Fixed my exhaust drone (resonance) in a GTS!

[OKViper]

I purchased my 99 GTS with an aftermarket 3" Borla cat-back exhaust and have been annoyed by the drone since the first drive. I don't know what other systems look like, but this was well built but had no H or X pipe built in.
I went to a local muffler shop in Oklahoma who had done previous custom exhaust work for me before on other cars and we decided it needed an X-pipe. Today it was installed and here are the before/after thoughts:
I don't have a db meter so I will use the handy 1-10 method. At anywhere from 1800-3000 RPM the drone was loud enough to give a headache and was hard to even talk over. Idle sounded good, but if you closed your eyes, it sounded like two Volvo's with exhaust leaks sitting side by side.
After the installation, the difference was immediately apparent. Idle sounded more full and like one exhaust note and driving home was only 25% as loud - maybe less!
The tips are centered perfectly and the drone is all but gone. The X-pipe was intalled before the exhaust tips and the total cost was $160.00. The sound went from deafening to very mellow, but still sounds full and strong.
If you have this problem, I highly recommend adding an X-pipe.

 

[ViperJoe]

ahhhhhh.......got that Volvo reference......two I-5's side by side = 10!

 

[plumcrazy]

an x pipe works well for me too.

 

[RedOne]

So the exhaust to get is the Mopar/Borla from Jegs $729 and the add an X pipe ($160)...

Nice non-droaning system for $900...

Did they make the x-pipe out of stainless?

 

[Mccarlin]

Is there any HP increase or decrease with an X pipe? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

 

[KepRght]

there is a huge HP gain with an x-pipe near the headers. as far back as the cat back there will be little or none

 

[FE 065]

there is a huge HP gain with an x-pipe near the headers. as far back as the cat back there will be little or none

...25 HP

 

[Mccarlin]

there is a huge HP gain with an x-pipe near the headers. as far back as the cat back there will be little or none

reaaaaaaaaaaaally? This X-pipe is a custom peice right? aftermarket exhaust doesnt come with it huh?

 

[SYNFULL]

Or you can buy a nice Randomtech Exhaust with the x-pipe built in.

 

[Mccarlin]

Or you can buy a nice Randomtech Exhaust with the x-pipe built in.

If i were to have this done at a local muffler shop, where would the X pipe go? Currently i have the rear **** delete borla with no cats and stock headers.

 

[FE 065]

OKViper said he put it just ahead of the ex tips

 

[KepRght]

in the old 5.0 days this was a huge gain it totally removes any back pressure from the system effectively giving you 2 x the exhaust size without messing up the positive scavenging effects of having a smaller exhaust size. Dr.Gas makes some really nice x-pipes. the design of the pipe & the way its constructed really matters.

on the viper you would put the xpipe in the back of car because its the only place that the 2 exhaust pipes come together. ideally you want the xpipe right at the drop of the headers before the cats. in the viper you cant do that so the power gain will be small, but its still something for no cost & it also removes drone. only down side, it may remove some popping on de-cell too..


look at how this xpipe is built. the best. the xpipes that sandwich 2 pieces of pipe together are nasty. its cheap anyway might as well make it right.

http://drgas.com/store/product.php?productid=2&cat=1&page=1

 

[OKViper]

That picture from Dr.Gas is what mine looks like. Good 3" stainless mandrel bent piece. I just drove it again, and let me tell you, if you don't have one, get it. Very worth the reduction in drone but I don't feel any SOTP changes. (Of course, could you really feel 5-10 HP in a 450+ car?)
Only a dyno could tell.
BTW- the X was put in the area where the muffler would have gone. Looks custom and cool.

 

[SSSSE YA]

 

[red98RT10]

Is there any HP increase or decrease with an X pipe? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

If you add the X pipe with Vipair, you're looking at a cool 100HP at the wheel!!