Sedan Sonic Exhaust Upgrade Project

[Opticon]

For reference you should know that a 1.4T will sound much different than the 1.8. Less displacement and the turbine sitting in the exhaust flow changes the sound considerably. So don't listen to mufflers on 1.4Ts.

Now, the "cherry bomb glasspack" traditionally has very little packing and produces a raspy note (although I think they do make a larger diameter model). On a little NA 4cyl that translates to the weedeater sound. And because the flowmaster has no packing the metal baffles tend to buzz at certain frequencies and temperatures. Now there is a very small chance that the two of them will compliment each other and cancel out the rasp and buzz... but that is some scientific-level harmonic engineering.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

ok. Thank you for explaining that for me. I know the flowmasters tend to be raspy at the higher rpms. Ive used a 40 series and a 50 series before. The 50 wasnt as bad as the 40. So i figured the 60 thats made more for the 4cyl market would be better than the others. Now onto the other choice. If that is the case and you think it will make it sound bad by having the cherry bomb with the flowmaster then i wont use it.
so you think a magnaflow muffler used with the flowmaster would be a better choice? i did hear a set of magnaflows on a 1.8 cruze on youtube. Took a while to find it. It sounds alright but still lacks that extra "growl" that most magnaflows have. Or do you think i should just say the hell with the flowmaster and run 2 magnaflows to increase the sound some since 1 magnaflow sounds whimpy on these motors?
thanks for your feedback opticon! it is appreciated.

 

[Opticon]

Install a big mangaflow after the last converter then have the rest of the exhaust system plumbed to the tailpipe in something like 2.5" with no muffler.

If it's too quiet you can switch out the magnaflow for a cherry bomb glasspack, and if that alone is too loud you can cut up the tailpipe and add the flowmaster 60 series (or a second glasspack). The most you will waste is the cost of a magnaflow... and you could resell that without a problem.

 

[rdss]

Adding more Magnaflow resonators/mufflers will only make it quiter not louder or give it more growl. Running two will clean up the sound as well as make the car more quite. I agree with Opticon, go with a 14-18" resonator from Magnaflow after the cat and if it doesn't meet your needs add another resonator or muffler at the rear, resonator should not reduce the sound as much as a muffler.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

Install a big mangaflow after the last converter then have the rest of the exhaust system plumbed to the tailpipe in something like 2.5" with no muffler.

If it's too quiet you can switch out the magnaflow for a cherry bomb glasspack, and if that alone is too loud you can cut up the tailpipe and add the flowmaster 60 series (or a second glasspack). The most you will waste is the cost of a magnaflow... and you could resell that without a problem.

Thank You for the information. I will take this and make me a very nice exhaust system. I appreciate your knowledge of these cars.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

Adding more Magnaflow resonators/mufflers will only make it quiter not louder or give it more growl. Running two will clean up the sound as well as make the car more quite. I agree with Opticon, go with a 14-18" resonator from Magnaflow after the cat and if it doesn't meet your needs add another resonator or muffler at the rear, resonator should not reduce the sound as much as a muffler.

Thanks RDSS ~ Appreciate your feedback...
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Now just for a good laugh and nothing else. i know it would cost to do it, but what would you guys think about putting in a Y pipe after the converter, then run 2 seperate pipes and mufflers, and maybe do something like a dual exhaust. kinda like so...

________________+ Exit Here
--- O -------------- O ---

...---[ ]-<---[ ]--
..............---[ ]--

--- O -------------- O ---
________________+ Exit Here

Sorry for the bad drawing, doing the best i can using text to do this lol. Basically do a dual side exit system but not have the pipes stick out or anthing. This sure would cut down on the use of pipes and allow the exhaust to exit quicker. have it exit just under the car?? or would this be too "Cheesy" for a sonic lol.
Seriously tho i mentioned this as a good laugh and not to start anything with anyone. just curious what you all might think of a setup like this? would it work on this car. look right, sound right. so forth? just for thoughts...

 

[rdss]

I would just stick with a single exit personally.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

ha ha ha. Ok. I didnt plan on doing the dual setup. Just curious what others might think of such a setup. Thanks rdss.
I will update you all with how this turns out when i have it done. Going to do some research on costs then go from there. If it dont look like its going to cost a whole lot i might do it sooner than later. Idk will see. Thanks again everyone for your help with this! gonna do a magnaflow large muffler with a 2.25" pipes and exit like the stock tailpipe does just under the car. I like the hidden look. if it wont cost much more i might think about 2.5". Depends cost of all the pipes needed. Thanks

 

[rdss]

Here's a stainless 2 1/2" Flowmaster pipe kit. $275.95
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLO-815936/

2 1/4" for $275.95, so price should be the factor for pipe.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLO-815935/

I get my Magnaflow mufflers from Bandit Exhaust. They will price match and usually beat most prices. When installed by a shop you might be better off waiting for someone to make a kit, it sounds like DDM is back and the sedan exhaust should be coming soon. I priced out this route and it's not cheap, even if you get a pipe expander to slip fit and just have to worry about figuring out the mounting points.

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

Exhaust System Est Cost

ok i did some research and found some good deals on SummitRacing.com and here is what i have found and plan on using for my Custom Exhaust system.

Exhaust Pipe Reducer - One peice To go from the Stock size off the converter to the new 2.25" Size muffler
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-41400/

Exhaust Pipe to change out the stock 1.75" to 2.25"
Comes in 4-foot Sections...Thinking will take 3 sections to form the exhaust like the stock one. correct me if you think i am wrong and think just 2 sections will do it. {which would be fine by me, be cheaper }
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-640122/

Magnaflow Performance Muffler 2.25" Inlet/outlet #10415
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MPE-10415/

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Final Cost Est. - $150.00
Guessing labor would be around $200
So Est $350 total to have this fully done at the local body shop.

Could save a ton but i doubt my uncle would do the job for me as he is one of those anti-modifying type of people. "if it aint broke, dont mess with it" types lol. He has a very nice shop with a pipe bender and so forth. I would have to offer him something really good to entice him to do it for me probably. thats why im taking it to a body shop i trust to do the work for me.

Here is a video i found online of a Chevy Cruze 1.8 with a set of Magnaflow mufflers on it. Lets see how close my sounds to this guys car. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV1hLM4ITpg

 

[rdss]

I think you're on the right track, that u-fit kit probably has enough pieces to make two cat backs.

 

[daleharalson22]

I would like to hear a 1.8 with a vibrant muffler on it....i had one on a prelude i sold and it was the best sounding muffler I've heard on a l4!!!

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I would like to hear a 1.8 with a vibrant muffler on it....i had one on a prelude i sold and it was the best sounding muffler I've heard on a l4!!!

Those are very nice mufflers. I do believe i recall hearing one on youtube at one point or another. the only thing for me is those mufflers are very loud! so it wouldnt be suitable for me to do it or i would for you. I need to keep it respectfully tamed as i drive to work at 4am So I dont think too many people would be happy with me if i woke them all up everytime i went to work lol. Thanks for the suggestion tho. im sure someone will take you up on your request.

 

[bandita52]

can i have my Resonator removed and have a pipe where it used to be and add a chrome exhaust tip while still keeping that part of the car under warrenty. i did this on my 2005 ford focus zx4 ses and it sounded like the ST model. any thoughts or suggestions.

 

[$ub$onic]

I would assume not. At that point you might as well buy a cat back
If you want a little more noise the magnaflow cat back would be a great option . Its a nice deep sound that's not to loud inside the car.

 

[Eric Smit]

for cheap you could do that, but it will void your exhaust warranty.


-Eric Smit

 

[smsfabrication]

for cheap you could do that, but it will void your exhaust warranty.


-Eric Smit

lol

 

[TheFallenAngel12]

I forgot i even had this thread here lol. As for warranties, Screw them. there a waste of money. I have never liked them. All they are, are money pitts. A way for companies to screw you out of your hard earned money so when things do break down and need replacement they just give you the run around and take forever to fix it if they fix it and then likely it dont get done right anyways. Every item i have ever had a warrenty on it never was worth having. My previous vehicle had a warrenty on it. and when i took it in to have something done that was suppose to be under warranty, they refused to pay for the repair. I got stuck with it saying because it was of this that and whatever it didnt qualify for the warranty. So my thoughts are, if you want to do something to your car, Go For it. especially the exhaust system as that for the most part is one of the cheaper parts of the car to replace if need be down the road.

***My Exhaust System Build Update***
Since i have made this thread, i have made a decision on a Exhaust system im going to have built for me. Im going with a 2.25" Custom Magnaflow Cat-Back System. Going to start at the 2nd CAT and Upgrade all the pipes to 2.25" and Replace the Resonator with a Pipe and go No Resonator, and run it into the Magnaflow Round Non-Chambered Muffler i bought and end into the Gibson Turn Down Tip I bought keeping the system hidden under the car as it is stock. i Like it being hidden and will keep it that way. I will be having this done here in March or Early April. Whenever i get my Tax Return back for this year (2013). Cant Wait! :banana:opcorn:

Go to my Build Thread Link Below for pictures of the Muffler and Tip I bought, post #118.