Before you think about a muffler delete, you might want to think about why you want one, and if it’s going to work out the way you want. A muffler delete could help you gain some horsepower and even gas mileage if you have a high-performance engine.
So, if you’d like to learn more about what a muffler delete is, continue reading this article to discover what I learned on this topic!
What Is a Muffler Delete?
A muffler delete is exactly what it sounds like. The acoustic part that flows with the exhaust system is deleted to add sound, better performance, and gas mileage. However, note that a muffler delete is not legal when driven on public roads, and will eventually get you pulled over and cited for defective equipment and/or noise ordinance.
There are a few reasons why someone might want to go for a muffler delete, but whatever the reason, you should know the cost and the outcome. Keep reading for commonly asked questions about a muffler delete!
What Is the Purpose of a Muffler Delete?
For most muffler delete projects, the purpose is to gain horsepower and torque.
And also, the less restriction on an engine and better performance can get you some better fuel economy.
The other reason some car enthusiasts create a muffler delete for their exhaust system is that they enjoy the sound.
In fact, a louder exhaust sound for a car is something that has attracted car fanatics since people first started racing!
Is a Muffler Delete Illegal?
No matter the state you live in, driving on public roads without a muffler in the US and Canada is illegal.
You can get pulled over, and will probably at least get one of two tickets, if not both: Defective Equipment and Noise Ordinance tickets.
Most other civilized countries have the same laws, especially in populated areas, such as cities and neighborhoods.
Can a Muffler Delete Ruin Your Car?
In theory, a muffler delete won’t ruin your car or the way it runs. However, it will make your car much louder when the engine is running.
On most cars, a muffler delete might actually help the performance of your car a little.
However, you should know that more modern cars are tuned specifically to run with a muffler.
A muffler delete could make your computer force your car to run incorrectly.
A muffler delete can also cause your check engine light to come on, and if the delete wasn’t done correctly, you could experience hideous exhaust leak sounds.
Is a Muffler Delete a Straight Pipe?
Someone might definitely refer to a muffler delete as a straight pipe.
This means that when the exhaust exits the vehicle’s engine, it goes right through a straight pipe with no muffler interference.
Do You Lose HP with Muffler Delete?
For the most part, a muffler delete won’t cause you to lose any horsepower.
For most car applications that have not been modified for performance, a muffler delete won’t help you gain any performance either.
However, if you have a vehicle that you have added extra performance parts to, and you’re still using a stock muffler, you might notice a big difference when you go with a muffler delete.
Does a Muffler Delete Sound Good?
If you drive a high-performance car, and you delete the muffler and the exhaust pipes up to the engine exhaust manifold, you might get the sound you are trying to achieve.
However, for a lot of engines that are not designed for performance, you will probably not like the way it sounds with just exhaust pipes and no muffler.
Can Muffler Delete Be Reversed?
As easy as it is to hack the muffler off and delete it, it would take about the same amount of time, work, and money to reverse a muffler delete.
Outside of adding a muffler, your price for reversing a muffler delete in labor cost would be around $100-$200, depending on where the muffler will be located.
How Much Horsepower Can You Gain From a Muffler Delete?
The amount of horsepower you will gain from a muffler delete will depend on how much horsepower is being restricted by the muffler.
If you have a high-horsepower engine, and it’s running through a stock muffler, a muffler delete could net you 5-10 horsepower, maybe 15 if your muffler is really restricting exhaust passage.
Does Muffler Delete Cause Drone?
This is something you should be very aware of when deciding whether you want to go with a muffler delete.
One of the purposes of a muffler is to acoustically dampen the drone of an exhaust system.
Without a muffler, your car may sound mean and strong when you have your foot in the throttle, but cruising at an average speed, it will just sound loud and probably nerve-racking.
To know more about muffler, you can also read our posts on how hot does a muffler get, what is a muffler, and muffler noise when accelerating.
Conclusion
Giving a vehicle a muffler delete can add some power, sound, and even possibly better gas mileage, but there are some things someone should consider before they go for this particular upgrade.
When giving a vehicle a muffler delete, the sound may not always turn out better, but it will turn out louder.