Which resonator/muffler to ditch first?

[willmeyer]

Hi folks. I am trying to get a deeper/louder note, but am not going to replace my entire exhaust since my stock is very low mileage. I can't find a diagram anywhere but I gather there are two resonators and a muffler in the stock MS3 exhaust (I can see the muffler in the back, and at least one of the resonators, without a jack). Which should I cut out first (replaced with straight pipe) do you think? Most of the videos I've seen have at least two, so hard to know where to start. I'll get rid of more if I don't like the change after the first.

Thanks all.

 

[spikeisgr8]

i don't think it matters which one u do first. i did both resonators with straight pipe and cat and left the muffler on (didn't wanna make it sound like a diesel, check youtube for why i say that) and couldn't be more happy with the added sound. yes, it's much louder than stock, but it's certainly not too loud or anything like that (i do like attention, however). so if ur trying to be under the radar, that's pretty much gone with my setup. one resonotor out, i'm sure it won't be too much louder. but from what i've read, once you cut out one, you wanna do the other. i suggest just doing both. and rather than spending $175 on a test pipe, straight pipe it yourself and you got added power too. i got all this done at local muffler shop for $60. took them an hour. loving everyday. hope this helps!

 

[peeaanuut]

i did both resonators first. Sounded bad ass. than I got a test pipe and it sounds even better. Still left the muffler on.

 

[240ka]

i don't think it matters which one u do first. I did both resonators with straight pipe and cat and left the muffler on (didn't wanna make it sound like a diesel, check youtube for why i say that) and couldn't be more happy with the added sound. Yes, it's much louder than stock, but it's certainly not too loud or anything like that (i do like attention, however). So if ur trying to be under the radar, that's pretty much gone with my setup. One resonotor out, i'm sure it won't be too much louder. But from what i've read, once you cut out one, you wanna do the other. I suggest just doing both. And rather than spending $175 on a test pipe, straight pipe it yourself and you got added power too. I got all this done at local muffler shop for $60. Took them an hour. Loving everyday. Hope this helps!

+1

 

[Saskatchewan17]

I'd do two resos if I were you. Some people do a reso and the muffler and that sounds pretty good, not as burbuly. Some people do all three and it sounds great, untill they get a test pipe/down pipe... then it sounds like a diesel truck.

 

[SBSPEED3]

i just finished mine today. both resonators and muffler are gone.
it is much louder than stock and has a really nice burble to it. it seems that though louder on the freeway it doesnt drone.

 

[714ms3]

To start with I would remove the resonator closest to the muffler, then have the guy at the muffler shop rev it a little for you. If you don't like the sound, then remove the 2nd res.
I personally removed both and left the muffler. I always get complimented on how good my car sounds.

 

[240ka]

i just finished mine today. both resonators and muffler are gone.
it is much louder than stock and has a really nice burble to it. it seems that though louder on the freeway it doesnt drone.

i dont like it when all three are gone. it soounds like a nastier version of a SRT4. should have kept the muffler

but post up a vid of some revs and runs

 

[240ka]

To start with I would remove the resonator closest to the muffler, then have the guy at the muffler shop rev it a little for you. If you don't like the sound, then remove the 2nd res.
I personally removed both and left the muffler. I always get complimented on how good my car sounds.

+1, the car sounds like a bad verison of a SRT4 when all three are taken out.

and i like the sound of the SRT4 but its not a good sound for the MS3 when its str8 piped

 

[SBSPEED3]

i think it sounds very subaruish with all three gone, it has a nice burble to it and doesnt seem too loud or obnoxious... but then again my f150 was on straight pipes too, and that was much louder...
i would take a video, but i dont have a video camera or a phone that takes videos. id be willing to meet someone who is close to me to take a vid for me. i know there are at least 3 other speed3s in te santa barbara area, but i dont know if they are on the forum

 

[willmeyer]

Thanks for all the replies, folks. I ended up just taking the first resonator out, will see how I like it after a week or so and then might take the other one. Sounds pretty good, maybe I could go a little louder, we'll see.

 

[240ka]

mos def take out the second one too. you will love it. you wont be satisfied with just one out. but leave the muffler in

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Yeah, take the second out... but first, I want to hear what just one sounds like.

 

[Timshadi]

I deleted both resonators and kept muffler, with test pipe sounds Perfect!!!

 

[HOBDisease]

Mine sounds great and I only have a test pipe. I don't like super loud DDs.