How Much Does A Muffler Delete Cost? (Are Legal Ones More?)
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For anyone who is interested in having a muffler delete done to their vehicle, you are probably interested in what it will cost and if it’s legal to do. Most of the time, we want our cars and trucks to make as little noise as possible when starting them, revving the engine, or cruising around town. But for anyone who is driving a high-performance vehicle or wants more horsepower from their car, having a muffler delete done may be something you are considering. Knowing what it costs and if it could possibly get you into trouble are important things to know before you move forward with the process.
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How much is a muffler delete?
The price of a muffler delete on your vehicle will depend on the type of car, the type of muffler, if a mechanic is doing it, or if you decide to do it yourself. And yes, it is illegal for regular road driving but allows cars to be driven on tracks.
Cars have become an important part of our lifestyle, and most Americans would struggle to imagine a life without having one. We do our best to take care of them, but cars are also fun, and sometimes we want to modify them in a way that will enhance that.
Having a muffler delete may sound appealing if you enjoy the loud sound and feeling of driving a high-performance car, but you’ll want to know what you are getting into before you make the investment in this device that causes louder exhaust and increased torque (not to mention increased emissions and, arguably, excessive vehicle noise). Let’s find out what type of investment a muffler delete may be and if it’s even worth it, based on your state’s laws and what you plan to do with it.
I like talking about cars and enjoy the opportunity to explore ways that they can be modified or enhanced without breaking the bank or causing me unnecessary problems with my neighbors or the law. Let me share with you the ins and outs of a muffler delete’s cost and possible problems that can arise.
How Much Does a Muffler Delete Cost?
Taking good care of our cars is important to most of us. Not only are they a significant investment, but many of us spend a good deal of time in our vehicles and want them to perform well, be safe, and look appealing.
But there are certain instances where modifying a car is not just for fun, but also will enhance its overall performance. And in auto specialty circles, deleting a muffler has become very common for a number of reasons.
Deleting a muffler from a car is usually done when the driver wants their car to produce more noise and more engine power.
A muffler’s main job is to quiet the engine and control the intensity of the engine. So, removing a muffler does no actual harm to the car.
Sometimes a muffler delete may be necessary, due to corrosion, wear and tear or some sort of damage having been done to the muffler. In these instances, a muffler will be removed and usually replaced with another, better functioning system.
However, a muffler delete that is done and not replaced with another one is a more common scenario. These types of muffler deletes are done when a driver wants a louder engine and higher performance from their vehicle.
The noise may be annoying to neighbors, but for a racing enthusiast, a muffler delete is exciting and gives them the thrill they’re looking for in their altered car.
Is a muffler delete worth it for you? Let’s find out.
1. Type of Car
More than anything else, the cost of a muffler delete for your car will depend mainly on the make and model you are driving, as well as the year it was manufactured.
For most cars, the muffler delete is going to cost somewhere between $125 to $200 for the purchase of the parts that will need to be ordered in order to effectively do the muffler delete.
It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that you need to pay this much to have something removed, not added, right?
The reason is this: when you remove a muffler from your car, you will still need to make sure the exhaust pipe and the tailpipe are connected.
This will require a certain type of straight pipe, and that’s where your cost comes in, depending on what type of car you have and what exactly is going to have to be ordered.
2. Type of Muffler
Another factor to consider when you are contemplating a muffler delete is the current muffler that is in place on your car.
Different models of vehicles have different types of mufflers. This is not a one-size-fits-all area in the automotive industry.
An average muffler tends to cost around $75 to $100, but can increase substantially in price, based on the make and model of your car, as well as its current age.
It stands to reason, then, that cars with a more sophisticated muffler and exhaust system may also require more sophisticated equipment in order to remove the muffler. It is also understandable that the equipment needed to replace the muffler with an adequate support pipe for the exhaust system could raise the cost of your parts.
It’s good to assume that, if your car is newer and has a more elaborate muffler system, to begin with, it’s going to cost you more than a car that is older or has a straightforward muffler and exhaust system.
3. Is a Mechanic Involved? Or is This a Do-It-Yourself?
Finally, a big factor in the cost of having a muffler delete done to your car will be whether you decide to enlist the help of a professional or want to try and tackle the job yourself.
In truth, many reputable mechanics won’t do a muffler delete for you, because of the fact it’s illegal in most driving situations.
You may have to search a bit more in order to find a mechanic who is willing to do the installation, and this may cost more than you had planned.
Doing a muffler delete on your own is possible, and it will end up saving you anywhere from $100 to $250 in labor costs, depending on your car’s age, model, and the type of muffler.
But a muffler delete is a complicated process and can end up harming your car or making it impossible for you to pass inspections or even get insurance if you do it wrong.
Deciding whether or not you want to use a mechanic for a muffler delete can make a big difference in the cost. But it can cost you in other ways if you are not careful.
Is a Muffler Delete Legal?
Unfortunately for any auto enthusiast who wants to increase the sound of their car’s engine and enhance the engine performance as well, a muffler delete is not legal in most situations.
Across the United States, having a muffler delete done to your car is illegal for road use, except in very specific situations.
The only cars that are allowed to have a muffler deleted are stock or specialized cars that are driven on closed tracks and have certain specifications and licensing in place.
Driving around your neighborhood, on a state or interstate highways, or even on private roads is not legal unless you have a proper muffler and exhaust system in place on your vehicle. A cop will definitely ticket you for it.
Not only can a muffler delete get you a ticket, but some insurance companies will cancel your policy if it’s found that you have intentionally altered your car with a procedure such as this one.
If a muffler delete is important to you, think carefully about what consequences you are willing to deal with and how much money you are willing to spend to have it done.