To resonator or not

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:33 pm

I fitted a magnaflow stainless muffler last weekend to my stock exhaust. A nice deep note but not as loud as I expected. I have decided to replace the rest of the system with a steel Hi Flow cat and 2.25 inch system from the manifold to the muffler. The desiciion I am trying to make is wether I should fit a resonator in the system or just delete it and run the pipe from the cat to the rear muffler. I presume the resonator is used to remove some of the "bark" from the system.

Would be interested to hear peoples opinions on this one.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:57 pm

Your Magnaflow will become louder over time as it warms in.

Having said that, everyone's opinion on what is a fair level of sound is different.

If not turbo'ed, it will be loud with only one muffler. I would suggest at least a small resonator in the midpipe.

If turbo'ed, you might be OK with a straight-through midpipe.

If you are interested, I have a brand new stainless 2.25 inch non-resonated midpipe that I might be persuaded to part with at the right price... ;)

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:17 pm

I ran my nb8a with just a muffler And no resonator And it was way too raspy. Adding a resonator made it much nicer. Similar noise level but without the rasp. Go the resonator

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Mon Apr 11, 2011 10:31 pm

I just had a mate call in with a NB8A he just bought. It has no resonator and is very, very raspy. I think it just made my mind up for me.

GP · Postby GP » Tue Apr 12, 2011 1:24 pm

I reckon put the resonator on, The drone would be unbearable

Postby **NitroDann** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 10:28 pm

18 inch resonator for sure.

Dann

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:16 pm

A 2 1/4 system press bent will be ok for a 1.8 ltr.2 inch for a 1.6.

High flow cats add to the noise especially steel ones.How big is the Magnaflow?Is it straight through?

All these things will need to be considered but in general a 12-15 inch reasonator would be a good idea.Make sure you fit the reasonator and the muffler in exactly the same location as the originals.Believe me it does make a difference!

Mild steel piping helps get rid of the twin cam rasp that seems to be amplified by stainless piping.
Good luck,

Peter.

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 1:23 pm

Thanks for the help guys.

Yes its a straight through SS Magnaflow.

So the beast is down the shop now getting fitted with a 2.25 inch mandrel bent steel system with steel substrate Hi Flow Cat and 15" resonator. I can't wait to get out of work and see what its like.

wiz043 · Postby **wiz043** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:46 pm

A lot of people are of the opinion that a resonator restricts performance but I do not believe this is true. Some time back I tried to explain to a mate of mine who had an MR2 that the resonator boxes were there for a reason and not to remove them but he went ahead anyway and removed them and fitted a pod filter straight on to the throttle body but then found the rasping and drumming noise inside the cabin unbearable, made worse with the engine being right behind your left ear of course.

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 3:04 pm

Too late sorry but also make sure that you don't fit a tip that is bigger than the piping unless you want drone on the highway( distinct possibility) and drone on the over run(almost certainly).

Peter.

Postby **NitroDann** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:03 pm

wiz043 wrote:A lot of people are of the opinion that a resonator restricts performance but I do not believe this is true. Some time back I tried to explain to a mate of mine who had an MR2 that the resonator boxes were there for a reason and not to remove them but he went ahead anyway and removed them and fitted a pod filter straight on to the throttle body but then found the rasping and drumming noise inside the cabin unbearable, made worse with the engine being right behind your left ear of course.

I feel sorry for you both.

Seriously, you dont like intake roar? Come for a run in my NA its deafening at 8500rpm and everyone loves it.

Dann

emexv · Postby **emexv** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 7:53 pm

Well I am a HAPPY :beer:

man. I wish I could fit underneath to take photos of the system (I might try on the weekend when the ground is dry).

The system construction looks great with all mandrel bends. I called in at my mates place and he was so impressed with the note that he is taking his in to get a resonator fitted tomorrow.

I do have a very large tip on the muffler that I was planning on removing, but have left for now as it gives me a bit of a laugh.

So to summerize the system

Stainless Steel 2.25" straight through Magnaflow Muffler, 4 months old (Forum member $150)
Steel sustrate hi flow cat, 15" resonator and 2.25" mandrel bent steel system ($440)

Complete quality system for $590 fitted and a definate response improvement and sounds great. :beer:

wiz043 · Postby **wiz043** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:02 pm

NitroDann wrote:
wiz043 wrote:A lot of people are of the opinion that a resonator restricts performance but I do not believe this is true. Some time back I tried to explain to a mate of mine who had an MR2 that the resonator boxes were there for a reason and not to remove them but he went ahead anyway and removed them and fitted a pod filter straight on to the throttle body but then found the rasping and drumming noise inside the cabin unbearable, made worse with the engine being right behind your left ear of course.

I feel sorry for you both.

Seriously, you dont like intake roar? Come for a run in my NA its deafening at 8500rpm and everyone loves it.

Dann

I LOVE intake roar but its the resonating droning noise I can't stand. They are two entirely different things! The 'rasping and drumming' noise I referred to in my post was because the resonators were removed.

I once owned an MR2 with intake mods but with resonators retained and the intake sound was fantastic but with absolutely no drone inside the cabin.

simon_mx5 · Postby **simon_mx5** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 8:10 pm

Post a Video

very curious to see how it sounds, looking at doing the same thing

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:13 am

wiz043 wrote:
NitroDann wrote:
wiz043 wrote:A lot of people are of the opinion that a resonator restricts performance but I do not believe this is true. Some time back I tried to explain to a mate of mine who had an MR2 that the resonator boxes were there for a reason and not to remove them but he went ahead anyway and removed them and fitted a pod filter straight on to the throttle body but then found the rasping and drumming noise inside the cabin unbearable, made worse with the engine being right behind your left ear of course.

I feel sorry for you both.

Seriously, you dont like intake roar? Come for a run in my NA its deafening at 8500rpm and everyone loves it.

Dann

I LOVE intake roar but its the resonating droning noise I can't stand. They are two entirely different things! The 'rasping and drumming' noise I referred to in my post was because the resonators were removed.

I once owned an MR2 with intake mods but with resonators retained and the intake sound was fantastic but with absolutely no drone inside the cabin.

Sounds like your average 3sgte needs much bigger cams lol.

Dann