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Had this CLS 6MT for fifteen years and with 214K on it not ready to part with it. I've used the same mechanic for amost everything, one who only works on Acuras and Hondas. Replaced the right driveshaft a year or so ago and was told then the other one might fail. Last week it did. Tow driver dropped it off at my mechanic's shop, literally "dropped it". Unloading it, the winch failed and the back end went bang! About 8 inches of the front end hung up on the back of the flatbead. Frame not bent, but the plastic on both ends is scratched up and the mufflers were pushed in. Where they join the center pipe "Y", they are split. (See pic) Same on both sides. The body shop gave me an estimate of $550 for muffler replacement. Not looking for awesome sound; like the factory sound. What should I get? (Haven't found much discussion here. Haven't found a muffler shop I like, yet.)
Well, depends on what you want out of the car and what condition you want the car to be in. Do you want an OEM fix or like-OEM fix. I can tell you that you might have a hard time finding OEM mufflers for the car (i think i just purchased the last left muffler Acura had in stock for my S-6MT). The muffler is about 250$ from Acura and the center pipe is about 300$ assuming that the right muffler flange isn't too far gone like the left. My feeling is that this "muffler shop" is going to cut the flange off and weld in a patch pipe over both ends and charge you $500+ or they're going to weld on two new flanges for $500+ . If it were me, i'd go OEM parts and bolt it up myself because it doesn't take but 30-45min to take the muffler and center pipe off and put on new parts for about the same cost. Just me and at least you know
Not looking for awesome sound; like the factory sound. What should I get? (Haven't found much discussion here. Haven't found a muffler shop I like, yet.)
If you search car-part.com, within a reasonable radius of your location, you may be able to pick up a pair of used CL-S mufflers for dirt cheap. However, as you already realize, it looks like a muffler shop will have to weld a couple of flanges to the ends of your 'Y' pipe or you can go new with something like the one on the link below:
Yes, I'm in the rust belt, but not too rusty. Looks like the center pipe replacement might be a thing to consider. Does that start behind the CAT? Sounds better than welding flanges on.
I got a resounding recommendation for a nearby muffler shop. Got another shop to talk to.
Car-part.com had nothing within 900 miles.
Here are the muffler pics from the body shop/estimator. They gave me $550 for the mufflers. <http://synchisis.net/tow-drop/>
Yes, I'm in the rust belt, but not too rusty. Looks like the center pipe replacement might be a thing to consider. Does that start behind the CAT? Sounds better than welding flanges on.
I got a resounding recommendation for a nearby muffler shop. Got another shop to talk to.
Car-part.com had nothing within 900 miles.
Here are the muffler pics from the body shop/estimator. They gave me $550 for the mufflers. <http://synchisis.net/tow-drop/>
Here's what i would do if I were you. Look at partsgeek.com and look at the API brand. If you don't care too much, these are close to OEM as you can get and still have the look at a fraction of the cost.
Center pipe starts at the back of the CAT and goes to the back "axle" then Y's to the two mufflers. Looks at the prices at partsgeek.com it looks like you could get away for sub 300$ and bolt it up yourself. Don't forget to buy the gaskets.
This place, on car-part.com, has Left & Right exhaust mufflers for $95ea. Stock #1557. Search there inventory on the link below. D&S USED AUTO PARTS AND SALES
11475 E 3050 N RD BLACKSTONE, IL 61313
1-888-557-6432
No tips, a few rust spots and $100 shipping. Holding.
You could pull the exhaust off my CL-S6 for free, but judging by the rust in the picture I assume your not in Arizona.
Honestly, the tow driver should be on the hook for the repair bill...
Quest Towing, or their insurance company (Dan), has the estimate. Waiting to see what they come back with.
My insurance company subbed out their roadside service to Quest and they subbed it out to the towing company.
No tips, a few rust spots and $100 shipping. Holding.
Another idea would be to hit up an LKQ 'pick n pull', if there's one in your local area, that's where I purchased mine. They charged me $20 for each muffler and a $10 core charge. That's the racket they use to drive up the price much like your shipping price above, lol. I'll have a couple of Comptech mufflers in the Black Market section for sale eventually along with all the other stuff I've removed from my project S/C'ed AT CL-S.
After looking at some equivalent used mufflers and getting a good "temporary" job of repairing the split pipe joints, I stuck with the mufflers I had.
Now pondering a civil response to my insurance company's offer to total my car for $2,000. Intermediate term is to find another insurance company. (I remember when I had State Farm on my LeMans that was older than this and they said "get it fixed and give us the bill." Not sure State Farm is still the same company, either.)
just saying... I think it's worth a look for the price.
I just bought both of these mufflers for my ‘03 CLS & the center y-pipe from parts geek. And FYI, both mufflers come black. I actually like the muffler tips. I haven’t had them mounted on yet but I will get back with y’all to let you know the sound and feeling of the drive.
However, as you already realize, it looks like a muffler shop will have to weld a couple of flanges to the ends of your 'Y' pipe or you can go new with something like the one on the link below:
