[TheHermit]

Walker Exhaust SoundFX Universal muffler 17196
Mandrel Bend Header Tubing 1.75"

I took machine to local muffler shop who fabbed exhaust for me. It is really quiet now! This mod deletes factory cat that is built into stock muffler, so states that check for cats on OHV's would not like this machine. I would have had universal aftermarket cat installed, but there is not enough room. I kept factory muffler, can put it back on machine if I'm in a state that inspects OHVs.

The machine was insanely loud at wide open throttle. The pro at muffler shop suggested it might be due to the open air filter inside the cabin, which I had not considered - he was spot on. I relocated intake to cargo area, made a HUGE difference. It's still loud at WFO, but not nearly as bad as it was. Putting filter inside a housing helps deflect sound out the back of the machine. The filter housing was just zip tied in place in photos, as I was in testing mode. A permanent bracket will be fabbed.

I don't have to wear hearing protection any longer, wooot! It's actually enjoyable to drive now, even with all the other noises like the drive train.

Stock exhaust is 1.50". This is 1.75" which will allow the machine to breathe better, along with the 3" intake tubing.

I bought a spark arrestor that fits perfectly in the exhaust tip.

[NMKawierider]

Nice work! She's coming together well.

[TheHermit]

Thanx NMK    Machine is finally done, now have to get gear trailer modded up    I put a link to detailed blog posts in my profile

[TheHermit]

My sister took a short cell phone video of me leaving parking lot after lunch. Can hear what the Walker muffler sounds like. Link is to blog post my personal website.

https://jchobbes.net/?p=805

[NMKawierider]

Not too loud at all. How is it in the cab?

[TheHermit]

Much quieter than stock muffler in the cab, except under full throttle. The big air intake seems to create as much noise as the exhaust WOT. 

Under light / moderate throttle can hear the drive train noises / gear whines.

I only drove it about 1/2 mile around the dealership parking lot completely stock, I recall the machine was really loud. I don't know how much intake noise comes from the factory location between the seats.

[glenlivet]

Nice work. Well done.

[TheHermit]

I dropped my Zforce off at local dealer today. It's only 1/2 mile from my house so I walked home. I was about 75 feet away when service writer moved machine into building. He used just enuf throttle to engage cvt - I could just barely hear the machine while walking away.

One caveat to the install - I smell hot rubber after driving, likely the muffler is cooking the sway bar bushings. Due to muffler design & space, unfortunately there is no way to pivot the muffler farther away from bushings. The sway bar will be removed if I'm able to go on my adventure. I leave it on for now as I only have paved roads to drive on.

[big_john]

Giddy up.... very, very nice

[TheHermit]

I don't know if anyone else has an issue with exhaust fumes coming into the cab, but on my machine I nearly suffocated from exhaust. I had to leave the rear window curtain down, even with the stock muffler. I suspect the full windshield blocking air may have been an issue, even with the bottom vents open.

I had the muffler shop that installed aftermarket muffler cut the remaining piece of header tubing to use as a tailpipe downspout. This eliminated fumes coming back into cab, I can leave the rear window up for more airflow and not suffocate from carbon monoxide. WOOOO HOOO!!! I will cut down the muffler tailpipe so downspout doesn't stick out past bumper. I didn't want to cut it until I knew if the experiment would help or not.

[NMKawierider]

That's interesting...I have not had that issue with mine even when it was original. I did mod mine to accept a silencer  but even with it off it was never a problem...modified or not.

Stock:



Modified to 2":



With silencer:



 

[TheHermit]

I seriously considered your silencer mod before deciding to experiment with the aftermarket muffler.

[NMKawierider]

I seriously considered your silencer mod before deciding to experiment with the aftermarket muffler.

I'm considering your muffler-replacement mod as mine with the catalytic converter inside gets so hot sometimes I swear I smell plastic burning...sometimes..and even though I now have a catchcan on my rear gear case vent, there is enough residual after it in the line over the muffler that it gets cooked and smells. It is getting less over time though. Still want it quiet though so I'll keep the silencer. 

[TheHermit]

I re-routed the rear diff vent line to the left side & up the frame, zip tied to upper frame rail. Only have to worry about water now if I completely submerge the machine.

If you do a muffler like mine, run it without the silencer first to see how it sounds. Have your wife drive it around very slow while you stand outside. With the welding blanket behind the seats, it created more noise abatement, dropped another few decibels. The only time the machine is really loud is heavy to full throttle, then the noise is all from the air intake. It is very enjoyable to drive now, especially low speed putt putt.

Remember, the exhaust pipe & muffler is 1 3/4" diameter.

[NMKawierider]

I re-routed the rear diff vent line to the left side & up the frame, zip tied to upper frame rail. Only have to worry about water now if I completely submerge the machine.

If you do a muffler like mine, run it without the silencer first to see how it sounds. Have your wife drive it around very slow while you stand outside. With the welding blanket behind the seats, it created more noise abatement, dropped another few decibels. The only time the machine is really loud is heavy to full throttle, then the noise is all from the air intake. It is very enjoyable to drive now, especially low speed putt putt.

Remember, the exhaust pipe & muffler is 1 3/4" diameter.

OK, will do.