OK, good, I'm glad somebody else has the long pipe on there V8 too. I figured the drone had nothing to do with that but thought I'd ask anyway. And I agree - the exhaust sounds *great* at low range, but that highway cruising speed drone kills me. Don't know if dynamat would help - I would think so, but it's all a matter of how to install it properly underneath the car. I'll let you look into that, keep us posted on how that works out. I'm going to look into a resonator or something else to help regulate the flow and control the drone. I'll let you know if I find any solution that works. I'm just torn because not only does it sound great, it looks so much better than the stock system as well. There has to be some kind of solution out there...

The resonator should be easy. Use the extra pipe with a flange (probably the short one if you have a V8) and have a glass pack welded in. A muffler shop I went to used old fashioned straight glass packs as resonators and said they work well. I was told that a resonator between the cat and the muffler is the best position to eliminate the harmonic. Your next move would be to replace the magnafloww muffler with a super turbo type muffler IMHO. I don't think the insulating material you are considering will eliminate a harmonic noise but that's just an opinion that's not tested.

I just got back from a trip to VT towing a small utility trailer and I agree with most that the drone is very present and is almost annoying. I had two passengers in back and they commented on how difficult it was to have a conversation(older people w/hearing not 100%). Everytime I would hit a long mountain hill for a few miles, the motor wants to pull right in that zone. Either that or I would have to make it downshift and suck more gas. Was kind of annoying. Love the sound outside though. Strange how it sounds like it would be so loud outside from the inside the truck but it really isn't that loud outside. Got 16mpg towing small trailer and a large aluminum extension ladder on kayak racks@70mph, sometimes 75. Not too bad I guess.

Clint, I was seriously thinking of doing that. So with the MF piping and toy muffler, minus the toy resonator, it still has a nice so?!nd?Wish you had a sound clip. That would help alot! Can you compare the sound to any vehicle? Nissan Armada/Titan maybe? They have a distingishing note stock.

Maybe a solution...

I was doing some research on sound absorbing materials(dynamat, cascade, etc).

I spoke with a tech at Cascade Audio and told me that the drone issue can be solved by installing one of their sound barrier material (VB 4.5). It's a bit pricy (about $300 to do the whole floor) This material would replace the factory padding under the carpet.

I'm going to order and install it. I hope it works. I'll keep you guys in the loop.

Just remember that exhaust systems/components are not all made of the same quality. If you add a plain steel glass pack you can expect it to last approx two years. The Magnaflow cat-back system has a lifetime warranty.

Koz

Also what some of you guys are missing in your posts is which Magnaflow you have. they come in about four lengths. This will effect the sound characteristics. You can't compare without more more specific details.

Do you have a 16", 18" , 22" muffler? (Not sure on the sizes right this moment).

Also to keep the variables down, where does your exhaust exit - in the stock position, out one side, out two sides, just after the rear axle (offroad high clearance application) etc. and what type of tip have you placed on the end, if any?

I don't know if this will help some of you guys to eliminate the drone issue at certain RPM, but I thought I'd share what I heard. I've met a Sequoia guy with TRD catback exhaust, which was designed similar to the set up on the 4th-G 4Runner. This thing is so quite just like it was stock at start-up and while idling. But it's rumbling like a beast at WOT. The exhaust sounds much better than my Borla. Turn-out, the owner has had the same dronning issue when he first installed on his SUV. He then went to a local muffler shop and added an extra universal resonator onto the pipe. Problem has been gone away and it only cost him $90 bucks. $30 for part and $60 bucks for labor. You guys with Magnaflow can give it a try to see how it turns out. I forgot to ask him who made the resonator. Good luck.

I agree, the length of the muffler makes all the difference in the world. I had my stock muffler taken off and one of the larger Magnaflows put in. Don't remember if it was 22" or 24", I'll have to check my paperwork. But, it sounds great. Not loud at all, just a nice performance sound under acceleration. Very little if any drone at highway speeds.

ddd269 you might want to swap out the muffler for a longer length one that will make highway driving a little more tolerable.

I've got the Magnaflow exhaust on my truck as well, and it sounds awesome for the most part, except for that drone that we all hate. I wanted to let you know not to invest any money in sound deadening material to fix the problem. I've already done that, and it didn't help. I put 2 layers of the stuff in the trunk, two layers under the back seat and the floor boards in the back, 2+ layers on the floor boards in the passenger and drivers seats, and 2 layers inside all 4 doors. It took me a while to get all of the material down. Even after all that $$ and time, the sound is still there! I just went on a 10 hour drive, and I will say that cruising at 70-75mph, it was annoying. I started to miss the quiet cabin of the stock exhaust. i think I may try talking to an exhaust shop about adding a resonator in front of the muffler like some of you have suggested. Sounds like that may be the answer.

Thanks for the info about the sound deadening material... You just saved me a bundle of money and time. It was going to be a $400 project to cover all the floor and passenger side plus time (priceless...).

A question about resonators, though.
1. Will the resonator "eat up" the extra power we gained?
2. Will it quiet it too much?
3. Any experience with a good resonator(brand)?

Thanks for all the input guys.

That's the same info that I want to know. I don't want to be the first one to do it, but I may have to. I've got a baby on the way, and I don't think an infant will be able to sleep soundly with that droning in the cabin.

lol... That's the same thing that I was thinking for the past few weeks. We are planning on our 3rd and this could be an issue.

Or maybe she (I hope it's a girl) will be a motor head and help daddy work on his car!

Any one can help a baby girl with this drone issue?

i guess im the only retard out there that things that my exhaust is too quiet.

I say don't trash the whole cat-back, just have a longer more quiet Magnaflow muffler welded in.

Problem is I think, most here have the cat-back s/s system which I think only comes with a 24'' muff ...I think its a 24 anyway. I think mine is louder after a year of use.
Once you trash the muff, you are left with 2 pipes and a tip for 375??? Ah...I don't know....
Still love the sound outside though, not too loud still but inside is a bear!