Hi guys,

So, I may be an idiot here - I recently installed a MBRP cat-back exhaust (first one I've ever put on my own truck), and now I absolutely can't stand the drone. At highway speeds, around 1600 rpm, it's unbearable.

I bought a MBRP resonator, hoping it would help, and it attenuated the drone a little bit, but not nearly enough to make it bearable.

This is an '09 1500 with a 5.7L, and it's my daily driver - I won't be able to handle the drone on a daily basis.

So my question for anyone who may have some experience with this stuff - would it be worth it to bag the MBRP system and buy something like a Corsa system (which is supposed to be a much higher-end product and has less drone issues), or should I just bag the MBRP system and put my OEM muffler back on?

I would be willing to eat the cost of a Corsa system, but only if you guys think that the better-quality brand is REALLY better with drone issues.

Thanks a lot.

 

Is this when the MDS is active? If so, you can eliminate that by turning off MDS. This can be accomplished by putting the transmission in "Manual" mode. Even if you just put it at 6 (or the highest gear you have) and leave it there, you will have normal auto function but MDS is deactivated. At least, it is on mine.

The other option is to get a tuner that has the option of disabling MDS.

Lastly, but not recommended by me, I understand that if you run slightly thicker engine oil MDS will not engage, because it relies on the lifters "collapsing" and that will not happen with the thicker oil. I had never heard of that, but the Ram salesman mentioned it to me a week or so ago.

If it's not a result of MDS, I have no suggestions.

 

My vote is put it back to stock. I say that because I like the way stock sounds. I hate MDS though.

Side note: I have been running 0W-30 synthetic oil for 10,000 miles. The worthless MDS is still working. Also NO codes have been thrown or babies have died.

 

0w-30 is one of the thinnest engine oils you can buy.

As to stock sounds, my son has a 2013 Express. It is way quieter than my stock 2015 Sport was. The 2013 sounds like a car - really no exhaust sound at all. My Sport had a noticeable rumble, just not as much as I wanted. I've been quite happy with the Mufflex Magnaflow DOD18 (apart from the MDS blatt).

 

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the MDS is already turned off via a Diablosport tuner.

Thanks again.

 

One thing I have done to both my Rams is move the muffler back towards the tail of the truck.

Not sure if you're up for any custom exhaust work, but this reduces the amount of sound heard in the cab.

 

I agree with pitbull24... get the muffler as far back as possible toward the rear axle... you could also also install some gator skin or sound proof material to the underside of the cab and the rear wall of the cab...

the radio always works too..

 

Thanks for the help, guys.

I don't know if I can do any custom work, and I live in a tiny little town - not sure if I can find someone to do the work or not. I will look into it.

I have noticed that the muffler on the MBRP exhaust system is actually further forward (i.e. closer to the cab) than the stock muffler is. I wonder if that has anything to do with the drone being so bad?

In contrast, though, it seems that the Corsa muffler is actually placed slightly further back than the stock muffler. I'm leaning toward buying a Corsa system. I've heard good things.

Still undecided. Thanks though.

 

The stock single exhaust sounds better than the stock dual exhaust - flows better too.

 

I have no idea about either of those claims, but I can say that the stock dual outlet with form fitted bumper LOOKS way better...