Best route to eliminate/mitigate this drone? (Magnaflow Exhaust #15599)

[alexbai94]

So I just recently had a magnaflow touring catback exhaust installed on my B8.5 2013 S4. (Center res -> 2 rear mufflers -> 3.5 inch exhaust tips)

While the sound is good, the drone (as many previously have mentioned) is absolutely awful from the inside.

So I have researched this a little bit, and I currently have a magnaflow resonated x-pipe (11385) available to try and mitigate some of this drone, because right now it is borderline unbearable at 1800-2500 RPM.

Anyone have any experience with what eliminates the drone the most?

I have seen suggestions to replace the center resonator with the x-pipe, but I wanted some more clarification on this.
Also, if anyone has done something else to help with the droning, I am all ears!

[theweebabyseamus]

J pipe

[alexbai94]

J pipe

Sorry, not too familiar with what that is. Who makes it?

[KRp220]

Sorry, not too familiar with what that is. Who makes it?

http://synapseengineering.com/synapseusa/products/nodrone.html?SID=tpgd03apn314kvjg5ormtcsbs7

[theweebabyseamus]

Sorry, not too familiar with what that is. Who makes it?

Nobody has really jumped on the chance to make one of this, but it works well for the platforms that do.

[MSq5]

I do not know, honestly. I can say that on two other platforms, highly modified turbos with large bore catless downpipes, it was recommended we try an appropriately sized Vibrant Ultraquiet straight through reso. It worked like a charm in both instances. I've not seen anyone here try this on the 3.0TFSI equipped cars, but it worked. What that type reso does is directly attack the drone frequencies that happen at cruising speed and when decelerating though that zone without modifying the flow or general sound characteristics. The drone on one of those cars, a highly modified tuned Mazdaspeed 3 with big 3" catless dp/rp was unbearable. Headache inducing. The Vibrant reso placed forward in the racepipe/testpipe section tamed it without reducing power.

I have absolutely no idea of there is room to place one of those resos in an appropriate location for each separate bank piping. But, if deciding to use resos, it would be worth the effort to check to see if they can fit, as they are designed to address the very frequencies in which drone occurs. They also help with raspy sounds. They are straight through very high quality stainless and, at least when I last checked were in the $80-$100 price range per reso.

We'll never know if Vibrant is an option until someone sees if they will fit. I would think you would want to add them wherever they can fit, as far forward as possible, rather that substituting them for existing resos or mufflers.

[Grigor@Bestiale]

Indeed you can try one of these ideas to fix something that should’ve been disclosed (maybe it was) by the manufacturer or even better discovered during their testing and fixed. I thought Magnaflow we’re making good exhausts, but apparently not every time.
I’m not so sure the j pipe as Synapse claims is not changing the power/flow/and one million other things that are thought about when designing an exhaust system (based on what I learnt from what is considered the Bible on exhausts from 1960 or something (https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Exhaust-Systems-Engineering-Performance/dp/0837603099/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1528133344&sr=8-3&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_QL70&keywords=exhaust+system+book&dpPl=1&dpID=21GG5KRG2RL&ref=plSrch)) <- highly recommended btw!
Does Magnaflow have some kind of warranty to return it and buy a well designed no drone exhaust?


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[AudBoost]

http://synapseengineering.com/synapseusa/products/nodrone.html?SID=tpgd03apn314kvjg5ormtcsbs7
These are pretty tricky to use. Finding the right size for the RPM you want to cancel the drone for takes some calculations. Also placement of these matter. The further up stream you can install them the better. However, there isn't much space up stream to install them so you may have to compromise by letting them hang down under the car slightly.

[theweebabyseamus]

These are pretty tricky to use. Finding the right size for the RPM you want to cancel the drone for takes some calculations. Also placement of these matter. The further up stream you can install them the better. However, there isn't much space up stream to install them so you may have to compromise by letting them hang down under the car slightly.

Everything I've read says it just needs to be before the muffler. But yes, there is some math involved but its pretty trivial if you can find one of the charts and know around what rpm you're getting the drone.

[KRp220]

These are pretty tricky to use. Finding the right size for the RPM you want to cancel the drone for takes some calculations. Also placement of these matter. The further up stream you can install them the better. However, there isn't much space up stream to install them so you may have to compromise by letting them hang down under the car slightly.

i hear ya. i was just offering those up as an option since they are already made, and wouldnt have to rely on a muffler shop to fab one. i feel like there may be some room on the non-res downpipes, but i haven;t done any measuring. i was going to try some when i had my stock downpipe reso's removed, but got lazy and rolled the dice. went back to stock DP's due to the drone

[theweebabyseamus]

i hear ya. i was just offering those up as an option since they are already made, and wouldnt have to rely on a muffler shop to fab one. i feel like there may be some room on the non-res downpipes, but i haven;t done any measuring. i was going to try some when i had my stock downpipe reso's removed, but got lazy and rolled the dice. went back to stock DP's due to the drone

I was considering one under the trunk but lost interest. Lol

[KRp220]

I was considering one under the trunk but lost interest. Lol

yea, not a lot of options for them and i've read that the closer the engine they are the better they work
oh well.
i think i'm going to try to stick the ECS xpipe between the stock DPs and my AWE touring...


OP, sorry to derail. good luck with what you decide. the full MF exhaust is not a popular option on here so theres not a ton of feedback. If i were you, i'd try the resonated Xpipe in place of the downpipe resonators

[AudBoost]

Everything I've read says it just needs to be before the muffler. But yes, there is some math involved but its pretty trivial if you can find one of the charts and know around what rpm you're getting the drone.
I installed the 12" versions on my Miltek non-res exhaust in the area right before where the mufflers would be on a resonated exhaust and it made zero difference in drone. I moved them up stream to where the resonators would normally be on the down pipes and that made a much bigger difference with drone but not completely eliminated. However, because of the placement they hung slightly under the car (wish I had taken a pic). If you are thinking about going this route I think the 18" versions might be the best solution but finding a suitable place up stream is going to be tricky.

[theweebabyseamus]

I installed the 12" versions on my Miltek non-res exhaust in the area right before where the mufflers would be on a resonated exhaust and it made zero difference in drone. I moved them up stream to where the resonators would normally be on the down pipes and that made a much bigger difference with drone but not completely eliminated. However, because of the placement they hung slightly under the car (wish I had taken a pic). If you are thinking about going this route I think the 18" versions might be the best solution but finding a suitable place up stream is going to be tricky.

My apologies, I was referring to the J-pipe and not the product in the link. To your point, placement of resonators is essential IMO.

[PenttisHSR]

I fitted "J" pipes to both my rear mufflers and they do work quite well if you get the right length. (29")
I looped them round above my rear mufflers. They do not have to be straight.

The problem I had was that I got rid of all drone at cold/warm, but after a good thrash (i.e. HOT) - the drone came back.
The wavelength changes with heat.

In the end, I refitted the stock mufflers (turns out these are resonators).....ahhh Bliss.

[TruS4]

Vibrant resonator. Done.

Vibrant 1141 2.5" Ultra Quiet Resonator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3VHWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4qAfBbZSRDGPY

[alexbai94]

Vibrant resonator. Done.

Vibrant 1141 2.5" Ultra Quiet Resonator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3VHWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4qAfBbZSRDGPY

Have you tried this specifically?

[alexbai94]

I fitted "J" pipes to both my rear mufflers and they do work quite well if you get the right length. (29")
I looped them round above my rear mufflers. They do not have to be straight.

The problem I had was that I got rid of all drone at cold/warm, but after a good thrash (i.e. HOT) - the drone came back.
The wavelength changes with heat.

In the end, I refitted the stock mufflers (turns out these are resonators).....ahhh Bliss.

By refitted stock mufflers are you referring to welding the stock oem rear mufflers in?

[PenttisHSR]

By refitted stock mufflers are you referring to welding the stock oem rear mufflers in?

YES! - Dug them out of the metal scrap bin and refitted.
But welded on the 4 tips from the "drone" system.

The rear mufflers are resonators, they contain a helmoltz chamber as well as a baffle & wadding.
If they are removed it will drone at 1800 - 2500 exactly as you (and I) found.

[fitzydude]

Search for my magnaflow freedom from drone thread.

[tar]

yea, not a lot of options for them and i've read that the closer the engine they are the better they work
oh well.
i think i'm going to try to stick the ECS xpipe between the stock DPs and my AWE touring...


OP, sorry to derail. good luck with what you decide. the full MF exhaust is not a popular option on here so theres not a ton of feedback. If i were you, i'd try the resonated Xpipe in place of the downpipe resonators

If ur talking xpipe at end of downpipes into the awe touring setup including their xpipe I can tell you its not bad at all drone wise. Ive been running it for about 4 months now with stasis downpipes.

[onlyaudis]

whenever I see these drone threads, I appreciate my stock exhaust

[mercedesinfarct]

indeed, while the stock exhaust could be a bit throatier, it's perfectly loud when you get on it, and perfectly quiet when you are just cruising. Why do people want to hear their exhaust all the time?

[tar]

whenever I see these drone threads, I appreciate my stock exhaust

Whenever I hear a stock exhaust, I appreciate my aftermarket exhaust.

[Tuneman7]

whenever I see these drone threads, I appreciate my stock exhaust

By stock exhaust, you mean soundaktor. When drone can be solved by the simple pull of a fuse. [:D]

[KRp220]

If ur talking xpipe at end of downpipes into the awe touring setup including their xpipe I can tell you its not bad at all drone wise. Ive been running it for about 4 months now with stasis downpipes.

i was thinking of doing this: stock DPs with stock reso's, ECS x pipe, then AWE mufflers (will have to cut my touring system unfortunately, so i'm hesitant)

so you have 2 x pipes?

[MSq5]

Vibrant resonator. Done.

Vibrant 1141 2.5" Ultra Quiet Resonator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E3VHWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4qAfBbZSRDGPY

Please let us know the outcome, including placement and fit. You will want to put them as far forward as possible.

[tar]

i was thinking of doing this: stock DPs with stock reso's, ECS x pipe, then AWE mufflers (will have to cut my touring system unfortunately, so i'm hesitant)

so you have 2 x pipes?

Yep 2 xpipes i didnt have to cut into the awe setup at all and is pretty much drone free.

For my setup I have non res stasis dps including stasis xpipe into full awe touring.

[jdkopecky]

By stock exhaust, you mean soundaktor. When drone can be solved by the simple pull of a fuse. [:D]

Honestly this is what I think 99% of the time the b8.5 crowd complain about drone on their triple resonated aftermarket exhaust kits. Guarantee 70% of them have no clue about the soundaktor.


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[BucDan]

Honestly this is what I think 99% of the time the b8.5 crowd complain about drone on their triple resonated aftermarket exhaust kits. Guarantee 70% of them have no clue about the soundaktor.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87676)Can you expand on what the soundaktor is and how we can disable it? I have a Stasis full cat exhaust and it's a bit too loud and droney for my tastes.

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[jdkopecky]

If you have a b8.5 S4 your car comes with what’s called a soundaktor. It’s basically to enhance the sound of the stock exhaust but if you have a aftermarket exhaust it amplifies it beyond what anyone can tolerate. There’s a fuse in the fuse compartment you can pull which deactivates it


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[AFR1485]

Whenever I hear a stock exhaust, I appreciate my aftermarket exhaust.

Up


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[AFR1485]

This engine has terrible drone. if you want to sound nice it comes with the prices; AWE touring is the best option without sounding stock AF. That what I ended up with after 3 different exhaust setups.


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[jdkopecky]

Wouldn’t it be more exhaust layout than the motor itself regarding drone?


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[eswift]

This engine has terrible drone. if you want to sound nice it comes with the prices; AWE touring is the best option without sounding stock AF. That what I ended up with after 3 different exhaust setups.


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Touring with resonated DPs? Mine with OEM DPs seems REALLY loud lol. Am considering swapping out the baby res on the the OEM DPs for Vibrant ultra quiet as a low cost alternative to AWE resonated DPs

[jrp916]

I went a different route, since the center muffler has a large x pipe I installed a cutout valve on the passenger tailpipe. Shut off the valve (forcing exhaust thru one tailpipe) and absolutely no drone (and fairly quiet), so I use this feature for freeway and family cruising. Bought the valve on alibaba, about $150 installed and it operates with a remote.

Another option would be to install a boost activated loud valve and have the exhaust automatically shut off a tail pipe when not on boost, but I like the magnaflow as is just cruising around town.


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