The pipe from the muffler that connects to the exhaust pipe coming from the engine has literally "torn" off. So, the exhaust pipe is only being held losely by a brace that's somewhere toward the middle of the car, and is rattling a lot. Oh, and the engine is LOUD

Here's what I mean:


The red line indicates where it has "torn" off. I think it probably rusted through.

AFAIK, the muffler itself is working fine...can this be repaired somehow or do I need a new muffler?

 

I would just go to a junk yard and get a muffler from there for cheap.

 

Ah, that's a good idea! Short of that, do you think it's possible just to get a new pipe? I think the muffler, itself, is working just fine.

 

You should be able to go to any exhaust shop and have new piping made.

 

I went over to a garage today and they told me that they could cut off the flange and just weld a piece new pipe in. It should cost about $50 CAD (as opposed to replacing the whole muffler for about $200 CAD or so). He says the mufflers a little bit hollow, but still fine.

The next time I replace the muffler, however, I'll have to have a new flange put on the pipe and get a new gasket (I know those are cheap).

Do you think it's worth it to save a few bucks now? Will I end up spending a lot more in the long run?

 

I took it to another garage for a second opinion (I know the guy, it's a small town). He says that it's already been repaired once before. So, I'm just going to get a new muffler. Thanks, all.

 

you could just get a new cat-back exh

 

I have more important things to spend money on for my car before I consider any performance and costmetic upgrades.

 

well you can get a new full system for the same price as paying for a new muffler/piping and weld up.

 

Really...examples, please? I've been quoted at $235, including labour, for a muffler. The muffler includes the piping and connects with a flange, not a solid weld.

And, actually, I've just been thinking...having driven around for the last few days with basically no muffler, it's really not all that loud. A stock ricer-mobile (Civic) with a coffee can is much louder, so there's no matter of legality here. I also love all the little noises I hear from the engine (the pops and crackling when taking my foot off the throttle, for example...it's fantastic! )

I wonder if it's possible to buy a "fake" muffler (basically, a muffler with nothing in it) ...?

 

my brother got an obx catback brand new for $100 on a local forum. you might have luck looking in the forsale section for a used exh. or checking a larger forum like nico or zilvia. you can definitely find something used for under $235 and maybe something new if you look hard enough. I got my apexi dual exhaust for $260 on a forum too. you should really consider an aftermarket like these:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/N1-89...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-94...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-93...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Just remember, that's $235 Canadian, with labour. I'm guessing that the muffler itself is probably $150ish.

 

if you have jackstands and a floor jack putting a cat back on is super easy... so no labour charge

 

Assuming, you mean "cat black", I see. Is it just a matter of connecting some flanges and exhaust hangers?

 

cat black?
cat back refers to an exh that is from the catalydic converter back
they take like 30 mins to install once the car is on stands. there are a few rubber hangers and like 3 flange connections. you can drop the whole oem exh as one piece and put the new one in as one piece