What is this noise?

Lookin4SVX · #1 06-10-2010, 12:48 PM

Can someone tell me what part of my car is making this noise?

RPM when it happens is about 3K.

I took it to my mechanic and he said that nothing seems loose.

He said the banged on all of it with a hammer and didn't notice anything beside that my motor mounts are shot.

Well I made this video and went back there today. They got under the car and said they cant tell it its internal to the muffler or the cat.

He said it needs to be on a lift with a bunch of guys under it to diagnose it.

It sounds to me like the guts inside the cat are shot...

Mechanic says if cat was shot I would be getting engine codes.

He says more likely its the main muffler is hallowed because no codes.

Anyways, I am sure someone's car on here has had or does have this same rattle. So any advice is appreciated.

1986nate · #2 06-10-2010, 02:36 PM

you need a new resonator...

SpadedOne · #3 06-10-2010, 02:39 PM

Sounds like mine did. My resonator was bad. I just had a straight pipe put in to replace it. Cost $40. You can either replace the resonator or just take it out and put in a straight pipe. The straight pipe will give it a little deeper tone, but mines still pretty quite.

Lookin4SVX · #4 06-10-2010, 03:37 PM

Ok, I think I understand why I am confused.
I thought that the "resonator" was another cat...

Just to make sure that I am on the same page now..

Am I understanding correctly?

1986nate · #5 06-10-2010, 04:00 PM

That is the correct part. You may want to put some type of resonator in to replace it though. Without it, it will still have a resonant buzzing at certain RPMs. I have driven a car that did not have a resonator and although it sounded better at idle and low throttle, anywhere from about 2500 RPM and up, it was one of the most annoying things i've ever heard.

Just my input on the subject

Lookin4SVX · #6 06-10-2010, 05:42 PM

Ok well I am not going to put the OEM part on, that is like $200+.

What aftermarket resonators are we all using?

Spadedone, yours have buzzing resonance with no resonator?

I don't care if its louder, but I cannot stand this biiiizzzzzzaaaaat sound.

Sounds like the local honda street ricer exhaust when I get on it.

From 3900-4200 in 2nd when I hammer it, its the most god awful noise.

Freeman · #7 06-10-2010, 08:56 PM

Use an AR20! They are rasp reducers and make it sound nice. I think they're around $50.00.

Lookin4SVX · #8 06-10-2010, 09:10 PM

Ok, so the AR20 are an option.
That is a 2" pipe? Whats the stock exhaust pipe diameter?

Anyone else want to chime in?

Anyone got a video of with and without resonator?

K_Dub · #9 06-10-2010, 09:52 PM

I just faced this dilemma recently. A thread with good debate over resonator replacement can be found here.

After two months without a resonator I'd say that I'm still not satisfied that the problem was "fixed". I would actually prefer a louder exhaust than stock, but the straight pipe solution isn't the good kind of louder. I've still got my heart set on building an improved exhaust from the cat back, including an AR20 and new muffler, but for the time being the straight pipe is better than the buzzing resonator.

The buzzing you're experiencing has more to do with engine load than RPM. Mine buzzed between 2-3K RPM in traffic, but invariably it would make the loudest racket whenever I drove past my neighbor's patio, going up my steep driveway, regardless of speed or gear. I took it to the shop more for their sake than for me: I can always turn my music up more in traffic.

Lookin4SVX · #10 06-10-2010, 11:01 PM

Ok, read that thread. thanks.

Once again it seems SVXWN is not in agreement.
I guess that is to be expected when we are talking about something as subjective as exhaust sound.

Sometime today I'm going to go find a cheap exhaust shop to cut off the resonator and weld in a strait piece of pipe.
If I still cant stand how it sounds, I'll buy an aftermarket one and have it installed.

How come all the clips of SVX exhaust I can find all sound crappy?
Youtube offers only a small selection of crappy sounding exhausts...

Why can't our exhaust sound like this:

Or this:

Its not like it cant make the noise:

I want to let some of that out!

Seriously, my 01 impreza was way more aggressive and deeper sounding than my SVX.

XT6Wagon · #11 06-11-2010, 01:07 AM

I have allways liked using 2 resonators of different lengths + one straight through muffler on the turbo subarus. Keeps it quiet for avoiding tickets, but sounds good.

The two resonators of different lengths prevent rasp in a certain rpm band yet allow full flow.

SpadedOne · #12 06-11-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lookin4SVX

Ok well I am not going to put the OEM part on, that is like $200+.

What aftermarket resonators are we all using?

Spadedone, yours have buzzing resonance with no resonator?

I don't care if its louder, but I cannot stand this biiiizzzzzzaaaaat sound.

Sounds like the local honda street ricer exhaust when I get on it.

From 3900-4200 in 2nd when I hammer it, its the most god awful noise.

Here is an example in 1st gear:

Mine doesn't vibrate/rattle at all anymore.

Althought the sound is like a really quite fart can on a tuner.

Lookin4SVX · #13 06-11-2010, 01:37 PM

Well they are cutting off the resonator as I type this.

If it sounds like garbage, I will have them put an aftermarket one next week when I get the motor mounts replaced.

TomSVX says he has a box of motor mounts. I am just waiting for him to get back to me on whether or not he has a set that is in good shape and will last me the next 100,000miles...

Gamesy · #14 06-11-2010, 01:41 PM

the reason why our cars can sound like those vids is cause we dont have unequal length headers.

Sean486 · #15 06-11-2010, 03:02 PM

I've had the straight pipe for 2 years and finally, just recently purchased a resonator but have not had it put on yet. After it is on I'll report back my impressions.