Pipe Muffler

would it be better to replace a 2006 nissan xterra’s muffler with a flowmaster muffler or an exhaust pipe?

the exhaust pipe is cheaper but its not a muffler. is there a difference in power or sound??

Well without mufflers the car will be much louder. In certain states it’s against the law to modify your exhaust system and repairs should only be made using the proper replacement parts or equivilant. However, most states also dont check for this and could care less unless you car is seriously loud. The flowmaster muffler uses metal baffles strategically placed to deflect sound waves while allowing the exhaust to still breath freely and offers superior flow compared to restrictive stock mufflers which in return offers a performance gain. That gain however on a stock Nissan Xterra will probably only be minimal in the range of 3-9 horse power and the only difference you will see is that the car has a different note to it over the stock muffler. You wont be able to really feel a difference with that minimal of a power gain. When it comes to back pressure, the rumor is that you need some to help your engine run properly, but thats where people get confused. When all the cylinders combined expell the hot exhaust gasses into the exhaust system, they create a flow through it and work in sequence to allow proper space for the expanding gasses to evenly mellow out and flow to the point where it causes pulses in the exhaust system. This is caused by the gas pulse exiting at the end of the exhaust system. It creates a suction for the pluse of expanding gas coming out behind it and, making a chain reaction for all continuing pulses which in end allows the exhaust to actually flow out instead of rather being pushed out. Simply put is that there isnt really a need for back pressure, you just need the exhaust to be the right diameter and length to be in tune with the engines performance potential. Too big of pipes are better then too small of pipes, however nothing can beat a properly tuned and correct size exhaust system. So if a $60 flowmaster muffler is worth the rumbly sound go for it, but if not, then i would recommend a stock muffler. A chopped exhaust even on a stock V8 doesnt sound very performancy (i have tried it lol) so i cant imagine that an engine smaller like the Xterra’s wouldn’t sound any better. Hope this helps:)

BMW Z4 M coupe Supersprint Muffler, x pipe, section 1