2.0 Stock Exhaust: Muffler Delete vs. Resonator Delete

[seaniscoolikeA4]

I'd like to keep the stock exhaust but I'm looking for a little more sounds without the rice. I've read different discussion regarding front resonator vs. central resonator delete. A few blips about muffler delete only. Anyone have any experience with any of these configurations? I feel like based on what I've read I'm leaning towards muffler delete only but I'd love to hear an example of each (front res only, central res only, and muffler delete) if they're out there.

Stock exhaust diagram for reference: https://imgur.com/YlJhBBy

[colorado.a4]

I went with center res delete first, liked it for a while then decided I wanted it louder... it still was decently aggressive with out any drone. now I have nothing but stock cat, and I personally like it that way, it’s all about what you like.


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[weagle1856]

I went with center res delete first, liked it for a while then decided I wanted it louder... it still was decently aggressive with out any drone. now I have nothing but stock cat, and I personally like it that way, it’s all about what you like.


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For center res delete, did you have to cut and replace, or is it possible to swap it with a pipe that connects from the downpipe to the back of the exhaust?

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[NathanGreatScott]

For center res delete, did you have to cut and replace, or is it possible to swap it with a pipe that connects from the downpipe to the back of the exhaust?

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You can definitely just delete it with a straight pipe, but the center resonator is large and eliminates a lot of drone. I think if you deleted that all together you'd have some of those issues.

If I were to do my exhaust again, I'd probably swap both resonators out for smaller bottle style ones (or delete the first one all together and swap the center only) and then put a magnaflow muffler on the rear. My current set up is OE Cat> bottle res in downpipe (replacing small OE res)> Magnaflow muffler (replacing large OE res)> straight pipe to tips (deleting rear muffler). I think keeping two resonators would help eliminate the drone I experience at times and also cut down on the raspy tones at high rpms. I'm installing an HFC soon so that should add the volume I want and a little more throaty goodness

[the-quattro-man]

I did the resonator delete first and kept everything else stock. I liked it first then it got really boring (lol).

This is my setup now - Eurocode test pipe > OE downpipe with magnaflow resonator > straight pipe (using my resonator delete pipe) > small vibrant bottle resonator (acting as muffler) > connect to dual tips. It sounds great not too loud at cruising speed. But when you get on it, it wakes up and has a very deep and throaty sound.

[BeerBrent]

I'm curious if there would be any sound difference with swapping the two stock rear/back mufflers on my avant with magnaflow mufflers. Leaving everything else stock.

[Quattro420]

I agree with everyone on here so far about the center res, I have stock exhaust with center res cut out and it has a nice sound but I want more it’s become boring. I get complements on how my car sounds but I want more, thinking about adding a down pipe

[IHave2Turbos]

i have a thread somewhere but i did hfc -> cts downpipe (front res delete) -> stock center res -> rear muffler delete and it wasn’t loud at all. slight low rpm drone but i have a manual so no issue . posted sound clips as well but the wind noise was basically louder than the exhaust.


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[IHave2Turbos]

https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...9#post12697329


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[Shuga]

Straight pipe it all the way

[IHave2Turbos]

you definitely need one resonator in the system or you will hate life cruising around town


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[Shuga]

Depends on who you are...

[A4x]

I'm curious if there would be any sound difference with swapping the two stock rear/back mufflers on my avant with magnaflow mufflers. Leaving everything else stock.

Yes, the stock mufflers at the back do a lot to cancel low RPM drone. They have a J pipe inside the muffler (I have a cutaway picture from the S4 guys, mufflers are nearly the same). A magnaflow in it's place will sound deeper and get you a little drone (which might sound good/deep).

Depends on who you are...

This is really true. I can't believe some of the comments in here saying their car sounds great with just a cat, or with just a magnaflow muffler. This would drone like crazy and be super loud and obnoxious

To the OP: this question is very difficult to answer and is highly subjective depending on if you are 17 and this is your first car or if you are 35 and sometime driving professionals around. All we can do is post our experiences but even then, some people think straight piped sounds good, which I think sounds terrible.

Here's my experience:
Went from stock exhaust to HFC + downpipe (first) resonator deleted. I loved it. It sounded way more aggressive than stock, but was not too loud or annoying and had very little drone. After 2.5 years, a stage 2 tune (tune will make your car sound great as more air flows through the engine), and K04, I finally wanted more sound.

I cut off the stock muffler at the rear and welded on a Magnaflow. WOW, holy drone city. It was loud, lots of drone. It sounded great when I really got on it, but after 5 months I couldn't handle the drone anymore. I wanted to keep the tips that were welded onto the Magnaflow and didn't fit the OEM muffler, so I kept the MF back there. I put the stock downpipe back on including the first resonator. WOW this eliminated a ton of drone and really quieted things down. I still get a semi-deep tone from the MF at the back but a lot of the annoying drone was killed by the first downpipe resonator.

I would never delete the center large resonator. ECS has a delete pipe they sell and they have videos. IMO they sound raspy and terrible. This resonator does a lot to kill drone and shape the sound. I would keep it.

In hindsight, my exhaust was perfect with the addition of an HFC and downpipe resonator deleted. I should have stopped here. I would describe this as a little raw, a little drone, but overall it sounded pretty good and aggressive and is not annoying in anyway while cruising.

I am satisfied with HFC, stock downpipe, stock large center res, and MF muffler. It sounds a little tamer and quieter than above, but still a deep sound from the MF.

The HFC, downpipe res delete, center res, and MF muffler was too extreme and too much drone.

[BeerBrent]

^ Thanks ^

[Shuga]

As someone stated above it is personal preference. But imo loud pipes save lives

[JeriQo]

Straight pipe it all the way

[Shuga]

Smart man

[doublespeeded]

I have; 200cel HFC Downpipe, First res delete, stock centre res and stock rear muffler.

Just like most here, it’s nice but getting boring and want a bit more. Without having to replace the whole system (imo it’s such a waste as 4cyl just can’t beat the sounds of 5cyl, 6cyl, V8, V10 & V12.)

So I am about to replace the large rear/centre resonator with a Hotdog (bottle) type resonator. as I don’t want the Honda Fart canon Tinny sounding drone that appears midrange. Hopefully the hotdog style res will do something about it.

I’ll keep you all posted as I don’t think anyone here has done that before?

[snaky69]

I agree with everyone on here so far about the center res, I have stock exhaust with center res cut out and it has a nice sound but I want more it’s become boring. I get complements on how my car sounds but I want more, thinking about adding a down pipe

When I did a center res delete (the big one underneath the rear seats) due to a leak in the stock one, it sounded like utter ass and droned like crazy. On a cold start the car sounded like a tractor. Had a magnaflow muffler welded in place there and it sounds much better.

Edit: Currently have 034 HFC, stock downpipe and front res, center res replaced by magnaflow 11226, stock rear muffler.

[seaniscoolikeA4]

Yes, the stock mufflers at the back do a lot to cancel low RPM drone. They have a J pipe inside the muffler (I have a cutaway picture from the S4 guys, mufflers are nearly the same). A magnaflow in it's place will sound deeper and get you a little drone (which might sound good/deep).



This is really true. I can't believe some of the comments in here saying their car sounds great with just a cat, or with just a magnaflow muffler. This would drone like crazy and be super loud and obnoxious

To the OP: this question is very difficult to answer and is highly subjective depending on if you are 17 and this is your first car or if you are 35 and sometime driving professionals around. All we can do is post our experiences but even then, some people think straight piped sounds good, which I think sounds terrible.

Here's my experience:
Went from stock exhaust to HFC + downpipe (first) resonator deleted. I loved it. It sounded way more aggressive than stock, but was not too loud or annoying and had very little drone. After 2.5 years, a stage 2 tune (tune will make your car sound great as more air flows through the engine), and K04, I finally wanted more sound.

I cut off the stock muffler at the rear and welded on a Magnaflow. WOW, holy drone city. It was loud, lots of drone. It sounded great when I really got on it, but after 5 months I couldn't handle the drone anymore. I wanted to keep the tips that were welded onto the Magnaflow and didn't fit the OEM muffler, so I kept the MF back there. I put the stock downpipe back on including the first resonator. WOW this eliminated a ton of drone and really quieted things down. I still get a semi-deep tone from the MF at the back but a lot of the annoying drone was killed by the first downpipe resonator.

I would never delete the center large resonator. ECS has a delete pipe they sell and they have videos. IMO they sound raspy and terrible. This resonator does a lot to kill drone and shape the sound. I would keep it.

In hindsight, my exhaust was perfect with the addition of an HFC and downpipe resonator deleted. I should have stopped here. I would describe this as a little raw, a little drone, but overall it sounded pretty good and aggressive and is not annoying in anyway while cruising.

I am satisfied with HFC, stock downpipe, stock large center res, and MF muffler. It sounds a little tamer and quieter than above, but still a deep sound from the MF.

The HFC, downpipe res delete, center res, and MF muffler was too extreme and too much drone.

Thanks for the info. This is an my daily driver. I'm 33. Trying to keep it professional but would like a little more sound than stock. I'm also looking into having the rear converter to duel exhaust. I think that's where I'll end up starting. Stock cat ---> stock DP ---> Cent. Res ---> Straight pipe to duel rears. It sounds like you had this setup less the front res and it was too much drone? You think it would be too much with both resonators? If I want more from there I'll likely delete the front res.

I'd love to get into HFC territory (currently APR stage 1) but I'm in NY. I've read many a horror story about people having to do all sorts of shit to get their emission codes straight to pass inspection. I want more power but not at that cost. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make it work in a state like NY I'm all ears.

[Shuga]

Yawn if you’re in NY you’re not going to pass inspection with out jumping through hoops. Just the way it is and the cost of the game.


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[the-quattro-man]

I'd love to get into HFC territory (currently APR stage 1) but I'm in NY. I've read many a horror story about people having to do all sorts of shit to get their emission codes straight to pass inspection. I want more power but not at that cost. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make it work in a state like NY I'm all ears.

That's why I moved from NY to FL many years ago. I hate emission inspection. Here in FL no inspection, plenty of E85 juice, lots of tuning shops and you can pretty much mod your car to death and not worry about it.

Cheers

[Shuga]

That's why I moved from NY to FL many years ago. I hate emission inspection. Here in FL no inspection, plenty of E85 juice, lots of tuning shops and you can pretty much mod your car to death and not worry about it.

Cheers

All you have to worry about is that hot FL sun that’ll burn your clear coat haha


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[A4x]

For any of you engineers out there who might know a thing or two about sound pressure waves, the geometry and internals of mufflers can give you an indication of what it does to the sound of your exhaust.

Here is a stock S4 muffler cut open. I assume the A4 mufflers are similar based on the shape and hey, it's Audi. They design things the same way, just scale it up or down. You can see there is a J-pipe circled, which will reflect a certain wavelength back into the exhaust to cancel frequencies out (low frequency drone).


Here is the stock downpipe/front resonator cut open. It is a simple straight through design that will absorb a lot of low frequency sound. The size of it also tunes out one frequency and it's harmonics as they come in the inlet and reflect off the wall back onto itself.


Here is an overall view of the stock A4 exhaust. You can compare the size of the resonators and the muffler. As you can see, the center resonator is the largest. I tend to think that large resonators give the exhaust a deeper sound, but I've never seen a cutaway of this to really know how the exhaust is routed. If anyone can help cut one open, that would be great!

[Seal1968]

Mine came with centre resonator deleted with a straight pipe back and a muffler with split to dual exhaust. Drones at lower rpms. I will likely add a small resonator to get rid of that. To me its annoying, and can drown out the tunes. (very bad! lol)

To each his own.

[Shuga]

Mine came with centre resonator deleted with a straight pipe back and a muffler with split to dual exhaust. Drones at lower rpms. I will likely add a small resonator to get rid of that. To me its annoying, and can drown out the tunes. (very bad! lol)

To each his own.

Turn the radio up


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[doublespeeded]

When I did a center res delete (the big one underneath the rear seats) due to a leak in the stock one, it sounded like utter ass and droned like crazy. On a cold start the car sounded like a tractor. Had a magnaflow muffler welded in place there and it sounds much better.

Edit: Currently have 034 HFC, stock downpipe and front res, center res replaced by magnaflow 11226, stock rear muffler.

I wonder if the Aftermarket Magnaflow (not straight through type oval resonator) is any louder than the OEM large rear resonator?
Larger mufflers and resonators are said to be quieter but offer more deeper tone. But less Bark on WOT aswell.

If you said it sounded like 'Ass' then I wonder if my proposed HotDog Style resonator (pictured) will be suffice?




Because the next one up from that is a cylindrical barrel type, which is straight through but fatter than the hotdog. Said to be quieter than a hotdog but louder than the oval ones such as your Magnaflow

Mine came with centre resonator deleted with a straight pipe back and a muffler with split to dual exhaust. Drones at lower rpms. I will likely add a small resonator to get rid of that. To me its annoying, and can drown out the tunes. (very bad! lol)

To each his own.

Did it have the front resonator delete?

as mentioned above, I will be replacing the 2nd larger resonator with the hotdog (smallest) type resonator. Ill give you feedback.
(im just hoping I dont regret it or regret going one step quieter with the Barrel/cylindrical ones:

[Shuga]

It’s not going to be loud at all


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[doublespeeded]

It’s not going to be loud at all


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Sorry, what is?

or were you referring to me?

it does appear that the CDNC Ea888 GEN II 2.0T TFSI are not loud engines.

also, can anyone confirm what material the OEM pipework is for the exhaust?

The hotdog resonators in either Stainless Steel or Mild Steel are not much difference in price.
Ive heard that Stainless steel + mildsteel joints are not reliable... and better off to flange both dissimilar metals. (or use couplings/bands)

if the OEM pipe is mildsteel, it be easier to just buy a mildsteel one

[snaky69]

I wonder if the Aftermarket Magnaflow (not straight through type oval resonator) is any louder than the OEM large rear resonator?
Larger mufflers and resonators are said to be quieter but offer more deeper tone. But less Bark on WOT aswell.

If you said it sounded like 'Ass' then I wonder if my proposed HotDog Style resonator (pictured) will be suffice?




Because the next one up from that is a cylindrical barrel type, which is straight through but fatter than the hotdog. Said to be quieter than a hotdog but louder than the oval ones such as your Magnaflow




Did it have the front resonator delete?

as mentioned above, I will be replacing the 2nd larger resonator with the hotdog (smallest) type resonator. Ill give you feedback.
(im just hoping I dont regret it or regret going one step quieter with the Barrel/cylindrical ones:

Any resonator will be better than none. Usually the bigger they are the deeper the tone. It wasn’t so much the tone as the drone that bothered. It was drone city in the cabin.

[snaky69]

Sorry, what is?

or were you referring to me?

it does appear that the CDNC Ea888 GEN II 2.0T TFSI are not loud engines.

also, can anyone confirm what material the OEM pipework is for the exhaust?

The hotdog resonators in either Stainless Steel or Mild Steel are not much difference in price.
Ive heard that Stainless steel + mildsteel joints are not reliable... and better off to flange both dissimilar metals. (or use couplings/bands)

if the OEM pipe is mildsteel, it be easier to just buy a mildsteel one

OEM is stainless. Likely 409 grade.

[doublespeeded]

It’s not going to be loud at all


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Any resonator will be better than none. Usually the bigger they are the deeper the tone. It wasn’t so much the tone as the drone that bothered. It was drone city in the cabin.

its funny that a Golf R and S3 (both 2.0T) can delete all resonators (I believe they only come with one) can sound decent. (I assume its due to the single large resonator at the rear with dual outlets that compensate).

I can see most people here don't mind productive noise :), just the tinny Honda/ distorted/ tinny drone... But as you said, any resonator is better than none. But whether a small one will cut out the drone, is my concern. in saying that, majority of the aftermarket exhausts (predominantly JDM vehicles with Canon exhausts) have the hotdog/small type resonators. I previously had a 4 Cyl EVO IX with a Titanium canon rear muffler and stainless pipework and a hot dog resonator... there was no drone.

OEM is stainless. Likely 409 grade.

Thanks for verifying.

The resonator that I will be using, it states that its a '304 Grade Stainless Steel'. will that easily weld together or be compatible? (I assume that would be more compatible than Mild steel?)

My intention honestly, is so that the engine can offer a bit more noise, and to hear the DSG gear changes more (I noticed the gear change sound is more noticeable after the front resonator delete)

[snaky69]

its funny that a Golf R and S3 (both 2.0T) can delete all resonators (I believe they only come with one) can sound decent. (I assume its due to the single large resonator at the rear with dual outlets that compensate).

I can see most people here don't mind productive noise :), just the tinny Honda/ distorted/ tinny drone... But as you said, any resonator is better than none. But whether a small one will cut out the drone, is my concern. in saying that, majority of the aftermarket exhausts (predominantly JDM vehicles with Canon exhausts) have the hotdog/small type resonators. I previously had a 4 Cyl EVO IX with a Titanium canon rear muffler and stainless pipework and a hot dog resonator... there was no drone.




Thanks for verifying.

The resonator that I will be using, it states that its a '304 Grade Stainless Steel'. will that easily weld together or be compatible? (I assume that would be more compatible than Mild steel?)

My intention honestly, is so that the engine can offer a bit more noise, and to hear the DSG gear changes more (I noticed the gear change sound is more noticeable after the front resonator delete)

409 is readily welded to 304 with no problem, filler material should be 309 ideally but any stainless would work.

[Seal1968]

Turn the radio up


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I like where you are going with this sir!

[seaniscoolikeA4]

Here's an idea... thoughts?

Modify stock A4 exhaust with split after the central res. Passenger side is straight pipe only. Maintain stock drivers side w/ muffler.

Example: https://imgur.com/hHRREjV

[weagle1856]

For any of you engineers out there who might know a thing or two about sound pressure waves, the geometry and internals of mufflers can give you an indication of what it does to the sound of your exhaust.

Here is a stock S4 muffler cut open. I assume the A4 mufflers are similar based on the shape and hey, it's Audi. They design things the same way, just scale it up or down. You can see there is a J-pipe circled, which will reflect a certain wavelength back into the exhaust to cancel frequencies out (low frequency drone).


Here is the stock downpipe/front resonator cut open. It is a simple straight through design that will absorb a lot of low frequency sound. The size of it also tunes out one frequency and it's harmonics as they come in the inlet and reflect off the wall back onto itself.


Here is an overall view of the stock A4 exhaust. You can compare the size of the resonators and the muffler. As you can see, the center resonator is the largest. I tend to think that large resonators give the exhaust a deeper sound, but I've never seen a cutaway of this to really know how the exhaust is routed. If anyone can help cut one open, that would be great!

Best response in this thread.

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[cdmx]

IMG_0609.JPG
Ecs tuning resonator delete with aero resonator.
Sounds WAY better then straight piping.
I’m actually thinking about selling mods to put back to stock..


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[Shuga]

IMG_0609.JPG
Ecs tuning resonator delete with aero resonator.
Sounds WAY better then straight piping.
I’m actually thinking about selling mods to put back to stock..


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Some people aren’t about that life


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[doublespeeded]

IMG_0609.JPG
Ecs tuning resonator delete with aero resonator.
Sounds WAY better then straight piping.
I’m actually thinking about selling mods to put back to stock..


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Im interested in your set up.

So that resonator pictured, replaced the 2nd larger OEM resonator.. how about the rear muffler, downpipe and the first resonator??

[doublespeeded]

IMG_0609.JPG
Ecs tuning resonator delete with aero resonator.
Sounds WAY better then straight piping.
I’m actually thinking about selling mods to put back to stock..


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I cant seem to find the ECS tuning product or link to what you have there.

But anyways, as mentioned, I'm interested in your set up, so can you let me know what your exhaust pictured consist of?


Also, ive just ordered one of these.. a 2.5" inlet/outlet (to suit OEM pipework) and 3.5" dia body width Hot-Dog Style resonator in Stainless Steel 304...

once I replace the 2nd rear resonator with this, ill be able to provide feedback with my experiences to anyone on this forum interested.