Resonator Delete Pros and Cons

Automotive enthusiasts are always searching for the best way to modify their vehicle’s appearance, sound, and performance. And one of the most common vehicle modifications is exhaust sound. Although the resonator muffles your vehicle’s noise, it might also improve its performance and power.

On the downside, it restricts the flow of exhaust gases and robs the exhaust some horsepower and torque. To gain some horsepower, you can opt for a resonator delete.

Removing the resonator will make your car louder and improve its performance and fuel mileage. But, conversely, it can reduce backpressure and affect the car’s performance and efficiency. So before installing the resonator delete, you need to know that the modification has both benefits and drawbacks. Read our article to understand all the good and bad of resonate delete.

What is a resonator delete?

First, you need to understand what a resonator is. A resonator is part of your vehicle’s exhaust system before or after the muffler, but not in every car. The resonator eliminates specific sound frequencies from the vehicle’s noise before it reaches the muffler for a final decibel reduction.

It also creates back pressure which ensures exhaust gases come out of the engine at the appropriate rate, thus improving performance, fuel efficiency, and power. However, the sound reduction can slightly reduce horsepower.

So a resonator delete is a straight cylindrical pipe that replaces the resonator. It changes the flow of pulses your car generates to improve power production. It also eliminates the restrictive part of the flow of exhaust gases, alters your car’s signature sound, and makes your vehicle louder. Finally, it maintains optimum fuel mileage, high performance, and efficiency. The main reason for a resonator delete is sound modification.

Pros and cons of resonator delete

Installing a resonator delete kit has some significant benefits, but you should also learn about its cons before making your decision.

Pros of a resonator delete

  • Modifying your vehicle’s exhaust system with a resonator delete is legally acceptable in most locations as long as the noise doesn’t exceed the allowable decibel levels or cause the failure of the emissions test. Always check with local authorities to know the regulation of such modifications.
  • The resonator delete changes the sound profile of your exhaust. It will make your car produce a deeper and more authentic sound without damaging your vehicle.
  • Replacing the resonator with a resonator delete will reduce your vehicle’s overall weight. Under most circumstances, a lighter vehicle has better fuel economy.
  • The resonator delete comes at a minimal cost of around $100 or less. But the price can increase to $300 if you must cut out the resonator then weld a replacement straight pipe.
  • Deleting the resonator can give your vehicle a power boost if there is heavy soot buildup in the exhaust system. Although the increased horsepower is not much(a maximum gain of about five horsepower), the resonator delete will remove the soot blockage, create less back pressure on the engine and improve its efficiency.
  • It gives your vehicle’s underbelly a clean and appealing appearance. However, some people find how the resonator connects to the muffler too clunky and unsightly.
  • It somewhat reduces the overall weight of your vehicle. As a result, your vehicle’s fuel economy will increase by about 1-2%.
  • The resonator delete requires no extra maintenance after proper installation.
  • It is a reversible modification that can restore the original resonator if necessary.
  • The resonator delete doesn’t interfere with the existing muffler setup. That means you get to keep the rest of your exhaust system as it was. However, some vehicles may require a Y-pipe at the end to ensure it works, and you will get a deeper and throaty sound in return.

Cons of a resonator delete

  • The resonator delete sound gives a drone-like sound with a loud annoying pitch as you accelerate beyond 3000-4000 RPM. However, this noise disappears once you reach your speed. But it is a disadvantage if you do a lot of city driving.
  • The increased noise from your exhaust is likely to affect your driving ability to a great extent.
  • Some vehicles with the resonator delete experience a slightly reduced fuel efficiency. This happens because the engine has to work harder to perform efficiently.
  • Not only will you lose some fuel efficiency, but it will also reduce power production. This is because the resonator optimizes the frequencies of the pulses your car generates. So without it, the engine will have to work harder and result in some loss of power.
  • Some vehicles with distinct sounds, such as Ford  F150s and Ferraris, will lose their signature sound if you incorporate a resonator delete.
  • A resonator delete can reduce the speed of your exhaust flow. This is because the resonator assists the pistons to push exhaust gas out of the combustion chamber by exerting additional force, thus helping the gases move out faster. A resonator delete can affect this process.
  • It could affect your vehicle’s warranty. Some dealers consider any change to the factory exhaust system a void to the warranty. You can wait until your warranty expires before deleting the resonator to avoid this.
  • The resonator delete will cause back pressure changes due to the impact of the deletion on your car’s catalytic converter. As a result, it may trigger the check engine light or release a code in your car’s system when this occurs.
  • Deleting a resonator on some older vehicles can cause idling issues. These idling issues could be due to a failing catalytic converter.

Does a resonator delete affect performance?

In most cases, the resonator delete does improve the overall performance of your engine, especially if there is an excess buildup of soot within your vehicle’s exhaust system. Most cars have a slight increase of up to 5 horsepower.

The resonator delete takes out the restrictive part of the exhaust system, which limits your car’s full performance potential. In addition, it allows faster movement of exhaust gases, so your vehicle is enhanced with the capacity for less fuel consumption, thereby improving its performance and efficiency.

However, a resonator delete can also decrease your car’s horsepower if you have poor exhaust flow.

Is a resonator delete bad for the engine?

A resonator delete kit does not change your vehicle’s engine power- it simply increases exhaust noise. Therefore, it will not contribute to engine damage. Conversely, poor removal of the resonator and installing the resonator delete can cause exhaust leaks and rust due to poor welding. Subsequently, the engine will start performing poorly.

Does a resonator delete lose power?

It can, but most cars with a resonator delete experience a certain level of improved power since it helps optimize the sound frequencies your car generates. On the other hand, some vehicles with a resonate delete kit experience a slight loss of power for the same reason. By altering the way the pulses your car generates moves through its exhaust system, it will demand more power for the engine to work efficiently, resulting in power loss.

Are resonator deletes legal?

It depends on location and their rules on noise control and emissions. Resonator deletes are generally legal exhaust system modifications in most states and countries.

United States

Laws on the resonator delete, in general, are pretty vague and vary in the US depending on state and local jurisdictions. Any exhaust modification behind the catalytic converter is legal in the United States, as long as it doesn’t change the emissions profile of your vehicle. Any modifications in front of the catalytic converter are illegal.

In states such as Idaho, Hawaii, California, it is illegal to make any alterations to the exhaust system that will amplify the noise of the vehicle or exceed the noise limits for the type of vehicle.

Some states allow exhaust modifications, including resonator deletes, as long as the vehicle noise doesn’t exceed the maximum allowable decibels level of 82 dB, such as New York and Connecticut.

To be sure, you have to check with your local state or jurisdiction before installing a resonator delete because some places have noise restrictions.

So also, there is no specific law against resonator deletes. However, you may be fined or warned about noise pollution if your vehicle is too loud.

Canada

Exhaust system modifications and aftermarket exhausts of motor vehicles are illegal in Canada. Although the law specifies that muffler deletes are unlawful, they also emphasize that any exhaust modification that increases vehicle noise more than the original level is liable for fines.  

UK

In the UK, any exhaust silencers or modifications that make the vehicle emit a noise louder than the factory exhaust are illegal. If your resonator delete is excessively loud, then the police can class that as noise pollution.

Some states, such as NSW (New South Wales), do not allow any vehicle modification on the factory exhaust system.

Will a resonator delete void warranties?

A resonator delete may or may not void your vehicle’s warranty, depending on different circumstances. Changing the overall exhaust system could void your warranty for some car brands.

The catch is for dealers to void your warranty; they must prove that the resonator delete is the cause of your problem. For instance, if you install a resonator delete and soon after the headlight stops working, then the warranty for the light still applies. But if the poor installation of your resonator delete causes rusting of your exhaust, then your vehicle warranty for the exhaust pipe won’t apply.

To avoid warranty issues, you can hold off on modifying your vehicle until the warranty has expired.

Is a resonator delete safe?

Resonator deletes are not illegal, and they do not release extra emissions, but you should avoid them if they make your vehicle too loud to prevent breaking any noise control laws.

The resonator delete modification is not entirely safe for your vehicle. Loud vehicle sounds can prevent other drivers from hearing sirens or being attentive to other hazardous road conditions, leading to an accident.

Also, the noise your vehicle produces with a resonator delete could trigger headaches, dizziness, and other health issues for the driver and other vehicle passengers. It can lead to accidents of development of health conditions.

Lastly, poor installation of the resonator delete can affect the performance of your catalytic converter. This can trigger the check engine light, and a damaged catalytic converter can lead to a failed emissions test.

Conclusion

After reading the pros and cons of a resonator delete on your car, we hope you can now decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. You can install the resonator delete kit to improve performance, minimize fuel mileage, and have higher sound projection. Either way, seek a professional mechanic to do the job for you to avoid severe damage to your exhaust system.