Which resonator?

**ProfessorB** · 03-24-2019 06:18 AM

New B9 owner here.

It seems like there are quite a few conflicting posts on which resonator is worth removing. Is the resonator closer to the exhaust tail pipes the best crackle for the buck?

Not enough favorable reviews on the x pipe so I'm going to just live with the drone and straight pipe one.

Thanks in advance!!!!

**OverBoosted** · 03-25-2019 05:17 AM

Was thinking the same thing. The ECS x-pipe from the reviews i've read mention drone at 2K RPMs which is where i do most of my driving during the morning commute. I'm not sure if removing the downpipe resonators would provide more volume but still the comfort level at cruising speeds.

**Swjimboic** · 03-25-2019 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by OverBoosted

Was thinking the same thing. The ECS x-pipe from the reviews i've read mention drone at 2K RPMs which is where i do most of my driving during the morning commute. I'm not sure if removing the downpipe resonators would provide more volume but still the comfort level at cruising speeds.

The ECS X-pipe does have some drone at around 2K but it's not overbearing and it starts to blend into normal quite quickly. I've had mine on for about 1500 miles and I love it.

**mr.memeyogirl** · 03-25-2019 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by ProfessorB

Part of what turned me away about the ECS was a recent review (on here somewhere as well) that spoke of abnormal rattling of the valves and condemned the product.

Sounds like you had no fitment issues? That's promising if so. The ECS is the one closest to the motor replaced correct?

Thanks!

The ECS X Pipe replaces the center muffler. If you're looking for more pops, you should try removing the two resonators in the front of the car, right after the cats (the cylindrical shape ones). My car is straight piped from the cat back (no mufflers or resonators) and removing those had a pretty noticeable impact on overall sound (made it louder and deeper) as well made the pops more pronounced. I basically started by deleting the two rear mufflers, then did the center muffler, and finally the two resonators. I'm not sure what your expectations are as far as how loud or aggressive you want the pops to sound, but they arent quite on the same "gun shot" sound as you can hear on BMWs/Benz. Yes compared to stock they'll be louder but have more of a toned down sound IMO, still sound good dont get me wrong, just wanna set the expectation lol. I'm sure once you get a High Flow Cat or a Catless downpipe, they'll be much louder and pronounced. But deleting just a muffler or a resonator isnt going to be a huge change to the exhaust. Our cars have a "straight thru" design so the sound itself isnt quite muffled as compared to a car which has a "suitcase" style muffler. Hence why I ended up deleting more pieces off my exhaust until i got the tone i liked, but ended up with quite a bit of drone in the cabin.

Didn't mean to write a paragraph, but hope that helps out a little

**ProfessorB** · 03-26-2019 07:51 AM

Originally Posted by mr.memeyogirl

The ECS X Pipe replaces the center muffler. If you're looking for more pops, you should try removing the two resonators in the front of the car, right after the cats (the cylindrical shape ones). My car is straight piped from the cat back (no mufflers or resonators) and removing those had a pretty noticeable impact on overall sound (made it louder and deeper) as well made the pops more pronounced. I basically started by deleting the two rear mufflers, then did the center muffler, and finally the two resonators. I'm not sure what your expectations are as far as how loud or aggressive you want the pops to sound, but they arent quite on the same "gun shot" sound as you can hear on BMWs/Benz. Yes compared to stock they'll be louder but have more of a toned down sound IMO, still sound good dont get me wrong, just wanna set the expectation lol. I'm sure once you get a High Flow Cat or a Catless downpipe, they'll be much louder and pronounced. But deleting just a muffler or a resonator isnt going to be a huge change to the exhaust. Our cars have a "straight thru" design so the sound itself isnt quite muffled as compared to a car which has a "suitcase" style muffler. Hence why I ended up deleting more pieces off my exhaust until i got the tone i liked, but ended up with quite a bit of drone in the cabin.

Didn't mean to write a paragraph, but hope that helps out a little

Thank you for sharing. This car is going to stay a daily so just a little more noise would be perfect.

I ended up choosing the S4 over a c43 for a bunch of reasons, but not the exhaust note.
:(

Just a little noise and some pops would be nice while keeping the stock mufflers would be ideal for this daily.

**ProfessorB** · 03-26-2019 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Swjimboic

The ECS X-pipe does have some drone at around 2K but it's not overbearing and it starts to blend into normal quite quickly. I've had mine on for about 1500 miles and I love it.

Part of what turned me away about the ECS was a recent review (on here somewhere as well) that spoke of abnormal rattling of the valves and condemned the product.

Sounds like you had no fitment issues? That's promising if so. The ECS is the one closest to the motor replaced correct?

Thanks!

**Swjimboic** · 03-26-2019 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by ProfessorB

Part of what turned me away about the ECS was a recent review (on here somewhere as well) that spoke of abnormal rattling of the valves and condemned the product.

Sounds like you had no fitment issues? That's promising if so. The ECS is the one closest to the motor replaced correct?

Thanks!

I haven't noticed any rattling or problems at all. The fitment was perfect. At some point later I may have it all welded together but I have no reason other than my OCD tendency with this car and making it "look" factory.

The ECS one I did was exactly as mentioned, an X-pipe as a direct replacement for the resonator. It's quite close to the motor but it's also almost 3.5 feet long in totality. The ECS install direction PDF will show you exactly. The link is on the bottom of the product page.

**ProfessorB** · 03-28-2019 08:20 AM

I wonder how much drone with just getting it deleted at an exhaust shop vs the xpipe there really is. I may just be cheap and get it deleted and report back....

**mr.memeyogirl** · 03-28-2019 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by ProfessorB

Thank you for sharing. This car is going to stay a daily so just a little more noise would be perfect.

I ended up choosing the S4 over a c43 for a bunch of reasons, but not the exhaust note.
:(

Just a little noise and some pops would be nice while keeping the stock mufflers would be ideal for this daily.

Yeah I feel you on that, my friend has a C43 with the AMG exhaust and it sounds really nice. And as far as your exhaust, if your looking for just a little more loudness while keeping the stock mufflers I would recommend deleting the two resonators in front. For me, it did make the exhaust note noticeably deeper, louder, and made the pops better. As far as drone goes, generally with any sort of exhaust modification there's gonna be some increase in drone. But deleting just one section shouldn't make it unbearable. When I had just the muffler delete, it sounded nearly like stock, just a little louder. If you wanna play it a little more safe, then go with the center muffler. It'll make it a little louder for you. Personally I dont see the worth of buying the ECS X pipe because its not a night and day difference between buying that vs. just going to an exhaust shop and having them put in pipes. The audible difference is very slight, if any at all.