View Full Version : Removing resonator on 5.3L
Bounty_Hunter
07-15-2006, 10:23 PM
Anybody know how the stock exhaust on a 5.3L TB sounds with the resonator removed? I like how the 5.3L sounds now, but would like it slightly louder and deeper, more aggressive. Any improvement in power and mpg wouldn't hurt either.
I don't mine adding a turndown, or having the rear pipe split for duals. Can get that done locally pretty cheap.
Envoy Fan
07-15-2006, 11:00 PM
Ask member Spong. He has a 5.3L V8 with duals.
I put a Magnaflow 5x11x22 on my 5.3L with the resonator left on. I didn't want any drone. If you take your resonator off, I suggest you keep it for a while to see if you really like the drone.
Bounty_Hunter
07-16-2006, 06:56 AM
I did a search, and it seemed like all those reporting drone without a resonator had a 4.2L. Was wondering if the same was experienced with the 5.3L engine.
ScarabEpic22
07-16-2006, 03:13 PM
I did a search, and it seemed like all those reporting drone without a resonator had a 4.2L. Was wondering if the same was experienced with the 5.3L engine.
Well then you missed the thread about Spong's duel setups, he has an 06 TB LT with the 5.3L V8 and put duals on it.
LINK (http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=6596)
Bounty_Hunter
07-16-2006, 08:42 PM
Well then you missed the thread about Spong's duel setups, he has an 06 TB LT with the 5.3L V8 and put duals on it.
LINK (http://forums.trailvoy.com/showthread.php?t=6596)
Well then, Can I have that 5 minutes of my life back as that thread contained no information pertaining to a stock 5.3L exhaust without the resonator. Thanks for the try.:undecided
Envoy Fan
07-16-2006, 09:08 PM
Well, from the experience of other TVers on the forum, whether I-6 or V8, if you remove the resonator you will get drone especially around the 2K RPM area. Now if drone doesn't bother you, go for it. Some don't mind the resonance, others don't care to deal with it.
My personal choice on my 5.3L was to go with the magnaflow 5x11x22 muffler and left the resonator on. Nice V8 sound and no drone. I had drone on my '03 Envoy when I put a Borla system on the 4.2L. Chose not to have the drone this time around.
ScarabEpic22
07-17-2006, 01:20 AM
Well then, Can I have that 5 minutes of my life back as that thread contained no information pertaining to a stock 5.3L exhaust without the resonator. Thanks for the try.:undecided
Gotcha man, though you were planning on getting a new system, I jumped the gun.
Bounty_Hunter
07-17-2006, 04:48 AM
I appreciate the effort none the less.
I was looking for the added benefit of improved appearance by removing the coffee can resonator.
ScarabEpic22
07-17-2006, 04:56 AM
I appreciate the effort none the less.
I was looking for the added benefit of improved appearance by removing the coffee can resonator.
Well, I can tell you it will be louder, but when DOD kicks in you will have tons of resonance which isnt exactly fun on the hwy for hours on end.
There is no performance increase by just removing it if that was a factor.
Some food for thought, some of the early V8 EXT models didn't use a resonator at all! When my buddy was looking to replace his '02, the dealer just looked down the row at the back ends of the truck for lack of the resonator to point us to the V8 models. - This was back in July of 2003, the initial V8 models without DOD apparently were fine w/o the resonator. If your truck is equipped with DOD, I've been told to leave the resonator on or it will sound horrible in 4 cylinder mode.
Dacomputernerd
07-17-2006, 10:59 AM
I dont know. My EXT with the V8 gets quieter on the highway in DOD??
My understanding is that you will only drone with the V8 if you swap the stock muffler. This muffler is said to be a two stage design, that changes over when in 4cyl mode.
If you end up doing this, please tell me, because it was my next mod. Remove resonator and put a chrome tip.
Envoy Fan
07-17-2006, 11:17 AM
Some food for thought, some of the early V8 EXT models didn't use a resonator at all! When my buddy was looking to replace his '02, the dealer just looked down the row at the back ends of the truck for lack of the resonator to point us to the V8 models. - This was back in July of 2003, the initial V8 models without DOD apparently were fine w/o the resonator. If your truck is equipped with DOD, I've been told to leave the resonator on or it will sound horrible in 4 cylinder mode.
Maybe that is why the 2007 Tahoe has a small resonator at the rear now. They also have DOD on the 5.3L engine. :undecided
06denalired
02-15-2010, 04:09 PM
so correct me if i'm wrong.. i have 06 envoy denali 5.3.. So, if i dont remove the DOD and want to do a muffler upgrade for a more aggressive note than I should keep the resonator on to avoid the "DRONE" ?? If I remove the resonator, than I should shut down the DOD ?? that sound about right ?? I've never had to deal with this "DRONE" or DOD, on any other vehicle I could just swap things right out... why do they do these things to vehicles. from what I understand DOD doesnt improve fuel economy that much...
bartonmd
02-15-2010, 04:15 PM
I dont know. My EXT with the V8 gets quieter on the highway in DOD??
My understanding is that you will only drone with the V8 if you swap the stock muffler. This muffler is said to be a two stage design, that changes over when in 4cyl mode.
If you end up doing this, please tell me, because it was my next mod. Remove resonator and put a chrome tip.
The muffler doesn't change... No servos or anything in it...
Mike
heavychevy86
02-17-2010, 04:39 PM
Hey "Envoy Fan", or anyone else who could answer this, you said you used a 5x11x22, but what pipe size? Did you use band clamps or the standard muffler clamps? If the exhaust is 2.75, I was thinking of using the "stepped" band clamps and a 3" muffler. I have an '06 Denali 5.3L.
Thanks,
Mike
Hersbird
02-24-2010, 08:07 PM
My 03 XL with the 5.3 doesn't have a resonator. I wondered if that was stock and figured it was considering it was a one owner and the previous owner was a doctors wife. I don't notice any drone but don't have anything to compare it to. I kind of wanted to go with something louder but this was going to be my wife's rig. Now it looks like we may keep our van as well and she likes it better. So I get the Envoy and goodby to the 95 Jeep! Of course now I'm looking at modding the Envoy. I can't go too loud as it is our tow rig for the boat season. On our last Jeep I put a Flowmaster 70 and removed the cat and she thought that was way too loud. Maybe I'll just try removing the cats and see how that sounds on the Envoy. I think I have the correct O2 simulator just lying around from a previous project.
rdr41780
02-24-2010, 08:18 PM
i do own a trailblazer w/ a 5.3L w/out one (factory) and it sounds good but im going to upgrade, it only sounds deep at high RPM.
bstromback2002
02-25-2010, 11:08 AM
They didn't put the resonator on them until they had the DOD (displacement on demand) So your 2003 wouldn't have a resonator. I wouldn't remove the cats i would just go with a aftermarket muffler like you said a flowmaster 70 series. That shouldn't be to bad on a v-8 with cats.