I've posted part 2
http://home.comcast.net/~rwkeating/auto/altaexhaust2.html

I had to replace the resonator. I now have Alta's new smaller resonator. In this write up there are pictures of the 2 resonators and sound clips from both. I also show some modifications that I did to better help support the rear of the exhaust.

 

wow, i really can tell the difference with the new resonator... i wonder if they will give me the new resonator, i ordered my exhaust a few months back but have yet to install it.... hopefully i dont run into that rattle problem. nice write up!

 

This problem has been driving me freakin nuts on my 03 mcs , sounds like shaking a can full of rocks when you rev engine. Think im gonna look on Alta site for remedy, its a sportone exaust are they notorious for this ?

By the way exaust is 3yrs old guess something had to give sooner or later

 

Burno,

I'd contact Alta and see what they have to say. Being 3 yrs old, I am guessing your exhaust isn't the current version so they may or may not have parts for it. Doesn't hurt to ask them for advise, especially since looking at your tag line, you are a good Alta customer .

Let us know how it works out.

 

nice writeup, do you have a sound clip of it in idle? also, is alta using this resonator for all the exhaust it sells as of now? thanks
update- ok nevermind, i do not even see a cat-back for sale on their website...

 

I installed a straight pipe where the old rattle can used to be. But they did replace mine, i just never opened the box. Now im going too since i didnt know it looked different! haha

 

I had my Alta Exhaust resonator go bad as well a couple of months ago, unfortunately I had bought the exhaust 2 years ago when they didn't offer a lifetime warranty on their products so I had to pay about $150 total, a good deal, but it was on the stock header the whole time and just doesn't seem like it should go bad after 2 years on a stock header. They sent me a new resonator, but unfortunately not the newly designed one and it has a lifetime warranty, but since they stopped making them who knows what will happen if it fails again...

 

Awesome write up with excellent photos.

I must have missed the announcement. Why did Alta stop selling their exhaust? Theirs was one of the more unique designs.

 

Thanks matma92ser.

From what I've read here buried in other post ... first they announced an upcoming change for 1st gen owners. I am guessing that was the new resonator. Then later in a different thread someone posted that the exhaust was not on their web site. After that , I believe someone from Alta said that it was discontinued. When I talked to them, they also told me it was discontinued. I don't think there really was an announcement.

It is too bad. It is one of the lighter exhausts out there. They do have a unique design and their improvements in version 2 show their desire and ability to keep improving on a fine basic design.

I don't know if the resonator problem was internal or external, but the new resonator is so different and has so much more clearance externally, that I am sure that any issues are now resolved.

I'd recommend they come out with version 3. Besides the new resonator, beef up the rear height adjustment. Also the problem of one tip discoloring more than the other (this also happens on one side of the optional oval tip) could easily be fixed by painting/coating the inside of the tip(s) black. I think they already do this for the 2nd gen. systems.

In my mind they are very close to having a really top notch exhaust! Come on Alta. Don't give up now!

 

so the new resonator sounds like it reduce the jet engine sound. is that waht u think or was i just not hearing it in clip 2. mine has that sound like its pushing alot of air to and its kinda annoying, are there remedies for this........ just got my exhaust in summer....

 

I replaced my resonator under warranty about 3 months ago.
I have to give props to Alta for replacing it no questions asked and paid shipping both ways.
I have the oval tip version of the exhaust.
Other than the resonator rattling I thought the fit and finish was very good.
After a year as our daily driver (18k miles in one year), 2 track days and many hard runs in the mountains the polished finish is still nice and shiny.

The smaller resonator is definitely louder. Not alot but it is louder.
I have to say though, I like it.
Nice burble, love getting on it in closed areas like parking garages, tunnels and between buildings.
My wifey gives me the evil eye when I do it

 

MerchoMini. Although the recordings aren't high fidelity, I believe they are good for comparison purposes since I tried to keep as many variables the same as possible. The "jet sound" is way less with the new resonator. Now I don't know if it is gone/reduced or if the louder exhaust is just masking it. I am guessing it is being masked because I think that type of wooshing would have to do more with the end of the exhaust, but I am just guessing.

My comments are based on being inside the car, because I have still not heard the exhaust from the outside (being driven by someone instead of just idling.)

 

i got the new resonator on my alta as well, its louder by a noticable amount and in my opinion sounds a lot nicer as well, it has a deeper tone to it with more burble and when pushing it, it has less jet like sounds.
-Andrew

 

I never heard the "jet sound" with mine.
Maybe the single oval tip reduced it too where I couldn't hear it?

 

When I got the Alta exhaust I had the dual tips on with the standard resonator. Later I bought a used Alta oval tip and put that on. From inside the car I heard no difference between the tips. I can't say if the sound was different outside the car under load (it wasn't different at idle).

The recordings I made comparing the resonators are both with the oval tip.

I have mixed feelings about the tips. To me the oval is just a bit too big but I feel it is a more "correct" design. I like the looks of the dual tip better but don't like how one side discolors so much more than the other. For my next trick I am planning to paint the insides of the dual tips with some high temp. flat black paint and install that when the weather gets better around here.

 

sounds like a good plan rwkeating. be sure to post up pics of that little project of yours.

 

Okay, here is my write up and pictures of painting the insides of the Alta tips black. http://home.comcast.net/~rwkeating/auto/altaexhaust3.html

 

Almost exactly how I did my oval tip except I used dupli color engine enamel in a spray can. After almost a year it still looks great.

 

DanSeals, do you have any pictures of your oval tip? I bet it looks great with the inside painted.

Thanks for the report on it lasting ... hope mine does too!

 

that looks great rwkeating. ill do that with mine when the color of my tips change beyond my liking. i kinda figure if they havent by now then they are good, but with ALTAS newer exhaust arent the tips under warranty from color change?