'90 Legacy muffler - single/dual tipped?

[Zack]

I recently needed a new muffler on my '90 Legacy wagon, and took the
car to a Meineke dealer to get a replacement. After I getting the car
back, I noticed that the new muffler had only a single pipe exiting
from it, while the original Legacy muffler (and all subsequent
replacements) was dual tipped.

The Meineke guy apologized, said that he hadn't realized the original
was dual tipped (the back of my muffler was badly rusted out), claimed
that single or dual tip should make no practical difference, but
offered to install a dual tip muffler at no charge if I wanted him to.
The only problem was that it was the end of the day, the shop was
closing, and I would have to bring the car back at some other time to
have the work done.

Here's my question: should it make any practical difference whether
the muffler is single or dual tipped? I'd prefer not to waste half a
day getting the muffler replaced if there's no practical reason to do
so. On the other hand, it makes sense to me that a dual tip muffler
might offer less back-resistance than a single-tip, and thereby effect
the car's performance. And it may be my imagination, but the car does
seem a bit more sluggish and a bit more prone to a slight back-firing
on deacceleration.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Zack
'90 Legacy wagon auto 155,000 miles

 

[CompUser]

@posting.google.com>, (e-mail address removed)
says...

Here's my question: should it make any practical difference whether
the muffler is single or dual tipped? I'd prefer not to waste half a
day getting the muffler replaced if there's no practical reason to do
so. On the other hand, it makes sense to me that a dual tip muffler
might offer less back-resistance than a single-tip, and thereby effect
the car's performance. And it may be my imagination, but the car does
seem a bit more sluggish and a bit more prone to a slight back-firing
on deacceleration.

The answer to that would be definitively, "maybe,
it might, for sure!", based on info provided...

Are the single and dual tip mufflers identical,
aside from the tips? Bosal, for one, makes
mufflers for the WRX in both flavors, and there's
a LARGE difference in noise output between the
tip styles; not *due* to the tips, but to
fundamental differences in the construction of
mufflers themselves (straight-thru vs. baffled).

If they are the same, which style do *you* like
better, on your wheels? Not a big deal for some,
major issue for other owners.

The increased in after-fire on decel could be due
to a "louder" muffler/pipe combination that lets
you better hear what may have always been going
on. An exhaust leak ahead of the cat might also
lead to an increase in afterfire.

Is this by chance the $350 package catback system
that Meineke's been advertising for, lately??

Steve

 

[Zack]

Are the single and dual tip mufflers identical,

aside from the tips?

Don't know for sure. The Meineke guy implied that they were, but that
may simply have been the most convenient answer for him to give.

If they are the same, which style do *you* like
better, on your wheels? Not a big deal for some,
major issue for other owners.

Well, visually I prefer the double tip, but it's hardly worth 3-4
hours of my time to make the change!

The increased in after-fire on decel could be due
to a "louder" muffler/pipe combination that lets
you better hear what may have always been going
on. An exhaust leak ahead of the cat might also
lead to an increase in afterfire.

Hmmm, hope you're wrong about that!

Is this by chance the $350 package catback system
that Meineke's been advertising for, lately??

No, there's a flange near the rear of the exhaust system (a ways back
from the cat), and this just replaced a piece of curved pipe and the
muffler in back of the flange (cost was about $290).

Zack

 

[Felix Crashalot]

I have an LS 90, FWD with the 2.2l engine with a dual-tipped muffler.
I also have an L 95, FWD with the same 2.2l engine, but this one has a
single-tipped muffler.

It may have nothing to do with the single or dual-tipped issue, but I
changed the dual-tipped muffler twice (260,000km), and there's no sign
of wear on the single-tipped one (185000km).

I'd say don't bother. None of the aftermarkets will be as silent as
the original Subaru ones though. I guess that the Bosals just try to
adapt their standard lines to fit different cars.

Felix