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Topic: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers (Read 3120 times) previous topic - next topic
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Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Yahoo Message Number: 102035
I am in the process of replacing the muffler on my 2000 Intrigue, using the Nelson online catalogue I have identified their part number 86542M to be the proper muffler as a replacement, I also found a Donaldson M120566 to have the same specs. Has anyone used either of these brands to replace the original muffler, which brand has the best reputation? Cost of the two are almost same price at around $250.00. As a side note I called a major dealer to see if they had the muffler and they informed me they would have to call Country Coach for price and availability, they came back with a price of $600 including shipping and availability of around 6 weeks as they would have to manufacture it! Does Country Coach really manufacture mufflers or was someone trying to blow a little smoke my way?

Ray

2000 Intrigue

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102036
Call JC Muffler in Junction City, 541-729-4967. Ken supplied the original muffler to CC.

John Beach

06 Allure 31309

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102038
I called them last week and their response was to measure the muffler and send them the measurments and they would then try to locate the right muffler. So, I decided to just go online and do the research. I figured, as you, that they would immediately know which muffler was needed for my coach but that was not the case.

Thanks for your response.   
Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102051
Ray

JC Muffler replaced mine with an Aero Muffler. It is a high performance muffler and it is louder than the original. It also weighs about 150 lbs less. I noticed a significant increase in pulling power in the mountains. I am more conscious about idling in the camp ground at 6.00 am in the morning; but I am a proponent of starting the coach and idling out of the camp ground anyway.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102052
X's 2 with Ray on the Aero Turbine. I no it helped some, but I don't think it's as much as it would have been with the VGT era ISL's, or bigger blocked engines of the CAT.

On a side note. I'm kind of kicking myself some at the moment. We're on a trip, and blew the exhaust manifold gasket around #3. Cummins Rocky Mountain in Grand Junction removed the exhaust manifold for us to check to see if we could get by with just the new and improved gaskets. Nope, the number three was twisted at a pretty good angle. So even machining would not have helped, as the twisted #3 exhaust would have been difficult to get back not the new bolts, and would have been pre loaded stress if it could have been 'talked' onto the bolts.

Kicking myself? Well our ISL370 was flashed to ISL400 from Cummins about a year ago. But I admit that for hill climbing and more important, a bit more of emergency acceleration reserve, I'd like more power. Though pricey, aftermarket exhaust manifolds are reported to have between 15-20% better breathing then the stock manifold. Be built with a better alloy for hopefully lifetime usage. What 15-20% improved exhaust breathing may have yielded in extra power is an unknown. But with more then adequate breathing on the intake side, I suspect the turbo would have spooled a bit faster, and with the Aero Exhaust having less back pressure, together would have yielded some extra power. Price was high, as I felt with the Power Club discount the parts were not all that expensive for the exhaust manifold, bolts all around, bolts for the turbo, and gaskets all around. Suspect the aftermarket manifolds would have been almost three times as expensive.

It's done now, so just the way it is:)!

Good luck to you on your muffler hunt!

Smitty

04 Allure 31017 ISL370(400) CAPS
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102055
Don,

So I could wake my neighbors up with the increased noise, using the Aero turbine, so they could see me produce that dust storm from my full speed fan! ???? Don't think the early wake up will be a problem as we rarely get underway before around 9:30 to 10 A.M.

I called Eric in Tucson and he suggested the Aero Turbine, at 6 lbs it is 30 lbs lighter than the full size mufflers and the cost is less than half the cost of the Nelson and Donaldson mufflers. One would have to have additional tubing and redesigned hangers to support the smaller Aero. I am leaning toward going with the Aero 5050. Direct from Aero it is $118. And on Amazon from third party dealers it is offered for $79.00, the additional tubbing and hangars will probably push the cost of the aero to the same as the OEM mufflers plus a couple hours labor.

Thanks for the feedback. 
Ray

2000 Intrigue 11040

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102056
I have a 97 Intrigue and instead of paying 600 bucks for another muffler, we went ahead and put a straight pipe on. Better fuel economy/ less weight. The increased sound is not noticeable at all in the cabin, just a bit more throaty sounding from the outside.

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102058
Hello All,

Pursuant to passed comments and suggestions from this group we went with the 5" Aero muffler about a year ago.  Love it...  We have a 2000 42" Affinity with a C-12 and 3 stage jake.  Noise is not that noticeable in the campgrounds.  Can't tell the difference in normal driving, but the jake is a little louder, but only when a vehicle runs next to you.
 I also took several other steps.  Installed a K/N air filter, place a scoop on the air intake, took the 5" piping from the air filter to the turbo off and had it sanded and power coated.
 My primary objective was to run cooler as we travel the desert areas.  So far so good as we do run cooler, have faster recovery and I seem to get better mileage,  but the jury is still out on the last item.

All in all we are very pleased with our changes and love our coach.

Many Thanks for all the assistance.

Corky & Kathleen

2000 Affinity B&B 5769

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102059
Jesse,

I have a 1997 (32') Intrigue (8.3 no electronics).  I will be going in the shop on Aug 17 to have my muffler and pipe worked on.  So, did you just have the shop remove the muffler and run the pipe straight out the side?  Sounds like a good idea.

Randy

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102060
Ray,  I replaced my muffler a couple years ago and I found it on Amazon.  I believe it is the Donaldson.

Larry,  03 Allure,  30856

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102066
Randy,

Yep removed the muffler and ran the pipe right out the side. Saved the money, runs cooler and gets better milage. Its not loud at all, wife didn't even notice the difference. Been very happy with it.

Re: Donaldson Vs Nelson Mufflers

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102067
Sorry Randy,

Which Muffler and did you use ? and did you use all the same existing OEM pipe ?

Chris