1992 C4 replace resonator with x-pipe
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
1992 C4 replace resonator with x-pipe
I did some reading on the forum. How is it possible that some owners get drone and others do not by doing this modification? I have an x-pipe to put in its place with some straight pipe. A trusted Corvette owner tells me it is as cheap as its ever gonna get to install the x-pipe and a smooth intake coupler to pick a few horsepower. Nothing noticeable but none the less a gain. I will put a hotcam kit in the car next year. He says the stock exhaust system can flow up to 400 horsepower before installing headers is worth the cost. When I do the hotcam kit I may go ahead and put headers on it. Back to the topic at hand any drone from the x-pipe?
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 704
Likes: 2
From: Cincinnati OH
Drone has a lot to do with the combination of parts in the exhaust system. Unfortunately I've never had a x-pipe but I have had a few other combos. I had resignators and flowmasters on my 94 and couldn't stand the drone at highway speeds. I switched to magnaflow and it went way down. I took out this combo and put in y pipe to a 4" magnaflow without resignators or cats and i got the drone back, although not as bad as with flowmasters. From conversations with others it seems removing the resonators and cats has the most impact on drone. If you keep a resonator in the exhaust it minimizes any drone.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
My goal is to free up the big restriction in the 1992 exhaust system. I have a 1988 C4 with long tube headers, MagnaFlow cats and Flowmaster 44 mufflers. The drone is bad under 1800 rpm's. I am not going to eliminate my cats or change the stock mufflers. I thought the drone comes from the mufflers based on my experience in my 88 C4. My C5 Z06 has long tube headers, x-pipe, free flow cats and stock mufflers. No drone at all.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
I took the 1992 C4 to the muffler shop yesterday after work. They cut the resonator off and welded in my eBay x-pipe. I paid $30 for the x-pipe and $100 for the shop labor. I noticed right away not a single difference in sound. Absolutely no difference. I kept the resonator and when I examined it to my surprise it's simply a big heavy hollow container. How it is a restriction is unclear? I can see how it would act to quiet the exhaust but restrict it? I thought this thing had chambers.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,971
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Whoever told you the resonator was a restriction clearly never looked through one. It is in fact straight through just as you said. The biggest restriction would be the stock mufflers or cats.
I have same setup, no resonator, x pipe, stock mufflers. As far as you not noticing any difference - if your just looking for more volume then you probably didn't get it. The elimination of the resonator gave my car a more aggressive tone and growl. Not more noise. And most importantly it didn't add any drone.
I have same setup, no resonator, x pipe, stock mufflers. As far as you not noticing any difference - if your just looking for more volume then you probably didn't get it. The elimination of the resonator gave my car a more aggressive tone and growl. Not more noise. And most importantly it didn't add any drone.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 23
From: mesa az
This is another topic but I am going to a it anyway, I feel compelled, driven, and entertained to modify my car. Putting the x-pipe in would be done sooner or later as the resonator has no room with headers and cats. I see a hotcam kit going in down the road.
