Show me your 1-1 M&K Install

[porsche0nut]

Just installed my 1-1 M&K sport muffler on my '86 coupe, mated to cat bypass.

Love the muffler, but 2 things bug me:

1) The muffler looks crooked the way it sits... if you're looking from the rear it angles up to the right instead of being level, and

2) At idle its very tingy... almost like a metallic vibration that shouldn't be there. It bugs me to no end and I think it's related to #1. Everything is tight.


So I'd love to see pictures of how yours sit, and any tips/insights to the job! I'll try to get a pic uploaded of how mine looks.

Thanks!


EDIT: Here's a pic from when I was installing it (before bolts went on)... not the greatest shot but maybe somebody will spot something.

[Scooter]

I don't have an M&K, but I have installed several other mufflers on both an '84 and '87 Carrera. I have found the same angle issue with every muffler installed.

[DRACO A5OG]

Post a pic of yours OP.

Mine seem to be sitting where it supposed to.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by porsche0nut

Just installed my 1-1 M&K sport muffler on my '86 coupe, mated to cat bypass.

Love the muffler, but 2 things bug me:

1) The muffler looks crooked the way it sits... if you're looking from the rear it angles up to the right instead of being level, and

2) At idle its very tingy... almost like a metallic vibration that shouldn't be there. It bugs me to no end and I think it's related to #1. Everything is tight.


So I'd love to see pictures of how yours sit, and any tips/insights to the job! I'll try to get a pic uploaded of how mine looks.

Thanks!

Mine sits crooked in the exact same manner. While at a Porsche specialist for something unrelated, I had him look at it and he said there was nothing he could do to level it.

Not terribly impressed with this supposed M&K quality I hear so much about. That being said, I sure do love the sound!!

I have learned to live with the crooked exhaust.

[porsche0nut]

I may try to loosen the bypass and twist it a little to bring the angle off the muffler down (the bypass flange has oval through-holes for the bolts so there may be some room to turn it...)

Other thought is that my strap isn't sitting right... or maybe I'll add a 2nd strap.


Whatever it is, I need to get rid of the rattle/tinging at idle because it sounds like my old jetta when the heat shield was vibrating! Not a good sound to listen to while sitting at a red light.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by porsche0nut

I may try to loosen the bypass and twist it a little to bring the angle off the muffler down (the bypass flange has oval through-holes for the bolts so there may be some room to turn it...)

Yea, that was going to be my suggestion. Putting in some oval holes so you get some twist.


My OEM muffler sat perfectly flat. All I did was remove the OEM and put the M&K in its spot. Crooked. Shrug.

[RarlyL8]

The single inlet mufflers require that you hang the muffler first, get the tailpipe where you want it, tighten both clamps, then bolt to the cat or bypass. After 24+ years the OEM system has warped. Some installations require loosening the entire cat then wiggle and tighten front to back. It can be a tail chaser sometmes but it will work out.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

The single inlet mufflers require that you hang the muffler first, get the tailpipe where you want it, tighten both clamps, then bolt to the cat or bypass. After 24+ years the OEM system has warped. Some installations require loosening the entire cat then wiggle and tighten front to back. It can be a tail chaser sometmes but it will work out.

Didin't matter whether it was the stock cat or the aftermarket cat by-pass. Same result...so we can't blame warpage in my case.

Looks like nothing more than poor fit to me.

[Scooter]

Do you have a pic of the rear looking directly at the back instead of the angle?

[Arne2]

It could be warpage in the left HE and crossover pipe, that would affect whether with the stock cat, bypass or a pre-muffler.

[Hydrocket]

Originally Posted by Arne2

It could be warpage in the left HE and crossover pipe, that would affect whether with the stock cat, bypass or a pre-muffler.

Wouldn't that also cause my OEM muffler to sag to one side too?

My stock muffler sat level. The M&K does not.

[RarlyL8]

Once you loosen the OEM muffler straps and let the original muffler hang free you may see how the system has warped. The OEM muffler also warps with time/heat as the system expands and contracts a few thousand times. 321 stainless is fairly plyable before heat cycled so the M&K has some flex when first installed.

[Hydrocket]

I find it odd that if the part had "Made in China" stamped on it, everyone would be saying "That's the type of fitment you get for buying Chinese". However, since it's not stamped with that, the problem seems to be EVERYTHING but the manufactured part itself.

Just my observation.

As I said before....I very much enjoy the sound. The fitment? Not so much.

[gamin]

I seriously doubt that it is a problem with the "manufactured part." M&K stuff is top notch. I have their pre-muffler and 1in/1out muffler and everything lines up perfectly. I suggest you loosen the straps and all bolts from cat back and adjust. This with the muffler supported with a jack of course.

[RarlyL8]

Anything is possible and we make things right when at fault. The things I am describing are typical installation challenges when dealing with very old OEM components. Once our muffler is in place it will last the life of your car. If having difficulty please call or email and we are glad to help.

[nicfranc]

I installed the M&K pre muffler and single in and single out muffler and
they fit and line up perfectly.

What you might look at is the cross over pipe.
Mine was warped and had to be persuaded back in line.
I did this by putting a pipe in it and bending it to line up properly.

[porsche0nut]

Thanks everyone, I hope to find some time this weekend to play with it more.

Anybody have any input on the "tinging" i'm hearing at idle? It's more prominent than "valve tick", unless the muffler amplifies that? Do you notice it?

I tried watching youtube videos of similar installations at idle but the sound quality just isn't there.


PS: I had the car on track for the very first time yesterday... the M&K muffler sounded fantastic!

[83-911SC cab]

I have the "tinging" noise you refer to as well. Not sure if it is at idle or just off idle to about 2000 RPM. Since my car is in my garage 1300 miles away I can not verify at this time. I do not remember hearing it after initial install, but it seems to have appeared all of a sudden. I can't say when exactly, just that I noticed it one day and now because I know it's there I seem to hear it all the time. Kind of thought maybe a baffle or something came a little loose on the inside, But nothing else has changed with it and the exhaust note above it is enticing.

One thing I did find out is that about 6 months ago when I took the car in to the shop to have valves adjusted and the CIS checked out, he found a broken head stud..do not know if the broken stud might have some affect to cause the tinging in the exhaust?