weed whacker sounding exhaust
Thread Starter
|
Legend
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 9,284
Likes: 1
From: mendota, illinois
weed whacker sounding exhaust
i know that four cylinders are notorious for the weed whacker sound when you are at a high rev and then hit the clutch, but does anyone know if there is a way to get rid of that? or is it just somthing that you have to deal with? you could hear it with the stock exhaust, then it was a little more noticable when i had the vibrant dual exhaust, now i have a 40 series 2 chamber flowmaster on my car and it is really noticable. i just think that its kinda embarrasing.
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From:
RE: weed whacker sounding exhaust
A muffler muffles noise, hence the name. By progressively going to a less restrictive muffler, you have succeeded in progressively increasing the noise levels of the exhaust note. If you want a deeper sound, or want to get rid of the "raspiness", there are a few things you should consider:
- The factory catalytic converter is a 2.5: inlet, 2.25" outlet. Replacing it with a 2.5" in/out aftermarket will be a good first step, followed by...
- The stock piping is 2.25" for all 1st gens. You can get aftermarket (Dynomax) 2.5" piping pretty cheap, and it's easy to install. Keep in mind that it necks down to 2.25" where it is supposed to meet up with the cat piping, so you'll want to have a section of 2.5" piping welded in there. You'll also want to have a bung installed for the downstream O2 sensor. The stock piping, right where the d/s sensor is, makes this really weird, kinky bend that is the most restrictive part of the entire exhaust system, aside from the muffler. Keep in mind the Federal laws concerning cat replacement, you don't want to get a fine out of this...
- Installing a quality glasspack in the long piping channel under the car will help clear up some of the high tones without making too much of a restriction. Thrush makes several lengths with a 2.5" in/out (Thrush Magnum), and they are pretty inexpensive, and even the wicked long one will fit in there. You could also go with a Moroso Spiral Flow 2.5" in there, but they have been known to start falling apart internally on some cars (very few) after a few thousand miles. What you want to avoid is the louvered style glasspacks which are terribly restrictive and will make matters worse.
- The internal volume of the muffler is going to make a difference. The larger the volume, the deeper the tone will be. Your 2-chamber is itty bitty compared to the stock muffler. You'd get a better sound and more flow going with a 2.5" Dynomax UltraFlow or Hooker Max Flow. You could even get it in the "Camaro-specific" style if you are into that fake dual exhaust look.
- The intake side is going to have some effect on the exhaust note as well, odd as it seems, more so if your cam(s) has overlap ('96-up stock SOHC's do not). A larger TB and good CAI will help, although just a little.
A word of caution... Unless you have a limited slip installed, you really souldn't be popping the clutch like that. The differential pins do not hold up well to uneven wheel spin...
Best of luck!
- The factory catalytic converter is a 2.5: inlet, 2.25" outlet. Replacing it with a 2.5" in/out aftermarket will be a good first step, followed by...
- The stock piping is 2.25" for all 1st gens. You can get aftermarket (Dynomax) 2.5" piping pretty cheap, and it's easy to install. Keep in mind that it necks down to 2.25" where it is supposed to meet up with the cat piping, so you'll want to have a section of 2.5" piping welded in there. You'll also want to have a bung installed for the downstream O2 sensor. The stock piping, right where the d/s sensor is, makes this really weird, kinky bend that is the most restrictive part of the entire exhaust system, aside from the muffler. Keep in mind the Federal laws concerning cat replacement, you don't want to get a fine out of this...
- Installing a quality glasspack in the long piping channel under the car will help clear up some of the high tones without making too much of a restriction. Thrush makes several lengths with a 2.5" in/out (Thrush Magnum), and they are pretty inexpensive, and even the wicked long one will fit in there. You could also go with a Moroso Spiral Flow 2.5" in there, but they have been known to start falling apart internally on some cars (very few) after a few thousand miles. What you want to avoid is the louvered style glasspacks which are terribly restrictive and will make matters worse.
- The internal volume of the muffler is going to make a difference. The larger the volume, the deeper the tone will be. Your 2-chamber is itty bitty compared to the stock muffler. You'd get a better sound and more flow going with a 2.5" Dynomax UltraFlow or Hooker Max Flow. You could even get it in the "Camaro-specific" style if you are into that fake dual exhaust look.
- The intake side is going to have some effect on the exhaust note as well, odd as it seems, more so if your cam(s) has overlap ('96-up stock SOHC's do not). A larger TB and good CAI will help, although just a little.
A word of caution... Unless you have a limited slip installed, you really souldn't be popping the clutch like that. The differential pins do not hold up well to uneven wheel spin...
Best of luck!
