Replace Resonator or X Pipe 1996 CE LT1
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Los Alamos NM
Replace Resonator or X Pipe 1996 CE LT1
1996 CE LT1 Totally Stock:
In the last few days my exhaust has gotten much louder and the drone is back (I almost eliminated it earlier by going to stock mufflers). I can feel a rumble under the driver's seat that wasn't there before I'm guessing something has gone wrong with the resonator (it's the original).
I don't want to go much louder and I really want to eliminate that stupid drone. I don't have the money for a cat back system or Corsa. I've been trying to just find a replacement resonator, but I want something new so I don't end up in the same place. I haven't been able to find one, but it sounds like an X Pipe might be better anyway. Would an X Pipe really help eliminate the drone? What would be the best place to get either that would fit the stock exhaust?
In the last few days my exhaust has gotten much louder and the drone is back (I almost eliminated it earlier by going to stock mufflers). I can feel a rumble under the driver's seat that wasn't there before I'm guessing something has gone wrong with the resonator (it's the original).
I don't want to go much louder and I really want to eliminate that stupid drone. I don't have the money for a cat back system or Corsa. I've been trying to just find a replacement resonator, but I want something new so I don't end up in the same place. I haven't been able to find one, but it sounds like an X Pipe might be better anyway. Would an X Pipe really help eliminate the drone? What would be the best place to get either that would fit the stock exhaust?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
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From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
To the best of my knowledge there are only two systems that do not produce drone on your stock 96 LT1.
They are the stock cat back system that came on the corvette and the complete corsa system.
There are plenty of the stock ones around. If you have replaced the center resonator once without success, I urge you to try to locate another one. You need the stock resonator and the stock mufflers.
They are the stock cat back system that came on the corvette and the complete corsa system.
There are plenty of the stock ones around. If you have replaced the center resonator once without success, I urge you to try to locate another one. You need the stock resonator and the stock mufflers.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
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From: Los Alamos NM
When I bought the car it had the mufflers completely eliminated and I put back stock mufflers, but I have never replaced the resonator. I haven't actually found a place to get one. Do you know where I could get it? I'm in the middle of nowhere with no junk yards around so they're not an option.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
When I bought the car it had the mufflers completely eliminated and I put back stock mufflers, but I have never replaced the resonator. I haven't actually found a place to get one. Do you know where I could get it? I'm in the middle of nowhere with no junk yards around so they're not an option.
Unfortunately, the central resonator is not a part that is sold separately. There are however many people on the parts for sale section of the forum that offer their stock exhaust to anyone will pay to have it shipped. the one thing that goes to your advantage is that if you find someone with the stock exhaust system just ask them to saw the pipes off of the resonator leaving 1" stubs on each end. It's much less expensive to ship just the resonator that way. Then you can have a muffler shop weld it up for you.
You might try www.vette2vette.com
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
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From: Los Alamos NM
I didn't realize I hadn't filled the profile out. Thanks for pointing that out.
I live in Los Alamos, NM so shipping will be a bear, but if I can find one for less than a Corsa system then it will be worth it.
I live in Los Alamos, NM so shipping will be a bear, but if I can find one for less than a Corsa system then it will be worth it.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,264
Likes: 117
From: San Antonio Texas
I've heard a couple of people that took out the resonator and welded in a pair of long tube glass pack or steel pack mufflers in place with an H pipe in front and done away with the drone. I've never heard one myself, but it seems like something a muffler shop could do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
An "X" pipe will NOT get rid of drone. a stock 95 or 96 resonator w/ mufflers and cats are quite good. And, Magnaflow's resonator worked quite well - far as drone went (on my Z).
IIRC, the complete cat-back Magnaflow for the C4 was around $800 ish, about 5 years ago.
Good luck tho on the 96 resonator. That, with the mufflers was drone free and actually flowed quite well!
IIRC, the complete cat-back Magnaflow for the C4 was around $800 ish, about 5 years ago.
Good luck tho on the 96 resonator. That, with the mufflers was drone free and actually flowed quite well!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
1996 CE LT1 Totally Stock:
In the last few days my exhaust has gotten much louder and the drone is back (I almost eliminated it earlier by going to stock mufflers). I can feel a rumble under the driver's seat that wasn't there before I'm guessing something has gone wrong with the resonator (it's the original).
I don't want to go much louder and I really want to eliminate that stupid drone. I don't have the money for a cat back system or Corsa. I've been trying to just find a replacement resonator, but I want something new so I don't end up in the same place. I haven't been able to find one, but it sounds like an X Pipe might be better anyway. Would an X Pipe really help eliminate the drone? What would be the best place to get either that would fit the stock exhaust?
In the last few days my exhaust has gotten much louder and the drone is back (I almost eliminated it earlier by going to stock mufflers). I can feel a rumble under the driver's seat that wasn't there before I'm guessing something has gone wrong with the resonator (it's the original).
I don't want to go much louder and I really want to eliminate that stupid drone. I don't have the money for a cat back system or Corsa. I've been trying to just find a replacement resonator, but I want something new so I don't end up in the same place. I haven't been able to find one, but it sounds like an X Pipe might be better anyway. Would an X Pipe really help eliminate the drone? What would be the best place to get either that would fit the stock exhaust?
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
, but that should be good. I looked it up and it appears that the 93 stock should fit on the 96. I won't be in Albuquerque for couple of weeks (probably 5/14/16). Would that work for you?
Last edited by toricred; May 1, 2016 at 10:01 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
Exhaust
14th works for me just keep me updated so I can take it down and this is all in 1 piece so you will need a pickup. Jay
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
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From: Los Alamos NM
The truck may take me an extra week. It's in need of a new alternator at the moment and I may not get to it next weekend. At worst it will be the 21st. I'll let you know at least a week in advance.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 461
Likes: 20
Exhaust
Thanx a weeks notice will give me time to get it down from hanging from the ceiling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Los Alamos NM
So reading the forums I just saw that a 96 needs an extra bung for an O2 sensor that previous years don't have. My normal mechanic doesn't do welding and neither do I. I'm checking out a new mechanic Monday and I'll ask him about the options.