Drone and Cat back
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
From: Hinsdale IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Drone and Cat back
I keep reading about exhaust systems, and it has truly peaked my interest. Although I am not ready to make a decision at this time, I do have one question, and I feel a bit silly for even asking:
What is this thing called "drone"? Is it a particular sound, or rattle, or backfire?
What about cat back? is it another particular sound? or a device? jeez, is it a pussycat?
I have no clue.
Thanks amigos!!
What is this thing called "drone"? Is it a particular sound, or rattle, or backfire?
What about cat back? is it another particular sound? or a device? jeez, is it a pussycat?
I have no clue.
Thanks amigos!!
Last edited by Illinicane; Jan 27, 2006 at 11:53 PM. Reason: forgot one more q
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 881
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
There may be a better response to this, (Try a search on it also if you want)
Drone is the sound that you will hear at certain rpms, usually at a steady speed, that can be hear within the car from the exhaust note. Some other threads compare it to 4x2 or 4x4 trucks that you hear on the freeway.
Catback, form the converter back.
hope this helps some.
Drone is the sound that you will hear at certain rpms, usually at a steady speed, that can be hear within the car from the exhaust note. Some other threads compare it to 4x2 or 4x4 trucks that you hear on the freeway.
Catback, form the converter back.
hope this helps some.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Fort Lee NJ
basically as far as I know for the C6, the Corsa exhaust is the only one that has no "drone" and the definition aboce describes it perfectly...bottom line drone=bad....as far as "cat-backs" go it is simply an exhaust from the catalytic converters back.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 26
From: Austin Texas
Cat back is supposed to mean from the catalytic converter to the exhaust tip but to most of the Vendors it means the over-axle pipe, muffler and tip. The pipe from the converter to the over-axle pipe (the "X" or "H" pipe) is not included at the price quoted from most of the vendors.
Two over-axle pipes, two mufflers and two tips is usually what you get for $1,000.00 +.
Drone is best described as a harmonic vibration at specific RPM/LOAD. My Magnaflow mufflers (homemade cat back) has drone only at 1200 to 1600 RPM under load. Back off on the gas or downshift and it disappears. Doesn't bother me or any passengers so far.
Two over-axle pipes, two mufflers and two tips is usually what you get for $1,000.00 +.
Drone is best described as a harmonic vibration at specific RPM/LOAD. My Magnaflow mufflers (homemade cat back) has drone only at 1200 to 1600 RPM under load. Back off on the gas or downshift and it disappears. Doesn't bother me or any passengers so far.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 569
From: Bucks County PA
DRONE is a constant deep, bassy, humming sound in the interior of the car at certain rpms.
It is not the nice sweet gurgle sound of a V8, but more like a BASSY HUM that resonates in your ears and your head, sometimes it is uncomfortable.
I have B&B Bullets in my C6 automatic Vert.
With the top and windows up at certain rpms (approx 1800-2300) and when starting off quickly (not WOT, but not slow) it can be rough, but I have learned how to avoid the drone zones with judicious use of the go-pedal and shifting from OD to 3rd and 3rd to OD when the Drone warrants it.
With the windows and top down the DRONE literally goes out the window
and I love my B&B BUllets.
My 67 year old father who borrows my car often complains constantly that his ears hurt, but he just puts it i gear and drives with the top and windows up, come spring and summer & top down cruising he will thank me.
Hope this helps,
Howard
It is not the nice sweet gurgle sound of a V8, but more like a BASSY HUM that resonates in your ears and your head, sometimes it is uncomfortable.
I have B&B Bullets in my C6 automatic Vert.
With the top and windows up at certain rpms (approx 1800-2300) and when starting off quickly (not WOT, but not slow) it can be rough, but I have learned how to avoid the drone zones with judicious use of the go-pedal and shifting from OD to 3rd and 3rd to OD when the Drone warrants it.
With the windows and top down the DRONE literally goes out the window
and I love my B&B BUllets.My 67 year old father who borrows my car often complains constantly that his ears hurt, but he just puts it i gear and drives with the top and windows up, come spring and summer & top down cruising he will thank me.
Hope this helps,
Howard
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 20,054
Likes: 44
From: Swansea IL
I will tell you that sometimes the drone is almost unnoticeable and sometimes interior panels will buzz. I have been in cars where the drone or harmonics were so bad and so specific it felt like a dentist’s drill on my teeth and it physically hurt my ears and caused headache's.
Before buying any after market exhaust know what you’re getting into. Speaking from experience when folks were dumping their OEM C5 exhaust for "that muscle car" sound I found it funny that a few months later you started seeing all sorts of "slightly used" exhaust systems showing up in the For Sale section. And for pennies on the dollar.
Tom
Before buying any after market exhaust know what you’re getting into. Speaking from experience when folks were dumping their OEM C5 exhaust for "that muscle car" sound I found it funny that a few months later you started seeing all sorts of "slightly used" exhaust systems showing up in the For Sale section. And for pennies on the dollar.
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
While the stock sytem has almost undectable drone, if you drive at exactly 1500 rpm you will hear it ever so slightly because that's where it happens. Slowly accelerate on a smooth road and as you pass thru 1500 rpm you will hear it come and go.
Last edited by Walt White Coupe; Jan 28, 2006 at 02:45 PM. Reason: spelling
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 909
Likes: 0
From: Hinsdale IL
St. Jude Donor '06
Thanks for the advice and feedback.
I do understand what drone is now. I've put the car onto the 1500 rpm, and it is as stated.
I like it, but would not want it full time, even if it meant that it sounded great on the outside.
I do understand what drone is now. I've put the car onto the 1500 rpm, and it is as stated.
I like it, but would not want it full time, even if it meant that it sounded great on the outside.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 0
From: Dallas Texas
Originally Posted by Illinicane
Thanks for the advice and feedback.
I do understand what drone is now. I've put the car onto the 1500 rpm, and it is as stated.
I like it, but would not want it full time, even if it meant that it sounded great on the outside.
I do understand what drone is now. I've put the car onto the 1500 rpm, and it is as stated.
I like it, but would not want it full time, even if it meant that it sounded great on the outside.
