C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Resonance, where does it come from?

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Old May 27, 2010 | 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by dogfish246
Does anyone have any pics of an LT1/4 muffler cut open like the corsa muffler? I would love to see the difference? How about the center resonator?

Maybe if we get as many pics of mufflers cut open and peoples experiences we can see what could possibly work...

I think the Vettes shape, the material it uses (fiberglass), the engine tune/gears, and the location of the exhaust have to also do a lot with the resonance. Maybe if the pipes were separated they wouldnt act as tuning forks. I am not sure, just throwing some ideas out there.

Exhaust flow has a lot to do with it because when you add restriction it usually cuts down the resonance. Like stated above its probably caused by sound waves cancelling but if that is so then how do you make a free flowing muffler that is low on resonance?
Don't know about the inside of the mufflers, but the resonator is simply two 2 1/2" perforated pipes that go all the way through an empty chamber. When I first eliminated the mufflers, I ran briefly with the stock res. I really did not like the way it sounded on acceleration. When I put the Magnaflow on it it really helped to tone it.
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Old May 27, 2010 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by lt4obsesses
This is the exact system I am running. I am using the Magnaflow dual in dual out, as I tried the Dynamax, but it was too wide to install. I personally really like the sound. Magnaflow puts a high flow x-pipe along with sound damping material in this muffler, which really helps to give a nice tone. Yes, it can be loud, but hearing your engine is not what I consider resonance. The trick is to make sure the tips are about 1/2" beyond the bumper and point slightly downward. This keeps the bulk of the sound from the cabin.
What size pipe did you use? So you're saying its loud, but it doesn't have any resonance?
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Old May 27, 2010 | 10:35 PM
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This topic has indeed been worked, but a well-informed discussion is always worthwhile. A few additional thoughts:

1) I, too, was wondering why Mustangs sound good (let's be honest, they do). The effect of firing order on exhaust pulses is apparently a key factor.

2) Interesting to hear that the stock LT resonator has perforated tubing and allows some flow between sides. This indicates at least some balancing like an X pipe.

3) The H pipe GM added to LT4s behind the resonator is noteworthy, since it was presumably done to address sound, performance and cost. Does it perhaps suggest benefits for both the resonator (noise control) and the crossover (performance)? Just a thought; I sure wish someone could provide the background.
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Old May 28, 2010 | 01:41 AM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by cshuman
What size pipe did you use? So you're saying its loud, but it doesn't have any resonance?
The Magnaflow has 2.5" inlets/outlets. The x-pipe inside is pretty large however. They do have a 3" inlet/outlet available as well. But this thing seems to flow really well.

As far as resosnance, all I hear is motor. Cruising it has a rumble to it and at wot it screams pretty loud. Like I said, I am not sure what the exact definition of resonance is, I think perhaps it depends on the person. It seems like sometimes folks want their cars to sound loud and mean on the outside and be Cadillac quiet on the inside, and in disappointment, call it resonance when in fact, they're just hearing the exhaust giving them what they paid for. IMHO

As far as I'm concerned, and been told by others that this set up sounds like a SBC should sound like. I just know I really like it, going on it's fourth year now. I saved my stock mufflers just in case, but they've been gathering dust ever since.
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Old May 28, 2010 | 03:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ethree
This topic has indeed been worked, but a well-informed discussion is always worthwhile. A few additional thoughts:

1) I, too, was wondering why Mustangs sound good (let's be honest, they do). The effect of firing order on exhaust pulses is apparently a key factor.
2) Interesting to hear that the stock LT resonator has perforated tubing and allows some flow between sides. This indicates at least some balancing like an X pipe.

3) The H pipe GM added to LT4s behind the resonator is noteworthy, since it was presumably done to address sound, performance and cost. Does it perhaps suggest benefits for both the resonator (noise control) and the crossover (performance)? Just a thought; I sure wish someone could provide the background.
Don't know about the rest but #1 is wrong. Hashed out thoroughly in my thread which I posted links to earlier. The C5 and C6 all have the same firing order as the Mustang, and they have "drone", "Resonance" what ever you want to call it, wicked bad.

Last edited by Tom400CFI; May 28, 2010 at 07:30 PM.
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Old May 28, 2010 | 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by lt4obsesses
The Magnaflow has 2.5" inlets/outlets. The x-pipe inside is pretty large however. They do have a 3" inlet/outlet available as well. But this thing seems to flow really well.

As far as resosnance, all I hear is motor. Cruising it has a rumble to it and at wot it screams pretty loud. Like I said, I am not sure what the exact definition of resonance is, I think perhaps it depends on the person. It seems like sometimes folks want their cars to sound loud and mean on the outside and be Cadillac quiet on the inside, and in disappointment, call it resonance when in fact, they're just hearing the exhaust giving them what they paid for. IMHO

As far as I'm concerned, and been told by others that this set up sounds like a SBC should sound like. I just know I really like it, going on it's fourth year now. I saved my stock mufflers just in case, but they've been gathering dust ever since.

Sounds like you have no resonance. There is a definitive different between a lovely SBC exhaust rumble and resonance. Your exhaust is set up properly. The B&B that I had was a 3" inch stainless steel version for the LT1. It was the first generation that B&B produced. In my car in 6th at cruise between 1500 and 2000 rpm the cockpit was invaded by resonance. With the windows up in the car it was intolerable. Lower the windows or drop it down into 5th and the nice exhaust rumble returned.

When you experience resonance you will know it because after about 46 minutes you will need tylenol for the headache it will give you.
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Old May 28, 2010 | 08:18 PM
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They say you will know **** when you see it.

You will know resonance (drone) when you hear it.
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Old May 28, 2010 | 08:34 PM
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Originally Posted by jakers
Sounds like you have no resonance. There is a definitive different between a lovely SBC exhaust rumble and resonance. Your exhaust is set up properly. The B&B that I had was a 3" inch stainless steel version for the LT1. It was the first generation that B&B produced. In my car in 6th at cruise between 1500 and 2000 rpm the cockpit was invaded by resonance. With the windows up in the car it was intolerable. Lower the windows or drop it down into 5th and the nice exhaust rumble returned.

When you experience resonance you will know it because after about 46 minutes you will need tylenol for the headache it will give you.
you must be one tough dude to make it 46 minutes

I too had the original 3" B&B.....the other option is cruise about 90mph...earplugs was the only thing I ever found that worked

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Old May 28, 2010 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by ethree
This topic has indeed been worked, but a well-informed discussion is always worthwhile. A few additional thoughts:

....
3) The H pipe GM added to LT4s behind the resonator is noteworthy, since it was presumably done to address sound, performance and cost. Does it perhaps suggest benefits for both the resonator (noise control) and the crossover (performance)? Just a thought; I sure wish someone could provide the background.
I added a full 3 inch H-pipe to my original B&B 3" exhaust in exactly the same location as the factory H-pipe in the hopes it would eliminate resonance....it did NOT..

FWIW I think part of the problem is the 3 inch and secondly I think the stainless steel just might resonant a lot better than aluminized steel

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Old May 28, 2010 | 11:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom400CFI
Don't know about the rest but #1 is wrong. Hashed out thoroughly in my thread which I posted links to earlier. The C5 and C6 all have the same firing order as the Mustang, and they have "drone", "Resonance" what ever you want to call it, wicked bad.
Re #1, although I have yet to read your whole thread. My comment is primarily about how Mustangs have a nice "bark", whereas C4s sometimes sound like pickup trucks with aftermarket exhaust. (Incidentally, I had a 5.0 Mustang with Flowmasters and drone was a constant companion at highway speeds.)

http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Chart-...rtesy-MSD.html

"As an example, the well-known Chevrolet Small-Block engine has cylinders 1-3-5-7 on the left hand side of the car, and 2-4-6-8 on the other side, and uses a firing order of 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. [1] Note that the order alternates irregularly between the left and right banks; this is what causes the famous 'burbling' sound of this type of engine. [2]
In most Audi and Ford V8 engines cylinders 1-2-3-4 are on the right hand side of the car, with 5-6-7-8 are on the left.
This means that GM LS V8 engines and Ford Modular V8s have an identical firing pattern despite having a different firing order." Wikipedia
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Old May 29, 2010 | 12:07 AM
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Where does resonance come from? Well,,,let's examine the word.

RE-SON-ANCE

RE = repeated (as in over and over)
SON = root of the word "sonic"
ANCE = ants (mis-spelled of course!)

So, it's the sound of ants crawling around your car over and over. Some might use bug-spray as the cure. Or, you can run them off with a LOUD exhaust!

(Just some light-hearted fun for the holiday!)

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Old May 29, 2010 | 10:49 AM
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All of my B&B tips are a tad soot-darkened...does anyone know if all 4 work on those?
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Old May 29, 2010 | 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 'Shifter
All of my B&B tips are a tad soot-darkened...does anyone know if all 4 work on those?
If your talking about cleaning them try fine steel wool with some polish or other cleaner type product.
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Old May 29, 2010 | 07:25 PM
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"Resonance, where does it come from?"

From the rolling ghetto blasters we hear driving on the streets.

Its also the sound of the moldings rattling on any car within a 50 foot radius of said ghetto blaster.
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Old Jun 23, 2010 | 01:12 PM
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Here's what I did, and I have no resonance problems whatsoever. First, I removed all the oem parts in the exhaust system. Then I installed a set of Hedman long tube headers with 3 inch collectors. I then ran a straight pipe from each side of the engine to the center of the car and into a Magnaflow two tube resonator and out the other end with a straight pipe on each side to a Corsa muffler. The Magnaflow resonator fits just perfect into the place where the cat used to be. The sound while driving normal is well.. normal. I can hear the radio and talk at a normal level. When I go to WOT, the sound is awesome! No overload or resonance. I couldn't be happier.

Steve
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:01 PM
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I have stock manifolds, 2.5 inch pipes, 2 stainless cats, 2 chambered mufflers at the rear with large (2x8) stainless tips. All completly seperate, no H or X pipe. The sound is awesome at idle and WOT, but at cruising speeds the resonance is horrible even with the windows down. I was thinking of of dividing the system into thirds, putting one H pipe at the rear of the trans and one near the rear suspension. I'll make it look like damn ladder if it fixes it. Hoping that the problem is the complete seperation of the 2 pipes. I like the Dynomat idea too, it's going on whether the H pipes work or not.
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:33 PM
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TRANS03,you might think about putting glass packs in..I have a true dual magnaflow system and the same problem until I added the glass packs,makes it a little quieter but well worth it and I'm only into the exhaust about $525 in all..something to think about
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 08:50 PM
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JD868, Thanks for the info. Where did you put the glass packs, or do you think it matters?
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Old Jul 7, 2010 | 09:12 PM
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TRANS03,mine were put about center of the exhaust side by side...keep in mind I have no cats so the reason I added the glass packs was with hopes of getting rid of an irritating fluttering sound out the tips so it was either new cats at $125ea. or glass packs at $40ea...it was a very nice bonus when I started down the road and the resonance was dramatically reduced as well..remember too that the longer the glass pack the quieter the sound...good luck
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Old Jul 8, 2010 | 02:46 AM
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I have the billy boat system on mine. I removed the resonator and put an x pipe. Resonance GONE!
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