This post is an attempt to summarize the information from "John's Resonator Upgrade" thread supplemented with internet research:
DaveM replaced original muffler with Walker 21835 plated resonator
Dave Head plans to replace original muffler with either:
Aero 5050XL ($200 - SS muffler/resonator combo)
or Walker 21835 ($65 plated resonator)
DaveM recommends "standard length resonator" (not short).
niagarachip replaced original muffler on his 1997 U320 with Aero 5050XL muffler/resonator.
Wayne M replaced original muffler on his 98 U295 with a pipe but it was too loud.
Wayne M replaced some pipe with Aero AT5050 ($130 SS muffler).
Wayne M indicated that the Aero 5050XL is quieter than the Aero AT5050.
Brett Wolfe indicated that Magnaflow seems quieter than Aero (see RV.net)
I did a little research on mufflers/resonators mentioned in this thread.
Here is a list of various produces I found - there are more.
Aero AT5050 $130 304 polished SS muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 20 long, 7.5 OD body.
Aero 5050XL $200 304 polished SS resonated muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, 7.5 OD body.
Diamond Eye 460100 $85 plated LOUVERED muffler 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, 8 OD body.
Diamond Eye 460041 $110 SS PERFORATED muffler 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, 8 OD body.
FTE RM5517ss $107 T409 SS resonator, 5 in, 5 out, 17.5 long, 9 OD body
FTE RM5530SS $135 T409 SS resonated muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, ?? OD body
FTE Hushpower $180 15020100 T409 SS/plated muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 25.5 long, 9 OD body
MagnaFlow 12774 $160 SS muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, 7 OD body
MagnaFlow 14774 $200 polished SS muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 30 long, 7 OD body
MBRP M2050 $135 plated muffler, 5 in, 5 out, 31 long, ?? OD body
Walker 21835 $65 plated resonator 5 in, 5 out, 20 long, 7.5 OD body.
Walker 22914 $?? plated standard muffler 5 in, 5 out, 40 long, 9 OD body.
Walker 22964 $?? plated megaflow muffler 5 in, 5 out, 51 long, 9 OD body.
Walker 22963 $?? plated megaflow muffler 5 in, 5 out, 51 long, 10 OD body.
Walker 22980 $?? plated noise braker muffler 5 in, 5 out, 51 long, 10 OD body.
NOTES:
Most prices listed were from internet discount sites, which were much lower than manufacturer's prices.
The FTE Hushpower is adverised as being "quiet".
The Cummins related websites seem to favour FTE or Magnaflow mufflers.
I found the Walker site difficult to navigate.
I did not find Walker prices on internet discount sites.
FWIW
Wyatt, excellent, well done and all of those kudos. That took quite a bit of work, Thanks!
Great summary! I will bookmark this one for sure... I was wondering why the "John's resonator upgrade" got locked. Did I miss something?
Don
I have no idea, and the moderation log says I was the one who locked it. So I unlocked it. Sorry about that! Must have been an errant mouseclick somehow. Or I'll blame Bentley... he likes to paw our keyboards when we're not paying attention to him.
Michelle
So Sat. I was crawling around in the gravel under the coach, and find the muffler is really rusty, but not holed, or leaking yet. So which one do I look at for a replacement, and might I get some performance increase on my 5.9 Cummins?
Re Wyatt's list. I did not see the one I used---Fleetguard 86145m resonator a Cummins recommended one (it came out of their books I believe). I did not want a long Muffler as I had no room or wants for it. The Turbo does a good job of muffling the exhaust noise to begin with and the one I got is 11 1/2 long body and about 9" dia. It fitted in well and I am very happy with it. The sound is pu-u-u-r-r-rfect. ;D
Dave, according to Cummins the flow rate of that huge muffler is such that putting on a low restriction resonator on a 5.9 will not help either mileage or power. However a polished stainless steel resonator would sure look pretty if you laying under the coach.
If I every put on a chrome unit, I will carry a car show floor mirror so everyone in the campground can see it. Not!
Turbos take a big percentage of the noise out the exhaust so you don't need much of a muffler. John's 11 1/2 incher sounds great (N P I).
The Le Mans winning Puegeot and Audi diesels are almost silent with small mufflers.
In my muffler research, I found references indicating that a larger exhaust ie 5" replacing a 4" can result in more noise (ie annoying diesel engine drone), and different but not better performance.
It is engine/exhaust dependent.
I would recommend that you seach for muffler or exhaust and your 5.9 engine to see what others have done and the result. It is amazing how many toys men play with and the great information that is on the internet (lots of garbage also).
I had 4" piping from Turbo to muffler so that has not changed and on the outlet of was 5" to exit. That is what I have kept it at. 4" from Turbo to adaptor at end of flex then 5" into and out of Resonator to exit.
I would also (repeating myself again) strongly suggest that if anyone is contemplating doing a change in this area they do what I did -take off the side panel-as it affords so much more room to move about in and taking off that old massive can of a muffler was made easier(the hanger bolts had rusted etc) and tough to get at with my bad back. It is very easy to take panels off and put back.
John