Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance Resonator and muffler questions...

Need some advice friends. I'm about to replace the (slightly damaged) main cat on my '95 Duratec with a low cost hi-flow unit, so I'd like to remove the stock resonator while the car's at the muffler shop also. Sooooo, what would your suggestions be for......

A. Replacement of the cat. (Something cheap, please.)

B. The removal of the res. I'd consider going the straight-pipe route, but I'm sure the drone/rasp would annoy me. There are numerous threads on all the types of replacements concerning this, but all the past info is more confusing than helpful. (Again, I'd like something inexpensive, so I'm thinking no more than $50 for a new center res/muffler. Quieter is better, by the way.)

C. Finally, what would it be like removing the main muffler? Too loud, or would the new center res/muffler be suffice? I'm curious.


My main need here is the replacement cat (I'm figuring no more than $200 parts and labor, right?) so I may only have that done this go round. But I'm hopeful I can get a little mod work done on my baby while she's up on the racks at Mr. Muff. We'll see.....

Thanks in advance!

I recently had the same problem (not the cat). I wanted the performance muffler set up that was quiet and inexpensive. The first thing I did was to remove the resonator and I was pleased with that. The drone wasn't really a problem, just noticable during acceleration, but latter I decided to change the muffler because I wanted the performance. When you put a performance muffler on you need a resonator, unless you want a really loud car. Well I found a guy who put a magnaflow glasspack resonator in (22 inch) and a magnaflow muffler all for 250 installed and I was pleased to find that it wasn't louder than it was with just the stock muffler. If you want to get some performance though you have to do both. Hope this helps.

Peter

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98 MTX SE sport V6
Magnaflow muffler
Magnaflow resonator
K&N Filter

yeah i have to agree,, if u go to dynomax they had a rebate on there ultra flows,, it ended up being 50bucks after a 25dollar rebate,, not bad,, then i had a magnaflow muffler out back and im happy with the performance,, if u get a magnaflow or flowmaster(str8 through muffler) and u dont have a res(mid muffler)u will get droone,, sounds great on WOT by sucks on low speeds and low Rpms,,

This is probably my next mod also. Check out this site for some prices on converters. They have some good prices on the 2600 series high flow cats available in dual and single inlet/outlet setups for under $100.
http://www.discountconverter.com/universals/index.htm

A decent muffler shop should do the install and welding for about $50.

Thanks for the replies, guys.

In regards to universal cats....which size should I be looking at? Stock on a '95 V6 is 2", right? Could I get the larger diameter 2.5" model for better flow, or would it not fit?

Also, what is meant by single and dual inlet/outlets? Is it something related to dual exhausts or Y-tubing? If so, I want to stick to my single-tubing exhaust config that's already is place.

Tim,
See my post "bye bye mufflers." I have an SVT, but I'd be willing to be that a higher flow resonator with no rear muffler would sound perty on your car. FWIW

Thanks, Derk. I replied to it asking what you're running past the center res/muffler. (If you've responded there, ignore this post to cut down on the traffic I've already caused!!!)

Quieter is better??? Maybe you should have bought a minivan

One more question on those generic 2600 series converters... What do you do with the tube for the air (o2) sensor?? Plug it?

I am going to go with the sho hi_flow cat and y-pipe back and run no mufflers, but my question is do I use a muffler in place of the res? Or put a high flow res in and don't worry about it?

R