IMCO T924 muffler installed
Senior Member
Joined: 01-20-2006
Posts: 1,230
From: Dallas, TX
If you want to keep your stock tip, they can probably just weld it on for you if you ask them. Majority of the muffler shops probably won't even charge you extra for it. It takes them but a few seconds to just tack it on for you. Either way, you'll feel a lot better getting rid of that doggone turtle. 
Senior Member
Joined: 04-30-2006
Posts: 9,149
From: Maryland Heights, MO
Originally Posted by GRUMPEE
Now I want one! Out of those of you that installed the imco, did anyone reuse the OEM chrome tip? My idea is to keep it looking stock,ie, mild sleeper
Senior Member
Joined: 05-23-2006
Posts: 1,082
From: Chandler, AZ
Originally Posted by HHRBruce
Got mine installed today. Mad Hatter's in Mesa $40 and kept the factory tip. Nice sound, not the loud rice grinder sound either.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Originally Posted by Alzonie
I was wondering if you bought the Imco on the Internet, or did you find it locally? I see that Allied Exhaust Systems in Mesa is listed as an Imco Dealer. Thought you might have bought it there??
Senior Member
Joined: 06-26-2006
Posts: 322
From: Hochspeyer Germany
Originally Posted by EZ4U2CHere
I've read all 11 pages of this thread and seen posts like "you can hear the exhaust flow better" or "you can feel the difference".
Just wondering if anyone has any dyno sheets to prove the improvement? I know people can easily misconstrue “hearing” a louder or nicer sounding exhaust with “feeling” more power.
Only reason I ask is because I’ve been down that road before buying exhausts because people keep “feeling” the added power, but in the end, the stock exhaust was proven to outperform.
Just wondering if anyone has any dyno sheets to prove the improvement? I know people can easily misconstrue “hearing” a louder or nicer sounding exhaust with “feeling” more power.
Only reason I ask is because I’ve been down that road before buying exhausts because people keep “feeling” the added power, but in the end, the stock exhaust was proven to outperform.
Senior Member
Joined: 04-19-2006
Posts: 5,065
From: Arvada CO
Contact Mike from SoCalHHR's...if memory serves me right, he may have had a Dyno done after IMCO install.
I do remember something being said about an 8hp increase. I could be all wet here...but I don't think so.
I may be getting older, but I don't think I'm losing all my faculties yet.
On another note, for those of you who don't have a stock factory stainless steel tip.
When you have your muffler installed, be sure to get a STAINLESS STEEL tip and not a CHROME PLATED tip.
Being new to mods and all, I didn't realize the huge difference between the two and bought the chrome plated one.
See pictures below.
Old chrome plated tip with about 1,000 miles on it.
Rusted and looks like crap. Place I bought it said paint it.
I don't think so...not on my new HHR.
New Stainless Steel tip.
Went somewhere else and they put on new one and centered muffler, as it was off center a bit.
Also painted muffler welds so they weren't visible.
I do remember something being said about an 8hp increase. I could be all wet here...but I don't think so.
I may be getting older, but I don't think I'm losing all my faculties yet.
On another note, for those of you who don't have a stock factory stainless steel tip.
When you have your muffler installed, be sure to get a STAINLESS STEEL tip and not a CHROME PLATED tip.
Being new to mods and all, I didn't realize the huge difference between the two and bought the chrome plated one.
See pictures below.
Old chrome plated tip with about 1,000 miles on it.
Rusted and looks like crap. Place I bought it said paint it.
I don't think so...not on my new HHR.
New Stainless Steel tip.
Went somewhere else and they put on new one and centered muffler, as it was off center a bit.
Also painted muffler welds so they weren't visible.
Senior Member
Joined: 03-06-2006
Posts: 304
From: DETROIT
EZ4U...
Your previous post was part of a near flame-war (for lack of a better term). Deb's correct in her statement - Mike (SoCal) had his ride dyno'd for an intake comparision (Airraid vs. CGS). All thing's being equal - he listed what *other* mod's were done to his ride that *may* have improved the numbers a bit over a stock ride (synth lubes, IMCO muffler, stickers , etc...). I don't have the thread handy - but it's (very) searchable.
I hear you on your previous sentiments about buying a product just to have the OEM *outperform* the aftermarket piece
(been there + done that = NOT COOL
). In trying to learn from my mistakes, I've requested (from SoCal AND Manuf's direct) PROOF of the Gibson cat-back performance. Not kicking Mike here (it has absoluetly NOTHING to do with him nor SoCalHHR's!!!) - but Gibson has *never released* any type of factual % increase or dyno charts. As far as I'm concerned, the stated increase is their opinion until otherwise proven... which is not SoCal's responsibility.
Legit or not... the ~8hp increase previously discussed WAS from dyno's on Mikes ride WITH varying intakes ... although he didn't release dyno results - just summaries (just stating the facts to avoid going 'down that road again'). This info can be found on SoCal's site.
All-n-all- the less restrictive (more attractive) muffler *should* net something (more than stock)... and for the price - you can't really beat it. That goes without mentioning your ride would sound better than the stock sewing machine whizz it currently produces.
As I usually state- I'm hopeful that this post hasn't offended anyone... that's not the intent. Simply trying to summarize and state the facts in a non-biased form.
BTW- lest not forget that it *WAS* Mike that posted the IMCO upgrade (! !) and he doesn't even carry them!!! PROPs Mike.
Your previous post was part of a near flame-war (for lack of a better term)
. Deb's correct in her statement - Mike (SoCal) had his ride dyno'd for an intake comparision (Airraid vs. CGS). All thing's being equal - he listed what *other* mod's were done to his ride that *may* have improved the numbers a bit over a stock ride (synth lubes, IMCO muffler, stickers , etc...). I don't have the thread handy - but it's (very) searchable.I hear you on your previous sentiments about buying a product just to have the OEM *outperform* the aftermarket piece
(been there + done that = NOT COOL). In trying to learn from my mistakes, I've requested (from SoCal AND Manuf's direct) PROOF of the Gibson cat-back performance. Not kicking Mike here (it has absoluetly NOTHING to do with him nor SoCalHHR's!!!) - but Gibson has *never released* any type of factual % increase or dyno charts. As far as I'm concerned, the stated increase is their opinion until otherwise proven... which is not SoCal's responsibility.Legit or not... the ~8hp increase previously discussed WAS from dyno's on Mikes ride WITH varying intakes ... although he didn't release dyno results - just summaries (just stating the facts to avoid going 'down that road again').
This info can be found on SoCal's site.All-n-all- the less restrictive (more attractive) muffler *should* net something (more than stock)... and for the price - you can't really beat it. That goes without mentioning your ride would sound better than the stock sewing machine whizz it currently produces.
As I usually state- I'm hopeful that this post hasn't offended anyone... that's not the intent. Simply trying to summarize and state the facts in a non-biased form.
BTW- lest not forget that it *WAS* Mike that posted the IMCO upgrade (!
!) and he doesn't even carry them!!! PROPs Mike.
