Muffler needs replacing

FIRE UP wrote:
Sure glad the OP came back and updated his request for answers.
Scott

The motorhome is still in the shop, they are dragging their feet getting the rest of the work done that I had scheduled.It has been there for 11 days now and they are making excuses for the delay. They do good work but I think they take on more than they can handle so something has to give.
I have decided to take your advice Scott and get the muffler from Donaldson and install it myself however I have to wait until I get it back. I was going to update when I got the job done so I could report how it went. Sorry I didn't get back sooner. I always try to give updates and feedback when I ask a question when appropriate. Thanks to all for the replies I really appreciate it. I will post when I get the muffler installed which will likely be a couple of weeks.

Sure glad the OP came back and updated his request for answers.
Scott

wtmtnhiker wrote:
I've been told my muffler and straps need to be replaced. The estimate for parts & labor will be about 1000.00. My question is is this a repair that a reasonably handy person with decent mechanical knowledge and skill could tackle on their own? Where would one source the parts? Normal parts store or online? It's a 2005 HR Ambassador with a Cummins 330 ISC engine.

wtmtnhiker,
I've done EXACTLY what you're thinking about. Muffler work is not rocket science. The only difference between doing it on a motor home and a car is, IT'S A LOT BIGGER! Now, yes, there are some things to think about, flow characteristics, inlet and outlet sizes and port locations etc. But, all in all, it's pretty straight forward stuff.

As for the Aero 5050 XL Stainless Steel straight through muffler, don't waist your time. Junk, PURE JUNK! I installed one and had iton there for about 2.5 years and many, many miles. Not one inch of added mpg. Not one micro amount of added torque and or horse power. All that was added was EXTRA NOISE!!!

Here's what you need to do.

1. Take all the dimensions of your existing muffler, pipe in and out and any angles etc.

2. Take note of any and all muffler clamps, hangers, position of all of those etc.

3. Make sure you take into account any additional piping (tubing) that may or, may not be needed in or out of that muffler and, the exhaust tip, is it bad and in need of repair or, can it be re-used.

Then, a call to DONALDSON MUFFLER will answer all your questions. Those folks are great. You tell them your engine/year/model and they will tell you the flow characteristics of it and, they will come up with variables in mufflers that will equate in flow and noise levels that, either are close to factory specs or, what you're willing to change to.

They were outstanding helping me. They emailed me about 4-5 different mufflers that would and or could work. I picked the one I wanted to work with. The one I chose, had all the flow and noise characteristics I wanted. I HATE NOISE!!!!

When it came down to it, it was a great project. Our coach, an '04 Itasca Horizon, 36GD with the C-7 330HP CAT, was so seriously NOISY with that dumb-a$$ Aero 5050 on there I almost kicked it off out in the middle of the desert. But, I kept my cool, ordered up a new Donaldson muffler and,, all is WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER now, and seriously QUIETER.


There is ZERO power loss, no issues with turbo lag and or too much back pressure. All that was calculated in determining which muffler choices I could choose from.

And the very, VERY best part, that muffler was a whopping, $76.80

YAAAAAAAAAAAAHOOOOO!

The job, start to finish, took me about 1/2-3/4 of a day and I was having fun doing it.

Scott

I think you should get 2nd or 3rd estimates.

I have a 2004 Endeavor with the same engine and probably the same muffler set up you have. I replaced the muffler and brackets 2 years ago and it took about an hour. I bought all the parts at NAPA for about $150.00. Go for it yourself.

Go on ebay & get the AERO muffler for about $100.00 -- It`s stainless steel & a straight thru muffler -- I, & many other of us Monaco Coach owners have done this change over -- You probably have a 4 inch exhaust system -- Makes for a little better fuel mileage -- Bill Willard

Thats insane. If it were me, I'd get the dimensions off of the old one then go to the Donaldson Exhaust Catalog and get a part number.

I'd search that part number and I'd guess you'll probably end up somewhere like Ryder Fleet Products where you'll see they're a lot less than $1000.

Another option would be to just remove it all together. I know a few people who have done this and have been very happy with the results. I know on my Allis 7000 tractor I just run a straight pipe - mostly for looks, but it works well and sounds great. :B

wtmtnhiker wrote:
I've been told my muffler and straps need to be replaced. The estimate for parts & labor will be about 1000.00. My question is is this a repair that a reasonably handy person with decent mechanical knowledge and skill could tackle on their own? Where would one source the parts? Normal parts store or online? It's a 2005 HR Ambassador with a Cummins 330 ISC engine.

I'd contact a salvage yard, Google search

most difficult part of doing this is getting the old one out.

Thats the cost of doing business I guess. DPs are not an inexpensive way to RV.
You might start contacting large muffler shops, muffler mfgs, class 8 truck shops etc to try and find out who makes them as a starter. Then try to buy one from them. Worst case, the chassis mfg should be able to help you out.