HELP! Exhaust Drone is driving me nuts! [Archive]

zacz

23-12-2004, 11:36 AM

Hi all

Need your advice and input.....

I have a 98 Integra VTI-R which Im now in the process of upgrading the entire exhaust system. Mods so far are:

Xforce Headers
Simota Intake & Pod
Custom Mandrel-bent 2.25" piping
HSV Performance Catalytic Converter
Walker Resonator
Xforce S10 2.25" Twin Loop Muffler

The system has upped power quite nicely and the car feels very responsive and sounds beautiful when its spinning above 3500rpm or so...but down in the lower rev ranges, i just can't seem to get rid of the drone of the exhaust note. Now that the system has been in place for a few weeks, i think its getting louder and drone-ier!

Does anyone have a solution for me........im going nuts with this! I definitely dont want a droney sound down low, just a nice smooth sound which is not too deep.

Im convinced the problem is from the muffler.....does anyone have any other suggestions for a quiet performance muffler?

Ive been reading good things about the RSR EXMAG exhaust (www.rsr.com) and also the genuine Mugen Twin Loop system, but these would be costly and Im not sure if they would in fact cure the problem!

Im almost at the point where I'll put the OE Muffler back on as a last resort....but I would really prefer not to have to do that!

Hoping someone can help me solve this problem!

Zac
(Adelaide)

SiR

23-12-2004, 01:40 PM

Aren't the twin loop styled mufflers some of the quietest around already?

Macros

23-12-2004, 01:42 PM

You've already got a twin-loop... Maybe try adding another resonator in there. I've got 2 19" long coby resonators infront of my twin-loop end muffler (TRR Brand).

Sp3rMz

23-12-2004, 01:49 PM

I have 2.5 inch piping with 2.5 inlet for my twin loop, One hot dog, connect to hks 4-1 header. I understand what you saying at high end it has a nice quiet note but at lower end it sounds drowny. Thats if you mean kind of a deeper note. I believe thats the way the loop was design. In the end its not that loud compare to any mufflers I know. Its not defectable and it sounds very nice. Nice low pitch note but not loud.

type one

23-12-2004, 02:24 PM

you are complainong of drone in a car with sound deadening?? hahahaha you soft man... j/k

anyway on a serious note, another resonator is going to restrict your flow, if i were you i would take the other resonator out... so you have one cat, one muffler and take out the walker resonator... imo this will solve your low rev drone problem... but guess what your car is going to be LOUDER at WOT.... trade off...

Sp3rMz

23-12-2004, 02:31 PM

Honestly I can't see whats wrong with the sound really. The note is perfect. If anything I wouldn't mind it a bit louder. As for putting in another hot dog it defeats the purpose of buying a twin loop in the first place. MAX power less DB. Putting in another res ur goin to restrict it.

SKYNUTS

23-12-2004, 03:20 PM

is yr exhaust system under axel or in stock position?

Sp3rMz

23-12-2004, 03:24 PM

I'm using buddy club spec II 2.5 cat back to the axle. From the axle i got it custom made and bent to stock and connect to muffler.

[stealth]

23-12-2004, 03:29 PM

add another resonator.. shouldnt affect performance.. i added a 2nd one. and reduces the rumbles... and drone when u down gear etc...

FANATK

24-12-2004, 07:12 AM

i got an xforce muffler on my car, the silencer makes a big difference - just put it in the muffler with one small screw

reduces sound and the droney part quite well

[stealth]

24-12-2004, 08:18 AM

the silencer actualli changes the tone of ur exhaust tho... which some people wont like

zacz

24-12-2004, 09:12 AM

Hi all

Thanks for your responses.....

The XForce muffler i have is the S10 - which is the mugen replica one and it doesnt have the silencer insert.

I had tried a Xforce S12 (which does have the silencer) on my car as well prior to this and it sounded very tinny with the silencer in.....and rather loud and droney without.

Im keen to find out if anyone has other mufflers or systems - such as RSR EXMAG, Genuine Mugen Twin Loop, or even any other muffler?

By the way, yesterday i found an article about resetting the ECU everytime you mod your car so it reconfigures with the changes you have made....not sure if its done anything to the sound...may have smoothed it a bit!

Zac

STOCK

24-12-2004, 10:21 AM

The problem is most X-Force mufflers dont really do any muffling, they just look pretty..
You might have to put in a offset muffler somwhere under your car to get rid of the drone or if not change the twin loop for a better quality muffler like a remus/genuine twin loop.
Just adding on a extra resonator will make the sound less raspier and slightly deeper but it will still drone like crazy on the freeway or at cruise speed...

zacz

24-12-2004, 12:33 PM

hi Stock

Thanks for your comments....

What would you think of the Type R OE muffler on the custom system?

Would it steal too much power? Ive been quoted $650 new from Honda for this - ive heard its pretty free flowing...but im interested to know if anyone has put on the OE Type R muffler on a custom system...and how it performs/sounds!

Like i said - my other option is to go with RSR EXMAG or MUGEN TWIN LOOP...but i really need some more opinions from people who have it on their cars!

PS - THE ECU reset job i did yesterday (see prior message from me in this thread) seems to have taken some of the drone away! But im still wondering if it can be better.....

Thanks again guys!

ZacZ :)

Civic Type R

24-12-2004, 01:06 PM

Just to add.
look at these setups:
JDM B18c, genuine SS Mugen 4-2-1 header, high flow cat, 2.25' cat back genuine Mugen twin loop.
Result: Awsome sound and no drone or fizz
to.
JDM B18c, custom MS 4-1 header, high flow cat, 2.25' cat back replica Mugen twin loop.
Result: A little drone and enough fizz to annoy.

This proves that quality parts (usually genuine) sound best. :)

zacz

24-12-2004, 01:11 PM

Thanks Civic Type R........very interesting!

Did you consider any other brand or were u only looking at Mugen Twin Loop?

Also - Ive been quoted $1900 for this system....is this reasonable - or can i get one for less somewhere?

Civic Type R

24-12-2004, 02:12 PM

Xenon

24-12-2004, 02:25 PM

Mugen isnt cheap. A genuine twin loop muffler would set me back about $850 locally. I got my twin loop from America and delivered for $150AU.
I just couldnt justify the 850 for a simple muffler. Though admittedly, my replica isnt the best and makes a fizzle noise.
So are you using genuine mugen header and mugen twinloop catback on your car now? Can you feel any difference to the replicas?

STOCK

24-12-2004, 02:57 PM

hi Stock

Thanks for your comments....

What would you think of the Type R OE muffler on the custom system?

Would it steal too much power? Ive been quoted $650 new from Honda for this - ive heard its pretty free flowing...but im interested to know if anyone has put on the OE Type R muffler on a custom system...and how it performs/sounds!

ZacZ :)

I beleive EGK20A is using a OEM CTR 2.25" muffler and cat back for street driving. The difference between that and his race exhaust which is 3"
:D is about 10 or so KW@wheels (correct me is i saw wrong Z10) on a car thats making about 150kw@wheels....

STOCK

24-12-2004, 03:05 PM

That being said the aus spec itr should have a muffler that is as similar flowing. Do a search on the forums for a second hand one, they are going cheap.

Sp3rMz

24-12-2004, 03:05 PM

I honestly don't know what you're complaining bout xforce muffler? What did you expect? And what do you gain from gettin geniune part from a name? I know for a fact they're aint no difference as my friends got the real deal. Cost 1.7k cat back not justifiable to me LOL. I don't know of any other muffler out there that you're goin to gain full power with a low db. Thre rest a all defectable.

JDM Element

24-12-2004, 03:54 PM

ive heard a sound file only, of bigteethygrins 4th gen prelude with the xforce mugen replica twin loop muffler and 2.25 inch piping

sounded maaad, and it only cost him around 400 or so for the muffler and piping i think!

lerroy

24-12-2004, 04:04 PM

Im very happy with my Xforce muffler 2 1/4" piping 2 resonators and 4-1 Headers
Drone isnt that bad at all maybe im used to it whole

Anyway obviously 1700-2000 dollar exhaust is gonna sound better and more power i cant really justify that

my two cents

olda

24-12-2004, 09:10 PM

You've already got a twin-loop... Maybe try adding another resonator in there. I've got 2 19" long coby resonators infront of my twin-loop end muffler (TRR Brand).
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The same here!
2 resonators seem to be the answer.
However a "drone" sound could not be completely eliminated with my 2.5" system. But it is possible to live with. Don't drive below 3000 RPM.
A small penalty for better performance and a great sound up the top! :D

ginganggooly

25-12-2004, 11:20 AM

jdm 4-1 header, 2.5" cat, 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust two resonators, xforce 2.5" twin loop, and no drone. i love the note, and the fact it doesn't make my ears bleed on the freeway.

adding a hot dog resonator or three does not harm performance. i dynoed my car before and after adding a resonator and changing straight through rear mufflers and there was no significant change.

i've ridden in a few cars with twin loop exhausts and imo, if you find them drony and unpleasant, you'd be better of keeping a factory system because the twin loops are about as quiet as they come without sticking baffles and resonance chambers in there.

*note
i was used to driving with an n1 style muffler, so my opinions on exhaust noise may be different to other people.

olda

25-12-2004, 06:29 PM

joneblaze

25-12-2004, 08:41 PM

LOL@Gingang and Olda...... Yes and Yes.

I've ridden in/been around Gingang's DC2.... if you're one to consider the TL note "drony", "loud", "annoying" or any of the above, stick to stock......or ride with a heavy duty flow restricting silencer, rofl. :)

zacz

26-12-2004, 01:05 AM

hi all

Merry Xmas!

thanks very much for your feedback so far....its very interesting to be able to learn from your experiences!

I will probably try to experiment with a few more mufflers...and perhaps add another resonator. i just want to eliminate the droney sound between 2500 and 3800rpm...then i'll be happy!

Im still keen to hear if anyone had experience with a REMUS muffler on an Integra?

What about a LUKEY or DYNOMAX muffler?

regards and thanks again!

Zac

ginganggooly

26-12-2004, 10:00 AM

not an integra, but my cousin had a remus muffler on her old accord in the states, it was heaps louder than the twin loop. on top of that, it looked like arse :)

olda

26-12-2004, 07:10 PM

[QUOTE=zacz]hi all

Merry Xmas!

thanks very much for your feedback so far....its very interesting to be able to learn from your experiences!

I will probably try to experiment with a few more mufflers...and perhaps add another resonator. i just want to eliminate the droney sound between 2500 and 3800rpm...then i'll be happy!

Im still keen to hear if anyone had experience with a REMUS muffler on an Integra?

What about a LUKEY or DYNOMAX muffler?
regards and thanks again!

Had a REMUS muffler with 102mm tip on my old VTiR. Cost ~ $800. Gained 5 kw atw. "Very legal" sound however, - meaning too quiet, but perfectly OK, if that's what u r after.
Currently have the MAGNAFLOW muffller with 75mm tip on my DC2R. A bit louder than REMUS, but still street legal. This is with 2.5" system as mentioned b4. ;)

zacz

28-12-2004, 12:20 AM

The drone is back......i thought my ECU reset had fixed it - but its back!

Yeh - ive heard that REMUS makes good mufflers....but there is a 3 month wait and $800 dent in one's pocket!

SOmeone was telling me about APEXi World Sport 2 cat back system for integra being very quiet.......has anyone had experience with this?

Im trying to get sound level data guys....so if you could post on this thread what sound levels your exhausts are putting out it would be very helpful (thats if anyone has measured)!

Ideally I would like to have measures as follows:

INSIDE CAR:
Idle
3000rpm

OUTSIDE CAR:
Idle
3000rpm

This is very helpful guys so please keep your feedback coming!

ZacZ

Spoon-Accord

28-12-2004, 02:01 PM

i drive an accord..

At the Moment i have JDM SS 4-2-1 Extractors. Cat convertor. Small resonator and a INCAR muffler all wrapped up with 2 1/2 inch SS mandrel piping..

well the result is its very loud.. (As some forumers here may notice :D)

but inside the car it doesnt drone..
but outside the car.. people says it sounds very very loud..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/spoon-accord/DSC01305.jpgi guess.. the muffler does do alot... my muffler is a cannon/N1 style one..

the muffler itself is very small.. its about 30 CM long..( Mini me) and i think that why it is a loud muffler..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/spoon-accord/DSC01303.jpg

FunkyR

28-12-2004, 03:55 PM

From what I've heard, the X-force twin loop doesnt work as well as the genuine Mugen twin loop..... that could be your problem?

olda

28-12-2004, 08:20 PM

i drive an accord..

At the Moment i have JDM SS 4-2-1 Extractors. Cat convertor. Small resonator and a INCAR muffler all wrapped up with 2 1/2 inch SS mandrel piping..

well the result is its very loud.. (As some forumers here may notice :D)

but inside the car it doesnt drone..
but outside the car.. people says it sounds very very loud..

i guess.. the muffler does do alot... my muffler is a cannon/N1 style one..

the muffler itself is very small.. its about 30 CM long..( Mini me) and i think that why it is a loud muffler..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/spoon-accord/DSC01303.jpg
Your exh. tip looks like a 4" job.
When my ITR was in the workshop being modified, had a phone call from the mechanic telling me about the excessive exh. noise with the 4" tip. My teg is also fitted with 2.5" exh. system. Had to go down to 70mm tip to keep it street legal. :(

Civic Type R

29-12-2004, 12:12 AM

So are you using genuine mugen header and mugen twinloop catback on your car now? Can you feel any difference to the replicas?No, my header isnt of a Mugen design. Its a custom 4-1 header based of a similar design to the 98 JDM ITR.
I cant honestly compare my set up to the other car with genuine Mugen 4-2-1 and twin loop as i didnt open that car up on the street. But from what i remember, the genuine one didnt have the awful fizz like mine.

zacz

02-01-2005, 05:08 PM

hi guys

Is it possible that the muffler hangers can amplify or damp muffler noise depending on whether they are stiff or not?

With soft hangers my XForce muffler doesnt seem to be as droney.....

Limbo

02-01-2005, 07:18 PM

yeah it is prob resonating with your chassie body. BUt try another reasonator i'm sure that will fix at least some of the droney sounds, if not all. I did this with my prior car which was loud and droney. I got about a 40% reduction in noise, but i did use the one with a swivel type reasonator. Was well with the $100.

One thing take it to a good exhaust place. While i got my reasonator put back in the shop also corrected so mountings on my exhaust. This corrected the way my exhaust vibrated, less vibration which also help lessen the noise.

My original exhaust was done by Liverpool exhaust, then correct by Turbo Exhaust.

Turbo charged me $10-20 more but in the end the job was better and i was more satisfied with the result

monstaR

02-01-2005, 09:03 PM

Hi all

Need your advice and input.....

I have a 98 Integra VTI-R which Im now in the process of upgrading the entire exhaust system. Mods so far are:

Xforce Headers
Simota Intake & Pod
Custom Mandrel-bent 2.25" piping
HSV Performance Catalytic Converter
Walker Resonator
Xforce S10 2.25" Twin Loop Muffler

The system has upped power quite nicely and the car feels very responsive and sounds beautiful when its spinning above 3500rpm or so...but down in the lower rev ranges, i just can't seem to get rid of the drone of the exhaust note. Now that the system has been in place for a few weeks, i think its getting louder and drone-ier!

Does anyone have a solution for me........im going nuts with this! I definitely dont want a droney sound down low, just a nice smooth sound which is not too deep.

Im convinced the problem is from the muffler.....does anyone have any other suggestions for a quiet performance muffler?

Ive been reading good things about the RSR EXMAG exhaust (www.rsr.com (http://www.rsr.com/)) and also the genuine Mugen Twin Loop system, but these would be costly and Im not sure if they would in fact cure the problem!

Im almost at the point where I'll put the OE Muffler back on as a last resort....but I would really prefer not to have to do that!

Hoping someone can help me solve this problem!

Zac
(Adelaide)
I am not sure about xforce twins...but my mugen twin is really quiet.:D

zacz

04-01-2005, 12:58 PM

hi again

dont get me wrong - the XFORCE is overall a nice sounding item....and has given nice power in the low to mid range. It sounds like magic in the upper rev ranges!

for the most of you - you will love the sound - accross the board. Its not raspy at all - and the sound I am describing as droney down low is really just the noise of the muffler being heard inside the car.

I suppose now that im a little bit "older" i would like to have a slightly more subdued noise - and still have the performance.

So, at the moment Im looking for a Type R muffler - or perhaps the RSR EXMAG system.

regards\\zax