35t Center Resonator Delete: Worth Every Penny!
#1
35t Center Resonator Delete: Worth Every Penny!
Hi Guys,
For a while now I've been thinking about deleting the two center resonators on my XE. I posted a few times about it with some speculation as to what the effects would be.
Well, I finally bit the bullet. I had a shop do cut them out and weld in straight pipe.
Here is a summary of the effects:
Overall, I am extremely pleased. And it only cost me $120.
I think this is how the car was meant to sound from the factory, to be honest. I would guess the resonators were there simply to differentiate the XE and the F-type tonally (JLR don't want the XE stealing the F-types thunder!).
If there are any forum members with a V6 F-type in the Austin area, send me a PM. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison on video for the forum. I'd wager they sound almost identical with this mod.
Video to follow shortly!
Cheers
For a while now I've been thinking about deleting the two center resonators on my XE. I posted a few times about it with some speculation as to what the effects would be.
Well, I finally bit the bullet. I had a shop do cut them out and weld in straight pipe.
Here is a summary of the effects:
- Significant increase in volume (it will turn heads)
- Significant increase in rasp/growl. When you shift gears at the higher rev range under load, you get this nice crackly raspy sound. Just amazing.
- A decent increase in crackles/pops. I think these were there always, and deleting the resonators has the effect of making them louder/more noticeable. Especially if you let off in the higher rev range, the pops are LOUD.
- Literally ZERO drone. Absolutely none. In fact, when cruising on the highway, I doubt there is a perceptible difference in the stock exhaust and the exhaust without resonators.
Overall, I am extremely pleased. And it only cost me $120.
I think this is how the car was meant to sound from the factory, to be honest. I would guess the resonators were there simply to differentiate the XE and the F-type tonally (JLR don't want the XE stealing the F-types thunder!).
If there are any forum members with a V6 F-type in the Austin area, send me a PM. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison on video for the forum. I'd wager they sound almost identical with this mod.
Video to follow shortly!
Cheers
The following users liked this post:
BruceTheQuail (12-20-2017)
#2
Hi Guys,
For a while now I've been thinking about deleting the two center resonators on my XE. I posted a few times about it with some speculation as to what the effects would be.
Well, I finally bit the bullet. I had a shop do cut them out and weld in straight pipe.
Here is a summary of the effects:
Overall, I am extremely pleased. And it only cost me $120.
I think this is how the car was meant to sound from the factory, to be honest. I would guess the resonators were there simply to differentiate the XE and the F-type tonally (JLR don't want the XE stealing the F-types thunder!).
If there are any forum members with a V6 F-type in the Austin area, send me a PM. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison on video for the forum. I'd wager they sound almost identical with this mod.
Video to follow shortly!
Cheers
For a while now I've been thinking about deleting the two center resonators on my XE. I posted a few times about it with some speculation as to what the effects would be.
Well, I finally bit the bullet. I had a shop do cut them out and weld in straight pipe.
Here is a summary of the effects:
- Significant increase in volume (it will turn heads)
- Significant increase in rasp/growl. When you shift gears at the higher rev range under load, you get this nice crackly raspy sound. Just amazing.
- A decent increase in crackles/pops. I think these were there always, and deleting the resonators has the effect of making them louder/more noticeable. Especially if you let off in the higher rev range, the pops are LOUD.
- Literally ZERO drone. Absolutely none. In fact, when cruising on the highway, I doubt there is a perceptible difference in the stock exhaust and the exhaust without resonators.
Overall, I am extremely pleased. And it only cost me $120.
I think this is how the car was meant to sound from the factory, to be honest. I would guess the resonators were there simply to differentiate the XE and the F-type tonally (JLR don't want the XE stealing the F-types thunder!).
If there are any forum members with a V6 F-type in the Austin area, send me a PM. I'd love to do a side-by-side comparison on video for the forum. I'd wager they sound almost identical with this mod.
Video to follow shortly!
Cheers
I'm in Austin too...do you mind sharing who did the work for you, and would you recommend them?
#3
Hey Austin7,
I had a shop called Youniversal Auto Care on Pleasant Valley do the mod, simply because it was a couple blocks from where I live and they quoted me a reasonable price. They also have decent reviews on Google. They were very friendly and took care with the install - even going so far as to make sure the rear exhaust pipes were perfectly symmetrical (which is actually an improvement over the factory installation). Ask for John.
Regarding weight/restriction: those two center mufflers do weigh a bit (11.2 lbs according to my scale at home). They don't seem to restrictive, because the main pipe is just straight through. The car definitely seems faster but that's probably 99% due to me laying into the throttle to get that sweet sound.
I've put a photo of the inside of the resonators below. Also attaching a photo of where the cut was made in case anyone wants to duplicate this.
I'd be happy to meet up and compare exhaust sounds. You have the VAP tune, so you don't have a rev-limiter in park, while I still do. But I think a few fly-by shots would suffice for comparison!
I had a shop called Youniversal Auto Care on Pleasant Valley do the mod, simply because it was a couple blocks from where I live and they quoted me a reasonable price. They also have decent reviews on Google. They were very friendly and took care with the install - even going so far as to make sure the rear exhaust pipes were perfectly symmetrical (which is actually an improvement over the factory installation). Ask for John.
Regarding weight/restriction: those two center mufflers do weigh a bit (11.2 lbs according to my scale at home). They don't seem to restrictive, because the main pipe is just straight through. The car definitely seems faster but that's probably 99% due to me laying into the throttle to get that sweet sound.
I've put a photo of the inside of the resonators below. Also attaching a photo of where the cut was made in case anyone wants to duplicate this.
I'd be happy to meet up and compare exhaust sounds. You have the VAP tune, so you don't have a rev-limiter in park, while I still do. But I think a few fly-by shots would suffice for comparison!
The following 3 users liked this post by alphakinase:
#4
Here is a video, as promised. (Sorry about the wind noise!)
I tried to do a mild launch as well as some full-throttle fly-by passes. Bounced off the rev limiter in 1st a few times so you all could get an idea of the red-line crackling shift sound. Also, notice the loud popping when I left off the throttle towards the top of 2nd gear!
I tried to do a mild launch as well as some full-throttle fly-by passes. Bounced off the rev limiter in 1st a few times so you all could get an idea of the red-line crackling shift sound. Also, notice the loud popping when I left off the throttle towards the top of 2nd gear!
The following 2 users liked this post by alphakinase:
Cherry_560sel (07-11-2020),
DB20 (02-20-2019)
#5
The following users liked this post:
Cherry_560sel (07-11-2020)
#7
Huh, maybe the resonators were just ornamental?
Really though, the tone itself is not hugely different. But it is much much louder. Of course that won’t come across on camera without a stock car to compare it to. Also the popping on overrun, while present on the stock exhaust, is much louder now.
Really though, the tone itself is not hugely different. But it is much much louder. Of course that won’t come across on camera without a stock car to compare it to. Also the popping on overrun, while present on the stock exhaust, is much louder now.
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#8
#9
that maybe so but when I stood outside my car (my friend's son rev'd the engine) it sounded pretty much the same as in your video. It may sound different in person. I just listened to the parked video again and it even feels like mine pops more and the pops are more profound.
Last edited by RaffiNJ; 12-25-2017 at 02:26 PM.
#13
I must be crazy but to me the car sounded better stock. The pops were also clearer with the resonators attached. The resonator delete just made it sound like you have a hole in the exhaust or something. Ho do you get it to pop while driving by the way? I never heard the pops on the road with mine, I must not be a good racer :P
#14
What I'm doing in these videos is holding the gear past red-line, so the rev limiter kicks in and it makes that sound. Is that what you're talking about with popping? If you mean the loud crackle/pop sound: it was really difficult to get the crackle sound out of the stock exhaust. Much easier without the resonators. One way is to just lightly tap the throttle after you let all the way off.
#15
I have the VAP as well and it sounds similar to my exhaust, the tune that was performed on mine adds pops and crackles. I wonder what it would be like with a combined resonator delete and the tune
#16
#17
#18
I can sympathize with that. My other car is a '99 Corvette with modified exhaust (practically straight piped) and its insanely loud. There's something nice about the refined yet sporty sound of the XE after taking the vette for a weekend drive. Even with the center muffler/resonator gone, it can't touch the vette for volume.
#19
Here is a summary of the effects:
- Significant increase in volume (it will turn heads)
- Significant increase in rasp/growl. When you shift gears at the higher rev range under load, you get this nice crackly raspy sound. Just amazing.
- A decent increase in crackles/pops. I think these were there always, and deleting the resonators has the effect of making them louder/more noticeable. Especially if you let off in the higher rev range, the pops are LOUD.
- Literally ZERO drone. Absolutely none. In fact, when cruising on the highway, I doubt there is a perceptible difference in the stock exhaust and the exhaust without resonators.
Hi Alpha, I read your posts with great interest as the F Pace has a near identical exhaust setup to the XE. I conclude from all your posts and excellent videos that the exhaust has lost none of the nice deep tone, correct? That would be my only concern with the mod.My F Pace will also have the VAP tune and pulley by the way.Thanks again for your posts!
#20
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Hi Alpha, I read your posts with great interest as the F Pace has a near identical exhaust setup to the XE. I conclude from all your posts and excellent videos that the exhaust has lost none of the nice deep tone, correct? That would be my only concern with the mod.My F Pace will also have the VAP tune and pulley by the way.Thanks again for your posts!