A few weeks ago I installed the Mina exhaust on my '13 XFR. While I do like the change in tone and volume (maybe a bit too much on the volume, but i'd rather have it a bit too loud vs stock, which is almost silent), it is a bit drone-y in the lower rev ranges when under load (accelerating).

My question is this: What improvement/changes, if any, could I expect if I put in the X-pipe (replacing what I assume is the "center resonator")? Would you expect the drone to go away? Would you expect a change in tone/volume?

I know numerous people have posted about the X-pipe, but they all seem to be have done at the same time as exhaust changes or piping changes (which I don't want to touch), as opposed to just the X-pipe. I do not want to touch the secondary cats either.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

From what I've experienced, putting on an x-pipe will make the issue you are having worse. I initially put just the x-pipe in with stock mufflers and gained some sound in the range you are wanting to make quieter. Deceleration popping was significantly reduced but noise was not.

In designing a muffler system, the low RPM drone under load is the hardest thing to overcome when trying to balance the overall sound output, tone and drone. That drone is the reason I still have stock mufflers albeit with the valves removed. I can hear the motor now but it's never obtrusive. Seems like it's almost impossible to only add overall sound output without adding the drone component as well.

The custom exhaust done by Muffler Man for Buckeye is the best sounding exhaust I've heard so far. I understand he was going for some fine tuning last week to reduce what you are describing and I haven't connected with him to see how it went. I'll update you when I hear what they did and if it accomplished the goal.

 

Thanks, that's very helpful insight. If only I could get rid of the drone, I'd be 100% happy with the Mina, but as you said, I guess that's easier said than done. Unfortunately cutting the valves on my stock system is not an option as I want to retain the ability to return to 100% stock for when I sell my car years into the future (I believe Carmax won't buy any cars that have been modified in any way, and I want to have Carmax as a viable selling option).

 

How many miles have you put on your Mina exhaust? My drone and decel popping has decreased dramatically since the exhaust has burned in (maybe 1500-2000 miles)

 

Probably about 750 miles. The volume seems to have dropped noticeably in the first 250 miles, but not so much the drone. Will keep an eye on it (or ear) over the next 750 miles to see if it changes.

Call me crazy, but I somewhat like the decel popping. Must be the F-Type R that I wish I had, ha.

 

Then definitely l would advise against the x-pipe if decel popping is something you like. It's not my thing but on this forum I think I'm in the minority.