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Exhaust drone with a vert?

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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 08:40 PM
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Default Exhaust drone with a vert?

Considering a cat-back for my C5 convertible like the Borla Stingers. I see a lot of posts about drone and have read most of them. What I haven't been able to determine is if the drone would be less in a convertible. I expect it would be less but you guys are the experts.

What do you think?

Thanks for your comments.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 08:42 PM
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by JBACE
Considering a cat-back for my C5 convertible like the Borla Stingers. I see a lot of posts about drone and have read most of them. What I haven't been able to determine is if the drone would be less in a convertible. I expect it would be less but you guys are the experts.

What do you think?

Thanks for your comments.

Just my .02, but with the top up, I dont' think there will be that much difference. I went with GHL Bullets and when I had the Goodyear RFs, I couldn't even hear the exhaust at cruising speed with the top up because of the tire noise. Went with Michelin RFs and I CAN here it now, but I would not characterize it as drone (but that's subjective). The exhaust is fairly noticeable when accelerating slightly at cruising speed, i.e., going from 65 to 70 with the cruise engaged but not unpleasant at all at steady speed.

With the top down, the wind noise pretty well overpowers the exhaust unless you are standing on it.

Can't speak for Borlas, but the GHLs get a from me.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 08:56 PM
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I have no drone in my '01 Vert with Borla twin tip stingers. It is an MN6. I believe that drives part of the difference. The gearing permits lower rpms at highway speeds. I believe that the drone is in A4's over 2300 rpms....
The second difference is The interior volume, shape and materials differ in a Vert to a Coupe. Drone is all about resonance. Resonance occurs because of sympathetic vibrations of surfaces. Different shapes, volumes and materials changes the resonant characteristics.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 09:18 PM
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Top down with wind noise is going to take care of any drone. Also, matching a good X pipe with a quality exhaust will help.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 09:27 PM
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a guy i work with has stingers on his 04 vert and its not bad at all.

my corsa with headers and off road x-pipe has zero drone.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 09:37 PM
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I have an '03 vert, Borla Quad's, and x pipe.

I don't know what this drone and resonance thing is all about..

I have asked countless people riding in the passenger seat if they are bothered by, annoyed, or think that the exhaust is too loud.

Everyone says no. Top up or down.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Just my .02, but with the top up, I dont' think there will be that much difference. I went with GHL Bullets and when I had the Goodyear RFs, I couldn't even hear the exhaust at cruising speed with the top up because of the tire noise. Went with Michelin RFs and I CAN here it now, but I would not characterize it as drone (but that's subjective). The exhaust is fairly noticeable when accelerating slightly at cruising speed, i.e., going from 65 to 70 with the cruise engaged but not unpleasant at all at steady speed.

With the top down, the wind noise pretty well overpowers the exhaust unless you are standing on it.

Can't speak for Borlas, but the GHLs get a from me.

I can agree with Gary, especially about the wind noise. I have Borla Stingers on my A4 Vert and the only drone I get is around 1500 rpm on light acceleration, but you can carry on a conversion with the top up at highway speeds. Plenty loud at WOT.
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Just my .02, but with the top up, I dont' think there will be that much difference. I went with GHL Bullets and when I had the Goodyear RFs, I couldn't even hear the exhaust at cruising speed with the top up because of the tire noise. Went with Michelin RFs and I CAN here it now, but I would not characterize it as drone (but that's subjective). The exhaust is fairly noticeable when accelerating slightly at cruising speed, i.e., going from 65 to 70 with the cruise engaged but not unpleasant at all at steady speed.

With the top down, the wind noise pretty well overpowers the exhaust unless you are standing on it.

Can't speak for Borlas, but the GHLs get a from me.
Exactly it really is the same as a coupe!!
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Old Mar 8, 2006 | 10:41 PM
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I have the Stingers w/ an X-pipe with the top down I don't hear any drone. With the top up there is a little @ about 2500 rpm. I bought a partion and some sound deading material and there is almost none now. I have 3:73's so my RPM's are alittle higher at highway speed. If you have stock gears you will be fine. Go for it
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 06:26 AM
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Originally Posted by TripleBlackxTwo
Just my .02, but with the top up, I dont' think there will be that much difference. I went with GHL Bullets and when I had the Goodyear RFs, I couldn't even hear the exhaust at cruising speed with the top up because of the tire noise. Went with Michelin RFs and I CAN here it now, but I would not characterize it as drone (but that's subjective). The exhaust is fairly noticeable when accelerating slightly at cruising speed, i.e., going from 65 to 70 with the cruise engaged but not unpleasant at all at steady speed.

With the top down, the wind noise pretty well overpowers the exhaust unless you are standing on it.

Can't speak for Borlas, but the GHLs get a from me.
I have GHL'S with the stock tires and six speed. I love the sound of the GHL'S. I'm doing the insulation as soon as I get a little time, hopefully in the next couple of weeks.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 07:06 AM
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Thanks for all the responses.

Looks like Stingers will be on their way!!!
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 07:08 AM
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Don't forget to add a partition. Works great in the vert.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 07:34 AM
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I almost never drive with the top up - but when I did there was almost no drone at all from my GHL Magnums with the top up.

Now that I have extensive mods, I do get drone at around 1800 rpm - but I think at this level of mod any CAT back is going to give you drone.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 07:43 AM
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I have to be honest with you.....the ONLY time the drone bothered me was when I took a 3 hour road trip. The last hour gave me a headache. The sound is worth the headache though
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 08:00 AM
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I have the GHL Mags. on my vert and if it has any drone i have never notice it at all and i have been on a few 1000 mile trips with the top down and up and it seems to make no difference but i am going to put dyno matt down it the next month are so and i will see if it makes any difference.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 10:14 AM
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I just had my Magnaflows with X pipe installed, no drone and a deep mellow sound. Check hottexhaust.com for sound bites
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 10:37 AM
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With the noise coming from my stereo - I can barely hear my B&B Bullets. However, if the stereo is turned down for some strange reason, I do get the drone ~2200rpm.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 10:45 AM
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On C4’s which are well known for the dreaded exhaust drone, the cat back system installation can be a large contributing factor. The exhaust tips need to extend just beyond the lower rear bumper fascia, pretty much like original setup. Many times they are installed just short of this. This may work the same way on the C5.
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Old Mar 9, 2006 | 11:21 AM
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I've got H/C headers ss 3600 TC, hi-flo cats X-pipe and BBrt66 cat back. At about 1300-1500 I get drone ( more with the top up than down) after that its just mellow unless I get on it - then no drone but what my wife call GROWLLL !
I don't need a partition because I've always got two sets of golf clubs in the trunk.
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