Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #25 – April 12, 2012, 10:14:39 am Barry,Thanks for the excellent presentation on replacing the muffler with a resonator. I played the audios while sitting here reviewing messages. Marilyn was favorably impressed with the new sound, and with the benefits of more power and better fuel mileage. One of her questions was, "Would FOT perform such a conversion?" She has been very pleased with the work they have done for us, and prefers to go there for any service on the coach. I called FOT to see if they would do a muffler conversion. Billie Jack is checking and will call me back. You folk at Camp FT might ask him about the conversion as well. Multiple inquiries might promote a more positive response. Some of us like to understand how to do things, but are better off letting the experts actually do the work. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #26 – April 12, 2012, 11:00:42 am Yes, I am a believer and am thinking of doing the HP upgrade too. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #27 – April 12, 2012, 11:11:12 am Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 12, 2012, 10:14:39 amI called FOT to see if they would do a muffler conversion. Billie Jack is checking and will call me back. You folk at Camp FT might ask him about the conversion as well. Multiple inquiries might promote a more positive response. Funny story - I stopped to see Billy Jack this AM and he was on the phone. Waved me into his office, told the person on the other end he'd have to ask some questions and get back to them. Wrote their phone number and "Stevens, Dave" after it, got off the phone, looked at me and said "that darned forum!". I came back to the coach to see what you might have been inquiring about and saw your post.We've looked and listened to Barry's write up (I agree with Marilyn on the sound). We just need to find how to best get the work done. Michelle Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #28 – April 12, 2012, 11:15:23 am Quote from: Barry Beam – April 12, 2012, 01:04:02 amI had my old muffler removed and replaced with an Aero AT5050XL 5 inch resonator.I noticed that they offer both "resonators" and "mufflers". The AT5050XL is described as a "muffler". For my U225 they have an AR30 "Resonator" for $102.75 and a 3030XL "Muffler" for $170.80.Here is the page I'm looking at: CAMARO DUAL OUTLET PERFORMANCE MUFFLER 2 1 2 IN OUT items in OurDealsRock storeI guess my question is: What's the difference between the "muffler" and the "resonator" (besides pricing)? And which one will give the best performance?Barry: Why did you choose the "muffler" configuration?Craig Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #29 – April 12, 2012, 11:47:13 am Quote from: wa_desert_rat – April 12, 2012, 11:15:23 amI noticed that they offer both "resonators" and "mufflers". The AT5050XL is described as a "muffler". I guess my question is: What's the difference between the "muffler" and the "resonator" (besides pricing)? And which one will give the best performance?Barry: Why did you choose the "muffler" configuration?CraigThe Ebay description showed this to be a Aero Turbine Performance Muffler 5" Inlet and 5" Outlet with ResonatoreBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #30 – April 12, 2012, 12:05:08 pm There are many designs for resonators and mufflers, so if you want to digest some of the info, go to this webpage and have a ball.Walker Commercial Vehicle - Solutions From the Industry LeaderEnjoyDave M Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #31 – April 12, 2012, 12:34:15 pm Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 12, 2012, 10:14:39 am... I called FOT to see if they would do a muffler conversion. ...No, FOT will not replace the OEM muffler with a resonator. There are warranty issues and issues raised by their status as a builder of coaches. They will do an OEM style replacement, but not a significant modification.I look forward to recommendations of folk who find good places to have the conversion done. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #32 – April 12, 2012, 12:39:45 pm Funny that Cummins had no issues and they make the engine and they make the resonator too. The difference is so startling that it must be some reason that we do not know about that they will not do it. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #33 – April 12, 2012, 01:01:55 pm Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 12, 2012, 12:34:15 pm... I look forward to recommendations of folk who find good places to have the conversion done.I am guessing that SMITTY'S RV & WELDING: HOME PAGE in Houston would do a muffler to resonator conversion. On the header of their web site they advertise, "If you can't find it, we'll fabricate it!" It appears that they do a lot of brake and tow bar installations.Comments? Alternatives? Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #34 – April 12, 2012, 01:25:32 pm Quote from: J. D. Stevens – April 12, 2012, 01:01:55 pmComments? Alternatives?Maybe a performance exhaust/muffler shop? Things like a Magnaflow or Flowmaster, and some nice stacks are popular pickup truck mods. If the lot is large enough to maneuver the coach in and out easily they could probably do it. We might check out Haden's Muffler Shop, Nacogdoches TX 75961 here in Nac.Michelle Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #35 – April 12, 2012, 01:36:51 pm I'm certain Rudy would speak with them if you asked... Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #36 – April 12, 2012, 03:01:24 pm funny how things go around. A neighbor of mine just returned from a 5 month trip and most of it in Quartzsite Arizona. He had listened to me last year about me replacing the muffler so while he was there he had bought an Aero 4040 res' and had a Mexican shop replace and remove and, cost was $200 all in for labour. He has a Dutch Star with a Cummins 5.9 and he states that it was an unbelievable change in both power and exhaust heat. Here is another "new believer".I think I will open a resonator upgrade shop here and charge $300 to do it!!John H Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #37 – April 12, 2012, 03:26:36 pm Quote from: John Haygarth – April 12, 2012, 03:01:24 pmI think I will open a resonator upgrade shop here and charge $300 to do it!!John HSold! Now...Do you make house calls? It's only about 2,500 miles and less that 300 gallons of fuel! Or, we can split the difference and meet in Billings, Montana? Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #38 – April 12, 2012, 04:04:59 pm Quote from: Peter & Beth – April 12, 2012, 03:26:36 pmSold! Now...Do you make house calls? It's only about 2,500 miles and less that 300 gallons of fuel! Or, we can split the difference and meet in Billings, Montana?We travel to Billings to visit Daughter. Perhaps we could coordinate trips in order to have a couple of coaches available for John to improve. Also, it's only 757 miles from Billings, to Kaleden, BC. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #39 – April 12, 2012, 04:18:06 pm John has to go right past my house on his way to Billings. He can spend the night here at my shop and do my coach then be on his way. Craig Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #40 – April 12, 2012, 10:32:29 pm well I do have room for 3 motorhomes in the driveway so it is your call, I do not do house calls but the location and view of lake here is beautiful. Plus we have over 165 wineries, and maybe 20 golf courses within an hour of the house so the waiting time can be very enjoyable.John Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #41 – April 12, 2012, 10:47:00 pm Well I just got my renewed passport from the US State Department, so I can legally get there and back...I think. Sounds like a plan... Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #42 – April 13, 2012, 08:12:27 am Quote from: Dave M – April 12, 2012, 12:05:08 pmThere are many designs for resonators and mufflers, so if you want to digest some of the info, go to this webpage and have a ball.Walker Commercial Vehicle - Solutions From the Industry LeaderEnjoyDave MThere IS much more than I want to know here but one interesting tidbit that caught my eye was'On exhaust systems with piping exceeding 10 feet in length, the muffler is suggested to be installed where the exhaust pipe to the muffler is either one-half or four times the length of the tail pipe'Something about standing waves I suspect.hth Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #43 – April 14, 2012, 09:52:08 am What am I missing here? Why are all the new bends, flex tubing, etc required? Can't you just take out the muffler and insert the resonator, with additional extension? Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #44 – April 14, 2012, 11:11:09 am Quote from: Gayland Baasch – April 14, 2012, 09:52:08 amWhat am I missing here? Why are all the new bends, flex tubing, etc required? Can't you just take out the muffler and insert the resonator, with additional extension?The resonator is a different size and it needed to be horizontal. The additional bends and flex were needed to properly mount it in the best way possible. I also wanted to replace the existing elbows due to rust and seemed a good time to do it. Looking at these photos Exhaust System Replacement - 2003 U320 it shows the resonator could not be put where the muffler was. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #45 – April 14, 2012, 02:18:34 pm Has anyone done the resonator for muffler replacement on a U295 with the ISL400 engine? I'd like to see photos and know which resonator was chosen.Thanks, Tom Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #46 – April 14, 2012, 08:47:29 pm Funny they blame the forum. FOT was late to the headlight upgrades too. I don't know why they will not do it for an owner. Cummins warranties the engine nd they will do it. I wonder how long till a lot of the FT do this. We will hear it when they pull in at camp FT. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #47 – April 14, 2012, 09:55:29 pm Quote from: John S – April 14, 2012, 08:47:29 pmFunny they blame the forum. No, they didn't blame the forum. I apologize if anyone interpreted it that way. Billy Jack was just kidding around with me about how quickly ideas and inspiration spreads thanks to the forum.I can understand the concern with doing the mod from their perspective. They deliver the coach with a particular engine/exhaust package as originally spec'd by Cummins. For them to modify said OEM package could be interpreted by someone as the OEM not being optimal or some such thing. I doubt you could get a car dealer to install aftermarket/performance exhaust components, either, but there are plenty of shops that specialize in mods.Now back to your regularly-scheduled resonator discussion Michelle Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #48 – April 14, 2012, 10:11:48 pm Quote from: Steve & Michelle – April 14, 2012, 09:55:29 pm... I doubt you could get a car dealer to install aftermarket/performance exhaust components, either, but there are plenty of shops that specialize in mods. ...I was not surprised that FOT would not do the modification. Often I am willing to pay the premium prices to them because they provide premium service and use OEM parts with factory guaranties. If I want something different, I seek help elsewhere.Billie Jack was sympathetic with the idea. He has been pleased with performance improvements from similar modifications to his dually pickup truck.Here in our small, rural community there are lots of pickup trucks with "chipped up," loud, smoking diesel engines. There are some of them with dual 5" stacks. I expect the young men who drive those beasts could direct me to someone who could do a simple muffler replacement in a roomy engine compartment. Quote Selected
Re: Resonator and muffler replacement Reply #49 – April 14, 2012, 11:47:02 pm I understand what you are saying. I guess, I have two jeeps and the dealers around us will do modifications. In fact they are selling a lifted wrangler and I looked at buying it.... It is a bit louder than the old set up as well. I am glad I was mistaken about Billy Jack. I am also very happy that the forum is working as it should and information makes it around to the owners and FOT knows how quickly it does get around. Quote Selected
Topic: Resonator and muffler replacement