Cabin noise no more re: aftermarket exhaust

[celly]

One of the first mods I made to my '00 Sport when I found this site was to upgrade my exhaust system. I had just scored a Mac intake and everyone seemed to point me to an upgraded exhaust (before getting a chip, which I did later). I scored a new Magnaflow muffler, getting it installed into my OEM pipes, complete with stock resonator. I wish I had done more homework on the Magnaflow/SOHC combination, because the cabin drone was horrible. I did a road trip with my wife soon after the install, and the incessant cabin noise almost gave me a headache. I did more homework after getting back, and decided on a Flowmaster SUV 50 Series muffler, with 2.5" pipes from the cats back and the resonator removed. The overall sound of this new setup was much better, but I just couldn't shake the cabin noise, most noticeable from 2000-3000 RPM, but still there at other revs too, even with stereo cranked. Nowhere near as hard on the ears as my Magnaflow, but still not perfect. My wife often jokingly gave me a hard time about it too.

I tried all sorts of things. I scored some sound deadener and placed it strategically all through the interior. I loaded up the inside of the panels with poly-fill. While the drone lessened a bit, it was still there. Keep in mind that in many of the posts I read, it seems the shorter "Sport" has more issues with sound and an aftermarket exhaust system. Four-doors seem less affected. Not everyone seems to mind the cabin noise, but it began to wear on me, especially after I became a father for the first time in October, and carry my son in the backseat now and again (he sits right above the muffler for the most part).

Today I met with a local muffler shop. I had been reading up on aftermarket resonators and decided to give one a go. We got the Ex up on the hoist, and realized I didn't have a ton of space to work with. The guy who put in the Flowie and pipes last summer had carefully bent the pipes and the only space to put a resonator in was right behind the muffler. We decided on a 17" "Flo Pro" (Canadian company) with a 2.5" core to match the pipes (a 14" model looked like it would fit easier, but it was only available with a 2.25" core would be be a tad restrictive). I gave the resonator a look over. Very little restriction at all. Just a funky swirl pattern inside to "tune" the exhaust. After some careful cutting and sizing, the install was completed. I fired it up soon afterwards and right away I noticed the difference. I don't remember what my OEM setup sounded like, but this has to be close. The outside rumble is lessened a bit, but it still sounds good. Inside, it's barely noticable. Keep in mind, I scored an aftermarket exhaust system for performance only, and not really for the sound. I have noticed no performance degradation at all from the resonator.

I'm a happy camper. My wife will be too. We've got a long road trip planned in a month. This will make the trip that much easier on the ears. While not everyone is looking to quieten the effects of a new exhaust, if you are, this is a great option.

 

[aldive]

I had similar issues with inside drone and finally solved it last year with a Flowmaster 70 muffler. There was no performance or mileage loss and the best part, no in cabin noise.

 

[96limitedX]

im glad it worked out for you! i ended up going back to a stock muffler. i couldent stand the noise inside. i also noticed right away that with my other muffler i had lost a good bit of my low end power(once i got the stock one on). i was very happy about getting that back. but i also noticed that my 60mph to 80mph takes longer. but i do mostly city drving. and to not dread drving my truck due to noise inside im happy.

 

[celly]

I had similar issues with inside drone and finally solved it last year with a Flowmaster 70 muffler. There was no performance or mileage loss and the best part, no in cabin noise.

In retrospect, I should've gone that route. The reason I went with my muffler I did was it has a dual in, single out model. Watching these muffler gurus work made me realize I could've gone with any muffler and with a little modding, could have made it work.

 

[celly]

im glad it worked out for you! i ended up going back to a stock muffler. i couldent stand the noise inside. i also noticed right away that with my other muffler i had lost a good bit of my low end power(once i got the stock one on). i was very happy about getting that back. but i also noticed that my 60mph to 80mph takes longer. but i do mostly city drving. and to not dread drving my truck due to noise inside im happy.

I definitely prefer the performance gains with the aftermarket setup. I didn't notice much low-end loss, and it definitely sings on the high end. I had Bama's "Torque Program" burned into my SCT chip, so I've got plenty of low-end. Definitely consider a resonator to get rid of the noise if you put your Morgan-tec back on. Also consider a 70 series Flowie like Aldive did.

 

[spindlecone]

I love the drone, the noise etc,the Y-pipe makes it more the better,JMO

 

[DirtyDog]

Good write up Celly. I had a Flo-Pro muffler on my '95 X and it hardly gave me any more cabin noise compared to stock. But again I had a single in/single out set up and it was a 4-door.

 

[cherrybomb]

This is a very.. VERY interesting topic to me.

I very much want to upgrade my exhaust for the sake of performance, but I'm a bit afraid of excessive noise.

My first inclination is to get the MAC bolton kit, but I've heard/read more complaints about drone from that kit, than just about any other.

I've also considered a true dual setup, but I'm not sure how that'd sound either.

Of course, my other curiosity is, what is considered "drone". I recently borrowed a friends GMC 1500 long bed with an aftermarket exhaust on it.. And while I certainly did hear the exhaust, at just about any speed, it was hardly a problem. So, maybe I won't notice?

*sigh* Just about every other mod I want to make, I am pretty certain on.. But this one.. Not so sure!

 

[TheFox88]

Has any one tried the bolt-on cat back from Truckperformance.com? I think this is the link for the one i'm thinking of going with. http://www.truckperformance.com/pro...92/sf3_Explorer/sf4_4.0l/partnumber_FLW17246/

I'm not sure if that will work so just copy and paste in the web address if you're intereted.

 

[celly]

Of course, my other curiosity is, what is considered "drone".

Obviously, sound is subjective. When I scored the Magnaflow, the muffler-shop guy said that MOST peformance mufflers will be louder than stock. That's "just the way it is", he said.

The Magnaflow had a very inconsistent sound quality to me. Sometimes it sounded good, other times it sounded like crap. My wife called my Explorer a "rice-burner". Enough was enough.She never made similar comments with the Flowie. The Flowmaster was more "consistent", but it really was louder at some times other than others. Was much quieter than Magnaflow on the highway overall. Keep in mind that I had no resonator and larger diameter pipes with the Flowmaster too and both should make the exhaust louder. Such a combination with Magnaflow would have been horrible, IMHO. From what I've seen, people with OHV and V8 engines tend to like Magnaflow. Those with SOHC do not.

Overall, the "drone" with Flowmaster was bearable, but it was annoying me at times. Now it's perfect. To each his/her own of course. Some people love the noise and of course, noise is subjective.

When I did my homework on exhaust, I found little good press on Mac catbacks. Don't get too hung up on full catback systems. Find a muffler you like and get a muffler shop to bend the pipes for you. That's an option which seems to appeal to many people on this site who upgrade their exhaust. Of course, combining it with an intake and chip/flasher is the way to go.

 

[spindlecone]

Celly
Your right on, all sound is subjective and is percieved, me, I cant hear **** anymore unless I turn on my hearing aids, far to much mid 60s rock and roll.
Thank you Mr Browning

 

[celly]

Celly
Your right on, all sound is subjective and is percieved, me, I cant hear **** anymore unless I turn on my hearing aids, far to much mid 60s rock and roll.
Thank you Mr Browning

I hear ya (bad pun). I should be deaf from all the concerts I attended in the past (I can still hear Ted Nugent several decades later....my ears rang for days afterward).

 

[cherrybomb]

Cool..

I appreciate the feedback celly!

I've actually been leaning toward taking it to a local muffler shop, since I know the owner rather well. I'm sure he'll treat me right.

I'll be sure to post when I do WHATEVER I do, and let ya'll know how I like it.

 

[Hokie]

LoL, Celly i remember you asking me about my magnaflow before you even got it. Mine ain't bad with the resonator tucked in there right past the muffler, it does get louder when driving on the interstate on rainy days though

 

[MONMIX]

hey Celly ya got some pics for us ?

I keep bouncing back and forth as to weather or not I wanna get the resonator

 

[IAmTodd]

hey Celly ya got some pics for us ?

I keep bouncing back and forth as to weather or not I wanna get the resonator

No, you want a 70 series and give me the 50

 

[celly]

LoL, Celly i remember you asking me about my magnaflow before you even got it. Mine ain't bad with the resonator tucked in there right past the muffler, it does get louder when driving on the interstate on rainy days though

Actually, I had already purchased it when I touched base with you. I bought Magnaflow on recommendation of the shop. I had suggested Flowmaster to him but he told me it was too loud. How ironic. I actually came across your plight after I put it on and hit you up about how to quieten it up. It might sound better with my aftermarket resonator, but Magnaflow sounded crap in my stock pipes/stock resonator.

I love my new setup. I've only had it a few days and wish I got it done from day 1 (or done a 70 series), at least when I replaced the Magnaflow with Flowmaster. I do remember you saying a resonator was a good way to go. I think you were the first person to even bring them to my attention.

We had a LOT of rain here lately (flooding all over Southern Alberta), and no negative effects at all with mine.

 

[celly]

hey Celly ya got some pics for us ?

I keep bouncing back and forth as to weather or not I wanna get the resonator

Getting pics would be a pain. It's really tucked in, just behind the muffler. I should have taken a camera to the shop while it was on the hoist. This guy did great work. We didn't think a 17" was going to fit in there. I watched how meticulous this guy was. He's well known in Calgary for doing great work and I am one satisifed customer.

I'd go for one if you want to quieten down your Ex. I had my eye on a 14" resonator via eBay with a 2.5" core. The shop I used could only get the longer one in 2.5". He wanted to try out a shorter one but it had the smaller diamater core, which would have caused some restriction. The longer the resonator, the more sound effect. So you might want to get your hands on a shorter one if you don't want as much deadening. Mine is pretty quiet now. Not quite stock, but not too far away. I like it.

This is one I had my eyes on for a while.

The shop I used didn't have a line on them and the one I got was much cheaper anyhow and works great. Not as purty to look at, but I can't see mine anyhow.

This is mine:

Flo Pro Baffle Pack 17", 2.5" core, part 4415XX

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

flowmaster 70 question

I had similar issues with inside drone and finally solved it last year with a Flowmaster 70 muffler. There was no performance or mileage loss and the best part, no in cabin noise.

Aldive I see you also got 70 series flows on your explorer. On the flowmaster site it says I have 70 series big block II mufflers on mine. So I am thinking they put 70 series flows on my X. But I got dual chamber 2 flowmasters. I was wondering do you got a sound clip of your flows. I wanna see if they sound like mine at all. I have a video clip of mine so check it out and tell me if our flowmasters sound alike or different.

 

[BeauJ]

You guys are trying to make it quiet, and I'm trying to make mine louder