Best new muffler for 125?
 

My muffler is shot--the end cap came off and it's super loud. Having read a couple other threads regarding mufflers,
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21046
http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=25166
I was wondering if I could get some guidance as to which muffler would be worth buying. Thanks.

I see several aftermarket mufflers as well as the OEM Cub Cadet one. Do any of these stand out as good ones or ones that I should definitely avoid buying?

unknown mfr $26.95
Stens $34.89
Oregon $36.99
Sunbelt $38.99
Cub Cadet $76.96!!!!!

It seems like the OE cub mufflers were made by Walker Exhaust or possibly Donaldson. I would bet that the after market mufflers are from China.

You can also add Walker 22022 to your list.

THATS the other American manufacturer that I was trying to think of.

When I worked for Nav I had a good many dealings with Donaldson. I believe that most of their products are still USA manufactured for whatever it's worth.

When I was pricing out mufflers for my 147 a replacement from CC was about 75 dollars, so that is right on the money. I would bet that the aftermarket ones will wear out in 1/4 of the time as a CC one. If I were going to get one, I would likely go with the Walker as they seem like a decent in-the-middle of the road price.

Straight pipe.:beer2:

I agree with Kelly! :beerchug:

Hmm, that looks good, I can get it for $38.41 from Rock Auto so it is really not that much more than some of the super cheap ones.

If you go with that one let us (me!) know how it sounds/fits/etc as I may be in the market for one.

I just ordered the Walker 22022 from Rock Auto. It came out to $36.82 with a discount coupon code that I found online. I will post a full report in this thread when it arrives.

What.............Did ya say something............Oops, gotta turn up my hearing aid.............:biggrin2:

All kidding aside, (not picking on anyone and givin' ya a hard time Allen :biggrin2:) I'm not keen on straight pipes. Some like 'em and to each their own. When I mow, I wear hearing protection even with a muffler. Over the years, I've taken care of a lot of patients who lost most or all of their hearing from running tractors, machinery, equipment, etc. Most advise others to protect their hearing. :beerchug:

I have a real small MP3 player loaded with good music that I listen to with ear buds under my ear protectors. Double sound proofing with a little music thrown in for good measure.

I wear ear plugs at all times as well.

I know this guy when he looses his earplugs he would use old cigarette butts...
Not kidding here.hey I made a funny.

It's all good, Josh...lol. I protect my hearing also. :beerchug:

Ya got to..........

Yeah, I know Allen. I've seen photo proof of you on your cubs with hearing protection. :beerchug: All is good..............:buttrock:

We only get one set of ears. :biggrin2:

Huh?....What did you say, Allen? :biggrin2:

You're right. I don't think we can ever stress the safety factors enough on these machines. Proper safety glasses are essential, too. Several times while mowing, I have had debris ricochet off of my barn or trees and hit me in the face. My brother doesn't always practice good safety measures on his lawn mower with my nephew (his son), despite my repeated warnings, so I'm glad safety has once again been mentioned here. Thanks for doing so!!!

Cub Cadet 123

LOL...my glasses protect my eyes, I have to wear them all the time anyway. :biggrin2:

Walker 22022 muffler
 

I got it in the mail today--$36.82 from Rock Auto with coupon code. It is actually manufactured by Stanley Muffler, part number IH-20, but it did come through Walker and it is still made in USA.

The new muffler weighs 2 pounds, 9.9 ounces. It feels like a quality part and looks like it was welded well. My old broken muffler weighs 1 pound 10.4 ounces.

The output is kind of disappointing because it doesn't have the downward bend and angled tip like the original ones. I park it in a shed so it won't really matter, although it does tend to shoot exhaust in your face if you are standing next to it. If your cub lives out in the rain then this is not the muffler for you. It will allow me to add on my own end piece though, and I think I will try to make one that points the exhaust forward and down.

The bracket near the output end does not have an integrated nut the way the original one does. That's not a big deal though because I have lots of nuts lying around and it wasn't too hard to reach in with a wrench to hold the nut. Otherwise it fit without any problems.

The internal construction is different than the original one but I am not a muffler expert so I don't know if it makes much difference or not. It looks like this new one will have less back pressure since there is a straight tube all the way down but maybe this will make more noise than the original design.

As far as sound goes, it is nothing special. The sound was horrible with a broken muffler but this new one is nothing to get too excited about. It does what it is supposed to do but I am not going to be getting rid of my earmuff hearing protection anytime soon.

Video before replacement: http://youtu.be/bTEOSrpGYss

Video after replacement: http://youtu.be/52JFSTmnCOk

Here are some photos:
http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8119.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...4fd74e27ce.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8113.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8110.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8109.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8111.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8112.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8117.jpg

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_8116.jpg

It sounds great with the new muffler!

Thanks for the update on this. It def. sounds way better with the walker muffler. When I viewed the first video I wasn't sure at first what noise a cub could make to sound like a chicken until I saw it. :biggrin2: I'm disappointed that the walker doesn't have the same end as the stock muffler; that tip design is part of the reason why I like the original muffler (design).....

That is awesome! I would have bought this muffler before I have bought the Cub Cadet muffler, no doubt! Good job on the parts research too!