The Pros and Cons of Resonator Delete (and the Average Cost)

The resonator is a vital part of the car’s exhaust system. This combines with the car's muffler to produce a better sound. Some people feel that a resonator deletion is better for their needs.

You might be interested in a car resonator delete. Great! We will be covering all aspects of the pros and cons along with the average price. You can read more about it here.

How does the Resonator Delete work?

Resonator delete, a car modification popular in cars that changes the flow of exhaust particles moving through them is called. The resonator is removed completely during a resonator deletion.

Resonator delete modifies the sound of the exhaust and reduces vehicle weight. It’s usually a legal modification, requiring minimal maintenance with no big changes to the muffler. But it may make the engine squeak, lower flow or impair efficiency. It could also cause droning and other unpleasant sounds.

The resonator delete isn’t the same as a muffler delete, which involves taking off the muffler instead. Both options offer many advantages and drawbacks. People may also decide to get rid of the resonator/muffler in order to install a straight-pipe exhaust. 

RELATED: Muffler Delete: Pros & Cons (and Average Cost)

Resonator Delete Pros

1. Changes Sound Profile

The resonator will be off and you'll hear a richer sound. This makes it sound more natural, creating an entirely unique exhaust note.

While the resonator delete won’t alter the sound in a profound way, it is noticeable. The muffler size will affect how much you hear. 

2. You can lose weight

You can increase your car's performance by reducing weight. Your car will also lose weight if you take out a piece.

If your car has more than one exhaust resonator, each can weigh in at around 20 pounds. This means that you will be able to take off approximately forty. This may seem small, but every pound matters when it comes to performance.

3. Most often, Legal Modification

In most states, it’s legal to modify the exhaust after the catalytic converter. However, any modification done before the catalytic converter is illegal. 

As long as you aren’t changing the emissions profile of your vehicle, most states don’t care if you take the resonator off. However, you want to do your own research because there are a few states that don’t allow any modifications to the exhaust system. 

4. Minimum maintenance

After the resonator delete is completed, you don’t need to do anything else. You won’t need to repair or inspect anything after the job. 

For the most part, there shouldn’t be any performance issues either. A Check Engine Light may be an issue with newer vehicles. We will discuss that shortly. 

5. Keeps Your Muffler Intact

When you take off the resonator, you don’t need to do anything with the muffler. Even if you have a dual exhaust, you don’t need to make any modifications.

You may be required to install a Ypipe at the exhaust end in some instances. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly. You will enjoy a richer, more satisfying sound with this configuration. 

RELATED: How to Make Your Car’s Exhaust Sound Louder (8 Ways)

Resonator Delete Cons

1. Droning sounds

This resonator removes the annoying droning sound that can be heard while driving longer distances at higher speeds. It is most noticeable between 3,000 and 4,000 RPMs. 

When the resonator is turned off, drones and hums are often more prominent. You could also hear some rattling or screeching sounds at certain RPMs, although they shouldn’t be too bothersome. 

2. Lose Some Efficiency

It is designed to produce the best exhaust. The resonator is designed to maximize fuel efficiency. 

You could notice a slight drop in efficiency when you remove the resonator. The engine must work harder in order to generate the same horsepower. The impact of this is minor and could go unnoticed. 

3. Lower Exhaust Flow Speed

The modern car uses pistons to move the exhaust gases out of the chamber, so that it can be filled with new fuel or air. To help the gases move more quickly, a resonator adds extra force. The sound waves from a resonator help the chamber to be evacuated, opening up more space for fuel or air.

Vacuum pressure will be higher if the waves are stronger than the vacuum pressure. These sound waves are lost when the resonator is removed, which results in less vacuum pressure. The exhaust flow speed will decrease slightly as a consequence. However, this isn’t normally noticeable by the average driver. 

4. Verify Engine Light

On newer cars, the resonator can be closely monitored. You can have a negative impact on the performance of your catalytic converter if you remove the resonator. Sometimes, the Check Engine Light may come on because of backpressure changes. An OBDII scanner should allow you to scan the codes.

This shouldn’t cause your vehicle to fail an emissions test because the cat is still in place. The Check Engine Light could be annoying if it is on. If the Warning Light is on constantly, it can make it harder to identify a real problem. Some people do not perform a resonator deletion because of this. 

5. Insurance on Voids

A warranty may be available for older vehicles. The warranty could be void if you make any changes to your exhaust system. It is possible to be charged a large amount of money for repair costs, depending on the nature of what went wrong. 

In most cases, the entire warranty won’t be voided. Automakers can only deny coverage for warranty defects if they are directly responsible. Therefore, if your car stereo goes out, the dealership can’t blame the problem on your exhaust modifications. 

However, if you drive an older car, this isn’t even an issue. It’s unlikely that you still have a car warranty, so you are free to make whatever changes you can, legally. 

Resonator Delete Cost

Professional resonator removal costs an average of $100-$200 if you are using aftermarket components. You might have to pay more if welding is necessary. The fee for removing 2 resonators could be doubled.

However, it’s not difficult to remove a resonator with the right tools and a piece of pipe at home. It's possible to save lots of money by doing the job yourself. 

How do you delete a resonanceator?

1. Get out of your car!

For a resonator remove, it is necessary to access the underside of your vehicle. This can be done by raising the car for better clearance.

Then, place the jack at the right spot and lift the car. For your safety, place the car gently on stable jack supports. 

2. Locate the Resonator

You must first understand the part that you are working on before you can proceed. Once you have lifted the car, the resonator should be easy to locate. 

It’s located after the catalytic converter, although it could be very close. But it must be located prior to the muffler. You will need to locate both resonators if you have two.

3. The Pipe is Cut

Before you cut any pipes, it’s important to protect yourself. Protect your hearing with safety glasses, gloves and gloves. 

The exhaust pipe can be cut before or after the resonator using a saw or angle grinder. This can be done in any direction up to 2 inches. You will need to make twice as many cuts if you have more than one. 

4. Remove Resonator

It should not be difficult to take the resonator out once these have been done. It is easy to remove the resonator.

If the resonator isn’t coming off easily, you might not have cut all the way through. You can take a second look at the cuts and find where you made an error. 

5. Weld pipes

You will need to connect the exhaust pipes after turning off the resonator. If you don’t have welding experience, it might be best to rely on a professional for this service.

To hold them together, an exhaust clamp kit can be purchased. Use bolts to attach the end.