Mazdaspeed Exhaust Droning

[Rudy23]

I am a new member and need some advice. I installed the Mazdaspeed 'sport' exhaust and there is a droning sound inside the cabin with the RPM between 3000 and 4000.

I read prior threads and they recommended soundproofing the hatch area. I followed the recommendation but there was only a sound reduction of about 10%. I used the b-quiet material for the hatch floor area only. Should I also do the hatch-door itself (behind the plastic cover??

If anyone else has the same issue resolved, I would really like to hear how they did it. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Joker_Fl]

yeah with the mazdaspeed exhaust it's just pretty much there. The only thing I can tell you is to drive fast and turn the music up. Thats what I do.

In all seriousness, try doin the sides of the hatch area, that seams to be where i lost most of my drone noise at when I dynomated the hatch. I got used to the noise in a couple of days though.

 

[Poseur]

Check the audio section there's a discussion about thsigoing on right now. Also look at this:
http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7668
Carpet padding is GOOD stuff. it actually blocks noise, mat-stuff jsut reduces vibration/panel resonance. I did this and it quieted my exhaust down a good bit, but it also quieted th rest of my car down enough that the exhaust was more noticeable if that makes any sense.

 

[SciFiMan]

Yeah, I have the sedan and put Fatmat on the trunk floor and sides, but it only helped a bit. Mostly I just waited a month until I got used to it. I've had other people rid with me and nobody has asked why it's so loud.

But perhaps most aftermarket performance exhausts do this? I don't know, but a Viper is pretty loud stock. Put a Borla on it and may drone too. Or maybe the $500+ exhausts don't. (shrug)

 

[Rudy23]

Thanks for the info. I will try the synthetic carpet padding and also do the sides. Will keep you updated if I make any progress on reducing that drone.

I can't tell if it is resonance or soundwaves or where it originates from. (The muffler of course but how it enters the cabin)

 

[Protege52003]

After a while you will get used to it. Then when you drive in a car without a custom exhaust, you will be like, "Damn, this car is so quiet."

 

[Poseur]

I don't know, even with my OBX on which is loud, I'll ride in my friend's P5 that doens't have the sounddeadening and carpet padding like mine and just get annoyed at how loud it is.

 

[SP5]

I have the mazdaspeed exhaust on my P5 and don't have any problems with noise or droning, it's actually quieter than I thought it would be. I'm in Cali so my P5 has a catalytic converter, does that make a difference?

SP5

 

[NJP5Guy]

swap it out for a RB cat-back.

 

[CTpro5]

You need HKS Hi-Power exhaust!!! They come with a Silenter. NO drone at ALL on the highway!!!!! I love them! But selling my car,they have to go. Also IMO they are the HOTTEST looking exhaust for our P5. The RB is nice,but tip is just a bit bigger than OEM.

 

[Rudy23]

SP5,

That would make sense as the additional restriction on the exhaust for California cars could make it quieter.

CTpro5, your P5 is the best looking one I have seen (my humble opinion). If I had the funds, that be the way I'd go.

 

[flat_black]

All P5's came with two cats; One precat, beneath the manifold, and one primary cat, between the precat and the resonator section, so all P5's should sound about the same.

The Mazdaspeed exhaust does drone, yes; My suggestion to you would be to try carpet padding, for sure, but chances are it won't muffle it too much, really.

Or, you could get an OBX header, a catless midpipe, and a resonator delete pipe, and drive around for several hours; After that EVERYthing will seem quieter, since you'll be that much closer to being deaf. =) Hehee. Just kidding, of course.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

the droning goes away after a few months, when soots start depositing inside the muffler and alters its resonance frequency.

I had the same problem when I put mine on 3 years ago, now it no longer drones, just a nice low exhaust sound

 

[flat_black]

How many miles, ZoomZoomH? I have about 35k on my sport exhaust, and now it's louder than it was originally, though it did quiet down a bit between the 5 - 25k mark.

 

[ZoomZoomH]

I think I put it on around 15k.... now I have 50k... so 35k on it??

mine sounds great, I love it

 

[Natey]

Mine seemed to mellow out after about 1000 miles. Also, when I sound-proofed my hatch area, I did the hatch itself, plus I Dynamatted the spare-wheel well and behind the plastic side panels(jack area).
It made a nice difference, but that exhaust is just kinda loud. There's not really much you can do about it except turn up the stereo!

 

[MazdaP5]

I sold my mazdaspeed exhaust.. Honestly, it's way too loud... Now, back to stock, I love the car!

 

[digitalpro5]

After a while you will get used to it. Then when you drive in a car without a custom exhaust, you will be like, "Damn, this car is so quiet."

Ha your right. First time I drove my corolla again since I bought the HKS exhaust months ago, and I swear I thought I didn't even start the car, and once I started rolling I was amazed at how quite everything was.

But hey, I play my music loud so I don't notice a thing.

 

[NJP5Guy]

Ha your right. First time I drove my corolla again since I bought the HKS exhaust months ago, and I swear I thought I didn't even start the car, and once I started rolling I was amazed at how quite everything was.

But hey, I play my music loud so I don't notice a thing.

I know what you mean. ive got the RB and today i drove my freinds mazda3 and i wasnt sure if i started it because there was no exhaust note...so quiet compared to what im used to on start up.

 

[kolashaker]

I can't imagine going back to stock now, I'd go crazy not hearing any exhaust note.