caymandive

iTrader: (2)

As many of you know I have the Tanabe with the secondary cats removed (AKA Custom mid-pipe) Well when I had the mid-pipe work done, the exhaust shop removed the exhaust shielding that covered most of the mid-pipe. Today I found out exactly what that shielding is for other than for thermal reasons. Since I had the mid-pipe customized, I've had some odd resonance just over 3000rpm under load through about 3500rpm that I could only hear if the windows were down. The exhaust shop told me there was nothing that could be done to fix it as it was a natural behavior of the exhaust with the cats gone. I was fine with it as I rarely drove in those rpms, windows usually up and the car sounded so nice otherwise. Previous Video Clip

Well almost a year later I finally decided to try something in hopes of reducing the noise before I venture onto another exhaust project. I bought some DEI 2" header wrap and applied it to the mid-pipe aft of the O2 sensors and back to the end of the test pipes. To my surprise the noise is gone! Now all I have is deep low sounds from the Tanabe and I love it!

Just a FYI/DYI for any of you after market exhaust owners out there with unshielded Mid-pipes to try header wrap for a simple sound solution.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

I actually like the noise but I'll keep that in mind. Good suggestion though

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

The noise I'm referring, you can hear in the video link above around the 1:15-1:17 time frame. It's a noise like a pebble in a tin can being shook around. That noise is now gone and the exhaust sounds the same otherwise. I dig it and will have the windows down more often now.

passnu2

iTrader: (33)

Nice write up! Thanks for sharing!

I agree and think if I where keeping my car I would want the sound but hard to say till you have it.

myculito

iTrader: (1)

Cayman, how bad does your setup drone? I can't imagine it's easy on the ears with the cats removed.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

Make sure you keep a close eye on those wraps. They're notorious for getting water logged and corroding the pipes even faster than you'd expect.

APBT4Me

you should post a video clip so we can hear the new non-droning sound

iSuxeL

iTrader: (21)

Are you talking about that raspy sound? Cause I like that too! LOL and no not that ricey sound, its hard to explain

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

Believe it or not guys, but after I removed the secondary cats the car has less drone than with the Tanabe alone! There is definitely more sound, but drone diminished. I'm still scratching my head about that one, but I tell ya... it's the truth.

Gernby

iTrader: (1)

I had a really bad experience with header wrap when I used it on a 4-2-1 header. It only took a few weeks before a weld cracked due to the increased temperature.

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I do agree that wrapping headers can be a hit or miss as I've seen some bad experiences as well. I can say though, that I'm not worried about the wrap on this portion of the mid-pipe since the temps are not anywhere near what headers experience. I'm also planning a new exhaust in the foreseeable future so this may just be temporary, but I'd be just as happy to keep it as is with no worries otherwise.

myculito

iTrader: (1)

Cayman, please keep us posted on the durability of this wrap!

Lextasy89

my x pipe strats right where the secondary cats were.. where would i want to wrap mine?

caymandive

iTrader: (2)

I'd say from the start of your mid pipe to the start of your x-pipe. Are you having the noise that I described with your custom exhaust?

Joe Z

iTrader: (10)

Looks Great James.... and NICE DIY thread...

I think once I take a look at the OEM shielding again, I can verify if it will work in my application..
or if the OEM Front-Mid pipe shield can be transferred over..

Here is a teaser pic of my Front Pipes...

Joe Z