97 GA GT 2.4 Exhaust Resonator?

[Spl170s]

Car seemed a bit loud like an exhaust leak, so got to checking under car, after the cat looks to be a resonator. It is cracked on bottom and leaking water/condensation and leaking air whatever. So, my question is, if i have this cut and replaced with straight pipe...what is going to happen? get louder or quieter?

[rixGAphx]

The exhaust tone will get 'worse' in terms of noise.
Louder by a little, and not in a 'nice' way.

The resonator is a hollow tube (sometimes a box) with stiff steel baffle plates that reflect the sound waves back on themselves.
It is precisely-designed to maintain excellent exhaust flow, yet cause certain frequencies of noise to cancel themselves.
See also http://auto.howstuffworks.com/muffler4.htm
Without a resonator, there is a specific rev range, around 4000 rpm, when a 4-cyl engine's exhaust self-amplifies to a very annoying volume, even a throbbing.
Ricers seem to like this, but it's a real pain for vehicle occupants.
GM didn't put a single dime into this car that wasn't absolutely necessary, and trust me, you WANT a resonator.

Technically it's illegal for anybody to replace any exhaust system parts between the engine and the cat with anything other than OEM, including the resonator.
So that's all that Midas or other businesses will do: install one of these by welding:http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/img/mar/271070.jpg
$107 at Checker, here: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=MAR&MfrPartNumber=271070&PartType=689&PTSet=A

Hope this helps,
-Rick

[tenspeed]

what is going to happen? get louder or quieter?

It will get louder. Some like it, some don't.

My SLP cat back system doesn't have one and it can get annoying on the highway when the windows are up. The rest of the time, I enjoy the sound. It reminds me of the other 4 bangers that I had since none of them had resonators either.

You can cut it off and replace it with straight pipe for now. Drive it around and if it's too loud for you, install a resonator.

[Spl170s]

thanks for the info guys. first car i have had one on, so this is good info. exhaust is pretty rusty looking cat on back. hate to go replacing all of it though. im not looking for a "rice" sound by any means. so, if cutting it and replacing with pipe will do that....no thank you. anywhere i can get just a resonator without all the pipe?

yes, to answer the question, i am cheap .... frugle...whatever people call it with this type of stuff...haha

[Spl170s]

thanks for the info guys. first car i have had one on, so this is good info. exhaust is pretty rusty looking cat on back. hate to go replacing all of it though. im not looking for a "rice" sound by any means. so, if cutting it and replacing with pipe will do that....no thank you. anywhere i can get just a resonator without all the pipe?

yes, to answer the question, i am cheap .... frugle...whatever people call it with this type of stuff...haha

[rixGAphx]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2-5-UNIVERSAL-TEST-PIPE-RESONATOR-CAT-CATALYTIC-CON_W0QQitemZ200187272417QQihZ010QQcategoryZ33629Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$20.

Doesn't have any internal baffle plates, but *some* resonance/dampening occurs by the sound waves bouncing ito each other kinda 'radially' or spirally' as they bounce down the flared tube.

Prolly the same price, and no shipping, at a local performance shop.
The only critical dimensions are the pipe diameter and the length.

Others are all over ebay.
Don't know about their legality in front of the cat.
If anybody even bothers to check in your locale (they examine everything emissions-related here in smoggy old Phoenix; no safety inspections so your brakes can be sh!at, but they'll bust you for a loose gas cap. :roll: )

[Spl170s]

i called local muffler shop and he wouldn't give price until he looked it over first, but said a new resonator typically runs between 35-50 installed depending on which one i would need.