The outside of the muffler looks fine, but I have a feeling the baffles are falling apart since I am seeing some "honeycomb" chips on the floor near the exhaust tips. I see new ones after a few rides.

While this one lasted almost twice as long as the Flowmaster (7 years on Spintech vs 4 on the Flowmaster), I am quite disappointed the Spintech didn't hold up any better (I really enjoy the sounds of the Spintech).

I was kinda trying to maintain the stock look. Does anyone make a stainless muffler that would work for me? I'd really hate to get an entire system since the stock tailpipes are in great shape, as well as the pipe between the cats and the muffler. Then again, I hate having to replace the muffler every 4-6 years. Thanks!

IMO I'd go with a Magnaflow catback system. Sounds good, slight increase in Hp, plus being stainless steel won't rust out.

How loud is the Magnaflow? What about Corsa?

I don't want to make the car too loud (to the point it would fail inspection). The Spintech seems to have a nice sound that is louder than stock but still passes inspection in NJ.

Magnaflow is not known to be abnormally loud, at least not like an SLP Loudmouth or worse yet a cutout. If you are mostly stock as it sounds like you are,( stock manifolds and cats, you ought to be fine. Corsa has a nicer more refined sound but is pricey.

That sounds like pieces of the catalytic convertor. The Spintech does not have any honeycomb metal in it.

I was afraid someone would say that.

The car only has 26000 miles on it, has no SES light, and just passed inspection. How can I confirm that it is coming from the catalytic converter or the muffler? I thought the Spintech has honeycomb on the "spin traps".

Also, I don't seem to have any drivability issues (starts right up, idles fine, still accelerates strong, no sputtering, etc).

that would be tough to determine where exactly it is coming from. If your cats are, in fact, going bad...eventually you will get the SES code due to the rear 02 sensors and you may even get a clogged cat. You will definitely notice a drop in performance (especially lower end power) if that happens. For now, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

I am attaching some pictures, hopefully this will help.

I actually went to the exhaust shop that originally installed the Spintech and showed them these pieces, and they told me it is definitely not the cats, and said it is most likely the muffler (I had this installed 7 years ago).

oh yeah that definitely looks to be the muffler, cat internals don't look like that. Do you think you are going to replace the system with something new?

Not sure. I was thinking of getting the Magnaflow stainless muffler (OEM replacement). I liked the sound of the Spintech (nice sound louder than stock but not too loud, and does not upset the inspection facilities). Problem with Spintech (and Flowmaster) is they're aluminized steel, not stainless (they only last a certain amount of time).

That said, I don't want something too much louder than what I currently have.

I agree,that does not look like cat parts. I looked at a cut-away of a Spintech muffler once and nothing looked like that either but maybe they have changed them since I looked at one. It was a long time ago.

What model Spintech did you have? Mine is 333SC Crossflow muffler (dual tips). Direct OEM replacement (using the stock tailpipes w/stock tips)

youtube TA MagnaFlow Exhaust, play around with the terms to get more results

Why not look at Borla? There is a hp increase, but that is compared to the stock system. Also, with the complete block off plate installed, it is quiet and mellow, but no hp loss. Borla uses type 302 stainless (hope that is correct) and have a million mile guarantee. Mine was installed when the car was brand new and was still going strong 13 years later, no fuss...no muss.

It's been so long ago I don't remember. It was a cross flow type muffler. I got that around 1996 maybe?