How Much is a Muffler Delete? Pros, Cons & FAQ
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Internal combustion engines tend to get very loud—even the smaller ones. To tame that growl, exhaust systems always come packed with a muffler. Known as the silencer in the UK, it does just that: silences the noises generated by the combustion chamber. So, does that mean you won’t ever want to remove it? Well, not quite!
Many racers and off-roaders like to hear the natural roar of their engines. That’s why they do what’s known as a muffler release. How much will that cost, though? Should you expect an auto shop to charge double for the labor? Does car insurance cover the muffler? And finally, is a muffler delete worth it? On average, you’ll have to pay $150–$450 for it. Read on as we explain further!
The Importance of a Muffler
The muffler is never in the center of attention: most drivers don’t even know it exists. However, without one, you’ll be overwhelmed by the loud engine noises. Mufflers are specifically designed to dampen the motor’s growling by absorbing exhaust fumes and making them flow in certain directions. As a result, different sound waves “hit” each other, resulting in noise cancellation.
On top of that, the muffler prevents toxic vapors from escaping into the cabin and harming the driver and the passengers. So, yes, it’s a very important part of the exhaust system. Besides, in most American states, it’s illegal to drive a vehicle without a muffler. The law only applies to city streets and highways, though; if you’re an off-roader, there’s little to worry about.
How Much Does a Professional Muffler Delete Cost?
On average, you’ll have to pay $150–$450 for it, which is a fair price. And most drivers in the States are charged $100–$350. Now, when a muffler is removed from the exhaust system, a muffler delete pipe is installed in its place. Thus, if you only want to get that pipe, it will set you back $50–$250, or even less.
And if you already have the pipe from a previous muffler removal, all you’ll have to do is pay the mechanics for the job. When it comes to mufflers, it doesn’t matter a whole lot whether you’re driving a regular vehicle or an expensive, luxury car. True, there are different types/variations of exhausts out there, but they’re very similar (and cost roughly the same).
| The average cost in the US: | $150–$450 |
| How much most drivers pay: | $100–$350 |
| The price for a delete pipe: | $50–$250 |
Muffler Delete Cost by Different Regions
There are no universal, nationwide prices for a muffler delete. Every single state city will have its own price tag. So, here’s a quick look at different parts of the country and how much you should expect to be charged:
| The East Coast: | $200–$480 |
| The North Coast: | $180–$450 |
| Midwest US: | $170–$400 |
| The West Coast: | $150–$370 |
| South-Atlantic States: | $120–$350 |
How Much Do Mechanics Charge for Muffler Delete?
This greatly depends on three things: the car that you’re driving, the area that you live in, and the auto repair shop. A muffler delete is quite a simple procedure, which means you won’t have to spend thousands of dollars. On average, the whole thing takes 1–2 hours and mechanics charge $150–$250. If you ask them to also check the converter, O2 sensor, and the pipes, they’ll probably drop the total price a bit.
And what about when you want the muffler to be put back in place—is that going to cost more? Expect the price to be roughly the same. But please do keep in mind that muffler removal isn’t legal. You might have a hard time finding a mechanic or an auto shop that will do that for you. Or they’ll charge extra for it. This is especially true for specialized exhaust shops.
Additional Costs to Anticipate
A muffler delete doesn’t involve any additional expenses, per se. However, we’d still recommend taking a long and thorough look at the entire exhaust system while you’re at it. For example, the hangers might need to be replaced. The same is true for the individual pipes, the converter, and all the other elements of the exhaust. Here they are:
| Brand-new hangers: | $5–$50 |
| Exhaust pipes: | $50–$170 |
| Catalytic converter: | $300–$2,500 |
| Clamps and gaskets: | $10–$100 |
| Thorough inspection: | $100–$150 |
A quick note: after the muffler is successfully removed and the pipe is installed in its place, make sure to put the muffler somewhere where it’s dry and dark. These devices aren’t big fans of humidity, UV rays, or other natural elements that can make the surface corrode and deteriorate unless it’s coated.
What About Replacing or Repairing the Muffler?
Again, if the factory muffler is in decent shape, you can put it back on any time you want. However, if you removed it because the device was faulty, you’ll still need a working muffler for your daily commutes in and around the city. With that said, should you repair the part, or replace it? Well, fixing the muffler will be cheaper, that’s for sure.
However, if you have an extra $100–$200 to spare, it would be best to replace it with an aftermarket device. It will last longer and won’t cause any trouble on the road for at least 3–5 years. On average, auto repair shops charge $100–$150 to fix a faulty muffler. As for the cost of a brand-new muffler, it varies depending on the car model, with most drivers paying $150–$300 for it.
Does Car Insurance Cover the Muffler? What about Auto Warranties?
Technically, a muffler delete is not something that needs to be covered. But what if the stock silencer has gone bad? Can you rely on the insurance company to pay for it? Yes, car insurance does cover the motor, steering system, gearbox, and exhaust system/muffler. This doesn’t apply to every single company or plan, though. Some insurers don’t cover high-mileage cars (some will only accept vehicles with less than 15,000 miles).
But thankfully, the average insurance does cover the muffler and all the other parts of the exhaust system. The same is true for extended auto warranties, by the way (like bumper-to-bumper). Do keep in mind, however, that insurance and warranties only pay for collision damage, theft, and disasters like thunder or fire. If the silencer has been in active use for 2–3 years and is wearing out, you won’t be able to get full coverage on that.
Is A Muffler Delete Worth It?
What will you gain from removing the muffler from the “equation”? Will you get more advantages or disadvantages? Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of doing this:
- A growling engine tone. When you delete the muffler, the engine’s aggressive tone will come forward, making the vehicle sound bigger and stronger.
- More HP on older cars. If you’re driving a vehicle with an ancient muffler, removing it will lift restrictions from the motor, giving you extra horsepower.
- Trouble with the law. Police officers don’t appreciate drivers who remove the muffler (this is illegal) and write checks. Depending on the state, this could cost you $500 or more.
- Failed inspections. More importantly, without a muffler, you won’t be able to pass most emissions tests here in the United States.
- Bad performance on newer cars. In recent vehicles, the engines rely on the ECM for many things. By removing the muffler, you’ll lose precious HP.
- A higher carbon footprint. The muffler isn’t nearly as important in filtering toxic fumes as the catalytic converter. Still, it does its fair share, and without it, the car will pollute the air a bit more.
Conclusion
Are you a big fan of growling engines? Do you prefer to drive around with the muffler removed? Good news: this is a relatively cheap service. A muffler delete isn’t the most popular procedure out there, yet it doesn’t take auto mechanics much time or effort to do it. Today, we checked out the average price in the US and how much most drivers pay.
Next, we learned about the cost of a muffler delete for different regions, the pros of doing this, and the cons. The best thing about the muffler—you can put it back on just as easily as you remove it. So, enjoy that roaring engine and scare all the birds away on your next off-roading adventure!
Featured Image Credit: NONGASIMO, Shutterstock
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