choose a replacement of rusted factory muffler...

[roy944s]

The muffler of my 88' 944s is rusted and I am ready to replace it. Anybody got a suggestion on that? Should I go for the factory or the aftermarket? What brands are good? What other brands are available except Ansa and Bursch? My budget is about $500.

Greatly appreciated any help and advise..

[1.2gees]

I'd have to recommend an aftermarket unit...

apex-i has pretty good systems, but even better value is a magnaflow muffler. I think I'm gonna put one of these on as soon as I get around to it. http://www.magnaflow.com/01home.htm

What are you looking for, deeper sound, more power?

If you wanna go stock, I have a stock muffler that I can sell, since I'm not going to need anymore.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[roy944s]

Thanks, 1.2gees...I am hoping a replacement of aftermarket muffler can improve the performance a little bit. I don't really care about the sound..Thanks for the offer, I will think about it....beside, my poor car is still sitting in my mechanics'..( if you've seen the one I just posted..)

Anyway, great thanks for your help..

[Panzer909]

Roy,
I'm gonna be faced with the same problem pretty soon. Unfortunately, the 944S and S2 mufflers are different from the standard 8-valve cars, and OEM ones are in the regoin of $750.00! I wonder if one can find an OEM one cheaper somewhere(?)

[1.2gees]

The part #s may be different, the mufflers would most certainly work.

I would go to an aftermarket muffler. If you want the stock looks, you can buy the tip (OEM)for less than $25.
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[todd951]

The reason the OEM mufflers are so expensive is because it comes with the entire cat-back pipe. It would be much cheaper to get an aftermarket muffler like a Flowmaster and have it welded into your original pipe if it's still in decent condition. Even if it isn't, any muffler shop should be able to make up the necessary pipe cheaper than an OEM exhaust.

[1.2gees]

That's incorrect, the muffler is available, without the piping. Infact, I'm not so sure if they make it with the piping anymore!
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[944Driver]

I replaced my muffler & cat last summer for about $600. I went with a chromed high-flow muffler & cat from Dynomax. It's a bit louder than stock, but it seems to have freed up a bit more horsepower.

[awilson40]

I bought a Magna Flow for my 924, I will have it on in a couple of weeks.
Cant wait to hear how it sounds.

[CJFusco]

I've heard that Borla is the only aftermarket system proven to give a power increase on the 944NA, and that many aftermarket systems actually hurt power. Does anyone know how much truth is to this?

[1.2gees]

I can't think of an aftermarket unit that would reduce power...

HOWEVER, I've tried a Bursch downpipe, and it does not have tuned ports, very weak design. If you want to go cat-less, I'd get a straight pipe, or a resonator with the factory downpipe in place.

Anyway, the Borla cat back gives some hp according to grassroots motorsports (I think so too), however the factory unit really isn't that bad. The last couple of bends before the muffler aren't the best however. I'd go for a straight through muffler, and if you're really serious, some mendrel bent piping, where the stock system bends around the transaxle/torsion bar housing. Aside from that, the factory unit is superb. (well, the muffler is a chamber design)
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[wolfrpi]

The reason why the factory unit is so expensive is because it is stainless steel. I have a Bursch from my 944S that I parted out if you are interseted.

Erick

[roy944s]

Panzer909,
I think you should be able to find aftermarket muffler on Vertex or Automotion for less than $600. I am not sure because I've never bought from them before...

[Panzer909]

Thanks for the imput, fellas. I haven't yet confirmed what makes the S/S2 mufflers so different. There are stock-look mufflers that you can buy at around $250 for the 8-valve cars, but no such luck for us....so far. I checked Automotion/Performance Products and they only sell the OEM ones for dealership prices. I'm convinced that we can find a stock one much cheaper somewhere.....

[roy944s]

Panzer909,
You might want to check this web site. http://platz.com/

[Matt Russell]

Props go to my Bursch exhaust, but it's really a DynoMax with black paint that burned off after 2 months.

Sound is intrusive, especially around 70 to 85 MPH. Gets better after that. Installed on a 1984 944 by the way.

But not overly so.

My understanding is that a set of good headers and eliminating the Cat (not always legal, particularly here in NY) will free up the most horsepower, as opposed to just replacing the exhaust.