I finally decided to put the Borla/Mopar cat-back exhaust system. It's now two side sweeping tips (one says Borla, the other says Dodge) instead of one on each side of the truck. It looks cool as hell, has a great rumble at startup and this and the Mopar CAI sound awesome when you really stomp on it. But, I'm noticing a drone in the cabin at around 2000-2300 RPM. I thought the Borla system was supposed to be one of the most quietest aftermarket exhausts with no drone in the cabin? The more I hear it, the more it annoys me. Highway driving not even noticeable, it's around town when the speed limits are between 25 and 45 that this drone is happening at that RPM range, seemingly in fourth grear. I can't imagine what it sounds like outside the truck. Two questions:

1. I'm still awaiting the fix of my code P0420 problem which is new O2 sensors and reflash of the computer. There is some sluggishness and my MPG has suffered so I don't know exactly what the computer is doing to the engine that it needs be flashed, is it possible once this fix is in place, maybe some of the drone will go away?

2. If I switch back to the stock intake and take out the Mopar CAI, will the drone dissapear?

Other than the drone, I love this thing. But the drone is pissing me off.

Side note question:

Should I have had the computer reset after I installed the CAI? If so, why?

 

In my past experiences, when the intake & exhaust system is upgraded, the computer needs to be adjusted so that the air-to-fuel ratio is recalibrated. As for the drone, unfortunately, every Dodge that I have rode in w/ aftermarket exhaust has that "drone" around the mid range rpm's. It seems like it is because of the gear ratio & when it shifts.

 

Is the problem corrected by TSB 11-002-05, which addresses a vibration at idle/gear and installs a damper on the Y-pipe being made worse with my Borla? I know this TSB hasn't been implemented on my truck (built 11/04, TSB is dated 9/05) and I do remember some sort of drone at lower RPMs with the stock exhaust. Some reading I've done on other Dodge forums talked about drones in Hemi powered Durango's at 1900-2100 RPM, this is kind of where my problem is. I wonder if I get my dealer to do this TSB that my problems will be mitigated?

 

I wonder if adding a resonator would help it.

 

I don't know but I'll tell ya, it's pissing me off more and more. Part of it's my own fault. I thought I researched and asked enough questions when I thought about getting it. I was told it's the quietest exhaust out there, a magazine review said the same thing, my parts department said there is no noticeable drone, etc. I took it all at face value, my bad I guess. Now I've spent the last two hours doing various searches on this forum and Dodge Talk regarding drone/resonance with the Borla and everyone is experiencing the same problem at the same RPM. Dammit, if I had done that particular search ahead of time, I never would've done this. Now I just spent $600, told my dealer I didn't need my stock exhaust back (another mistake on my part I guess) and memories of the drone I had in the cab of my '98 XJ with the Rusty's 2 1/2" cat back exhaust with Flowmaster Delta 50 muffler are all back. Perhaps I should've had my dealer order the Borla cat-back specific for the Daytona model, I guess the muffler is longer, the tips have resonators in them and it's quieter than this Borla which actually alot people complained it's too quiet. Boy, did I f-up.[:@]

 

I don't know but I'll tell ya, it's pissing me off more and more. Part of it's my own fault. I thought I researched and asked enough questions when I thought about getting it. I was told it's the quietest exhaust out there, a magazine review said the same thing, my parts department said there is no noticeable drone, etc. I took it all at face value, my bad I guess. Now I've spent the last two hours doing various searches on this forum and Dodge Talk regarding drone/resonance with the Borla and everyone is experiencing the same problem at the same RPM. Dammit, if I had done that particular search ahead of time, I never would've done this. Now I just spent $600, told my dealer I didn't need my stock exhaust back (another mistake on my part I guess) and memories of the drone I had in the cab of my '98 XJ with the Rusty's 2 1/2" cat back exhaust with Flowmaster Delta 50 muffler are all back. Perhaps I should've had my dealer order the Borla cat-back specific for the Daytona model, I guess the muffler is longer, the tips have resonators in them and it's quieter than this Borla which actually alot people complained it's too quiet. Boy, did I f-up.[:@]

 

Sorry to hear about that. I'd still call the dealership to see if they still have the exhaust, it can't hurt anything. If it is still bothering you that much, contact Borla and see if they have a recommended 'fix' for the drone. Perhaps a resonator is in order?

 

I dropped Borla an email earlier this evening. I'm going to give the dealership a call tomorrow just to see if there have been complaints and feel them out with putting the stock back on and returning the Borla (fat chance I'm sure but worth a try). At a minimum, I want them to correct the drone in the TSB and maybe that'll help mitigate it some. Doubt it though, seems to be an affliction with an aftermarket exhaust setup with no resonator. It's too damn bad, thing sounds sweet at startup and all ranges except for 2000 RPM. I wonder if I can get the Borla system for the Daytona in it's place?

 

Here is a link that has stainless steel resonators, you just splice them in anywhere, before or after the muffler.
They come in 2 inch, 2.5 inch and 3 inch diameter sizes.

http://www.turboexhaust.com/buy/index.html

 

Cool, thanks for the link.