Just installed Borla muffler on my 04 civic but made no difference in sound? I think it's the resonator...?

Question

I just got my borla muffler installed yesterday on my 04 civic but it didn't sound any different from the stock one. I asked my friends why this was and they think it is the resonator and that i need to take one of them out.

Where is the resonator located? and how do i make it sound like it should? How exactly do i take the resonator out and what's it going to cost me? Thanks everyone.

Answer 1

OKAY, you installed a borla,did you remove the old one?

Adding any muffler to an existing system will help the system muffle the sound even more.

As far as resonating sound and making a lot of noise you need the Borla alone.

                                "BRILLIANT"!!!!

Answer 2

There are a variety of issues here - are you certain that you purchased a Borla product? Many shops will sell knock offs. Most Borla products clearly have the Borla name stamped on them some where. Also Borla produces a variety of different mufflers - depending on the series you purchased, it could have been an OEM type replacement, in which you would not see that much of a tone change or nothing at all. If you purposely bought an aftermarket for the tone change, you need to ensure you purchased the right one. Also - Typically resonators are only used when an exhaust is too loud - they basically cancel out some of the sound. You may have to completely remove the resonator, or purchase a different type of resonator to get the tone you want. The resonator should look like a large coke can.

Also if you did purchase a aftermarket muffler - the pipes leading from the cats to the muffler may be restricting air-flow, and not allowing the muffler to sound the way it should. This is why most people buy completed kits for their cars that are cat-back. Meaning they run all the way from the cats, to the back of the car and typically include the muffler as well.  

Answer 3

The resonator is in the middle of the exhaust system. We charge 100 dollars at my shop to take it out and weld a straight pipe in place of it. And yes, it will make the car louder.