Best Exhaust Resonators: Remove the Drone and Improve Performance
Tune your car’s exhaust with these top exhaust resonators.
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When you think about your car’s emissions and exhaust, you likely think about your muffler. A key component in just about any car, a muffler keeps your vehicle’s exhaust quieted and out of mind. While some drivers want their cars to stand out — some with noisier exhaust and less quieting mufflers, others with specialized and cool aftermarket mufflers — others want as little noise as possible. And if that’s how you feel, you need more than a muffler. You need an exhaust resonator too.
An exhaust resonator is designed to reduce the drone, buzz, or even whine of your exhaust by attaching onto your muffler. These extra parts can quiet your engine dramatically, modulating and changing the sound so it’s more muted and less obvious. While these resonators don’t really alter your emissions, they can make a world of difference if you don’t want your car to sound loud on the road. And we’ve got a list of the best exhaust resonators right here to help you find the perfect fit.
Vibrant Performance 1794 Bottle Style Resonator
- Welds are good, and the unit is very solid
- This resonator facilitates undisrupted exhaust flow and removes nearly all the drone and overall volume that is common with an aftermarket exhaust
- This resonator doesn't fit all vehicles
- While it reduces the drone, it's not "ultra-quiet" like the product promises in the description.
- Your vehicle may still be loud when cold starting.
DC Sports EX-1013 Resonated Muffler
- Has an appealing, polished design
- Easy to install since all its parts are configured to fit factory mounting locations
- Works as both a muffler and a resonator to make the sound more appealing
- You may have to weld it for a snug fit since the clamps are weak
- Looks huge when seen on the back of a small car
Vibrant Bottle Style Resonator
- Resonator is a great, high-performance addition to replace OEM equipment
- Produces little to no drone
- Cleans up the exhaust note and takes the rasp out
- It may not reduce overall sound as much as you want or even bring it down to noticeable levels.
- Welds may start to deteriorate after a short period of time
Summary List
- Best Overall: Vibrant Performance 1794 Bottle Style Resonator
- Best Value: DC Sports EX-1013 Resonated Muffler
- Best Universal Fit: Vibrant 1792 Bottle Style Resonator
- Best Factory Sound: Walker 21398 Resonator
- Honorable Mention: Dynomax Race Bullet 23235 Exhaust Resonator
- Honorable Mention: MBRP Universal Resonator
Types of Exhaust Resonators
Chambered or Helmholz
This type of resonator works using multiple size cavities to cancel sound waves from the vehicle engine and produce a cool buzz. The exhaust resonator uses metal plates, also known as baffles, and a single chamber to make the sound coming out of the car engine bearable to your ears. These resonators are designed to cancel sound waves that the standard muffler installed in the engine does not allow to escape. They work differently based on the muffler and engine brands.
Dissipative
This is the most common type of exhaust resonator. These resonators come with fiberglass or metal packing material that absorbs the loud sound from the vehicle engine. The packing material on the resonator is pliable and soft, and thereby absorbs and reduces the sound volume by canceling the sound waves. It comes in two forms: with a louvered core and without a perforated core.
Expansion Chamber
This is the most efficient and simple exhaust resonator available. The resonator comes in a simple tube with varying diameters. A section of the tube has a smaller diameter compared to other parts. When sound waves enter the tube, they bounce and cancel out, thereby reducing the volume, frequency, and pitch. This way, your vehicle exhauster produces sound with a lower tone.
Best Exhaust Resonators: Reviews & Recommendations
If you are looking for a high-quality exhaust resonator that lasts longer on your vehicle, then this a good option. The exhaust resonator is made of stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion and rust. The material can also withstand high temperatures, which makes it suitable for heavy-duty engines.
It has a straight-through design for enhanced performance. This unit is very solid and is constructed with heavy-duty welds to keep it intact. Also, it is highly responsive and removes the drone from the exhaust system.
However, it is a bit noisy. If you want an ultra-quiet exhaust resonator, then this may not serve you well. With this exhaust resonator installed on your vehicle's exhaust system, you may still hear some loud sounds when cold starting the engine.
The EX-1013 dampens that annoying cluttering exhaust sound and replaces it with a more appealing and enhanced humming sound. It also dampens the exhaust sound produced by a high-revving engine, which in turn can help reduce back pressure.
The unit is 9 inches long and has a 2.875-inch inlet and 3.875-inch outlet. It features an elegantly polished steel body with the company logo, DC Sports, engraved on its body. It also has a straight-through design for unobstructed exhaust flow. In addition, it comes with clamps, bolts, and adapters for easy installation on almost any car, sedan, or truck.
Naturally, this resonator has its flaws, and one is that it’s larger than it appears in the online image. It may stick out on a small passenger car and may not work if you don’t want to draw attention to your vehicle. The larger size looks fairly subtle on larger trucks. Another issue is that the clamps and bolts provided are not the best quality, and you may have to weld it in for a snug fit.
With a 4-inch round body diameter and a 2.5-inch inlet/outlet tube, this exhaust resonator is compatible with most mufflers. It's made with stainless steel that withstands high temperatures and is resistant to rust and corrosion. The long, 12-inch tube enables it to evenly distribute sound.
This exhaust resonator removes the drone, cleans up the exhaust notes, and removes all the rasp. It is also a bit less expensive, which is helpful if you are on a budget.
What keeps most vehicle owners from buying this resonator, however, is the level of responsiveness. It does not minimize the engine sound to the lowest level. Also, the welds on the device are a bit off the mark, which makes it less durable.
The Walker 21398 has an elongated, corrosion-resistant, aluminum steel construction. It has a flange design and comes with mounting brackets for quicker installation and eliminates the need for welding it on the exhaust pipe. The unit also has a factory OE design, so it shouldn’t pose any fitting issues with most car models.
Louvers are included along the length of the tube to create a reverberating effect that somewhat helps to lower the noise level, while at the same time produces a more tolerable sound akin to a low growl.
While the metal alloy is fairly durable, its lifespan can be shortened by contaminants if you fail to clean it promptly. Another downside is that it may be too long for some vehicles and can look awkward sticking out from the back. You should also note that it’s only designed for minimal noise reduction.
The Dynomax Race Bullet 23235 Exhaust Resonator is sleek, lightweight, and designed to enhance your car’s current muffler by stepping up the noise-quieting potential. Constructed as a race-quality steel shell resonator, this part is built with a 100 percent welded design and an aluminum finish, which increases its durability and ensures you’re getting a solid product. Made with Dynomax’s unique Continuous Roving Fiberglass (CRF) technology, you’ll get up to 4 decibels of sound reduction on most vehicles. However, if you like the deep tone of a race car, this resonator will keep that in play. The part measures 23.5 inches long and features inlet and outlets of 2.25 inches. It’s an especially great engine resonator for smaller cars or vehicles with limited space, as it’s able to slip right into slim spots.
For the best results, it’s recommended that you install this resonator along with a Dynomax muffler; you’ll get better all-around performance when it comes to your exhaust if you use these parts together.
If you’re hoping to still hear the roar of your engine but eliminate the most annoying, unpleasant, or frustrating sounds coming from your engine and exhaust pipe, the MBRP Universal Resonator is just what you need. This exhaust resonator will get rid of droning, buzzing, and not-so-pleasant frequencies and keep your car’s performance in its best shape. Made with a perforated core, this part can get rid of bad tones while it enhances the roar of your engine. Available in different size selections, you can find an MBRP option that’ll fit your passenger car, truck, or SUV easily. Regardless of which size best suits your vehicle, each resonator is made out of steel for enhanced durability without too much weight. When you’re ready to install, this part fits right in place where your factory muffler or resonator currently sits.
And to make your purchase even more reliable, every MBRP exhaust resonator is backed by a warranty to protect your investment.
Our Verdict on the Best Exhaust Resonators
Our pick for the best exhaust resonator is the Vibrant 2.5" Ultra Quiet Resonator. It's well-made, removes nearly all of your exhaust drone, yet facilitates exhaust flow.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider the DC Sports EX-1013 Resonated Muffler.
Benefits of Exhaust Resonators
- Enhanced engine performance. A quality exhaust resonator improves your car’s engine performance by minimizing friction within the engine. It also reduces the back pressure within the engine, making your car driving smooth. The resonator enables the vehicle to obtain enhanced performance by working together with the catalytic converters in the exhaust system to reduce the loud noise from the engine.
- Offers support to the muffler. The main benefit of having an exhaust resonator installed on your car is that it will support the muffler and harmonize the sound coming out from your vehicle engine. It works in conjunction with the muffler to reduce the noise coming out of the exhaust pipe.
- Noise reduction. The reason for buying a resonator and having it fixed in your car engine is because you want to modulate the loud sound from the engine. An exhaust resonator reduces the loud and annoying sound from the engine when the car is moving at high speeds. This way, you can listen to music comfortably as you drive. It also reduces the noise your vehicle can cause to passengers and other motorists.
- Fewer unpleasant sound frequencies. In addition to quieting the noise coming from your engine overall, an exhaust resonator can also be especially helpful in targeting the most annoying or grating kinds of sounds. A resonator will cancel out frustrating sound frequencies like droning, buzzing, or harsh pitches. It’ll compliment your muffler in a way that both lowers the volume and gets rid of the particular sounds that tend to be most problematic.
Exhaust Resonator Pricing
- Under $30: If you’re looking to add an exhaust resonator to your car without making a huge investment, there are quite a few affordable options available. For less than $30, you can find simple options made out of aluminum or other lighter, less costly materials.
- $30 to $60: Shop within this price range, and you’ll find mid-range options. These exhaust resonators have decent quality, though they can be smaller or less effective depending on the exact product you choose. You’ll discover a wide range of options available to you without spending more than $60.
- $60 and up: The most premium and pricey exhaust resonators total $60 or more — and some can top $100 or even higher. These products are typically high-quality, highly responsive, and nicely effective at minimizing sounds, but they’re also a significant investment.
Key Features
Size
Exhaust resonators come in different diameters and tube lengths. The choice of a suitable size will depend on the type of exhaust system on your vehicle. Always ensure you pick the right size of a resonator that is compatible with the muffler on your car.
Structure
An exhaust resonator connects to the exhaust system muffler through a hollow tube. It has the same structure as that of an acoustic resonator. It reduces the frequency of the engine sound by creating an exhaust note to make them sound more bearable. You can easily enhance the sound from the engine by regulating the exhaust note.
Performance
An exhaust resonator complements your vehicle’s exhaust system. It is connected to an exhaust manifold and the catalytic converter through a tube to provide better performance. The noise from the vehicle’s engine will normally pass through the resonating chamber. While inside the chamber, the sound wave interference occurs to reduce the volume and pitch of the sound that comes out of the exhaust.
Appearance
Like a muffler, an exhaust resonator can stand out on your car — if you’d like it to, that is. With different designs ranging from sleek to simple to extravagant, you can find resonators that blend in or catch other drivers’ attention on the road. While most resonators are pretty straightforward, you can decide just what kind of appearance you’d like while you’re shopping for this part. If you’d like to have a less noticeable resonator, look for one made from a metal that’ll match your current muffler or your car’s exterior metals.
Durability
An exhaust resonator, like any other part of your vehicle that’s close to the ground or road, is guaranteed to see a whole lot of wear and tear. As you drive — or even while you’re parked — it’s going to come into contact with dirt, mud, grime, and even flying debris. It’ll see wear from weather and get exposed to all kinds of outdoor elements. You’ll want to make sure you choose an engine resonator that’s tough enough to last. Heavy-duty resonators are the best choice, as they can be more durable and better designed to survive dirt, debris, and more.
Other considerations
- Material. The material used on the exhaust resonator plays some role in its longevity and overall performance. If the material used in the construction is long-lasting, then the resonator is worth your investment. The material should be an excellent sound absorbent to restrict sound that comes out of the exhaust system. Also, you can opt for stainless steel resonators because they last longer and are less resistant to corrosion and rust.
- Installation Kit. Some exhaust resonators come with a full installation kit, including all the parts that you need to have it fixed. When buying an exhaust resonator, you want to ensure it has the brackets, flanges, and other tools that you need to fix it. Brackets will exempt you from having to look for compatible attachments for the resonator assembly.
- Price. Price is a crucial indicator of the quality of a product. Therefore, when shopping for an exhaust resonator, you want to go for one that is affordable and worth your investment. When choosing an exhaust resonator based on its price, check for a warranty or some other assurance of quality.
Tips
- An exhaust resonator is not the same as a muffler. It is installed before the muffler and is sometimes known as a pre-muffler. The exhaust resonator and muffler work together, but one can’t be substituted for the other.
- A resonator exhaust tip produces more noise than a regular exhaust tip. If you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself, it's better to use a regular tip.
- Some people use a pipe in place of an exhaust resonator; however, this can affect the backpressure, which can decrease efficiency and cause higher fuel consumption.
FAQs
Q: How long does an exhaust resonator last?
That depends on the product. Some are better quality and will last longer. Cheaper ones will break down more quickly and will discolor or rust over time. A good exhaust resonator should last for many years.
Q: What can affect the function of an exhaust resonator?
An exhaust resonator is attached to your car's engine, so it's exposed to a lot of vibration. It also endures a lot of heat and encounters dirt, mud, and other road debris on a regular basis.
Q: How do I install an exhaust resonator?
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