It is not common to see car dealers delete a muffler of a car because of the benefits it gives to the car. I’ve contemplated deleting my car’s muffler in the past but decided not to because I felt that the car did not need such modifications.
However, since the modification is just on the exhaust system and not the whole car, does a muffler delete void warranty?
No, a muffler delete does not void a warranty as long as the car is not damaged in the process and the muffler delete is not the cause of the damage. However, if a bad muffler delete causes the exhaust to rust and break, it will void the warranty.
Key Takeaways:
- A muffler delete itself won’t void your car warranty. But if it does, it will just void the warranty on your exhaust system specifically.
- There’s a chance it could void your entire warranty if the modification causes problems elsewhere in the car, as the dealer can argue the muffler delete caused the issue.
- Muffler deletes can make your car louder, which can be unwanted and might cause you to not pass emissions tests depending on your area.
What is a Muffler Delete?
A ‘muffler delete’ as the name implies is the process of removing the muffler from the exhaust system.
Cars are equipped with mufflers to silence the engine’s noise, without them, the noise produced by the combustion engine can be very noisy, and a large number of car users do not like noisy exhaust pipes. Moreover, it is uncomfortable driving a car that makes a horrible noise.
A muffler delete cuts off this muffler from the exhaust pipe and is replaced instead with an additional exhaust piping. For an internal combustion engine, the muffler muffles the noise generated from an automobile’s exhaust system.
Does a Muffler Delete Void Warranty?
No, a muffler delete does not void the warranty for your car. For a void of warranty to happen because of a muffler delete, it has to be proven that the modification caused the problem, and if the car brand specified muffler delete as one of the modifications that can void the warranty.
However, for a poor muffler delete that causes the exhaust to rust and then break, the exhaust pipe warranty will not apply.
To avoid losing your warranty, make sure you are purchasing from a reputable brand, understand, and do research on the modification and the impact before you go ahead with the muffler delete.
The question of whether a muffler delete is legal or illegal is another concern. The legal ruling for this is different from state to state.
In some states, it is permissible as long as the resonator (another device for suppressing sound) is still in the exhaust system.
When installing your muffler delete, you mustn’t tamper with the catalytic converter, otherwise, you will fail your smog inspection if the CAT is broken.
What Can a Muffler Delete Do to Your Car?
A muffler delete does not affect the car functions other than managing the exhaust noise and the car less boisterous.
The following are what a muffler delete can do to your car:
1. Increase in Vehicle Performance
Because the muffler is in the exhaust pipe system, there is backpressure of the gas generated from the car engine. When you install a muffler delete, these gases are emitted faster because the backpressure is now reduced, this will lead to an increase in vehicle performance.
2. Reduced Vehicle Weight
The muffler has a weight that adds to the vehicle’s weight, removing it helps to drop the vehicle’s weight.
3. A Boisterous Sound
For car freaks, this is the reason for getting a muffler deleted, the aggressive sound. This sound is a result of the gas going out without any obstruction.
You can imagine how one man’s food is another man’s poison. For example, while car freaks love the shooting sound of a muffler delete, people like my wife are even looking for a way to make their car quieter than it already is.
4. Reduced Backpressure
The back pressure that might have been built up in the engine will be released if you install a muffler effect because the car’s exhaust tip becomes wider.
5. Increased Horsepower
The horsepower and torque of a vehicle increase when the backpressure is reduced. This is the case with old cars because they have a restrictive muffler chamber that limits gas emission, builds backpressure, and in so doing reduces horsepower.
Cons of Muffler Delete to Your Car
There should be no disadvantage to your vehicle when you install a muffler delete, especially if you install them correctly. However, when you install a muffler delete, you should expect the following disadvantages:
- Problems With Law Enforcement Agents/Authorities: Operating a vehicle with a muffler delete can count as noise pollution in most states/countries, this counts as illegal and will get you into trouble with the authorities. This is an offense that attracts penalties that can be in the form of fines or a court charge.
- Aggressive Noise: You are quickly seen as a nuisance when you drive around with boisterous noise and can quickly get in trouble with people for disturbing the peace of the neighbor.
Will a Muffler Delete Throw Code?
No, a muffler delete will not throw a code because the exhaust pipe system works with the vacuum and it is pretty easy to remove an exhaust pipe system and connect the vacuum line. It can only throw code when there’s a hole in the muffler.
However, if you run the vehicle by a code scanner, you might get an ‘exhaust malfunction’ code, this is nothing to worry about.
Does a Muffler Delete cause Check Engine Light?
Typically, you should not get a check engine light when you have a muffler deleted in your car.
However, if the muffler delete is installed wrongly in the exhaust pipe and upset the exhaust pipe system, the vehicle computer system can pick this up and turn on the check engine light.
Although not common in most cars, if your vehicle has a sensor on the tailpipe and this is tampered with when you get a muffler deleted, your vehicle’s computer system will pick this up and get your engine light to come on.
Conclusion
Getting a muffler deleted should not be a problem if the law in your state/country allows it. Car freaks enjoy the excitement that comes with the aggressive noise, although this might not necessarily mean better horsepower in most cases.
A muffler delete does not do much for your vehicle in terms of pros but also, it doesn’t have a lot of cons too. As long as the authorities in your state do not have a problem with it, you can go ahead with a muffler delete if you want to.  Â