Ultimate Sidewinder Muffler Decibel Test

[rtx moose]

Steve, I'm drinking my coffee straight up black right now as I type (it's not 9:30 AM yet so beer isn't appropriate). I'm in the same camp as you, the quieter the better, providing there's enough power under the flipper to make me giggle inside my helmet, or even better, yell crazy stuff that no one can hear like "I'm a pretty pretty princess and this throttle is my magic fairy wand" er . . . wait, no, not that one, I mean something more like "I'M A CRAZY BADA$$ MOTHER %^!$#@* VIKING COMING TO PLUNDER YOUR VILLAGE BITCHES", - yeah, more like that one.

So 100% objective feedback.

1. It sounded awesome. I was honestly surprised and it exceed my expectations there. I loath the sound of the stock muffler for reference, this thing has a nice deeper rumble to it.
2. Fact
3. Stupid is as stupid does. Is 270 hp with this muffler, a CAI and Max17 stupid? Probably to the people who think a 600 E-Tec is snappy, maybe even those poor misguided souls who think the 850 is "fast", but not to me. I see it as a wise investment in my sanity and mental well being.
4. They'll never know and with this there wouldn't be enough probable cause to disassemble it. It'll pass any of the tests I can find with flying colors. My stock Apex was a lot louder.
5. With PowerTrail (or even EcoTrail) I think it's safe to assume it will increase your testosterone output by a minimum of 6 ppm. But if it lasts for more than 4 hours you're supposed to see a doctor for some reason.

Me likey. This muffler will be on my sled this year for sure. Last night I decided it sounded so good I may let the SuperQuiet go to a new loving and caring home.

So you can run 270 hp with stock modded muffler?

 

[Beerman]

So from what I hear now,i may be able to get by with a sandale 3" if I can find a shield with the SSCC stamped into it. So how do we find these shields lol I guess I need one.

Beast, do you still have your stock muffler? Drill out the rivets and you have a factory shield ready to go to a new home.

Here's an example of the stock shield on the very SanDale Hyperflow 3" you and I have - from our very own 1100saber.



And here's one off of TD's FB page of a SuperQuiet with the stock shield.

 

[Beerman]

So you can run 270 hp with stock modded muffler?

Ben says you can. Max17 with CAI is rated at 270hp. I'll find out when we have snow

 

[stevewithOCD]

I don't think the new Hurricane muff puts that shield back on. It might look a little rough to put on since it is a tad shorter. It looks like the Stock Mod may be the best & ONLY option in MAINE. I'm not complaining 'cuz i was leaning that way & 250 to 270 hp is nothing to cry about.

If this rule gets enforced & in theory there were NO modded exhausts on the trail, the SIDEWINDER will have NO competition.

****This rule actually makes sense. I'm not against pipes at all, but there is always that STUPID loud pipe that echoes on the lake at 12am that makes me think of all the non-snowmobilers calling their representative the next morning. One Bad Apple...the saying not the Jackson 5 song...

 

[Turbo Dynamics]

Abso

Ben says you can. Max17 with CAI is rated at 270hp. I'll find out when we have snow

Absolutely... we had many customers run that last year. Some of these customers had the full logging setup. And also owned a TD turboforce and could compare back to back.
Of course TD Max 17 doesn't make 285HP with the stock mod, it makes roughly 270HP on max17 vs the TF at 285HP because it runs richer (and this is good because it does retain more heat than A turboforce or Super quiet)

 

[Bigblue1]

Hey Ben are there any tips to securing the muffler casing in the SQ like the picture of the cat posted above? Do we have to cut out and reweld the brackets on new muffler?

 

[Beerman]

Abso

Absolutely... we had many customers run that last year. Some of these customers had the full logging setup. And also owned a TD turboforce and could compare back to back.
Of course TD Max 17 doesn't make 285HP with the stock mod, it makes roughly 270HP on max17 vs the TF at 285HP because it runs richer (and this is good because it does retain more heat than A turboforce or Super quiet)

Ben, hearing that it runs richer - would you still need to add Torco to 91 running Max17 and the stock mod?

 

[MDGFLHR]

I live and ride in Maine. The Wardens have way too much leway in general in my opinion and the new law just strengthens my opinion. Wardens aren't trained on exhaust let alone a proper decibel test. What about federal law Magnusson act I think it's called? What about a Apex? How is a warden gonna verify wether it's in compliance or not? I actually had a warden question me about my apex on more than one occasion especially when I put a ram air lid on. I believe in some type of noise control because there are plenty of assholes who do ruin it for everyone but if the law is 78 then we should be able to run any muffler we choose as long as it passes. The whole point of the federal law. No different then putting a Midas muffler on my truck versus one from GM. I would bet if someone fought a ticket with some of the things I mentioned and possible decibel test it may get thrown out but wardens are pricks and will just write you another ticket the next time you met up with one.

 

[Bigblue1]

Any others have ideas

 

[Conedodger]

I'm no lawyer... but I've had some classes (really, biz law) and stayed at a Holiday inn. Surely we have a lawyer amongst the group?

Magnusson Moss act is easy to google. Has to do with OEMs denying warranty based on non OEM parts installed etc. The burden of proof is on them to prove the napa brand air filter caused your tranny to fail.

The LEO guys in Maine, especially with the new law, have the ability to hassle you. I don't know if they can stop you from riding for the day, maybe others will chime in. There's a saying, don't be a problem and there won't be a problem. That might have some credence. But they can take the lack of markings and assume you fail the DB test. They can claim you altered your ex, a violation of the new act.

If a person went to court, to fight the ticket ( I would if I lived there) I would go armed with test data that shows compliance of my muffler to the 78 DB, Beerman's video would actually qualify. Manufacturers might have their own data. I would then argue that I simply repaired my sled, quite different from an alteration, using like components, commercially available, meeting the noise requirements.

The weakness of the Act is it is claiming to facilitate an assumption to violation of the 78 DB based on appearances. The Act admits to be designed solely for the purpose of creating a fast easy means to prove guilt with regard to decibels. The burden of proof remains with the state of Maine that you violated decibels, assumptions are invalid in the court of law. They can claim alteration is a violation of that act. But they can't legally prevent you from repairing your sled with like product. To mandate an OEM solution would be restraint of trade, they can't do that either.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in support of the 78 DB. So if a few cases get argued the state will either adjust their practices, or laws as they see fit. But I don't think a judge would punish a well prepared defendant. I've been down this road before in court, similar but different, motor vehicle equipment violations.

The manufacturers could also lobby SEMA for support to change the act in the state of Maine, as this is what SEMA does.

I've got a boat with 502's also (clean 20 year old Scarab). I use switchable silencers around the docks etc. even though I meet the DB regs without them. There's plenty of others with similar that won't pass regs. Also hard to enforce/test the DB on the water.

Do what you want, what you're comfortable with, eyes wide open.

 

[snowbeast]

Beast, do you still have your stock muffler? Drill out the rivets and you have a factory shield ready to go to a new home.

Here's an example of the stock shield on the very SanDale Hyperflow 3" you and I have - from our very own 1100saber.

View attachment 131642 View attachment 131643

And here's one off of TD's FB page of a SuperQuiet with the stock shield.

View attachment 131644 View attachment 131645

We would have to find out just now that this shield has value,lol I just threw my beat up stock muffler out to our dump two weeks ago,i could check to see if its still there,but will not want to hold my breath. Thanks for sharing all these goodies you have.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I live and ride in Maine. The Wardens have way too much leway in general in my opinion and the new law just strengthens my opinion. Wardens aren't trained on exhaust let alone a proper decibel test. What about federal law Magnusson act I think it's called? What about a Apex? How is a warden gonna verify wether it's in compliance or not? I actually had a warden question me about my apex on more than one occasion especially when I put a ram air lid on. I believe in some type of noise control because there are plenty of assholes who do ruin it for everyone but if the law is 78 then we should be able to run any muffler we choose as long as it passes. The whole point of the federal law. No different then putting a Midas muffler on my truck versus one from GM. I would bet if someone fought a ticket with some of the things I mentioned and possible decibel test it may get thrown out but wardens are pricks and will just write you another ticket the next time you met up with one.

I agree with all you say. Most Wardens seem to assume we are Guilty until proven Innocent and with this much leeway, there will be plenty of angry people. BUT, 78 db is at idle, we don't ride at idle. ALL the mufflers tested passed the test at idle, but when the rpm's went up some were on the edge or over. By making this law, the state of Maine removed doubt especially those that pass but could fail later when the packing goes bad. ALL sled, car, boat & bike manufactures have strict noise standards so Maine knows by leaving them stock, all the noise will be under a certain db level. Not every sled can be tested. So as tickets get handed out, most guys will think twice with what they ride with or HOW they ride. It will put some fear in most which will curb a lot of noisy sleds. I don't agree with the new Maine law, but i understand it.

Now after ALL that, the Stock Mod WILL have the stamp on it & will NOT be noticeably altered. Unless they measure the exit hole knowing this information.

Can i beat this in court? Most likely. But i'd have to take a day off of work, drive 6 hours up to that court, get some legal advice or lawyer all of which costs money & my time.

I will make some calls to the local Millinocket club to see what they know & report back

 

[snowbeast]

Does anyone remember if there stock muffler before any mods had a bung for A/F set up,my sandale does,and my gauge I have coming has a probe to screw into the bung,but I cant remember if a stocker did or not,and wondering if I got another stock muffler had it modded,will the reworked muffler have that bung installed into it,for any ones A/F gauge?

 

[Beerman]

Stock muffler does not have the O2 bung.

 

[Conedodger]

Stock muffler does not have the O2 bung.

super easy to add one or have TD do it.