Well I took the ol srt over to the local Merlin Muffler and they were more than willing to do the job of removing the resonator. It took a little over 2 hours but it was well worth it as the car now sounds very exotic. Much more growl to its bite. The muffler guy did a very nice job fabricating a Y pipe and everything turned out very professional looking. It cost $150 but IMO money well spent.

 

Can you get a sound clip of the exhaust, and perhaps some pictures of the modded area?

 

I thought about taking pictures and keeping the resonator but after I started the car I realized it was a keeper!

 

Lets talk power. Any difference using the seat of your pants dynometer?

 

It's tough to say. It "sounds" faster and the guy at the muffler shop said he thinks it's good for a few pony's. He also said he has done MANY dodge chargers and Dodge Rams. He mentioned that the resonator on the Ram is 6 or 8 times bigger than ours!

Yikes!

 

I am up in the air it sounds great http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEzf78tq5oI but I can't get over reading this.

Resonator does produce back pressure with the crest and bumps, sometimes its perforated. The crest/bumps or perforated holes inside the resonator act as speed bump on the road which cancel out /slow down the sound waves. Hence, quiet down the exhaust note.

Removing the resonator will have negative effect on the exhaust valves, since the exhaust valves need back pressure to assist it's open and close motion. However, if you retain the rear most muffler, most of the back pressure is still there. Your mechanic is right in general. But most people do not care about the minimal ill effect on cars to achieve the personal preference with cars. if u do the research u will find that this is true, how ever just removing the resonator may not have a strong enough effect on the back pressure to make a difference, but non the less it will make a difference.

 

Well, all I have to say is I had mine removed and I love the sound. I ran 12.87 at 108 with a 1.9 60 ft so I don't think I lost any torque as a result of a loss of back pressure. S/C engine are different than N/A motors.

 

Bikecop,

Does it sound like the link above? Or a little different? I'm wondering if the C32 has a different exhaust route (more or less plumbing, etc) and may sound different than the SRT.

SQ

 

Those are some great numbers... I might take the plunge I was reading about the C230's and the sports package has no resonator and the non-sports package has one. IF mercedes is going to leave it out on the same vehicle with engine just a different package it must not harm anything. I realize its going to provide minimum back pressure but mostly is going to wake it up. Being that MN has laws against pollution but do not inspect or enforce them. Would it be better to remove the rear cats and leave the resonator. Also if I remove the rear cats and run a cross over pipe that should that give me ample amount of back pressure. Second will I trip any codes with the o2's.

 

I know here in N.C. it is impossible to find a shop to remove cats. I believe a $50,000 fine is involved for the shop!

 

Finally people are starting to do this mod... Did it a while back and still love it...

Now REMOVE the cats...

 

O.K. after driving the car all day today it definitely feels faster. I am going to the track again soon and will post numbers. If I had to guess it feels like I could have gained up to 10-15 hp. I could be wrong but it seems like it's pulling in the higher rpm with more authority.