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Cabin noise after installing an aftermarket exhaust

12K views 35 replies 19 participants last post by  ourjeeps 
#1 ·
Hey Guys,
New to the site and Jeeps. So i just installed an aftermarket exhaust. love the deep throaty sound it makes but i think the cabin noise is a little obnoxious. i also have the top down but i feel like it might be louder with the top up anyway. So my question is has anyone experienced this after installing and after market and if so is there anything i can do to remedy it (other than putting the stock back on). or does it need to break in. Ive heard Dynamat can help but i want to see if anyone has done it before i shell out more money on this thing. Thanks in advanced
 
#3 ·
I installed a dynomax dual exit superturbo on my 2012 jk 6spd hard top a few months ago. The tone is the deepest at 1500 rpms, I don't drive in that rpm range so I rarely notice it. I don't even consider it drone really and it certainly doesn't drone on the highway.

It seems that autos are more prone to drone as they are more likely to be cruising at lower rpms.

Make sure all your conections are tight as many have pointed to leaks as a source of the drone.
 
#18 ·
That's exactly what I installed and exactly what I'm experiencing. 1500 rpm, basically when I'm coming out of a stop and picking up speed. I have a 12" sub in the back so I'm use to the extra sound but i usually turn down the sub when I have other people in the jeep. It literally sounds like my sub is on at that speed.
 

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#4 ·
It could be that you chose a muffler that has a lot of drone. You might have to go back to stock as you suggested, or perhaps try something different.

I have a Magnaflow 18" on mine, and I've been pleased with the results. I was only looking to make my Jeep sounds a little less like a mini van, and I was able to accomplish this.

good luck

Exco
 
#5 ·
I built my exhaust using a Flowmaster hp-2. It's a high-clearance type exhaust with the Muffler moved up in front of the axle. No drone and a little bit of bark to the exhaust note. The HP 2 is internally insulated so the canister stays cool which is good for tight clearance installations. HP stands for hushpower. I gave it a shot and very happy with it.
 
#7 ·
The only real reason to swap out your exhaust on a Jeep is to gain some clearance and keep your stock can from getting banged up. If you don't wheel, stick with the OEM muffler.
 
#8 ·
So, ummm, you put on a louder exhaust with the express purpose of making your Jeep louder and are now uncomfortable because it's loud...
hmmmmm

Earplugs would work.
 
#10 ·
So give it a little time. I also have an aftermarket exhaust. Not living in the U.S.A I don't have the luxury of all the parts you get and overseas freight is just a killer. So I had one made. When it first went in the drone was bad. I could feel the exhaust vibration through the floor. I used some header wrap which helped a but mostly it settled down due to carbon accumulation over 6 months or so. It is still REALLY loud when I stand on it but normal driving it is quite fine now for me.
 
#11 ·
Actually you've just lost your hearing in that db range...


I used to ride motorcycles, long distance, Iron Butt Association stuff. I met a couple one day as they were getting off their Harley and asked them if the loud exhaust bothered them. Know what they replied?
"What?"
 
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#13 ·
I've never gotten why anyone would put an exhaust on a six cylinder Jeep. Exhaust swaps should be limited to fire breathing muscle cars and performance cars, not Jeeps.

And drone has long been an issue with exhaust swaps, it's just nature of the beast.
 
#14 ·
I for one thought the stock exhaust sounded awful and I can't understand how people can enjoy it.

Luckily we can all modify our jeeps to suit our own tastes. I like a more aggressive sound and modified to suit me. If the stock sedan sounding exhaust suits you, I for one won't tell you to change it. Pushing my taste on others serves zero purpose.
 
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#15 ·
I for one thought the stock exhaust sounded awful and I can't understand how people can enjoy it.
....
I can't hear the exhaust over my tires. I wouldn't want anything louder than they are...
 
#17 ·
Hey Guys, New to the site and Jeeps. So i just installed an aftermarket exhaust. love the deep throaty sound it makes but i think the cabin noise is a little obnoxious. i also have the top down but i feel like it might be louder with the top up anyway. So my question is has anyone experienced this after installing and after market and if so is there anything i can do to remedy it (other than putting the stock back on). or does it need to break in. Ive heard Dynamat can help but i want to see if anyone has done it before i shell out more money on this thing. Thanks in advanced
Replace the OEM resonator with a bigger and better one. It's the one that's between the catalytic converter and muffler - positioned roughly below the B pillar. It changes the sound in a big way, makes it noticeably quieter and deeper in tone. Have a reputable muffler shop do it, I'd say at about $200 cost to you. Good luck!
 
#21 ·
Jkblack, give it a few days/miles and the initial sound will really mellow out. It was a little over the top to start with, but mine calmed down pretty quickly. Before long you will be amazed it ever sounded like that, at least that was my experience.
 
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#22 ·
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#26 ·
#30 ·
You need an exhaust that was designed not to drone.
Yes, they do exist. I've had exhausts on my vehicles that sound better at idle and give a nice throaty sound when you really get on the gas, but are quiet as stock inside the cabin when cruising, whether around town or on the freeway.

IMO, I'd get a different one and sell this one. I don't have experience with any of the Jeep exhausts but I know I've seen at least one or two that are advertised not to drone.
 
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#31 ·
The only axle back/cat-back I'm aware that has no drone are the systems made by Corsa.

Yes, you can have a loud exhaust note and no cabin "drone". There is a difference between cabin exhaust sound and the dreaded "drone".

Before my Jeep days, all I had were various V8 American Muscle/Sports cars. Example, I had a LS1-based Camaro that I had a Magnaflow muffler installed, but left the remaining system stock. Nice tone outside, absolutely NO drone inside. However, once I installed the Magnaflow catback, I got the dreaded drone at around 1500 RPMs. Go figure. I tried a bunch of things to eliminate it.

There are all sorts of things you can try; one example is adding a "J" pipe...

Anyway, I find that most will drone to some extent. Corsa is the only one that I'm aware that not only prides itself on advertising no drone, but actually is true. Now, the only thing about Corsa is they can sounds kind of "ricey", high-pitched from my experience.

Don't listen to those who say you have to live with it. It depends on how far, how much money and time you want to spend in eliminating drone.
 
#32 ·
Some people call it drone, some people call it a note. I love the sound of my Borla Climber system. It settles down when cruising on the highway... but really gets it when climbing hills. I love it. To each their own I guess.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#34 ·
There is a difference between being able to hear the exhaust (note) vs actual drone.
Drone is a certain low frequency that is very annoying. Some exhaust systems have a muffler that is able to cancel out that frequency. I'm sure at the expense of overall volume in some ways, but I'd rather that than having drone in the cabin. Legato is another manufacturer advertising no drone.
 
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#35 ·
For the first few days the superturbo had a TON of bass in low rpms, after a few days it was totally gone. It is very civil now, no drone at any speeds. If anything I wish it had not mellowed as much as it did.
 
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