Toying With Exhaust

I'm contemplating changing the exhaust on the Charger, but I have a few questions/concerns:

1. What exactly is a "cat back?" Some kind of modifiied catalytic converter?
2. What's to be gained/lost by eliminating the resonators?
3. Will changing my exhaust (not counting headers which is definitely on my list for next year) provide any noticable performance results?
4. By altering the exhaust from stock, will I be throwing codes?
5. Is there a possibility that I could fail IL's emission testing with mods?

HiPwr wrote:

I'm contemplating changing the exhaust on the Charger, but I have a few questions/concerns:

1. What exactly is a "cat back?" Some kind of modifiied catalytic converter?
2. What's to be gained/lost by eliminating the resonators?
3. Will changing my exhaust (not counting headers which is definitely on my list for next year) provide any noticable performance results?
4. By altering the exhaust from stock, will I be throwing codes?
5. Is there a possibility that I could fail IL's emission testing with mods?

I will answer what I can and someone else will answer the rest.

1. Cat back means you get everything from the cats back to the tips. You dont get anything for the converters the stock converters stay put. You could also add hi-flo cats for about $300-$500 more.
2. I'm not too sure, but I think its just less restrictive and better sounding.
3. The exhaust wont make you feel the difference but I'm pretty sure you get like 8-10hp.
4. No you will not throw any codes from doing a cat-back.
5. You shouldnt have any problems passing emmisions test with a cat-back, or any other bolt on mods.

^^^Shawn pretty much hit the nail on the head! You really won't see any performance gains from just a cat back but the sound IMO is worth it....There is no point in having a quiet V8

^^^^X1000 no point in a quiet V8 at all...

Well, I wouldn't call mine "quiet", but given the cost of these cat-back systems, if the only significant difference is sound, I would like to prioritize my resources towards a cam and headers before this.

What about just cutting out the resonators? That seems like an extremely cheap mod.

People have done that just cut of the resonator, or maybe they cut off the suitcase muffler. I dont remember

Most of the time, it's cutting off the resonator at the rear by the pipes.. It makes the car a LOT louder.. I think too loud and doesn't give a good tone to it but a lot of people like it..

Too loud. Hmmmmm. Does anyone here have just that mod so I can hear it?

Try cutting your resonators off and installing blastin bobs. Ill even put them on for you if you want. I put mine and my brothers on and they sound great.

liljoejoe54 wrote:

Try cutting your resonators off and installing blastin bobs. Ill even put them on for you if you want. I put mint and my brothers on and they sound great.

I'm looking here to see what these do: http://www.blastinbob.com/category_s/4.htm

Hey bud, I have blastin bobs exhaust on mine as well.. sounds bad ass!!!!! and not too bad should be under $200.00 buy. google blastin bobs

jackssrt8 wrote:

Hey bud, I have blastin bobs exhaust on mine as well.. sounds bad ass!!!!! and not too bad should be under $200.00 buy. google blastin bobs

I have the 4" tips on mine called the "beast II"

They do sound great... this was one of the first mods i did to my car when i got it...

wasnt loud enough for me but it sounded good...

cool thing is if you want it louder after that just replace the suitcase then...

or you could delete the suitcase and replace the tips w/ some of the blastin bobs resonated tips and it would sound even better...

Before you do anything, you should listen to the various systems in person. (car show next Spring). Narrow it down based on what you hear live 'cause listening to all the clips on youtube etc doesn't do it justice. Then, once you narrow it down, take a ride in the car to make sure you can deal with whatever drone there might be in the cabin. The resonators eliminate drone. You take them out and you're definitely going to get some noise in the cabin depending on what you put back on. I've heard that the blastin bobs are absolutely one of the most cost effective ways to get good muscle car sound but I have no idea how much drone might be introduced into the cabin. Those that have the BB's I'm sure will chime in on that but just remember that there are various levels of drone and various levels of tolerance among all of us. What some people claim is absolutely no drone will drive other people crazy that are more sensitive to it. Or, if you're like me and you've practically lost all your hearing, then it's a non issue - I love the sound of my zoomers but they are a little pricey.

ChiTownHemi wrote:

Before you do anything, you should listen to the various systems in person. (car show next Spring). Narrow it down based on what you hear live 'cause listening to all the clips on youtube etc doesn't do it justice. Then, once you narrow it down, take a ride in the car to make sure you can deal with whatever drone there might be in the cabin. The resonators eliminate drone. You take them out and you're definitely going to get some noise in the cabin depending on what you put back on. I've heard that the blastin bobs are absolutely one of the most cost effective ways to get good muscle car sound but I have no idea how much drone might be introduced into the cabin. Those that have the BB's I'm sure will chime in on that but just remember that there are various levels of drone and various levels of tolerance among all of us. What some people claim is absolutely no drone will drive other people crazy that are more sensitive to it. Or, if you're like me and you've practically lost all your hearing, then it's a non issue - I love the sound of my zoomers but they are a little pricey.

I have the 5db kit for my R/T with Flowmaster 40s. The only time I get drone is when I cruise between 80-90MPH. Other than that, its not too bad in the interior. The SRT setup doesnt offer the 5db kit and the lowest one I see is the 9db but with the stock suitcase I dont think drone is going to be much of a problem. Best thing to do next to hearing them in person is to email Bob through his site. thats what I did when I was picking out my setup and he was extremely helpful in making my decision easier.

I HAVE THE 9DB KIT SUITCASE STILL ON AND LIVE IN L.I.T.H. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MINE B4 I PUT AWAY FOR THE WINTER.

jackssrt8 wrote:

I HAVE THE 9DB KIT SUITCASE STILL ON AND LIVE IN L.I.T.H. IF YOU WANT TO HEAR MINE B4 I PUT AWAY FOR THE WINTER.

Sent you a PM, Jack.

I have Flowmaster 40s w No Resos. Drone doesnt bother me or my boys! But like they said, you really have to hear each & decide on your own. Our group has a vast array of options to help you choose. Just go down the line.

i dunno if you heard my exhaust or not but i just have magnaflow dual mufflers under the middle of the car and all 3 inch pipe to magnaflow tips with no resos. i wish it was louder at idle but there is no drone, its loud as hell when i get on it and quiet on the highway. perfect in my opinion just not loud enough at idle. i think some mid pipe should fix that but ill cross that bridge when i come to it.

it was only like 600 installed. thats with parts and everything. the guy at naperville exhaust works did it. you cant even buy the magnaflow kit online for that price.