The PO installed a glassback inplace of the CAT on the 2.8 when I bought the car amonth and a half ago.
Sounds great and everything, but the muffler looks like the original muffler and looks quite ugly.
I thought about removing the muffler and the exhaust tips. Install some piping and install some resonator tips.
Has a good thoaty sound to it as is. I just never used resonator tips before. I also dont even know what resonator tips are really.
I looked inside them and they look like they have baffles inside.
From my observation, they look like mini mufflers but only on the tips.

I keep hearing people installing them on there cars but I dont know what they really do. Provide a different sound? louder or quieter? does it make it sound more Ricey then good?
Car as is has alittle popping when you let the foot off the gas. Does the tips make more of the popping sound?

Sorry for the noobish question, I just never really figured out what resonator tips really do.

Resonator tips do what the name implies. They are designed to allow the sound to resonate internally, to be louder when exiting the system. Muffler tips are something different.

I'd suggest just replacing the glasspack with a high flow cat, and install a new muffler and perhaps some different tips (or a complete cat-back system), instead. Instead of a stock replacement muffler, you could go with the Ocelot system, a Spintech, Flowmaster, or Magnaflow if you want to have a louder or deeper or higher pitched tone. The Flowmaster and Magnaflow sound a bit deeper, and the Ocelot and Spintech sound more racey.

I built my exhaust using a 80 series flow master for my L67 V6 and now my N*. I found it too loud for my liking with the extra two cylinders of the N*. So, I made longer muffler tips out of two aftermarket chrome muffler tips and a cherry bomb or glass pack. I cut the glass pack in half and welded the muffler tips on the glass packs half making for more baffeling in the muffler tip. Though its not quite as loud and a little more mellow, I still would like to reduce the decibles.

You might want to consider building your exhaust system with parts based on how you want to hear the engine. I don't think muffler tips will help you much because they don't have a lot of volume space for exiting areas on the fiero. Maybe you could add a glass pack in addition to what you have now to reduce the sound.

My buddy's L67 v6, in Mission, BC, uses a large truck muffler and it is a total sleeper. You would never know it had a High Performance engine until he is at WOT. He gutted his trunk to do it. But it is extremely quiet.

[This message has been edited by IXSLR8 (edited 01-01-2011).]

by the way the popping sound is the back firing from the engine its just normal back pressure the engine throws out of the exhaust when letting out of the throttle... too much backfire though is an issue and should be checked out... the more high flow the exhaust system is the more back pressure you will hear coming out of the exhaust..food for thought

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1988 Pontiac Fiero Gt (has every option available from that year including factory leather, 5-speed, and the rare T-Tops: Black w/ gray interior and blk wheels)
1992 GMC Typhoon #0203
1971Chevorlet Corvette 454cu/ LS5/ 4-speed/ convertible
1993 BMW 850 Ci 6-speed V-12

I have no need for a high flow CAT. I dont have emissions where I live.
I been doing some muffler sound video clips on youtube. Im 50/50 on spintec. they sound kinda good and kinda not at the same time. Thats just my opinion. I did like the sound of the flowmaster and magnaflow. so I will most likely go that route.

I was just thinking of leaving the glasspack in there. its not hurting anything.
I like deep tone in exhaust. im not much of the high buzzing bee sounding crap you hear on imports kinda guy.
as it sits right now. its not overly bad. Just wanting something that is just alittle deeper in sound. closer to more V8ish. but still keeping the V6 sound.

I just havnt ever used Resonator tips. I might just buy some and clap them on to hear what the difference are. If I dont like them. At least I can remove them fairly easy.

alittle off the topic. But do headers contribute to how the exhaust will sound? not talking about 180* headers. or porting the exhaust manifolds and Y pipe produce a slightly deeper sound?

If you port the stock 2.8 exhaust manifolds, of the GM restrictions, it seems to be more throaty sounding to me. I noticed a difference with my 2.8 when i did that...not to mention the extra 6 HP it gave me.

I have small exhaust leak in the front exhaust manifold.
I suspect cracked manifold. but hoping its just a leak at the connector to the manifold.

Im alittle nervous to remove the manifolds because I dont want to break off a bolt. I dont have alot of money. Its also my daily driver to and from work. and many other things.

I cant really afford to break off a bolt. that would mean new head gaskets. and intake gaskets and such. might as well change them since you got the engine apart. and while its apart. why not do some porting. and while porting. why not paint them. after that. lets throw a cam in there :P
and by that point. might as well rebuild the sucker!

Thats how I roll anyways :P one thing leads to another and another and another.

but if i can sucessfully remove all the exhaust bolts with out breaking any. i would port the manifolds and freshen up the heads since there off anyways.
that right there should get me maybe 10ish hp. and help with a lower exhaust sound.

is there any brands of resonator tips you guys highly recommend?
since i have duel exhaust. i would have to buy 2.

I think im going to play around with mufflers and tips and such. till i get the sound i like i always have use for mufflers

well to ensure you dont break a bolt or round it make sure you get the right fitting socket for the bolt.. the problem with GM in the 80's and 90's was that some parts used metric bolts and some parts used standard sized bolts.. like the brake lines and clutch lines use a metric wrench because they are an SAE- european line and fitting... also what works amazing is PB blaster... you can buy it at any hardware store for around $8, it is in a white can with a yellow top and it looks like a kid drew the title of it on the bottle but it has penetrating power for deep rust in bolts and it also removes rust by breaking it down...also if it wont come loose still dont try to over force it that will just round the bolt just hit it with a hammer to break the seal keeping a firm grip on the rachet itself...another thing that tends to work especially brake fittings and clutch lines is heat... you can pick up a torch for around $25 and im telling u its a life saver for rusted bolts and bolts under pressure that need to be loosened..

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1988 Pontiac Fiero Gt (has every option available from that year including factory leather, 5-speed, and the rare T-Tops: Black w/ gray interior and blk wheels)
1992 GMC Typhoon #0203
1971Chevorlet Corvette 454cu/ LS5/ 4-speed/ convertible
1993 BMW 850 Ci 6-speed V-12

To answer your question more directly, the resonator tips tend to be a little pricey compared to a muffler. They do ok at idle, but when you get on the throttle there isn't enough length of dampening material to muffle, and it gets loud in a hurry. Tips will help if you already have a muffler and it needs the edge taken off though.

You might want to consider Car Chemistry inserts instead of resonator tips. The inserts take about 5 to 7 db off and work just as well at high speed as at low speed. However, remember that to be street legal, 5 to 7 db reduction isn't enough on its own.

I'd consider the tips for looks and a bit of function, but not to muffle.

Hope this helps

Arn

quote Originally posted by Arns85GT: To answer your question more directly, the resonator tips tend to be a little pricey compared to a muffler. They do ok at idle, but when you get on the throttle there isn't enough length of dampening material to muffle, and it gets loud in a hurry. Tips will help if you already have a muffler and it needs the edge taken off though.

Like I said before, resonator tips, and muffler tips are not the same thing. If you want muffler tips, get the C6 Vette tips. Resonator tips are meant to resonate the sound, not muffle it. Muffler tips are meant to muffle the sound, not resonate it.

Neither are really pricey, unless you want to get Supertrapps or something, which are actually adjustable mufflers.

If the goal is to get some specific sound qualities, the entire exhaust system needs to be evaluated, not just the tips, or the muffler. Though the muffler of course is a big part of the system.

Thanks for the info guys. I already have a can of PB blaster that I been using for other odd bolts on the car.

Random side note for the exhaust manifold bolts.
If i could lower the cradle on the rear part of the car to get more working room.
would an Impact wrench work good? or would it just snap it off just like that.
I would think the quick hammering action would break the seal on the bolts and remove the the bolt with a socket and socket wrench. after letting PB sit for a day or so.
i already have a torch that I could use.

i do need new tips. at least on the passenger side. its no longer a cone shape. more like a square then anything else.(bent up from possible backing into a curb).

its alittle loud on the idle part. but not to bad. would be nice if it was alittle quieter on idle but throaty at the same time. but during hard acceleration its a good deep loud tone. but not overkill as well.

i might ditch the idea of using resonator tips. i did some more listening on youtube and such and there not bad. but they arnt cheap eather. i could buy a good known muffler that suites my needs and afew other little things.

what is the OD on the exhaust piping? is it 2.25"? or 2.5" i cant remember.
would getting a bigger OD exhaust pipe give it a different tone??

the original tips are about $100 for the pair.. i would suggest spending $30 more and get the all stainless steel tips made by ocelot..... you can use an impact wrench just be careful.. the exhaust im pretty sure is 2.25 inches but the bigger you go the louder it will be and the lower the sound should be... honestly i would just do a catback(or whatever is in the place of the cat) 3 inch exhaust that should make the sound deepen but it will also be louder.. just think of it this way less restriction u put on the exhaust the more pronounced the v-6 is gonna sound

good thinkin. never really gave it any thought about that.
If i can fit a 3 OD exhaust from where the cat is back. i should be golden.
and thos are some expensive tips! i might just find some tips form the junk yard from another car and put them on. i like the caddys northstar exhaust tips. thos are pretty nice.

quote Originally posted by joshh44: good thinkin. never really gave it any thought about that. If i can fit a 3 OD exhaust from where the cat is back. i should be golden. and thos are some expensive tips! i might just find some tips form the junk yard from another car and put them on. i like the caddys northstar exhaust tips. thos are pretty nice.

I paid $59 shipped for the pair of C6 Vette tips I have waiting to go on my car.

yeah im sure you can find them cheaper i just saw them for that price..

are C6 tips resonator tips or just regular exhaust tips?

quote Originally posted by joshh44: are C6 tips resonator tips or just regular exhaust tips?

They are muffler tips. But it's also really easy to cut out the muffler portion if you want to.

ohhh did not know that!
ill have to look on ebay and other online stores for some of thos

Yeah alot of resonator tips are basically tiny glasspacks. Since you have a glasspack muffler it might be kind of redundant. I only have a duke in my car, with a stock muffler. I needed new tips and I put a resonator tip on it, it made the exhaust a lower tone which was nice. I only really hear any "resonance" when really getting the rpms up though. Mine is Hooker brand got it on ebay. It might quiet your exhaust a little.

Im debating on removing the glasspack the PO installed or just leaving it in there. i might just leave it as its not hurting anything and install a magnaflow or flowmaster muffler. and see how that sounds with stock cone style tips. i am in need of some new tips tho. so ill be keepinjg my eyes out for some good ones. maybe C6 tips. i do like the looks of thos.

If your going to remove your stock exhaust manifolds, Just tighten and loosen the bolts a little back and forth until you can sense them turning without breaking. I've only broken one bolt doing it this method... out of about 24 exhaust manifolds. The rear manifold is usually not a problem; only the forward manifold near the glass. Just rock the bolts back and forth until they come loose. it takes a long time but they wwill come out that way. Your hands will get sore however.

the flowmasters tend to sound more tinney i would run magnaflow exhaust it has a deeper sound...

One of my C4 Corvettes just has straight out the motor exhaust with only resonator tips. Its only loud when you get into it good, even then not that bad. Cruising around its practically as quiet as it was with cat and mufflers.

quote Originally posted by joshh44: are C6 tips resonator tips or just regular exhaust tips?

I have C6 tips on my Mera with the stock exhaust system. While the tips are drilled, I cannot say they make any noticeable difference in the exhaust note. But, they sure look good!

quote Originally posted by gmctyphoon1992: the exhaust im pretty sure is 2.25 inches but the bigger you go the louder it will be and the lower the sound should be... honestly i would just do a catback(or whatever is in the place of the cat) 3 inch exhaust that should make the sound deepen but it will also be louder.. just think of it this way less restriction u put on the exhaust the more pronounced the v-6 is gonna sound

Stock is 2". I have 2.5" and it sounds nice. You don't want to go to 3" because the speed of the exhaust air reduces so you become less efficient.

Check the Magnaflow for a deep sound.

Arn

Thanks
I figured a 3" pipe would be alittle over the top on a little engine.

Ill buy some some 2.25 or 2.5 piping. wouldnt really matter between the 2 for me. just something that is alittle bigger then stock.

time to do some shopping!
1st stop. Ebay!

yeah 3 inches is alittle over the top plus you loose torque with such a freeflow exhaust... your right 2.5inches is better and like a i said magnaflows have a deeper sound...