OEM muffler or aftermarket?

My muffler finally bit the dust (or the dust bit it, since there's a big
hole in it). It needs replacing, and since
I have to do it, I've decided to ask you guys what kind of muffler
should I use. Right now I have the stock
1994 Accord EXR muffler, with the 2 exhaust pipes and chrome tips.

I like the look of my old muffler, and the fact that it's quiet. What I
am looking for is a good quality, good
performance replacement for the OEM muffler that would be cheaper, as
OEM parts tend to be quite a bit
more expensive than aftermarket ones. True, you get what you pay for in
most cases, but the salt and cold
weather here in Toronto chews through any muffler pretty fast, so none
last for too long.

I should add that I can't stand those big, loud mufflers (if I want to
be loud, I just jump on my R6). With the
cops already targeting Honda drivers in Toronto, I really don't need to
let them know I'm coming.

Thanks,

Cosmin

 

Honda warrants their replacement muffler for life.

Personally, I think that most aftermarket mufflers don't fit very well
or look very good.

 

I think I've gotten four free ones from Honda. They last longer and are
quieter than the cheaper one I had put on my son's car. Call the dealer
for his price and guarantee. Remember to KEEP the RECEIPT! They
dropped me from the computer last time, and my copy got the free one
with no problems. bob

 

Get OEM, I got a perfomance muffler a few months ago and i have been kicking
myself

 

me also, im going back to oem this spring i think

 

I have found over 25 years of dealing with "The Mufflerman" that they are
very price competitive and only do the work that is necessary.

There are other muffler shops that will really run you through the wringer
as I have spent time with an ex manager of a Speedy shop.

As far as brand names go - unless you go to a stainless steel system they
all pretty well last the same length of time.

Just my opinion.

The Artful Codger

 

If you have the money--get the Honda muffler. If you want to save money
and have some free time--visit various muffler shops for free estimates.
After you find the best deal, let them install it for you.

 

But you don't get the point. OEm muffler has a lifetime warranty

 

most reputable muffler shops will also have a lifetime warranty, but when I
replace my current fart bomb i will go with oem

 

Thanks for the information guys, I guess I will go with the OEM muffler.
I intend to drive this car at least another 3 years, so I might as well
get something
that is worth it, and that will last long enough.

Cosmin

 

lifetime on the muffler, not the labour

 

same deal with the honda dealer too, at least mine

 

Cosmin,
If you are looking to install it yourself, I would go to an old
fashioned auto parts store that handles Walker Mufflers and
pipes. Stores like AutoZone and Pep Boys don't seem to
handle anything but universals. I tried a universal once and
the problem that I had with it was hanging it in the back of
the muffler. The hangers that grab the pipe will cause the
muffler to fail when the pipe breaks. Mufflers like Walkers
have a lifetime warranty on most models and OEM style
mounting with a welded rod bent to match the OEM rubber
mounting hangers.

The tricky part can be getting the rusty joint apart that is typ-
ically under the car right around where the rear seat is on the
passenger side. I had to cut one of the Honda special spring'y
bolts as it was totally corroded. I went to the hardware store
and bought some stainless 5/16" replacement bolts and nuts.
They didn't have stainless metric hardware.

chuck

ps: I don't have stock or anything at Walker, I just have had good
luck with them. Most of the times the muffler is warranted, but not
the pipe that goes from the joint to the muffler. Honda usually makes
the pipe and muffler in one piece and most after market mfgrs. make
it 2 pieces.

ps2: On my 97 accord, the Walker muffler and pipe was a one piece
unit and not lifetime warranted. All of the other Accords that I have
worked on have had a muffler and separate pipe. Many times the EX
models have a muffler with dual tail pipes out of it. The non-EX muffler
will fit, but will have only a single tail pipe.