When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
If you know how to weld and have tools, shouldn't be a problem. Use hole saw, then weld back those second holes. I just don't have the tools or knowledge
Sadly for me you have more knowledge than I do on welding but you're right, if it's awful I'm sure there's a way to reattached.
I have a 12' v6. The muffler i believe is the same as the v8's as it looks like the picture in the 1st post. Opening on the back port and the front port is closed.
A couple years ago I opened up the front port. Soundwise makes no difference just opening up the front port as it's really packed with wool-like material. I removed all the wool and now it's pretty loud. I welded a metal plug covering up half the port as it was too much and now it sounds good. Very similar to a 957 turbo with 2ndary deletes.
I bet it'll sound really good on a V8.
What i would do is drill out/remove half the size of the plug and remove all the packed wool material and be done with it.
If you are working with a flat surface, as in the 1st photo, drill a hole, and buy a plug at HD to cover it if you don't like it. Plugs are typically available from 1/2" up to 2", in 1/4" steps. They snap in and out, and provide a good seal with no welding. Many people have done this, via the CorvetteForum. You can remove insulation, then plug it, or leave it open after you remove insulation. Maybe not a good idea if you plan on fording rivers, but works well otherwise.
I don't know yet what the effect will be, so cannot recommend this. I might try it, pending the comments I get...
Ok I got bored of thinking about this, so I'm doing it in phases.
Phase 1, drill some holes in one side for enough room to pull the wadding out, and see what it sounds like.
Result: Almost no change. So subtle in car, maybe 5% if you put your head that side of the exhaust. No issue with heat melting the rear bumper.
Phase 2 will be doing the same the other side then trying to get more exhaust wadding out. Then bigger holes.
Notes: yes it's a trash job, but I plan on putting a plate over once all the wadding is out. Pulling the wadding out is nasty, its exhaust coated fibreglass so wear a mask, gloves, long sleeves etc. It's really packed in there, hard to pull out at first but once it gets going it's like pulling a handkerchief from a clowns sleeve.
Ok I got bored of thinking about this, so I'm doing it in phases.
Phase 1, drill some holes in one side for enough room to pull the wadding out, and see what it sounds like.
Result: Almost no change. So subtle in car, maybe 5% if you put your head that side of the exhaust. No issue with heat melting the rear bumper.
Phase 2 will be doing the same the other side then trying to get more exhaust wadding out. Then bigger holes.
Notes: yes it's a trash job, but I plan on putting a plate over once all the wadding is out. Pulling the wadding out is nasty, its exhaust coated fibreglass so wear a mask, gloves, long sleeves etc. It's really packed in there, hard to pull out at first but once it gets going it's like pulling a handkerchief from a clowns sleeve.
You are brave...
Maybe a holesaw can open it fully
By the look of it there is a big chamber you are unpacking not just a sleeve . So I’m assuming it goes into that chamber then bleeds out into open chamber and exits the other pipe? Curious to know what it looks like through that hole you make .
Stage 2 complete. I opened up the otherside with a holesaw (much better idea) and pulled what felt like even more packing out. Entire process was about 20 minutes.
I also opened up the otherside slightly more and now the car sounds most of what I remember the sports exhaust sounding like. Subtle on highway, but nice v8 sound when accelerating with more than a small amount of throttle. Not loud, but it's now definitely there and sounds so much better than the over silenced stock system.
I figured I've pulled about 2/3rds of the wadding out, there's still a lot on the base of the exhaust. Once I've driven it a bit and pulled a bit more out I'll get photos of the inside and videos of it. Really happy with how it sounds and I don't think anyone would call it too loud. It's maybe 15% more than stock and 10% under a sports exhaust.
Stage 2 complete. I opened up the otherside with a holesaw (much better idea) and pulled what felt like even more packing out. Entire process was about 20 minutes.
I also opened up the otherside slightly more and now the car sounds most of what I remember the sports exhaust sounding like. Subtle on highway, but nice v8 sound when accelerating with more than a small amount of throttle. Not loud, but it's now definitely there and sounds so much better than the over silenced stock system.
I figured I've pulled about 2/3rds of the wadding out, there's still a lot on the base of the exhaust. Once I've driven it a bit and pulled a bit more out I'll get photos of the inside and videos of it. Really happy with how it sounds and I don't think anyone would call it too loud. It's maybe 15% more than stock and 10% under a sports exhaust.
Glad I could help with holesaw idea. Haha.
I'm waiting for video od sound b4 and after. Hope you took b4 video. Cause I can't reference my own CS.
Not too well yet, i tried to get a photo but it was pretty dark. I'll try and get a better one today, and get some wire in there to see what I can feel. There's almost certainly not a pipe within 6 inches of the hole (depth)
Not too well yet, i tried to get a photo but it was pretty dark. I'll try and get a better one today, and get some wire in there to see what I can feel. There's almost certainly not a pipe within 6 inches of the hole (depth)
Both sides where you opened up and removed material is a hollow chamber. If you look straight into the hole you drilled, You can see a cap just like the one you drilled into.