Bottlenecked?

[A-dub5513]

I posted questions regarding an annoying rattle from the exhaust. Well it turned out to be a scratched/dented resonator on the Greddy. I had them cut the resonator and weld a new one for $50 and was finally cruisin'with a smile again. To top it off I no longer scrape up the driveway anymore.

Now it just dawned on me that the diameter of the preforated lining inside is smaller than the piping and was wondering if I should pay to do away with the resonator completely with just a straight pipe or will it not make much of a difference. We're probably talkin' a half inch here.

Thanks,
Adrian

[rjaffey]

Get a real straight through resonator that doesn't have any size reduction inside. A well made one will barely restrict flow if at all and will help prevent the noise level inside the car from getting too loud.

[A-dub5513]

I could be off, but I thought the resonator was used to suppress noise. I do, however, think that I should re-weld a straight pipe for better exhaust flow.

Adrian.

[Holden]

If you replace the resonator with a straight pipe, get ready for the nastiest, raspy, "something is broken" exhaust note you've ever heard!

Really! Our cars sound awful without a resonator. I wouldn't do it.

Greg

[rjaffey]

Get a Magnaflow straight through, cylindrical muffler to use as a resonator. It'll flow within a couple of percent as well as a straight pipe, and you'd be amazed by it's ability to absorb sound.

[A-dub5513]

Wow, I figured that most of the original exhaust note would be retained as long as I still have the muffler. I totally agree with you Holden. I'm not too keen on that "raspy" sound on some of the Hondas/Acuras out there. And having the Magnaflow as a resonator seems to be more work and money than it's worth.

Although I'm very relieved that the rattling is now gone with the new resonator (not to mention my new-found ground clearance), the car just feels like it's lost some top-end oomph. Now I understand why the Greddy resonator is so damned big!