I was thinking if there is an aftermarket resonator to replace the stock one for better tone, not too raspy exhaust sound?
Saw a few on Ebay, some say racing, others hi-flow...
Been checking Megan Racing and Invidia mid pipe, prices are through the roof for those who have them in stock, and reasonably priced, next order in who knows when.

It would be for a Lexus IS350, second generation, RWD.

 

I recently (last month) got Megan Racing MIDPIPE installed (item # MIDPIPE-LI0625). They were out of stock so I reached out to Megan Racing via contact # on their site. And kept checking in until one day they had 6 in stock and by the end of that day they only had one or two. You will have to order it via phone cause they don't advertise it on the site. Idk why. ($20 flat shipping fee if I'm not mistaken) Anyways here's a couple pics of it. I would stay away from invidia if you're looking to avoid a raspy (in my opinion) sound. I think you can run an invidia but you need the right set up. Research, research, research. Lol But some people prefer it. Just my take. I'm running my Megan Racing midpipe w/ Tanabe axle back.

 

Many sites show them as having the midpipe in stock, but then a week passes by and no shipping. When I call they are back ordered, other ocassions would get an automatic refund.

Went to a local performance shop, they can do the midpipe because of the shop custom classification. Am not the only one, a one month appointment, possibly two months.
They have cars on a waiting list for six months or more. He said mine is easy money, lol, so I should not need to wait that much.
Am under the impression I may pay a premium, will know next week.
I guess you were lucky, I have been calling and sending inventory inquiry emails since beginning of March. They said by May, then June, last I heard by the end of the year.

 

I did like you said, I have called, email them religiously every week, and sometimes let it go for a few weeks, nothing until next summer.

So for now I just replaced the resonator for an aftermarket, Aero TR-253. I have pictures in a thread called mid-pipes, and I am happy with the results.

https://aeroexhaust.com/i-30497640-a...l#!year%3D2012


Aero TR253

 

In my search for the Megan midpipe, which I gave up, ended with a custom setup.

Current mods:
F-Sport intake box mod, square hole and removed the carbon filter
PPE headers
RR-Racing tune
Yonaka axleback
15" 2.5 Aero resonator (replaced stock resonator)
two 12" 2.5 ebay resonators


two 12" 2.5 resonators


From two 12" resonators, replaced secondary cats, two in one, to the 15" resonator



I, same as the shop welder, were shocked it was quieter than before when it had the secondary cats.

Although is free flowing all the way back, is quieter, minimum drone, which I do miss. Maybe is just me, but the engine feels it revs easier, passing cars is effortless with less throttle input. Lets see if in the next few days the resonators are past their break-in and sound a little louder, if not, am going to remove the main one for a straight pipe.
There were so many threads about Megan midpipe, etc, stating the exhaust got a little louder, I thought it was going to be similar effects. The shop welder insisted to forget about the two 12" resonators and go straight pipe, but the consensus on the internet was a raspy exhaust, which I did not want. Am leaning toward removing the main resonator, the 15" 2.5, and/or replace with a much smaller one.

 

Nice, but why do you miss the Drone? Also link to the Ebay resonators you used?

 

I liked the engine noise (drone) inside the cabin, I have a hearing condition which the drone helped to mask.
Later in the day, gave a ride to some of my friends, and they like the new setup, and stated it sounds better from outside the vehicle. We were at a fast food and when I turned the car on, they said it had a peculiar noise and could easily tell it was my car from a distance.
The resonators seem to finally break-in, as the exhaust sounds has a deeper mean tone. With the windows down, it is evident the exhaust note, but with windows up, almost none. From 2.5k to about 4k, passing rev range, has a peculiar woosh noise underneath the headers and back. The top end is more free flow, I need to pay attention to stay under highway speed limit.

I bought 2.5" resonators, he had to use spacers to adapt to the car as it is 2.25 on the outlet, is not that difficult, but something you need to know.
The inlet is easy as it is 2.5, plus the secondaries have a weird angle, something the shop may struggle on when adapting them. It really should be 2.25", but that specific seller does not have them.

My next project will be resonator tips, still on the search for the correct parts.

ebay seller: Fudaindustries
listing title: Pair of 2.5" Inlet / Outlet - 12" Length Exhaust Mufflers Resonator SS
eBay item number: 384447093225

 

If you want engine noise go with an open filter intake. The noise from an intake is much nicer than the drone.

 

Does anyone have inside pics of the stock resonators? The main rear resonators is huge. Meaning it has to fill up before exiting. That's why since putting the smaller resonator. The pedal input is more linear?

 

In stock trim is only one resonator, close to 2.25" inside diameter, aftermarket OD bullet shape seems smaller, it is wider ID, 2.50".

I would say it is more linear because the ebay resonators in the midpipe resolved the low end torque gap. Before there used to be somewhat of a lag, dead zone on the low rev range, not anymore. I used to throttle search the powerband, now is there, slight pressure to the pedal.



Inside of stock resonator, looks to have an opening at the center of the pipe run.


Right around 2.25ish...

 

"I would say it is more linear because the ebay resonators in the midpipe resolved the low end torque gap. Before there used to be somewhat of a lag, dead zone on the low rev range, not anymore. I used to throttle search the powerband, now is there, slight pressure to the pedal."


This is exactly how I get around on my IS250 throttle search is a pain. I've been doing it since I first picked up the car. I had previous experience from my GS400 with hybrid throttle by wire. At one point I picked up a Apexi TC. A year later it almost got me deceased. I wouldn't recommend it.

I wish it was like my brothers charger. Man that thing just goes stomping on the pedal.

 

So the million dollar question is: What a good setup for more rumble without the drone?

 

Care to do an experiment?

As the exhaust pulses leave the headers, the resonators minimize the reflections creating a more homogeneous flow in one direction. Placing a muffler where the resonators are does this and now there no need for mufflers at the rear of car, so you have a weight savings and increased flow through minimized turbulence and dual pipes.

Install something like this just past the transmission tailshaft, then run duals right to the rear of the car and place whatever tips you like out back.

Should be cheap and get you what you want as it's just pipe and hangers. JM2C but I'd run 2.25" out back to keep the flow rate higher.

Borla cross pipe muffler.

 

Ebay resonators are doing its job, took a few weeks to break them in.

Not because is my car, but I can tell the difference in noise and performance when driving the car before and after mods.
No more annoying drone, maybe just a little for those who are in the back seat, but been on the passenger seat nobody has complained or lets say, they stopped b1tching about the drone as it is almost gone.

I have noticed people looking to the road as to which car has the exhaust sound, and also drivers ahead of me give leeway for me to pass, something I did not get before installing the dual resonators. It is mellow on the low rpms, and a slight dip on the throttle gives it a cool grunt, and past vvt-i sounds like a vtec on steroids. Not kidding, I sometimes scared myself when it kicks in, like oops, I did not mean that, and people look at me scared as well... ha ha. There is a significant improvement on mid and top end, the engine does not feel restricted, choking up after a certain speed/rpm on 6th gear.

The car has had the RR-tune for about a yr, after the dual resonators, the engine took a few weeks to settle and I would say, relearn the ECM.
My only regret is I need to drive with the windows up all the time, or at least during traffic lights windows up because of the strong exhaust smell, and yes it will be significantly stronger.

Above all, always safety first, and responsible driving habits.