Re-gaining low-end torque lost by muffler... resonator?

[Hazman]

Hey all, quick question...

After I got my Mazdaspeed axleback and CAI installed on my '99 LX, I lost quite a bit of the low-end "pep" that my car had, but noticed gains in the higher-RPM department, especially with the intake. Anyway, I have been looking for a way to increase and get back my performance from off the line. I drove by a local muffler shop recently and asked them this question, and they said that having a glass-pack resonator would give me more low-end power, but unfortunately also quiet my car down quite a bit.

Is this true? And if so (or even if not), what would following their advice do to my car? I don't want it to be much quieter (I LOVE the sound... deep and not ricey or too loud), but I do want to be faster off the line. Help! Thanks.

 

[viVid]

All it would do is quiet it down a bit (assuming it is the same I.D. as your exhaust)... you won't see any additional low end. To get your low end back, you'd have to put your OEM parts back on

Hey all, quick question...

After I got my Mazdaspeed axleback and CAI installed on my '99 LX, I lost quite a bit of the low-end "pep" that my car had, but noticed gains in the higher-RPM department, especially with the intake. Anyway, I have been looking for a way to increase and get back my performance from off the line. I drove by a local muffler shop recently and asked them this question, and they said that having a glass-pack resonator would give me more low-end power, but unfortunately also quiet my car down quite a bit.

Is this true? And if so (or even if not), what would following their advice do to my car? I don't want it to be much quieter (I LOVE the sound... deep and not ricey or too loud), but I do want to be faster off the line. Help! Thanks.

 

[sacah]

I know very little about cars, but the lower end comes from your stock intake making turbulance so it mixes with the fuel better as you don't have the flow, where as CAI is great for high speed as it gives the engine lots of air, but it creates no turbulance so at low speeds the air has no turbulance, so very little power, a resonator will create this turbulance, but also quiten it down...

Is that right, I just figured it might help you out and people could also point out where I'm wrong, best way to learn
(-;

 

[digitalpro5]

Would adding a header help in the low end. I've read that some headers may give stronger low end, and others stronger at the higher rpms.

 

[Rism]

I was in the same situation when I had a SRI, OBX header, and msp axleback, I had no lowend power at all especially in 1st gear. But just last week I put on a CAI and a 2.5" catless midpipe and DAAAAAAMN does she hall ass in first gear.

 

[twilightprotege]

who cares about low rpm power?

think of it this way - at low rpm you're driving slowly (usually), and rpm you're going hard.

anyway, at low rpm you're still faster than the 1.0L buz boxes

also, you've probably lost 2-3whp at most under 3000rpm with those mods.

 

[SciFiMan]

who cares about low rpm power?

think of it this way - at low rpm you're driving slowly (usually), and rpm you're going hard.

anyway, at low rpm you're still faster than the 1.0L buz boxes

also, you've probably lost 2-3whp at most under 3000rpm with those mods.

The low end power (torque if you will) helps move the mass of the car, which is nice when you have to cut and thrust through lower speed traffic (or drag race, autox, etc.) Otherwise to get useful work done you'd have to stay down a gear or two to keep the rev's way up all the time to get anywhere. That's annoying for daily driving. When a turbo kicks in and you feel it push you back in your seat, that's the torque curve hitting. But without a strong low end or midrange you have to stay up near redline all the time to make progress, and it doesn't make for a very flexible driving experience.

 

[twilightprotege]

yes i know what torque does, but what i am saying is it's not as big of an issue as most people think. like i said with the mods he's done he would have lost 2-3whp at most under 3000rpm. probably less.

 

[mp5jeff]

and how long when racing are you under 3000rpm, i know when i race, that would be never, cuz i slip the clutch at 3500+rpm.

 

[maitai92]

you can upgrade to MP3 chip. Will advance your timing and good for 10 lb/ft of torque.

 

[Hazman]

Apparently the lady at the muffler shop thought I didn't have a resonator at all, which is why she recommended getting one. When I told her I have one, she said nevermind.

maitai92, tell me more!

 

[Gen1GT]

I doubt that you've even lost any torque to begin with. I just think that your top end has improved so much, that it's making your bottom end seem weak on comparison. The only way to lose torque would be because of a huge drop in exhaust velocity. I doubt that's what's happening. A resonator will only make it worse, assuming that you've even lost anything.

I have 2.5" exhaust on my car, but mine's only a 1.8. So I did lose some torque. What's the Mazdaspeed exhaust? 2.25"? And it's bolted to a 2.0L. Look at my dyno after exhaust. I lost maybe 3lb-ft from 2500-3200RPM. I LAUNCH at 4500RPM. But look at the gains above 6000RPM. Trust me, your car is faster the way it is. Unless you don't like the way your car sounds, leave of the resonator.

 

[bonesmp5]

you'll get used to it --- just got to play with the pedals to find a nice take off

 

[SciFiMan]

and how long when racing are you under 3000rpm, i know when i race, that would be never, cuz i slip the clutch at 3500+rpm.

Fairly often if you have an auto, like I do, so low end grunt is important.

 

[maitai92]

Apparently the lady at the muffler shop thought I didn't have a resonator at all, which is why she recommended getting one. When I told her I have one, she said nevermind.

maitai92, tell me more!

I just realize you have a 99 LX. I think the ECU is different from the 2.0 FS-DEs. But again just like Gen1GT said you probably didnt even lose any torque.

 

[SlowPro98]

Apparently the lady at the muffler shop thought I didn't have a resonator at all, which is why she recommended getting one. When I told her I have one, she said nevermind.

maitai92, tell me more!

I'm no expert on pros, but I've seen some domestic 4bangers with Cherry bombs. You can get them off of ebay for cheap. I think that would be louder than a resonator, actually, I think it would be pretty badass