Replacing the Muffler

[THRUSH]

Hi, well, I know there are loads of people here very knowledgeable about autos and I need a little help.
I'm guessing that I will need to replace the muffler on my car, well my girlfriend's car. I've been kind of expecting it for some reason, but not just within the past day it has become very loud. I have not taken a look at it yet but just guessing due to the sound.
Anyway, I have not done this myself previously, but wanted to maybe give it a shot this time. She has a 1991 honda prelude si. I have a couple of questions:
1- Is this something I should be doing myself? I'm guessing it can't be too hard, remove the old clamp on the new or can it be difficult to perform this procedure smoothly?
2- If it's a go, what brand, type of setup should I purchase? This is part of the reason I'd like to do it myself. Get a little better part for less cash, then again, it may be that it would be just as well if I took it somewhere if it's not going to make much difference.

Sorry if I sound like an idiot here, I am new to this and while I do fiddle with cars somewhat I don't know a whole lot, until I get a situation like this and something new to try out.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Richard Cranium]

I do my work on all my cars.

The exceptions are;

1. Front End Alignment
2. Tire installation
3. Muffler work

By the time you wrestle with the thing for 2 hours, go to the Emergency room to get the flake of rust out of your eye, buy the parts, make 4 trips to the store cuz they gave you the wrong parts.... etc etc

You could have paid a Mom & Pop muffler shop $69.99 to do it for you, without the pain of mashed fingers.

[nunyadam]

I'm with DR. Cranium,

you will get better results with less hassle going to a shop. I'm guessing you would as you stated "clamp on " the new pipes. Whereas the shop will weld the seam's (less expense, better seal), and more than likely bend the pipe in house so you know they will have the right part.

[RustyGT]

T, Dont normally do 'What they said posts'
But this is one.
Exhausts are a specialist trade.
Let a good shop do it!
Outta site, outta mind, outta here.
Pay and leave. Nuff said.
R.

[THRUSH]

I guess that's what I was thinking originally, but just had the itch to fiddle for some reason. Well, gotta listen to the experts, although big bloody, puss filled eye due to rust flakes is very tempting.
It definitely will get replaced much quicker and probably will cost around the same now that I think about it. Thanks for your feedback everyone!

although big bloody, puss filled eye due to rust flakes is very tempting.

For some reason, I just don't think that's one Red Badge of Courage your girlfriend will admire.

[HotRod9mm]

THRUSH


I replace my own as long as;

1) the exhaust has not been welded on(and even then I do if the replacement pipe is longer then where its welded)

2) the pipe is not so rusted that it won't support a muffler

If you are replacing the stock muffler with like, its tough but can save you some money....

One little tip I learned yrs ago if you do replace it yourself, and if the car is run for short hops(3-5m from home and back) I drill a VERY small hole in the muffler's outer cover at the lowest hanging point. This will allow the extra moisture to drain, thus it won't rust out as fast....


Hope this Helps......

[caddmannq]

I've done 'em too, but I have a torch, and a pneumatic chisel.
Without those, it's a real pain.

[THRUSH]

Yeah, that's really what's stopping me, lack of tools and cajones.
But thanks for the tips anyway, maybe in the future I will give it a try as I really do want to try it atleast once.