What Happens if you Replace the Exhaust Resonator with a Pipe: Should you Do It?
Because of the high cost of visiting a local mechanic for basic car repairs, a lot of people consider doing it on their own. After all, given the numerous resources that are available online, a lot of DIY tasks are now easier than ever. For some, making a change to the exhaust system by removing the exhaust resonator is something they feel will improve their car.
Personally, using a pipe in place of an exhaust resonator is one thing that I do not advise. When you take out the exhaust resonator and replace it with a pipe, the back pressure can be affected. It will reduce the efficiency of your car, and you might end up consuming more fuel while also hearing a louder noise.
When replacing a resonator, most people will use a pipe instead, especially because it can end up being cheaper. But is this recommended? Will it cause danger to your car? Will it cause a negative impact on its performance? Read the rest of this post and learn what happens if you replace an exhaust resonator with a pipe.
What is an Exhaust Resonator?
Before we talk about anything else, let me first provide you with a primer on the functions of an exhaust resonator. Especially for those who do not have extensive knowledge of cars, it is sometimes easy to confuse it with other parts of the car, such as mufflers and catalytic converters.
In most cases, an exhaust resonator is made from a hollow steel cylindrical tube. It is not the same with a muffler. Instead, it is a part of the muffler, but it is not used in every car. It is a chamber used to reduce and change the noise produced by the engine. Performing like an echo chamber minimizes sound for a quieter driving experience.
More than just the reduction of noise, an exhaust resonator also improves the engine’s overall performance. You will end up having a smoother driving experience since the car can produce higher horsepower and use less fuel. In a nutshell, it also improves efficiency.
What Happens when you Replace the Exhaust Resonator with a Pipe?
Here is a short video that answers this question:
As you can see from the video above, you can definitely consider a pipe as a replacement for an exhaust resonator. Nonetheless, just because you can do so doesn’t mean that you should do it. Personally, using a pipe is one thing that I do not advise. It can be cheaper and more convenient, but the cons may outweigh the pros.
Aside from muffling sound, the main function of the exhaust resonator is to create back pressure to improve the performance of your car’s engine. When you remove the exhaust resonator and replace it with a pipe, the back pressure can be affected. It will reduce the efficiency of your car, and you might end up consuming more fuel while also hearing a louder noise.
Why is back pressure important? As has been discussed in the short video clip above, back pressure is provided by the resonator, ensuring that the exhaust gases will come out engine at the correct rate. Consequently, this leads to achieving peak performance and saving fuel. Again, this explains why the replacement of the resonator may have a smaller or more significant impact on your engine.
Why You Should Replace an Exhaust Resonator?
The best reason to replace your exhaust resonator is to optimize the performance of your engine or your car in general. As noted above, it can create less pressure, but at the same time, it can be too restrictive. You could achieve more horsepower.
It also affects your fuel efficiency. If you want to save money in the long run, consider replacing the exhaust resonator that you currently have with a new one or a pipe. This may help if there’s any restriction of airflow from years of soot.
If you are wondering when the exhaust resonator should be replaced, you should perform a quick visual inspection. If it is rusted, dented, or damaged in any way, this is obviously a sign that it is seeking a replacement. These can also be signs if the engine is roaring too loud or if there is too much combustion.
What is the Best Replacement for an Exhaust Resonator?
It has been pointed out that a pipe may not be best as a replacement for an exhaust resonator, although some people do use it. That being said, the best replacement for an old exhaust resonator is a new exhaust resonator. By doing this, you can be assured that it will be able to deliver the same function, but better.
When looking for a resonator, make sure that it is made from premium materials to guarantee its durability. It should be constructed in such a way that it will not be easily prone to wear and tear. It must be effective in minimizing noise, and more importantly, it should be compatible with your muffler or your car.
Other Ways to Minimize Exhaust Noise
Without a doubt, the use of an exhaust resonator will be a big help in the reduction of noise that is produced by your engine – one thing that a pipe might not be able to do as effectively. If you have a sports car, you may be able to remove and plug the sound tube.
Another effective solution that does not involve touching the exhaust system is sound deadening. This way, you are minimizing the sound you can hear inside the car, but not the sound people can hear outside the car.
You can modify the doors, trunk, and other areas by adding insulation to them to quiet outside noises. Inside your car, you’ll hear much quieter sounds.
Conclusion
So, what happens if you replace the exhaust resonator with a pipe? As highlighted in this post, doing so will reduce the efficiency of the engine most of the time. It will negatively affect the performance of the engine, and its fuel consumption can also increase. For this reason, using a pipe should be carefully thought out and only used as a replacement for a resonator in certain circumstances.
Would you like to know more about the exhaust system? Read this article:
Ignite Your Ride Performance With The Best Glass Pack Muffler – Complete Buyer’s Guide
.
