Well to start off, I bought an SSAutoChrome 3in Turboback exhaust for 250 shipped, but ever since I got it, it was raspy and loud. So much drone in cabin as well. Ive been reading other peoples threads on how they tried to make their exhaust quiet as well. Well first thing I got rid of was the fartcan and replaced it with a Vibrant Streetpower Turbo 3.5 dual tip Muffler. Pics:
I wanted tips bigger than stock, so it wont look completely sleeper.
Anyways I found out the SSAutoChrome Turboback Exhaust has no resonators, they are just for looks. So basically I was running a full 3in turboback with fartcan and no resonators.
So then I installed the Vibrant at a muffler shop (Midas) and here are some pics of it installed:
After the install, it felt a bit quieter, the rasp definitly was gone though, sounds nice and deep as well. The old muffler only had perforated holes not even half way through the muffler, Terrible. I still dont have a clip of my new muffler sound, but here is the old muffler sound:
That was right after install of the exhaust. After a couple weeks it sounded awfully worse.
So even with new muffler there is still some resonance in cabin, and a bit loud for my taste, but thats because there is no resonators.
Now I bought a 3"in/out magnaflow round 6" resonator because I heard those really make your exhaust quiet. But there was a problem once we were about to install...It was too big.. The driveshaft was in the way and would be too tight of a fit and it would drop real low. Now I have to return it and find another resonator. Now my question is do you AWD guys have resonators that really work and if so, which ones would fit under my car? The only other one that magnaflow makes is the 5in round one and no other. I was thinking of a Vibrant Ultra Quiet resonator, but its oval: Height is 4.50" which is perfect, but the width is 6.75"! Dont know how it would fit...Any one have any suggestions?
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Is that the Vibrant #1043 muffler? I am looking at getting the #1047 which is identical except for having straight cut beveled tips vs. the slant cut rolled tips.
IMO, the only thing I would change would be to have a hanger welded onto the muffler itself so that the muffler tucks up a bit closer to the rear fascia.
Is that the Vibrant #1043 muffler? I am looking at getting the #1047 which is identical except for having straight cut beveled tips vs. the slant cut rolled tips.
IMO, the only thing I would change would be to have a hanger welded onto the muffler itself so that the muffler tucks up a bit closer to the rear fascia.
Yes that is the Vibrant 1043 muffler, which one is the 1047? I dont believe I ever saw that one when I was purchasing.
Also which hanger you talking about the one behind the muffler? There is only one hanger on the muffler which is on the right side. I do wish it was tucked a bit more in. I dont know how they would do that though besides recutting it.
Anyone know if a 5" round magnaflow muffler can fit where the downpipe is? Its so tight under the car because of the driveshaft....Only thing I hate about AWD!!
Yes that is the Vibrant 1043 muffler, which one is the 1047? I dont believe I ever saw that one when I was purchasing.
Also which hanger you talking about the one behind the muffler? There is only one hanger on the muffler which is on the right side. I do wish it was tucked a bit more in. I dont know how they would do that though besides recutting it.
I think the 1043 will actually be better as far as not attracting attention from the cops. It's just a matter of personal preference. But you can see the slight difference between the rolled edge vs beveled edge tips here:
I run a vibrant resonator 18" with a magaflow race muffler (14834) no cat 3" from the turbo back. The sound is very deep threwout the RPM band with out that raspyness at the end .
The vibrant resonators are the perforated desighn that are straight threw 3" just the the race muffler so there is no power loss.
That muffler looks great on the 2gs with the cut out in the bumper but I dont have that being a 90. Check out vibrant resonators they are expensive but possibly the best resonator out there for durability and sound control and they will fit in a tight area.
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Kris
Best ET 11.82
Best MPH 117.4
You need muffler "volume" to make the car quiet. "Scientific Design of Exhaust & Intake systems" is a good read for this sort of stuff. I paid attention to it when I decided to make my "quiet" 3 inch exhaust system.
I wouldn't run a resonator, I'd run a 2nd muffler as big and long as I could fit under the car. About 5" diameter is as big as I could fit near the driveshaft. You don't want a muffler in the downpipe, way too hot, the muffler packing won't last.
I really like the dual tips, but that main muffler is still small.
When they did mine they removed the stock rear hangers as they wouldn't work properly, they would interfer with the muffler & not allow it to be tucked properly. They just installed their own hanger on the frame & then was good to go.
For the resonator, I know a local guy that installed the Vibrant ultra quiet resonator on his awd. I believe he installed it so the widest part was up & down but I don't know the specifics. He said it was tight but it did fit.
ok thanks for responses guys, the thing im so confused about it, Ive heard of people able to fit 6" diameter resonator/muffler, that is why I bought it. Im thinking the guy at the muffler shop was just lazy as well because he first of all is like 20 something and he kept saying how it wouldnt fit or else he had to cut so many things, etc.
The resonator is big though, but I heard 6" is the one that will quiet the exhaust real well, like someone posted "volume" is basically the key. I actually had the car up just couple min ago to measure and I believe it fits if pipe is cut long and replaced with resonator, but im not sure. I forgot to take pics while car was up, but anyway I took pics just now
Last pic is of fake resonators ssautochrome provides there 4" diameter and about 11" long
What do you guys think? I cant return the resonator and I know there has to be a way to make it fit
Using a 5" diameter mid muffler I had to grind down the driveshaft carrier bearing mounting stud to about flush with the mounting nut. This was a pretty tight install for me. I don't know about a 6" muffler, I couldn't even fit one on my car.
Your exhaust looks like it is riding high, I doubt the 6" will even come close to fitting.
Using a 5" diameter mid muffler I had to grind down the driveshaft carrier bearing mounting stud to about flush with the mounting nut. This was a pretty tight install for me. I don't know about a 6" muffler, I couldn't even fit one on my car.
Your exhaust looks like it is riding high, I doubt the 6" will even come close to fitting.
Damn. How long is yours? Mine is the 18" one. You dont happen to have a pic do you? Because I might just get a 5" one if I can indeed make it fit, Magnaflow only makes 5" round to 6" for a 3"in/outlet. Also did it make a difference in sound? Much quieter?
5" diameter by 15" long Borla muffler. Never did a before and after, I modified the Thermal right out of the box. Your exhaust will definitely get quieter though.
Carrier bearing clearance is going to be impossible with a 6" diameter muffler.
5" diameter by 15" long Borla muffler. Never did a before and after, I modified the Thermal right out of the box. Your exhaust will definitely get quieter though.
Carrier bearing clearance is going to be impossible with a 6" diameter muffler.
Looks nice man, did the resonator pass through both carrier bearings or only the rear one? If thats 15in, maybe I can put it past the rear carrier bearing and weld it there? There would be enough space, I just dont know if 18in long resonator will be enough space after the rear carrier bearing.
Ill be going to another welder on Friday who specializes in custom piping who supposedly is real good and hopefully he can make it fit. I really really hope so
you were the last few who got the full TURBOBACK for the 2g AWD for that $225-250 price SHIPPED, that was unheard of and a damn good deal, its been MONTHS and it's still no where to be found!!!!
Yeah, those tips look waaaay too big for my liking, just as I told you when you asked me about my thread. If one of your goals is to keep cops off your ass, this won't cut it.
you were the last few who got the full TURBOBACK for the 2g AWD for that $225-250 price SHIPPED, that was unheard of and a damn good deal, its been MONTHS and it's still no where to be found!!!!
you were the last few who got the full TURBOBACK for the 2g AWD for that $225-250 price SHIPPED, that was unheard of and a damn good deal, its been MONTHS and it's still no where to be found!!!!
Yea lol it was crazy deal good thing I bought in time
And so far cops havnt said nothing to me Cops never really said anything before I just wanted dual tips lol, and a bit bigger to show that it not stock, but to each their own
I also wanted a quiet exhaust so I bought the black stealth 3" Vibrant muffler. It sounds deep and is definately quieter than any other exhaust out there. I am probably going to buy one of there quieting resonators as I want it a little quieter.
My exhaust is a cat delete stock piping, with a 5.5 inch resonator muffler. Still not much sound difference from stock. Very quiet indeed.. Never been pulled over or even talked to from cops about the sound..
Passes behind the first carrier bearing and sits on the side of the 2nd as shown in the pic.
There's easily space for the extra length, no problem.
I went to another muffler shop and they said it wont fit, it would almost hit the floor, so i asked them about a 5in and they said it could fit but it will be tight and instead of resonance in the car ill hear rattline and it might hit the floor in bumps... Is that true with your resonator? The only other resonator I can think of is the vibrant normal round resonators that are made in 4in diameter, but I dont think those would quiet it much. And the Ultra Quiet one is too big cause its oval shaped....
Return your current muffler and exchange it for the above mentioned one. At worst they'll hit you with a 20% restock fee.
This is close to mine within 1" in length, and I know mine fits. You'll have to grind down one carrier bearing stud to about the height of the nut, and put some edge trim on the carrier bearing bracket to prevent it from rubbing, thats it. No rattles, no vibration.
You'll have about close to the same muffler volume as I do, and I know mine is quiet. I don't run a cat but when I do it gets down to stock levels of quiet. Other thing, you could run dynomat in the rear hatch area as this does make a difference. I know running my car without the rear hatch cover it can get loud, so there are things you can do in this area to quiet things down.
Thanks pbgolio, but does the 5" hit the floor when getting through speed bumps or anything? When measuring it seems real close to the floor, so that makes me a bit worried. Also if you were to grind down the carrier bearing stud, wouldnt it make it impossible to take off in future? Like when it will need replacement?
Also if I were to do this, what size edge trim you use to prevent the rattling? And for the dynomat, does that actually work? I have subs in the back. Im assuming that just helps for the resonance inside right?
Here is pic of underside of exhaust where I might install resonator:
The problem is right there, the pipes make very small curves, making it uneven for a resonator to go in straight.
I really like the look of the Vibrants 3" black mufflers...
I may get one some time down the road, My Dynomax isn't that loud, but I could definately go quieter. Really, I'd like to redo the whole turboback on my car and use another resonator or muffler to make it super quiet, and hang a little close to the car.
What kind of tone do these cars with Vibrant mufflers make? I know Dynomax (Buschur) cars have a kind of distinct sound. I want it to sound badass under full throttle
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-Ryan
91 TSi AWD - 92 VR-4
