Well, 2 weeks ago, I disconnected the exhaust at the flange in front of the muffler and drove 2 miles to listen to how the exhaust would likely sound if straight-piped. Didn't like it.

I looked into the Aero-turbine. Liked it. Looked at the price. Didn't like it.

I looked at various generic turbo mufflers. Didn't like 'em.

I looked at name brand mufflers (Magnaflow, etc.). Was ambivalent.

I looked at a $12 cherry bomb glasspack. Was intrigued. 2.5" in, 2.5" out. Bought it, and $4 of 2.5" muffler tubing. Last night, after about 30 minutes of cutting and welding, I cut out the stock muffler, welded the cherry bomb to the bolt-on flange formerly attached to the front of the stocker, and made a joint to slide on the rear of the tailpipe. So the replacement muffler I've installed bolts on in front, like a stocker, and slides on in the rear, over the stock tail pipe that goes over the rear axle (it's attached with 2 muffler clamps. Ok, so only one is necessary...but I like redundancy).

First reports: I cannot get EGTs to exceed 900-920 degrees. That is compared to reaching 1050 or so when floored on an incline under similar climactic conditions. At high power settings, EGTs are dramatically lower. Under normal cruising conditions, EGTs look to be mildly better (maybe 20-80 degrees. I'm still making my initial observations).

Sound (outside): At idle, a nice deep bass. Almost sounds like a V-8 diesel. I'm very pleased. Above idle, I haven't had the opportunity to check it out very much. From what I heard, sounds pretty slick.

Sound (inside): At idle, very little noticeable change inside. Can hear some of the bass rumble. Cruising, have gone from hearing only engine/tire/wind noise to hearing a slight exhaust note in the background (a slight increase in noise, overall, but no drone and nothing unpleasant or really noticeable unless you're really looking for it). Accelerating: much more pleasant sound. Step on it: A really unique WHOOOOOOSHH sound when the turbo spools up. Unlike anything I've ever heard from an engine. If you lower the windows, you can hear the turbo purring a bit as well.

So far, I'm quite pleased with my $16 investment. I'll try to report if there are any changes in mileage, or if my initial EGT observations hold true.

So far, I'm quite pleased with my $16 investment. I'll try to report if there are any changes in mileage, or if my initial EGT observations hold true.

EGTs are difficult to report. Running at 70mph, they tend to stay aroudn 780. Speed up to 75, and they drop to just over 700. I can't explain that one...maybe an increase in boost or something? The airflow difference through the intercooler cannot be enough to change things.

Running around town at a steady speed, it is in the mid 600s. Accelerating from 0-40 or so, it'll go up to 800, and then back off slowly. And that's accelerating very calmly.

If you're running along at 50 and let off the throttle to coast up to a light, the EGTs drop 2-300 degrees in about 10 seconds, as you get engine braking.

The EGTs have definitely dropped since the mufflerectomy. Hard to say by how much. Peak EGTs, at full throttle, uphill, at 60mph or so have also dropped significantly...as in 150-200 degrees.

All of this assumes a warmed-up engine.

Every CRD I've seen, including my own, shifts into 5th, locked torque converter, at 58mph, and will stay there down to 55mph after it's locked in. The 68mph is a weird thing. I wonder if that's a reflash issue. It'll stay locked in 4th (the lower OD) down to 50mph. Under 50, it's unlocked torque converter unless you lock out OD (based on my observations, I think).

I don't have a good sound recording method...suggestions?

Well I am going to be differant, my CRD locks up at 51 MPH and unlocks at 48 MPH.

It has lattest flashes and second EGR. Also gutted cat with stock muffler. Gettting 18.5 to 19.5 MPG with B20.

Ken,

Didn't you install a boost gauge a while back on your CRD? A couple of us are trying to puzzle out why greiswig is seeing a P0299 code, when he has his EGR supply blocked off with a plate. He also has a P0401, but that should be there. Other than a leak in the turbo plumbing to the intake, it seems puzzling. If you have a boost gauge, what are the normal pressure readings for idle, 30-40 mph and highway speeds, say 65-75 mph? Have you ever noticed any fluctuations on your gauge (if it was you that put the gauge in) that might look like a leak somewhere in the turbo boost plumbing?

Should have left the cat alone and replaced the muffler for a bigger difference in turbo spool and EGT's.

I guess I need to check and see just where the wife's CRD lock's and unlocks next time I go get fuel for her.