Turbo noise from muffler removal?

[jettajim]

A fellow TDIer came over yesterday & we did the EGR adaption & 24-Hr clock change to his car. And the ventectomy on his 2001 Golf.

He has the tuning box. He cut off his muffler & replaced it w/ just a straight pipe w/ a slight turn down at the tip. When he left, his car was idling and I could CLEARLY hear the turbo the entire length of the car. Was this due to the muffler being removed?

Any draw backs to doing this?

Thanks!

 

[Variant TDI]

I want to hear a mufflerectomized TDI in person before I decide to do it.
But... I would assume that turbo noise would be more evident. There's no reason this would be a problem, unless you didn't like the noise.

Aside from opening up the exhaust, allowing for quicker spoolup, this is also a great weight savings. The removed muffler probably weighs 40 pounds.

 

[SkyPup]

It's no problem, our have been that way for years now. Plus you always know that the turbo is working properly too.

 

[oldpoopie]

dont do it, its not worth it and it is louder. I am considering welding mine back on. The noise at highway speed is very annoying. Definately ride in one before you do it.

 

[jettajim]

I love the turbo noise!!!

Plus he got it done for only $35!

But I really wanted to know if this harms the engine without the back press from the muffler but it sounds like I can have it done with no ill-effects.

Thanks!

 

[Variant TDI]

The turbo makes all the backpressure the engine would ever "need".

 

[Rob_from_Elkmont]

Oldpoopie,
Are you hearing turbo noise or droning?

Rob

 

[TDI_ESEL]

I guess old, broken down cheap guys like me can make do with a little noise.

dont do it, its not worth it and it is louder. I am considering welding mine back on. The noise at highway speed is very annoying. Definately ride in one before you do it.

 

[doc_m]

frind of mine did it out here in his 2002 jetta tdi, loving the sound, heard alot of complaints out of people saying it's loud, but not in this car, he went staight out the back has a 4 montion valance for the exhaust and a dual stanless 2 inch out the back, looks very cool, and sound nice, no drowning, just the nice whistle of the turbo.

 

[Moo Car]

Make sure the tip is under the bumper or further. I’ve had three club members in my car that hadn't notice my muffler was cut off.

Heavy equipment and some trucks didn't have mufflers for years. Even our newer loader (with turbo) doesn’t have a muffler.

 

[Variant TDI]

Should it be beyond the bumper, or not?

My logic would have it go beyond the bumper, so it doesn't drone under the car. But I'm nto sure what you meant by your comment, "under the bumper or further"

 

[Gary Miyakawa]

Turbo "noise" ?!?!?!? It's Turbo "sound" and it's schweat !!!!... Make sure the exhaust extend and points out the back of the vehicle....

Here's what mine sounds like Exhaust Sound ...

That's 2.5" from turbo to tip...

Gary M

 

[oldpoopie]

Oldpoopie,
Are you hearing turbo noise or droning?

Let me clarify. I have had the mufflerectomy for about a year. I do mostly highway travel, 75 to 85 mph, 2 to 3 hours every day. I can definately attest to the fact that there is more of a drone without the muffler than with it. Sure it makes a cool noise when you shift, and you can hear the turbo. All of those things are fun, and make the car "feel" more sporty, but do little for real world performance. All I'm saying is before you go ahead and do the mufflerectomy, take an extended ride (more than a few minutes) in a car that has had one. Drive at a full range of speeds that you would normally drive at. My pipe used to end just below the bumper, but in an effort to quiet it down, I extended it even more, to the point that your legs hit it standing behind the car, and the drone still can get annoying.

 

[oldpoopie]

I forgot to mention that a car with a mufflerectomy can make more or less noise depending on when you shift and rev the car as well, so if possible, actually drive a car with one, dont just be driven in it. As for effecting engine longevity, I doubt it. With so many tdi folks having done this mod, any correlation with long term damage would have evidenced itself by now.

 

[Dana D.]

Did it last year. Love the sound.

 

[daveyracing69]

I have no muffler or Res, pipes are SS and dual out the back, awesome sound, deeper the others. <font color="blue"> </font> [image]http://[/image]

 

[jettajim]

I did it a few days ago. What a difference a $20 mod makes! It sounds like a jet pulling up to the gate and cutting its turbines

!

If my wife & baby rode in this car, I probably would have the muffler reinstalled--but they don't--they have their own TDI

The pipe runs straight back from the cut point--there's no bend. I bought a can of cold galvanizing paint so that the hanger rods and pipe tip don't rust.

All-in-all, I'd do it again. But for those thinking of doing it, listen to oldpoopie--take one for a test spin under your normal driving habits and you may or may not like it. I drive about 65mph about 100 miles/day and unfortunately, this is when it's noticable inside the car. But on the other hand, it's great to be able to listen to your engine at highway speeds

Jim

 

[Jasdman]

What I wonder about is.. any increase in fuel mpg.. I have a bone stock NB Tdi and a F350 Ford Powerstroke..
On the Powerstroke I am running straight pipe now.. (No Cat and no Muff) my Mpg went from 17mpg to 19.3 mpg (After the first few tanks, I couldn't help but stomp on it cause of that sweet turbo sound and that Deep rumble)anyway I wonder if it would increase the mpg on a Tdi because of the better flow?

 

[eetsoot]

I removed the muffler too. It took exactly one 3.5 hour drive with the cruise set 80mph for me to decide I didn't like it. Yes it sounds cool but ohh my god was I fatigued by the constant drone.

 

[MrMetal]

I removed the muffler too. It took exactly one 3.5 hour drive with the cruise set 80mph for me to decide I didn't like it. Yes it sounds cool but ohh my god was I fatigued by the constant drone.

I personally love the "drone"... but if it bothers you, turn up the stereo

 

[AtomicSushi]

The first time I removed mine I had it re-installed due to drone. The next time I extended the tips out through a 4motion valence and now all is well. Sounds great.

 

[Rick]

To the person who has the straight exhaust and mentioned the sound when shifting. Is this a squealing type sound? I just did a 3" straight back and I get a fairly loud squeal when I shift under power. Turbo surge? Any idea what this is?

 

[Drizzten]

Has anyone gotten into trouble with The Law over muffler requirements in their state? I'm currently going over Texas law to see what might be a problem. My car is is stock performance-wise and I'm currently undecided/neutral towards straight-piping the exhaust, though I plan on taking oldpoopie's advice and giveing a mufflerectomized TDI a spin.

Gary, that sounds very nice! Much cleaner and solid than a phat pipe coffee can system.

 

[Rick]

Drizzten said:
Has anyone gotten into trouble with The Law over muffler requirements in their state? I'm currently going over Texas law to see what might be a problem. My car is is stock performance-wise and I'm currently undecided/neutral towards straight-piping the exhaust, though I plan on taking oldpoopie's advice and giveing a mufflerectomized TDI a spin.

Gary, that sounds very nice! Much cleaner and solid than a phat pipe coffee can system.

It's against federal law to remove any factory installed noise reducing equipment. IMO as long as the vehicle doen't draw excessive attention to itself there won't be any inquiries. Since the TDI without the muffler isn't very loud and in fact is quieter than many cars with performance mufflers there shouldn't be any problems.

 

[15golftdi]

Let me clarify. I have had the mufflerectomy for about a year. I do mostly highway travel, 75 to 85 mph, 2 to 3 hours every day. I can definately attest to the fact that there is more of a drone without the muffler than with it. Sure it makes a cool noise when you shift, and you can hear the turbo. All of those things are fun, and make the car "feel" more sporty, but do little for real world performance. All I'm saying is before you go ahead and do the mufflerectomy, take an extended ride (more than a few minutes) in a car that has had one. Drive at a full range of speeds that you would normally drive at. My pipe used to end just below the bumper, but in an effort to quiet it down, I extended it even more, to the point that your legs hit it standing behind the car, and the drone still can get annoying.

Did you have just a straight pipe and tips replacing the muffler? I’ve heard that doing so doesn’t make the car very much louder just a bit more turbo

 

[snakeye]

Did you have just a straight pipe and tips replacing the muffler? I’ve heard that doing so doesn’t make the car very much louder just a bit more turbo

What's with these thread revives lately? You're replying to something posted nearly two decades ago.

 

[15golftdi]

just a guy who likes my tdi but doesn’t know enough about it and needs some help

 

[BobnOH]

I like when folks recycle posts of the same subject. You can't however expect a reply from participants of an 18 year old thread.
From what I've read, the best sound is straight pipe with a couple resonators.
Has been discussed.
VW TDI Search Engine

 

[KLXD]

I agree. Helps the next guy who's searching when there're only 9 threads on the same subject instead of 10.

If only thread starters 2 through 9 had done the same.

 

[nicklockard]

Oldpoopie's still kicking I think. He just doesn't post much anymore.