Need to quiet down exhaust

[Def]

I've got a full 3" exhaust from the turbo back. GReddy O2 housing, GReddy downpipe, Megan Racing 3" test pipe and catback.

I really like the way the exhaust sounds, especially under boost, but it is just TOO FREAKIN' LOUD! I liked how loud it was at first, but it honestly gives me a headache after only 30 mins of driving and makes me not even go WOT that much due to how loud the thing is. Yes, the silencer does quiet it down, but it noticeably takes power away and gives the exhaust a very "wheezing" sound.

I'm mainly concerned for when I take my car to the track(like Road Atlanta, not drag strip), since I obviously won't be running the silencer. Lots of tracks have pretty strict noise regulations, and I'm pretty sure my car would drown out all but the loudest race cars, so I might run into a problem there. Not to mention me and my instructor most likely getting fatigued and just plain sick of listening to that thing screaming at 100+dB for 100+ mins per day two days in a row. Ear plugs can only go so far...

So I've been thinking about replacing the Megan Racing test pipe with a resonated one like this:



I'm not even sure if that would affect the sound level at all though. I doubt it'd make much of a difference HP wise, and I'm willing to take a slight 1-2hp hit to reduce the noise some.

So does anybody have any experience with resonated test pipes like this one, or should I just skip something that little and go straight for a big Magnaflow resonator and get it welded into my catback. That'll be WAY more money than just trading test pipes and selling my old one, but I'm thinking it might be worth it if that's the only option.

[S13240]

I'd go for like two huge resonators

[Def]

I'd go for like two huge resonators

At that point I think I would be spending more MODIFYING my Megan Racing exhaust than I paid for it(~$280).

Thanks for the suggestion, but it's not really an option due to the financial aspects of it.

[Dori Dori]

You should be fine at the tracks...ITA acuras and hondas should be waaaay louder than your car (my friend has the exact same exhaust setup as you).

Anyway, I have the resonated test pipe and my exhaust is a tad quieter than my buddies. It's not a huge difference in db, but it sounds more tame (if that makes any sense).

[mynismo]

i had all custom 3" straight piping all the way back, with a megan racing muffler, so i know where you're coming from.

you should be FINE at the track, don't worry about it at all. there are cars that are louder than yours that are just fine.

[nnkfws333]

I know that feeling..heh....I had the stock cat in there and it was quiet but when I gutted it out man that thing got loud! Some times I can't take the noise so I was thinking of getting a free flowing cat too. Tell me how it sounds if you do it. Thanks.

[Spins]

That's kind of weird I have a 95 240 with 95blktop with the stock dump pipe with 3inch dp and a resonated test pipe like in your pic with a megan 3inch catback exhaust. My setup isnt that loud. I think it's quiet for such a big exhaust. It has a little roar while cruising at highway speeds. But around town its perfect. I had my friend drive it while I was in another car, it's not loud from outside the car either. My megan exhaust had a big resonater which looks more like a overized flowmaster muffler rather than a long circular can. I'm running 10-11 psi, and my car is auto.

[Def]

Maybe the resonated test pipe will make a decent difference. It's not an urgent need, so I figure I'll just get it whenever I feel like doing something else with my exhaust.

[Dori Dori]

They're so cheap, you may as well get it and try it out.

[Spins]

Yeah, I would say try it. Because I only really hear the roar from my exhaust when the windows are up and the radio is off. Other wise the windows down or radio on I don't even really notice it an it's not gonna give you a headache or anything. Do you have the resonator I described, on your exhaust?

[Def]

Nope - I have a straight 3" stainless test pipe. Above 3k RPM it gets LOUD. Like hit it in a tunnel and you can hear it from over half a mile away loud.

[Spins]

I was refering to the resonator on the catback exhaust section. Mine looks like a flowmaster exhaust muffler but the pipe goes straight through.

[Def]

Mine is a cylindrical resonator(straight through perforated core) about 16-18" long by eyeballing it. No other resonators/mufflers in the whole system.

[Spins]

That's probably why yours is louder than mine. My catback has the Flowmaster look alike resonator in the middle as described before with the cylinder type can at the rear like 16-18 " long. I purchased mine on ebay for $275.00

[Spins]

If you want go onto meganracing.com. Look at the catback for the 97-98 nissan 240sx. this is the one I purchased. The one for the 95-96 240sx is different. I did have a few fitment issues just had to cut some of the hangers, they where way too long. The Muffler tip is short and doesnt stick out really far enough. I had to make an alum. plate to keep the exhaust from melting the foam behind the rear bumper. But it sounds great.

[Def]

Mine is for an S13, bought it from OptionImports.com. It has a printed Megan Racing logo on the tip, so I'm guessing I got the real deal, all $280 of it. hah

That's weird that your tip is too short, mine is WAY too long IMO. I've thought about finding a bandsaw around here that I can put a 30* slash cut and take off about 1.5-2 inches up top and taper it to about 3-3.5" off the bottom. It was cheap tho' - so I can't really complain.

[Spins]

Yeah if u go to meganracing site. you can see the 95-96 exhaust kits have a really long tip. Mine in like half or less for the 96-97 models. I really need the tip to be extended. But like you said its a great price for what I got.

[Phax]

It has a printed Megan Racing logo on the tip, so I'm guessing I got the real deal, all $280 of it. hah ... It was cheap tho' - so I can't really complain.

:withstup

Three inch, mandrel bent for under $300 is a really tough deal to beat. If all you really care about is quick turbo spool time, it's tough to go wrong.