Helmholtz Resonator on Stock 2021 Exhaust

Why on earth would someone want to make a great sounding V8 quieter? I must be getting old and grouchy, or sensitive. Or both.

@dirtydeeds resonator works exactly as advertised - it’s like turning on a pair of noise canceling headphones between 1500-1700 rpm. I do a lot of driving between 55-60 and that’s right where the truck wanted to drone. Totally gone now, and significantly quieter on accelerations from a stop in general.

Probably not most people’s cup of tea given the number of aftermarket exhaust threads. A little sound deadening in the doors and back wall and it’ll be Lexus level quiet.

I’m definitely getting old and grouchy.

 

I don't mind an exhaust w/a drone for short trips. Any kind of drone on a 19+ hour drive...nope..

 

Actually this is what I needed to hear. I put a Magnaflow knock-off muffler in place of the factory muffler a few weeks ago. It sounds great outside the truck but it drones like H*** at 1,500 RPM. I'm so frustrated with the drone that I have been considering putting the stock muffler back on.

So you're saying that the resonator kit can be added to any exhaust that we have? Or does it need to be paired with the dirtydeeds exhaust system?

 

@17TundraDCEd

 

http://dirtydeedsindustries.com/product/helmholtz-resonator/

The resonator I bought is specifically designed to be bolted up to the stock rear section of exhaust pipe (single out, muffler-back section). Keith may have a custom solution for you if you're running a full replacement system, but if your magnaflow kept the stock rear section it would work.

 

I just did over 700 freeway miles on the DD Sequoia 10" and it was drone free! Sounds great and feels like it has more power (need to get a file for Viktor G to see if a new tune is in order).

 

Agreed. Sounds like the magnaflow replaced just the muffler and the stock tailpipe is still in place. In that case, the standard resonator will work.

If the larger 3 inch tailpipe was used, Keith could probably make a resonator with a saddle big enough to get around the larger diameter tailpipe.

 

My story of adding DD's res to a existing muffler..

When I bought my 2014 I had a 2 in 1 out Magnaflow welded in.
It sounded great in town but had the drone from the inner depths of hell on the highway.
It literally made me nauseous..

I then found this forum and Keith @dirtydeeds
Called him and discussed my issues.
He sold me just the rez and said give it a shot.

I added it to the magnaflow.
It killed the drone, but knocked the sound back to stock.
I ditched the magnaflow and bought one of Keith's 8" systems and ran it with the rez.
Now running it with a 10" DD that I love..

You may have different results.
It might give you exactly what you're looking/listening for.
It's certainly worth a try..

Keith's rez just bolts onto the tailpipe in front of the spare tire.
You'll need to drill a 2" hole into the pipe.

Muffer and rez install video.
Rez install starts at 10:00

https://youtu.be/i79q3q3kaHs?t=604



Good luck..

 

And to piggyback that statement, you can also order it with a block off plate if you decide you don’t want the resonator on again.

 

Good info. I was wondering about that.

The resonator looks like a single piece of exhaust tubing about 30" long maybe and a bracket welded to the end so it can be clamped onto the existing tail pipe. $200 is pretty steep for that. So if it is going to kick the sound back down to stock, I'd probably be better off just giving the shop $50 to put the stock muffler back on.

Decisions decisions....

Thanks for all the info so far though guys. It's appreciated.

 

I bought the 10” with the resonator from Keith. I also paid the couple of bucks for the block off if I decide to run sans-resonator.

Awesome exhaust. Build quality, fitment, and sound are superb. I ran mine for a week or so without the resonator. With the windows down, I sounded like a pack of Harley’s.

BUT- as a freeway/highway commuter, the drone went from tolerable to mind-numbing. Couldn’t talk on the phone, couldn’t hear music.

I installed the resonator. Instantly was glad I did. There is still plenty of aggression in the sound coming out of the pipe when you accelerate. My wife still tells me to quit mashing the gas when I’m not when we’re on a call and I’m in the truck.

 

That may be what it looks like, but it’s a more complicated gizmo then that. I think it must work like a baffle that mutes only certain frequencies to eliminate drone. That’s exactly what it does. It is tubular, but the terminating end is closed, and the end the bolts up has a screened opening.

Magic happens inside… it’s worth the dough.

 

Not cheap for sure, but extremely effective - I bought the stainless version which is $250. I also only had the stock exhaust that I though was too loud. Had a hard time having conversations with family in the back seat without yelling, but my Dad and I are both half deaf. It just overall feels like a higher quality vehicle, it even eliminated the buzzing I could feel through the accelerator pedal.

The older 2nd gen Tundras are much quieter than the 2.5 gens. My Dad's 2010 exhaust was much quieter than my 2021, I think I read somewhere they shortened the muffler up 4" with the 2014 update.

 

Do you guys think the add-on resonator kit could be installed while the tail pipe is on the truck? My setup is all welded and I really wouldn't want to cut the tail pipe off and have to weld it back on.

 

If any one is looking for a resonator I have a brand new one I never installed with clamps. Located in SoCal.

 

I pulled the exhaust down and cut it with a 2" hole saw, but you could easily cut the hole with a plasma cutter or possibly a dremel and cutoff wheel with it still installed. You'll probably want to drop the spare tire to give you some more room if you go that route. You may even be able to get the drill and hole saw up there if the spare is out of your way. Use a center punch to mark the center or your drill bit will walk all over the outer diameter of that pipe.

It sure was nice to have the extra leverage with it on the ground with a hole saw. I used a bi-metal Diablo hole saw and it grabbed and snagged like a son of a bitch. A dedicated fine tooth metal cutting hole saw would have been much nicer.

 

I had to lower the spare tire, but was able to drill the the hole with tailpipe in place.

 

Looks like it could be done if 17TundraDCEd did. I pulled my exhaust down and the mostly out.

You’ll want some chalk, then climb under the truck with the resonator. Hold the resonator up where it will be installed. Trace around the mounting plate with the chalk. Lower the resonator and draw the 2” cutout circle. When I went to do mine, I just had doubts I would get a clean cut and achieve the correct angle, so I unbolted it, pulled the rubber hangers and then pulled the exhaust most of the way out.


Then, I just pushed and twisted everything back into place, crawled under and clamped the resonator into place.


I would try pulling the spare and just do it in place if I had it to do over again.

 

I ordered a DD 10” system and really didn’t care for the exhaust until I added the resonator, the drone almost made the trip unpleasant. After the resonator, it’s absolutely perfect. If I didn’t have an infant I’d love it to be louder but it’s a perfect fit to keep the wife and baby quiet.

 

Man is the drone on the 10” that bad? I’m running the DD 6” and haven’t needed to throw the resonator on… I drive lots of highway too. Music on, phone Bluetooth phone convos etc…

 

I got the 10" just so I wont have to add the POWER ROBBING resonator. But if I got the 6" I probably/maybe would have want to add it for the drone. Maybe not, 6" probably sounds awesome.

 

Nice work. Looks good.

 

The resonator may rob you of interior sound/drone, but not power. Just in case you get the bug for the 6” system

 

Do exhaust resonators rob horsepower?

While a resonator helps make the work of a muffler easier, thus improving performance and power, it also has some drawbacks. It causes restrictions to the flow of exhaust gases. In so doing, it robs the exhaust of some horsepower and torque. ... But do not expect a lot of horsepower or torque gains.

 

Generally speaking, I guess it depends on where the resonator is located in the exhaust and how it is designed.

In the case of the 26” long tube that Keith sells - it’s attached perpendicular all the way back in the tailpipe. It doesn’t interrupt flow - the 2 inch hole just allows the sound wave to escape and cancel itself in the resonator tube. I’ve run a couple of his systems with and without resonator and noticed no difference in response and power.

 

Maybe we should bring in the expert and see if @dirtydeeds Keith will enlighten us?

 

I lowered the spare and used this...

LENOX 2-in Bi-Metal Arbored Hole Saw in the Hole Saws & Kits department at Lowes.com




I had to do it twice, a long story I won't bore y'all with..
But it had to do with replacing the Magnaflow with my first 8" DD..

 

I’m running the DD budget stock tailpipe cut into turndown no resonator, drone ain’t bad but it’s raspy.