I have a stainless steel catback on my formula. Well i got in an accident last month and it came off. I noticed the muffler has 2 dents, as well as the tailpipe. Does this affect performance at all or sound? The dents arent HUGE, but they are noticeable.

thanks.

 

As far as dents in the pipes are concerned: smaller dents( less than 1/4" depth) will have little or no effect, as the gases along the wall are the slowest moving. Larger dents will have some effect, as they will move fastest portion of the flow towards the undented side, which will reduce the overall velocity. If the dents are near the muffler, I wouldn't worry about it; as the gases have lost most of their velocity by the time they reach the muffler(keep in mind as the gases go past the exhaust valve they have a velocity in excess of the speed of sound - 625 mph - and by the time they reach the muffler that speed is below 100 mph.

Dents in the muffler are inconsequential, unless they have depth exceeding 1/4", because the body of the muffler is surrounded by a porous, sound dampening material(typically fibreglass, or steel wool). With enough dents you will compress enough of the material to change the sound of the muffler, but it shouldn't effect the overall flow through the muffler.

If you spend enough time under your Formula, you'll notice more dents as time goes by. It seems I have one or the other of my IROC's on the lift at least once per month, and it always seems a bit disheartening to find new dents in the pipes. I suppose that's the price I pay for having a bug's eye view of the road.

------------------
He who hesitates,... is lost!

 

wow. That was awesome. You like answered questions I didn't even think of yet! Thanks man! I can finally rest.