I am thinking about deleting the exhaust resonator on my MCS, but I am a little torn. I don't want it to sound terrible or too loud and I'm not sure how well I will like it. I just want a little more exhaust noise but I'm not ready to spend $800 on a full system. Has anyone done this that can give me their opinion on the sound/volume level? Is there drone? Will it cause the rear muffler to wear out too fast or start rattling? Anyone have links? What did your exhaust shop charge?

BTW I do plan on leaving the second cat in place if I do it.

 

I dropped the resonator out on a European spec in Australia and the sound was really great. Just popped and burbled all the time.Then I added the Akropovic down pipe and had to put the resonator back as the noise was way out there for street use. Just give it a shot.Probably cost you fifty bucks from a muffler shop but keep the resonator.

 

Why spend all the labor hours modding the stock pipe for just a little more sound? I would use that same amount of labor to fit an aftermarket exhaust. It'll be worth the wait.

 

I did this to my 2008. I got it done for $25 at my local exhaust shop. Super cheap and it does change the sound. It does not make it louder it just lets out more burbles. Of course, my car does not do the whole pop and burble thing as the 2011 cars do, but I can now get it to pop under hard acceleration. I say do it. If you do not like it, just be it back on. But, I think you will be very impressed with what such a cheap mod can do!

 

I'd take the second cat out before taking the resonator out, but maybe that's just me.

Your car will get a little louder and probably drone a bit but it will sound awesome.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I think I'm gonna do it. Like I've said in other posts, I come from the hemi charger world so everything is a bit different here. I did the same thing on that car and liked it but it was nothing compared to the SLP's that replaced it. but that was a V8. I have never been a big fan of the way most 4 cylinders sound but I am impressed with the way this little 1.6 sounds with an open exhaust. I'll report back in a few weeks with my impressions. If any one else has any input please feel free to post up. I'm all ears!

 

Remember to give it about 2-3 weeks to mellow out. It took mine at least that long to really "tone in". Afterwords though, it is awesome!

 

What shop did you get it done for $25 at in charleston i want myn done, i normally go to muffler shop on rivers but that was for truck exhaust work

 

I got it done at the Meineke on Savannah Highway in West Ashley. It is past all the dealerships, right next door to Chicfila.

 

I am thinking of doing it myself with band clamps. Any thoughts? What size is the factory pipe?

 

I removed my resonator and second cat for about $40. I loved the sound so much, I made a custom 3" Magnaflow system from the downpipe back. I get compliments all the time. My 3" system does have highway drone, which i have learned to live with....

 

The factory pipe is a really odd size. It is right around 2.25 inches. I just had them weld in a section of that size and it worked great.

 

I saw somewhere that the factory pipe is 2.3". I should be able to use a straight section of pipe from the parts store with pre-expanded ends to get what I want. I'll just remove the resonator first and take it with me to make sure I get the size I need for in and out. I work at Autozone and the pipe is only $5 so I might as well give it a shot.

 

That should work. If I had a saw and some exhaust clamps I could have done mine by myself, but I just had a shop do it and then weld it up..

 

I was thinking about going mangnaflow or borla or similar but I really don't want it to drone, I use the mini as a commuter car and I don't want it to make my ears bleed. I drove my tundra for 5 years with high flow cats, no resonator, and a glasspack so I want this to be a little more tame. Currently I have a cone filter and intake muffler delete pipe and I want to hear more of the engine sound. I love the intake noise but the motor is still a little to quiet. It would also be nice to gain some more oomph.

Sean

 

meineke tried charging me $90, haha no thank you meineke may just end up doing myself

 

What?? That is insane. They did not even write it up or anything. It was close to closing time and the manager said give him cash and we will do it. It was kind of weird, but it worked all the same. Haha. I think the most I have ever seen someone pay for it to be done was like $40. Maybe you should try the muffler shop on Sam Rittenberg. I have heard good things about them.

 

My wife did not like the highway drone and I had to put second cat back on, so far she is ok with the resonator removed. It did take me a while to get used to the drone.

 

Is the drone better worse or the same as the road noise on the highway with the runflats? My tundra is less loud than they are and i have sand tires on it.

Sean

 

Hi guys,
I plan on doing this mod by next weekend after my torque arm inserts FINALLY get installed. But I'd like to know so far how do you like it Nealuss?

 

I have not been disappointed so far, but to be honest I am considering doing the second cat as well. I would like it to be louder but I can't quite afford the custom Magnaflow set up that I would like. Ideally I would do the Alta 3" but that's a little too much $$$$$$ for me ATM. Has anyone done the 2nd cat and res who cares to report? Does it sound good or does it sound like a honda with cut springs and a primer paint job?

 

Thanks for the info! I am now at 98% thinking of doing it! But I have two more questions for you Nealuss. How is it at highway speeds since we both have the same year MINI. And what do I do if I get a CEL?

 

At highway speeds it is very close to being the same. The muffler in the rear keeps the hum you would hear at highway speeds to a minimum.

Don't worry about a CEL. There is no way for the resonator to throw a code. The only thing monitored in the exhaust is the first catalytic converter (the one in the DP.)

 

Well what if I did a resonator delete and 2nd cat taken out with a straight pipe taking its place? Would that be better or just getting my resonator deleted? Sorry for the many questions I'm just trying to make sure what I do is good and not terrible.

 

Sorry for no response, I forgot about this thread lol. I see you went with the res delete after all. Hope you like it.

UPDATE: Several months later I am still happy with the added grunt, but I find myself wanting more. I have pretty much decided to go with this:

Amazon

Amazon

It should be a pretty simple and cheap swap. The price is right on this particular listing too ($60 less than anyone else!) My only worry is that it will be too loud since the resonator is already gone. I could always put the resonator back up but if I did that I would probably rather go with an aftermarket resonator to keep from losing too much. Thoughts?