Header + Magnaflow cat back too loud - Options?

[soupandspoons]

I've got a 4-to-1 OBX-style header and a magnaflow catback installed on my Protege 2.0. I've had that combo on for about 6 months now, and my wife has finally had enough of how loud it is, so I'm looking for options on how I can reduce the volume (hopefully without significantly changing the tone, which I actually like quite a bit).

I still have all of the stock components, so here are the options that occured to me:

1) switch the OBX-style header with the stock exhaust manifold, pre-cat and j-pipe, which I expect will significantly quiet things and get rid of most of the resonance at highway speeds;

2) leave the header and put the stock cat-back on, which may be a better "performance" option than option 1), but I think will totally change the tone back to nearly stock just a bit louder;

3) try to find a 4-2-1 style header, such as a ractive header, since I've heard that this style can get rid of much of the resonance that causes the exhaust to be so loud.

What do you guys/gals think? Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Jeff

 

[dandan2]

put a high flow resinator on and it should quiet the tone!

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

I'm curious when you are getting the resonance. I only experience it at +65 mph on the highway, and it's not too bad. Of course, what your wife says trumps what you or I think... I have an obx style header and the magnaflow catback. You could consider replacing just the resonator and see if that helps. Do you have a CAI or SRI? This could affect the tone just enough to make it less annoying to your wife.

 

[soupandspoons]

I'm curious when you are getting the resonance. I only experience it at +65 mph on the highway, and it's not too bad. Of course, what your wife says trumps what you or I think... I have an obx style header and the magnaflow catback. You could consider replacing just the resonator and see if that helps. Do you have a CAI or SRI? This could affect the tone just enough to make it less annoying to your wife.

I get the resonance at 80+ km/h (50 mph) in fifth, but it seems to be at any RPM above 2900-3000.

I do have a vibrant SRI. Do you think that the intake could be significantly affecting the loudness and/or the speed/RPM at which I'm getting the loud resonance?

Cheers,

Jeff

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

It could be...I have a tsudo header, simota CAI and magnaflow catback, and I get nothing at 50mph. I don't start to get drone until 3500 rpm, more like 75 mph. Maybe swap back the stock intake? I would rather have a stock intake and a cb than an SRI and the stock cb.

 

[CulRidr]

I get the resonance at 80+ km/h (50 mph) in fifth, but it seems to be at any RPM above 2900-3000.

I do have a vibrant SRI. Do you think that the intake could be significantly affecting the loudness and/or the speed/RPM at which I'm getting the loud resonance?

Cheers,

Jeff

Let me know if you want to try a stock intake assembly (assuming you don't have yours). I can lend it to you

 

[pspc_mazda2]

I need a new Header for my Protege ES OBX is a peace of s*** cracked it right in between the 4 pipes that going in to 1 any idea's please help don't feel like paying over $650 for a set of AWR Headers please help.

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

How about just an ebay header...they're cheap, and the one that I have has been rockin for 18months with no problems. If you cracked it, maybe getting a flexpipe would help alleviate some of the stress on the header.

 

[soupandspoons]

Solved my problem! Solution may not be for everyone

I've got a 4-to-1 OBX-style header and a magnaflow catback installed on my Protege 2.0. I've had that combo on for about 6 months now, and my wife has finally had enough of how loud it is, so I'm looking for options on how I can reduce the volume (hopefully without significantly changing the tone, which I actually like quite a bit).

I still have all of the stock components, so here are the options that occured to me:

1) switch the OBX-style header with the stock exhaust manifold, pre-cat and j-pipe, which I expect will significantly quiet things and get rid of most of the resonance at highway speeds;

2) leave the header and put the stock cat-back on, which may be a better "performance" option than option 1), but I think will totally change the tone back to nearly stock just a bit louder;

3) try to find a 4-2-1 style header, such as a ractive header, since I've heard that this style can get rid of much of the resonance that causes the exhaust to be so loud.

What do you guys/gals think? Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Jeff

In the end I went with 4) NONE OF THE ABOVE.

I solved all of my drone and volume problems by installing an exhaust insert made by Car Chemistry. They sell them directly from their website and through various dealers, such as summitracing.

I bought the 2 1/4 inch three disk insert, similar to the attached photo:

I inserted it after the resonator on my magnaflow exhaust and it absolutely removed the drone and cut the volume significantly without affecting the tone. The car can now be driven discretely, but still opens up nicely when you really get on the throttle. There is absolutely no drone at highway speeds and at idle it still sounds great.

I fully realize that this has added some restriction to the exhaust flow, but because I'm NA, the added back pressure will probably help in the low and midrange RPMs. To be honest, I drove the car along the same route doing several WOT runs both before and after installing the insert and couldn't discern any difference in performance.

The instructions for the insert stated that it should be tack welded in place or riveted, but it fit in the section of pipe immediately following the resonator so well that a few taps with a rubber mallet secured it in place snugly and the t-bolt clamp on the outside of that section of pipe should keep it from going anywhere.

I'm very happy with the outcome, given my needs for a sedate daily driver that sounds great when you step on it. I don't think these inserts would be ideal in a turbo application, where the added restriction would be more detrimental.

Cheers to everybody that offered their suggestions and insight.(2thumbs)

Jeff

 

[soupandspoons]

Video of exhaust with insert

Here is a short video of the exhaust after the insert was installed. This was after a long drive and the radiator fan comes on almost immediately so there is a fair amount of background noise.



My wife is away for the next week, so the final verdict will have to wait. If she still thinks it is too loud, I may try lightly packing the "rings" of the insert with stainless steel wool.

Cheers,

Jeff