Hello, Just curious if anyone out there has added resonators to their R's or SVR's after installing the VAP 200 cell sport cats. I installed the sport cats a couple of weeks ago and WOW what a huge increase in volume and sound you get with them. I am very pleased overall with how everything went, although getting the new 200 cell sport cats into place was a little tricky as the drivers side was a fraction too long to just press up to the manifold collector. I had to get it just right seated as far back as I could within the donut clamps mid-car then use a hard rubber mallet to bang it up there to meet the domed collector. Once that was accomplished it was no problem. The only other difficultly of note is getting the originals out of the donut clamps once disconnected from the collectors from the headers/exhaust manifold. I had to loosen them up every centimeter I could, pry them open from every direction i could, and even then really wrestle and bang them out of there without losing too much of that metal screening/wool sealing material falling out so it would properly seal with the new VAP pieces/pipes. Ok, with all of that said I could be happy with how it sounds as it sits, but there is just a touch too much rasp and vibration to be 100% satisfied. I contacted Velocity and they were extremely nice and helpful. I asked if they had ever built a set of these sport cats with small resonators on them during R&D or for a customer that hap previously bought them and they replied that they had indeed done so and the owners were happy with the result. With that, I went ahead and ordered 4 of the TC Series Stainless Steel Vibrant 2.5" inch exhaust sleeve clamps and 2 of their 8" Vibrant Resonators that are 12" inches overall length with 2.5" inch inlet/outlets. I have received everything except one of the resonators which should arrive tomorrow. My plan is to have a professional shop here in Lexington cut out two 12" inch straight sections of the exhaust pipe behind the cats but before the X pipe (and save the pipe sections for me), and have the resonators installed using one of the high quality clamps on either end. If done properly like I want, I will readily be able to see exactly what effect it will have on the exhaust sound and if it will eliminate some of the less pleasing noise that it is currently making without them. If there is no effect whatsoever or all is does is reduce the volume I should be able to remove them easily and clamp back-in the original straight pipe that was cut out. Dont get me wrong, I really liked how the factory exhaust sounded with the valves open in the factory titanium mufflers, but both myself and my wife wanted some more volume to better match the nature of the car. On a somewhat unrelated note, shortly after doing the 200 cell VAP sport cats I also installed the VAP crank pulley and tune and it is VEY IMPRESSIVE. You really don't notice it everywhere in the powerband so the car is just as drivable as before, but it REALLY kicks in with about half throttle around 3200 RPM. Before you know it, you are absolutely flying by traffic at speeds where the just tear your drivers license up! Can't say enough good things abut Velocity AP, those guys know their stuff and are eager to help you in any way they can!

 

I have the VAP cats on mine as well(and lots of other stuff)...and like it just as is. I also liked the OEM, but wanted to open it up a bit and like the louder sound.

I recently put a Borla exhaust on my Raptor, and that one, I could not stand with x-pipe. So there, I modified and added in the oem resonator to the mix and the sound is great now. Based on this, I think your resonators will knock down the raspy nature of the x-pipe system.

DC

 

Once the weather warms up I have a couple vibrant resonators I plan on adding in as well for the same reason you described. I believe I got the 2-1/4inch version. It won't be till March before I get a chance to get to the garage to pull it apart though.

 

Just a quick update, a negative one unfortunately. After looking at the exhaust system myself on my quick jack lift and also taking it an exhaust shop here in Lexington and putting it on a lift there that does custom work regularly, it looks like these Vibrant resonators are not going to work. Despite being short enough in length the main body of the resonator of 4" inches in diameter is too wide to fit within the recesses under the car prior to where the downpipes connect to the X pipe section donut clamps. I could possibly loosen the clamps at the header/exhaust manifold collectors up front and loosen the donut gaskets at the back-end and rotate the pipes a little around and down to create enough room, but it will likely be VERY close if not touching the factory heat shields. Then you also run into that section of exhaust being the lower than everything else under the car. I'm beginning to think the only option would be to pull the sport cats and splice them in up close to the cats where is more room, or better yet, see if I can get VAP to build a custom set of 200 cell sport cats for me with altered bends to compensate for the resonators already built-in by them. If that's the case, I will be selling a like-new set of 200 cell sport cats on here soon!

 

What you mentioned at the end is what I plan on doing. I bought some used RWD sport cats and had to alter them on the driver side to fit my AWD application. Since I've already cut that section i plan on welding the resonators right after the cats like you mention. Now if only the weather would break and let me get out to the garage! Good luck!

 

There’s a video on YouTube by a fellow forum member, the channel is called Sal’s garage.

He has a V6 but it should be the same diameter. He de-catted his system and it was too loud so he found some relatively short mini mufflers that fit inline and where your suggesting. He said it took away some of the rasp and a little bit of volume.

 

datriani, Thank you for the tip. I went online and found the video you mentioned. That is exactly what I am hoping for with the custom resonated set. To get rid of a lot of rasp and the unpleasant metallic sound I am getting now. The volume I'm good with as it sits now, it's just the rasp and metallic noise that is mixed in making it unpleasant at times through the rpm range.

 

2016 f type s RWD. Upper lower pulley, ported sc vap stage 3.

Evening guys,

Wondering if anyone has had any success adding resonators to their high flow cats..vap 200 cell for rear wheel drive. I see vap sells them with resonators added for the awd version only. Hoping to absorb some unwanted noises while keeping the more open/free high flowing cats. I'm okay with added noise but by the sounds of it there's quite a bit more noise and hoping the resonators would help..vibrant brand seems reputable.

Anyone had luck with a certain resonator brand/dimensions and location of welding that would be great.
looks like right after the "middle" muffler could be a good spot? Or immediately after the cats

Found this pic online for a general idea..
Thank you!
Kevin