I bought the 2002 Monte Carlo Earnhardt edition, with intent for daily driver (still is), and to do primary maintenance.

The car came with Flowmaster 42441 mufflers and no resonator on it. I can't stand the interior drone. I have read many threads on the topic and I don't see a sure answer. Some things will help, putting on a resonator or glasspack as examples.

The car recently turned 21,000 miles, when I do the exhaust I want it to be one time. I am not concerned on the sound out the back as I have read I can't have it sound like a older car, just want to get rid of the drone.

In looking at systems available it looks like the Magnaflow 16729, and the ZZPerformance 2.5" system are the only stainless systems available. Which system has the least interior drone, or hopefully no drone?

I see recently Magnaflow has increased the price twice recently, it went up to $919 and now is $983. If this has the least drone or no drone I would like to get it before it goes up in price again. In looking at the Magnaflow muffler it appears to be straight through with a mat wrapped around the interior pipe (similar to a traditional glasspack).

The ZZPerformance 2.5" system appears to come a little short in mounting that the tail pipe tips are slightly under the bumper cover. I don't think this will help with drone.

Please give me comments of which system has the least drone or no drone.

Alan

 

The main thing you need is a resonator or glasspack under the interior but just as important, you need walled/chambered/insulated mufflers. Not the straight thru/open type. The best mufflers ive come across (and ive tested many different components and configurations) are thrush turbo mufflers. Those mufflers coupled with a thrush glasspack is what ive found to be the best config although I plan on going back to a stock resonator in the future. Good thing about this is theyre like $20-30 each so you could even buy them and have a shop weld it up for you and youll still be way under the $900-1000 youre ready to spend. You could probably have them redo all the pipe also and still be way under $1000.

Ive found there is a very thin line between drone/raspyness and complete silence. (As silent as you can get with a car, you know.) If you want any sound coming out the back, youre going to have to compromise and accept a little drone.

Your idea of the ZZP system coming up short and causing drone is dead on, thats where the compromise comes in. The way the car is built (spare tire well) just echos any sound coming from back there.

Resonated tips can help more than you would think also. Or those ZZP exhaust inserts placed just before the muffler can help.

Consider a u-bend delete if you dont go with a prebuilt system.

Hope this helps.

 

I agree with this. Given you don't seem too worried about the sound coming out the back, have you considered just picking up used stock exhaust in good shape and just being done with it?

 

I have the feeling I will have some drone when I am done. I would like the least amount of drone. I don't have a good exhaust shop in the area anymore. With the car having 21,000 miles I don't want to use a steel system and do it again in a few years because of rust. I live in New York, so finding a good used stock system is not likely.

I agree it is a fine line with drone or silence. That is why I am asking of these 2 stainless systems (Magnaflow or ZZPerformance) which has the least drone?

I am thinking with a stainless system, this should allow me to do the system once.

Thanks for the input.

 

Id go with the ZZP system. The magnaflow one, from what I remember is quite loud. They both are really but I would trust ZZP as they know these cars well.

It wouldnt be difficult at all to add a couple inches to the tips and have them pass the bumper.

 

I installed the ZZP catback system on my car a few months ago and I'm fairly happy with it. It is has a drone at highway speeds (about a 3 out of 10 on a scale) and sounds decent at low RPMs. It's definitely a baritone sound rather than raspy.