Muffler delete vs Catback...

[Volvowith18psi]

So, Ive got the itch and only wanna scratch it once lol.

Sound aside, is there a benefit to a full 1500+ dollar catback vs a 300 muffler removal?

Which mufflers are people removing for the muffler removal / no drone / max performance? I have really found a good write up or legit dynos for the removal mod alone.

I been eyeing the JUN BL GT? catback, which he claims +39HP, but +39HP even to the crank seems...... EXTREMELY generous. I don't even notice what they did other than change mufflers and polished the pipe(lol). Nobody seems to be oversizing the pipe at all.

So, Im trying to hash out once and for all, price to performance, does a full catback deliver 1500-2k dollar results for the Kia Stinger.

Posting in a few different areas to maximize input.

 

[Kamauxx]

I think answering if it's worth the price will depend on your tolerance for drone.

I doubt there is a combination of muffler/resonator delete that will get you a drone free exhaust note.

If you don't mind an insane amount of drone there is no reason to buy a cat back.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

So, Ive got the itch and only wanna scratch it once lol.

Sound aside, is there a benefit to a full 1500+ dollar catback vs a 300 muffler removal?

Which mufflers are people removing for the muffler removal / no drone / max performance? I have really found a good write up or legit dynos for the removal mod alone.

I been eyeing the JUN BL GT? catback, which he claims +39HP, but +39HP even to the crank seems...... EXTREMELY generous. I don't even notice what they did other than change mufflers and polished the pipe(lol). Nobody seems to be oversizing the pipe at all.

So, Im trying to hash out once and for all, price to performance, does a full catback deliver 1500-2k dollar results for the Kia Stinger.

Posting in a few different areas to maximize input.

I was kinda going through the same debate myself, but from the results I've seen the catback doesnt give that much extra power to justify 4-5 times the price.

Not to mention most full catbacks seem to be louder than any of the muffler delete/axle-back videos I seen. I'm more concerned with power than sound and dont need to pay that much more $ just for a few HP and more noise.

I also agree that the +39HP from JUN seems extremely high, and that number must be with intakes as the top end HP would need the better airflow in as well as out. Dyno's show an extra 10-15HP/TQ just from muffler deletes, but its not until combined with the intakes do you start seeing 30-40HP/TQ.

I would like to see more dyno tests from different catbacks before making a final decision, but I highly doubt they will produce more than 15-20HP without intakes.

Until more evidence is available it seems like the most bang for the buck definitely goes to the muffler delete or similar. So for me its more of a debate between a $200-300 muffler delete, or a nice axle-back like the NGM Zeta for about $450.

As they say Decisions, Decisions...

 

[Volvowith18psi]

Yea, Im all about performance only, dont care how it looks. Esp with the stinger having built in tips. Just not rust is all that matters really (So no 409 pipe). Just need to figure out what combo of removal is optimal... IE.., Mid mufflers only or mid muffler and end reso's?

While Im under there Ill look for any crushed bent pipe but....

 

[Kamauxx]

Yea, Im all about performance only, dont care how it looks. Esp with the stinger having built in tips. Just not rust is all that matters really (So no 409 pipe). Just need to figure out what combo of removal is optimal... IE.., Mid mufflers only or mid muffler and end reso's?

While Im under there Ill look for any crushed bent pipe but....

I'll save you some effort. The pipes are slightly oval. There's a crimp where the axle back and axle cross paths.

 

[Kazz]

I'll save you some effort. The pipes are slightly oval. There's a crimp where the axle back and axle cross paths.

They change shape often all the way to the mufflers, almost. Very odd.

 

[Yemen]

Has anyone done a muffler delete for the 2L version? I want to know if it's worth it, and how the sound changes.

 

[Oryan]

If all you want is sound, and/or you're not going to get into tuning or anything, I don't see much reason to get a catback over an axleback. If you're going to get more heavily into modding and you're going to raise the boost, then having the bigger pipes of a catback going all the way to your DP/MP/SecDP/WhateverTheFuggYouWannaCallItPipe may be more beneficial.

 

[MrSmoofy]

DP/MP/SecDP/WhateverTheFuggYouWannaCallItPipe

LOL

 

[Gargamel]

Can soneone explain what this "drone sound" is?
I have been reading about muffler delete that i might want to have it done, but i also read about drone sounds.

 

[StungBlueGT2]

Can soneone explain what this "drone sound" is?
I have been reading about muffler delete that i might want to have it done, but i also read about drone sounds.

You can probably google “exhaust drone” and find examples of it, but basically it’s a low frequency reverberation that “drones” while under light load/throttle. Our Stingers have it from 1500-2500rpm when the muffler is removed and worse if the catalytic converter is removed as well.

I love the sound of my muffler deletes, but the drone was so bad that it gave me a headache and felt like it was vibrating the whole car at certain RPMs. I added Vibrant resonators and the DIY exhaust wrap fix and now it’s mostly gone, but exhaust still sounds mean and awesome.

 

[mandasol]

Can soneone explain what this "drone sound" is?
I have been reading about muffler delete that i might want to have it done, but i also read about drone sounds.

I'll also add that the "drone" is worse because the Stinger is a hatchback so all the vibrations are amplified throughout the whole car like it's a subwoofer box. I had a cat-back system installed and was getting drone in the 1700-2300 range. My exhaust shop installed the Vibrant Resonators as mentioned by StungBlueGT2, that did decreased the volume of the sound but the drone actually got worse for me. It felt like my head was in the bell housing of a tuba, it had that same very low tone reverberation. Thankfully there is a solution just need to extend the exhaust beyond the end of the bumper trim. The stock tips are not attached to the exhaust so the exhaust sound bounces back underneath the car and it just reverberates through to the trunk and then the rest of the car. Extending the tips lets the sound exit out completely so it doesn't have a chance to bounce back into the car. After having my exhaust extended all my drone/reverberation is completely gone.

 

[KiaStingerNewb]

I did the muffler delete last week and can add a little insight. It was well worth the mod IF you are wanting to hear more beautiful TT V6 noise and can handle the drone. There is some vibration+drone exhaust noise for sure at lower RPM when cruising, but if on the freeway I pop it in eco mode and it's nothing too bad. I'm also a 33 year old guy, so I love car sounds.. doesn't bother me at all. Considering it cost me $150 to straight pipe both sides total, well worth it.

It IS worst for passengers in the rear though. One night I rode in back so wife and mother in law were in front and the vibration from the rear axle area was far worse than stock and the drone was even louder (obviously closer to exhaust exit).

One negative side effect is with stock mufflers nobody messed with me, now a bunch of cars want to try to race because it caught their attention.

 

[Daniel @ K8 Stinger Store]

I think there are some great and affordable catback options that will be much more enjoyable to you and your passengers than going with a muffler delete. The catback systems are specifically designed to produce the proper desired sound frequencies while eliminating drone. They also tend to have a better flowing layout than the factory exhaust.

If you are on a tight budget then now is a good time to look for great deals. Our HUGE Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sale starts Thursday at 5 pm PST and nearly 95% of the K8 Stinger Store will be discounted.

If you have any questions about specific exhaust setups please reach out and I would be glad to talk to you about the various options and price ranges available.

 

[benmeroff]

Has anyone done a muffler delete for the 2L version? I want to know if it's worth it, and how the sound changes.

Sorry for the late reply, but I just replaced my 2.0 model's left muffler with a straight pipe and it sounds fantastic if you don't mind the reverberating drone mentioned later in the thread. There are two rear mufflers, one for each set of two exhaust tips, I just had them remove one and replace it with a single pipe going to one tip; it was cheapest doing it that way but it still gives a great waspy sound coming from the 2.0 model's TT.

 

[Toddasaurus]

I think answering if it's worth the price will depend on your tolerance for drone.

I doubt there is a combination of muffler/resonator delete that will get you a drone free exhaust note.

If you don't mind an insane amount of drone there is no reason to buy a cat back.

Agreed.

Magnaflow has very little drone at all, even with my ARK secondary downpipes. Worth the cost for me. There is also room for additional HFC's or resonators if you want it even quieter. (Or I could just put on my OEM secondaries again)

But, like you said, those things cost a lot more than the muffler delete, though I'm sure the performance is essentially the same. For me, it's totally worth paying more and doing more work to get those things the way I want them to be (both in terms of looks and sound), as I use my car as my daily, and I like being comfortable.

 

[87and66]

I've had both a muffler delete (SSR Performance) and a catback (MBRP) on my car. The difference is night and day. I have the MBRP on it now and love it. The muffler delete was way too loud, caused vibrations all over the interior, droned horribly and caused headaches. sounded great outside, but it was unbearable inside. Would not recommend a muffler delete. But that's just my experience and opinion.

 

[FokalPoint]

I've had both a muffler delete (SSR Performance) and a catback (MBRP) on my car. The difference is night and day. I have the MBRP on it now and love it. The muffler delete was way too loud, caused vibrations all over the interior, droned horribly and caused headaches. sounded great outside, but it was unbearable inside. Would not recommend a muffler delete. But that's just my experience and opinion.

Interesting, I've had a much different experience with my muffler and resonator delete. When the local shop did the work I had them run the axel back section all the way to the factory tips and inset it about an 1". You can't see if from the exterior of the car but it seems to have gotten rid of the awful drone most experience. My father, who hates straight piped cars due to excessive drone and rasp, genuinely believed me when I told him that it had Magnaflow mufflers on it and nothing else. I later told him it was straight piped from the cat back and he agreed that it sounded perfect. No vibrations, great in cabin sound, and amazing exterior sound.

 

[Soca Boy]

I did a resonator delete on mine back in 2018, no real drone and gave the Stinger a much better sound. Its a cheap and quick upgrade for anyone looking for a better note but, doesn't want the car to become annoying.

 

[Yemen]

Could you take a picture of your exhaust tips so I can see exactly how far they should come out.

Interesting, I've had a much different experience with my muffler and resonator delete. When the local shop did the work I had them run the axel back section all the way to the factory tips and inset it about an 1". You can't see if from the exterior of the car but it seems to have gotten rid of the awful drone most experience. My father, who hates straight piped cars due to excessive drone and rasp, genuinely believed me when I told him that it had Magnaflow mufflers on it and nothing else. I later told him it was straight piped from the cat back and he agreed that it sounded perfect. No vibrations, great in cabin sound, and amazing exterior sound.