Last weekend while I was doing a 60k service I installed my new Stratmosphere catback exhaust. Aside from having to go back in and add 1/4" spacers under all the rear exhaust hangers to get the exhaust tips to stop touching the bumper, the install went very well. Unfortunately, I'm not terribly happy with the sound. I do a lot of highway driving and the stock exhaust was completely silent: the Stratmosphere is not!! All the ads say this exhaust has no highway drone but I'd have to say different. There's a constant bass note present anywhere over 70 mph. I also have a bit of resonance between 3000-3500 RPM which is somewhat annoying.

Everything underneath is perfectly adjusted and all fasteners are tight. I can wiggle the exhaust and not hit anything.

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this with the Stratmosphere system. I'm also curious if the system needs breakin time and if there will be difference in the sound down the line.

If my stock exhaust wasn't showing signs of rust I'd probably put it back on for the silent highway ride.

Eric

 

my understanding is that stratmosphere is one of the milder aftermarket exhausts. The drone you are referring to is nothing like that of more free flowing exhausts. If stratmosphere is annoying to you then you definitely need grab another stock system or even JCW. I have the JCW and its too quiet for my tastes.

 

Did you try the single "Ball" mod before you replaced the exhaust? It is a tad louder that stock, about 40lbs lighter and liitle more flow from the stock exhaust.

 

I installed a stratmosphere exhaust with an OBX header a year ago. I too had to add about 1/2 inch of washers to the 4 rear hanger bolts. I have never noticed a drone at any speed and I don't believe the tone has changed much in a year. It does rattle a little in the morning before it warms up and expands. I would check again for any parts that might touch if the length of the exhaust expands a bit.

 

I am sorry to tell you this but the majority of after market exhaust systems drone, I've had systems on audi A3, Cherokee srt8, BMW M3, and now R56 jcw, they all droned right in the 2-3k rpm range like clock work just switched to jcw oem exhaust and it's heaven the gains from stock to aftermarket are soo minimal it's not worth the money IMO.

 

A little off topic...but can you explain to me what these spacers are and how you add them? I put an OBX exhaust on my 03S and it melted through the bottom part of the bumper because it fit so tight. I'm afraid it might start to go through the painted part (it seems to have stopped, but it stresses me out).

I hung the exhaust on the stock hangers, so I don't understand where you would put washers (I'm trying to remember what it looked like).

I also get droning, but I don't mind it too much. It also rattles a little at very low rpm (probably due to my haphazard install). I paid very little for the OBX so I take the bad with the good. It also sounds a bit "ricey", which I know some people hate. I really love what it sounds like when I get on it though.

 

I added about 4 big washers between the two rear hangers and the car body at each of the four hanger bolts. You may also need longer bolts. There will be alot less noise/vibration if you can lower the tail pipe away from the bumper.

 

Last week I dropped the rear section of the Stratmosphere exhaust to give access to the 4 hanger brackets up under the body. The brackets each have 2 nuts holding them to studs fixed to the body. The studs are fairly long and I found that I could remove each bracket and put a small stack of 4 flat washers between the bracket and the body (about 1/4" of washers). When the exhaust was back in place, the pipes are now about 3/8" below the plastic under the bumper and don't hit anywhere.

The spacers didn't change my resonance issue but I'm adapting to it. It only seems to occur around 74-78 mph, strangely, but since my OEM exhaust was getting a bit rusty I'm planning on sticking with the new stainless sytem. It does sound REALLY good with the window down!!

Eric

 

Eric were you able to do this without having to remove the exhaust hangers from the rubber points?

 

sound deaden the rear of the car.
google sound deadener showdown. You can do the whole car, but id just do the rear. Get the 1/8in foam and the mlv. and dont forget the CLD tiles!
I made my own exhaust and this quietened it up nicely. Also, check to see if its touching anywhere DIRECTLY AFTER a highway drive. My exhaust will expand just enough when hot to rub every now and again.

 

I didn't try since my exhaust was still new and the Stratmosphere has one set of sideplates fastened with nuts to the muffler can. I just disconnected the entire rear section of the exhaust and dropped it for good access to the hanger brackets. A little spray lube on the hangers and the muffler pops right out.

Eric

 

do you have pics of what type of washers you used? and the end product?

 

The sound will in fact increase over time, not decrease.

 

That is true. My Stratmosphere was super quiet when I first got it. So much so that I was disappointed! After a bit of time though, it "broke in" and the sound level increased to a more pleasing to me level. I've never had any drone or resonance with mine either, even at the listed speeds of 74-78mph.

 

bump for details and pics of finished fitment

 

bump for pics of those who fixed the stratmosphere's alignment issue. also how many washers and what thickness did you use... planning to do this this weekend! thanks

 

Bump too. About to install mine.

 

hi everyone. i recently bought a 2005 mini cooper s (my second, had an 03 for six years) with the stratmosphere exhaust and the exhaust has a really loud rattle/vibration noise at certain engine speeds. it is very loud both inside and outside the car but stops if you hold the hanger or just put your foot on the exhaust tips. other than that i really like it. not to loud and i really like the "pops" that it makes. my 03 didn't have those "pops". does anyone else have that annoying vibration sound? also, why does it appear to have mounting points that are unused?