Replaced my M&K muffler with.......another M&K muffler

Steve 82SC · 09-30-2007, 07:42 PM

About a year ago, my car became smog-exempt. At that time, I had the factory heat exchangers, a cat, and a 1-in1-out M&K muffler. The car sounded good, although a bit subdued given the stock heat exchangers and cat. The heat exchangers were extremely tired an since I longer had to go through emissions testing, I bought new SSIs and a new M&K 2-in-1-out muffler. WOW!!!!.......what a sound! I loved it. But all was not well in paradise. My wife didn't like the new setup from day one and within the next year, grew to find the system's sound/noise even more objectionable. Don't get me wrong.....she's quite the car person and has no issue with a racy-sounding exhaust. This was a shame because she very much enjoyed using the car with the first M&K. I discussed the issue at length with Ben from M&K. He related that although part of the issue was the SSIs, his new series of Gen-4 mufflers addresses the sound issue and would definitely quiet the system, while retaining the same tones of the previous series of M&K mufflers. If all things were equal, I probably would have kept the system intact that I installed a year ago. Although my wife wasn't pressing the issue, I wanted to reach some sort of compromise. On Friday, I installed a new Gen-4 series M&K muffler......here's my verdict.

On startup, there's no mistaking the fact that this is a sport muffler. The car has a rumble to it, although not as deep of a rumble as say a Fabspeed or GHL muffler. However, this is the third M&K that I've had on the car and they all seem to have a trademark sound of a higher pitch than other performance mufflers. While the engine is moderately revved while standing still, I can now hear the whirring of the cooling fan and that nice mechanical meshing of the engine. Those are sounds that I really haven't heard for a year and I almost forgot what nice sounds those are. When you pull away and go through the gears just to keep up with the flow of traffic, it takes on a deeper tone than at idle, while still allowing some fan and engine noise to be heard. At about 3000 rpm, the exhaust lets you know that the engine is indeed waking up and at 4000 rpm there's that nice M&K "CRACK." At anything above 3000 rpm, any car-guy that you pass up will definitely know that the exhaust system isn't stock. There was zero resonance throughout any of the rpm range. Don't worry......teenage boys will still stop in their tracks and gawk. The exhaust system has the identical tones as before, but quieted down to a degree, possibly.....and I really hate to say this.......to a more "socially acceptable" level. Ugh!....I'm sorry......that really bothered me.

We used the car on Friday and Saturday nights and ran errands with it during the day on Sunday. The goddess-of-love is quite pleased with the toned-down exhaust note. I'm still pleased with the sound of the M&K. As I said, it's the identical sounds and tones, just less of it. Another plus is that I get to retain an M&K product, which, in my opinion, is one of top-notch materials and superb craftsmanship. And Ben McFarland (M&K) is second to none when it comes to follow-up and customer service. I just thought I'd throw this out here in light of an interesting thread that came up here about 10 days ago entitled something like, "Now that time has passed, how do you like your M&K?"

Steve

mnmasotto · mnmasotto's Garage

Great post. I also love M&K products. I have a 1 in/1 out on my 1987 3.2. I was considering getting SSI's but was told by Ben that the SSI set up was much louder. How does this new 4 gen system compare to your first 1in /1 out setup? (sound level wise)
Thanks mark

Steve 82SC · 09-30-2007, 09:40 PM

Mark,

I know it will be louder because I originally had your setup. The Gen-4 with my SSIs is a good compromise, but it will never be as quiet as stock heat exchangers, a cat, and a 1-in-1-out. I suppose if I put a very restrictive muffler on my present setup it would be quieter, but there would have to be a downside power-wise.

Steve

mike monde · 10-01-2007, 03:39 AM

Thanks for the post, I am looking to install SSI's and a MK 2in1 out over the next few months and your feedbac, along with the other threads has convinced me to go in this direction.

Does our host carry the new gen-4 series?

SoCal70RSR · 10-01-2007, 08:34 AM

+1 on the gen 4 muffler.

I shot a small video/audio of the engine with the new Gen4 muffler this weekend, it's on my website below. It's an old camera so it probably doesn't do it justice.

One other component that I'm very happy with is Steve Wong's chip. The SSIs, performance chip and Gen4 muffler make an awesome combination.

SoCal70RSR · 10-01-2007, 08:48 AM

This will make it easier, here is a direct link to the video, it's in windos AVI format.

http://www.readynet.com/porsche/MVI_1618.AVI

Steve 82SC · 10-01-2007, 09:02 AM

Those dual outlet pipes make a difference. I have a single outlet and it's toned down by comparison. Still a sporty sound, but quieter.

Steve

CharlesJones · 10-02-2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike monde

Thanks for the post, I am looking to install SSI's and a MK 2in1 out over the next few months and your feedbac, along with the other threads has convinced me to go in this direction.

Does our host carry the new gen-4 series?

I was told by Ben at M&K that all new mufflers supplied by Pelican will now be the gen 4 ones. I've just ordered mine - I can't wait! Seems a pain in the ass fitting the SSIs though, what with the oil line and heating upgrades.