I am trying to find out the difference between the factory mufflers. If your car has a manual trans the muffler tag is Man, if your car has a automatic the tag says Ato.
Other than the tag, what is the difference?
There is no discernible difference between auto and manual/V6 or V8. There was a difference between coupe and convertible due to the sound engineers deciding that folks driving a convertible may not wish to hear as much of the exhaust as coupe drivers. Referencing the part numbers from the 2005 production vehicle, there was a distinguishable difference.
V6: 5R3Z 5230 CA convertible
V6: 4R3Z 5230 HA coupe
GT: 4R3Z 5230 RM coupe
On the interior of the mufflers in the early 2005 mustang convertible had a baffle and resonation chamber design that reduced audible noises from the exhaust.
As Ford ran into the mid-2005 to 2006 model production cycle they had determined it was not cost effective to produce separate mufflers for transmission platforms or chassis designs - coupe or convertible. We now have a single muffler (or at least that is what I was told) for all auto-manual/vert-coupe
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=661951
As tomustang pointed out in the second to final response in the thread linked above - just because they have a different part number does not mean they are physically different.
Part numbers allow assemblers and mechanics an easy way to order and install parts and for the mfg to keep an inventory on what part is used on which vehicle.
Now, that is the information I have and am welcome to hear counter points.
As for the “sound” this has everything to do with sound amplifications based on overall design of the engine… yada, yada, yada….
For those who care… read this snippet. It has a little more to do with headers. The tranny will impact the exhaust stroke.
http://forums.stangnet.com/showpost.php?p=6383859&postcount=2
It has a very deep rumble as well). For those looking for a more aggressive sound with no drone and is relatively quiet when you are half throttle or less.
