Ben, will this be made for general sale to anyone?? Would converting a 1/1(currently have) be an option??

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Venetian
Would converting a 1/1(currently have) be an option??

I'm sure you could use the stock muffler and convert to a "sport" muffler with the pipes located nearer the center on the unit. Someone has a "map" of the stock bananna and how to do it. Another great idea!

[mb911]

Originally posted by Venetian
Love the look. I"m not sure I care for one pipe being for show only-makes it a little "phony" but I do understand the loudness issue. Perhaps just a small hole as mentioned would make it "purposeful" and not much louder.

Ben, will this be made for general sale to anyone?? Would converting a 1/1(currently have) be an option??

if you refering to converting one of our 1 in 1 outs? Yes you coule with out to much trouble if you can weld it would not be to hard but to this point I have been selling these as a kit meaning I send you a shell and you mark out the tail pipes and how you want them attached and send it back for final welding...

[Wavey]

Originally posted by Venetian
Love the look. I"m not sure I care for one pipe being for show only-makes it a little "phony" but I do understand the loudness issue. Perhaps just a small hole as mentioned would make it "purposeful" and not much louder.

Yes, I agree completely. I consider this a prototype, still in the works. I just want to live with it a bit, then maybe cut a small second hole.

Milt, here's the "map" you referenced, although the single-in 3.2 may be different. Tailpipe placement can be limited by the positions of the internal baffles and the mounting straps.

[Wavey]

Got a sound clip. How do I upload???

[Thrasher]

Like this, Dumbass:
carrera.mk.gt3.wav - 0.32MB

Oh, man Dave... that is too sweet. My old B&B just can't cope with that!

[Wavey]

Don't make me kick your ass Thrasher...

[MOMO3.2]

Very nice Wavey/Ben!

I am glad I could help Wavey!

I do like the larger diameter exit pipes on your muffler too Wavey.

One BIG adavantage to purchasing a muffler from Ben rather than moding an OEM muffler is weight. My M&K muffler comes in at just over 10lbs. That is a 15-18 lb. weight savings from a critical area on the car. Moreover, at smog time in Ca, it pays to have the stock muffler to switch back to.

Enjoy Wavey!



Mike

[Wavey]

Thanks, Mike, glad you like it. Yours looks great too, just another look that I know many prefer. I think the weight savings is more like 30-35 pounds. Ben's muffler is incredibly light.

I'm really close to trying a hole in the 2nd pipe. Probably use a 1" hole-saw on an extension and see how it sounds. It would just be a mother to weld back up inside the pipe if I don't like it.

[KTL]

Dave's muffler looks like a refined version of the M&K that I have. It was built specially for some guy who wanted a Ruf replica muffler- something i've never seen before.

Presenting the M&K mutant Ruf muffler.





It's one of only two EVER made. Myself and thrown_hammer are the proud owners of these bad boys. Someday this baby is gonna be worth millions!!!!

How does it sound, you ask?

Ben says: "Why do you think we only made two of them?"



It sounds awesome above 4000 rpm. Under 4000 it's a bear. Lock your doors, hide the women and children, take cover. It's just not as loud as I would expect outside the car though, given that it is pretty much a hollow can with a perforated pipe inside. Inside it's a bit buzzy.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6351968454541274129

As you can see from the video, other guys I run with are much louder. Blue car (jstein) is SSI with a 1-out stinger glasspack thing and the silver car (StefanS) is a cat test pipe with no muffler- just the Elbow V 1.0 pat pend.

[Bearded Viking]

Wavey - looks cool! Sounds real nice too!

Shaun 84 Targa - You mention that Wavey should "jethot coat the muffler". What does this mean? Thanks in advance.

[Facey]

ummm..... i dunno about 1/2...maybe 1/3 cause i have the prototype i believe....

though not for SSI's, these are for B&B headers...


and if my lingo is down, its called the 'elbow'.... though i never caught on to gruppeb lingo... very east coast...

the muffler is crazy and nice sounding, very light


Ben has the best customer support i have ever heard of PERIOD.