MRT V1, it's mine!!

[Saint_Shroomie]

Certainly made me put the damn briefcases back on. If you're worried about drone, the V2 May be a better choice, though I've heard there is a slight drone with them as well. To be honest though, I think the root of the drone problem for MRT is that the axle back is just too loud. Before I put the v1s on, I did a few revs with the mufflers cut off and I had a very hard time telling the difference between the v1 and just the muffler delete. Just my opinion though.

Personally, I'm gonna drop the extra cash for a cat back that's a touch quieter, and little to no drone. Better than the headache I got with the V1s.

[Saint_Shroomie]

Just for everyone's information, if you really want to know what it's like driving with an MRT V1, and you want to know what the drone is actually like. Get your smartphone or some other device, and play the following clip through the speakers in your car with the volume set to 19 (granted I did this with the premium sound system in the 2LT). The drone is picked up very well with the camera, and from my experience with the V1's that's about the correct loudness.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/mIuS8vZ...ZMskx33uodnZmG

[skibik]

That is pretty close to what my V2's with the Solo HFC's sound like. I don't think you would like the V2's alone either. I think they are a little quieter than the V1's but not much. I really can't say what cat back exhaust will do for the sound or drone but if you're on a budget your best bet is stick with the stock mufflers. Hope you find a happy medium.

Dean.

[Saint_Shroomie]

Originally Posted by skibik

That is pretty close to what my V2's with the Solo HFC's sound like. I don't think you would like the V2's alone either. I think they are a little quieter than the V1's but not much. I really can't say what cat back exhaust will do for the sound or drone but if you're on a budget your best bet is stick with the stock mufflers. Hope you find a happy medium.

Dean.

If only staying stock was a choice. Now, it's too late. I've heard what my engine can sound like, and there is no going back. Don't get me wrong, I want quieter than the V1s, they're still too loud, but after experiencing the awesome sound they were capable of producing, the stock exhaust is too quiet now. It actually feels quieter than it was before I had the V1s.

It's as if the Chevy gods have forsaken me! Why have you abandoned me oh great Chevy gods!? Why!? Just give me a sign!

[skibik]

Originally Posted by Saint_Shroomie

If only staying stock was a choice. Now, it's too late. I've heard what my engine can sound like, and there is no going back. Don't get me wrong, I want quieter than the V1s, they're still too loud, but after experiencing the awesome sound they were capable of producing, the stock exhaust is too quiet now. It actually feels quieter than it was before I had the V1s.

It's as if the Chevy gods have forsaken me! Why have you abandoned me oh great Chevy gods!? Why!? Just give me a sign!

Have you thought about trying to replace the h-pipe for a MagnaFlow X-pipe before tossing money into a whole cat back system? Just a suggestion and from what I have read it is supposed to mellow out the tone and help the drone. I guess I just thought I would throw that out there as I don't know if you are on a budget. It would be something I would look into before tossing a grand into cat backs myself.

The video you posted, Screamin', he does a video for the V2 and that is what sold me on that exhaust. Not saying that the V2's will help your situation. In his words "the sound is a little more subdues than the V1's". I hope you find the gold at the end of the rainbow. Good luck with the search.

Dean.

[Saint_Shroomie]

Originally Posted by skibik

Have you thought about trying to replace the h-pipe for a MagnaFlow X-pipe before tossing money into a whole cat back system? Just a suggestion and from what I have read it is supposed to mellow out the tone and help the drone. I guess I just thought I would throw that out there as I don't know if you are on a budget. It would be something I would look into before tossing a grand into cat backs myself.

The video you posted, Screamin', he does a video for the V2 and that is what sold me on that exhaust. Not saying that the V2's will help your situation. In his words "the sound is a little more subdues than the V1's". I hope you find the gold at the end of the rainbow. Good luck with the search.

Dean.

I have thought about that. In fact, I even purchased one hoping it would tame the drone, but I never got around to installing it. I drove to work the day the resonated x-pipe arrived, and was thinking I could stand the drone until I got the x-pipe installed. Then I drove home that same day, and after an hour long headache inducing drive, the only thing I wanted to do was cut the damn V1's off and get the stock exhaust back on.

I didn't want to spend $100 to get the x-pipe installed, then discover it didn't take care of the damn drone. After thinking it over, I thought that if that happened, I could add a couple of Vibrant Super Quiet Resonators (the same mufflers on the V2 I think) rather than try to get my hands on some V2s, but at about $100 bucks each plus install you've already broken Solo Cat-back price range once you account for the cost of the V1s and the Resonated X-pipe, and all with the added risk of not knowing what the car would sound like. I was afraid that I would wind up dumping too much money into this pattern of "Try this! Does it fix it? Nope. Try This!" then be left with a car that sounded like crap, all to kill some drone, and a touch of volume.

All in all, my thought process was like this...

Got the V1's (+$500)

Hated it.

Maybe add a resonated x-pipe (+$100, +$100 at least for install).

Like it? Yeah? Great. Total Spent: $700

Don't? Damn.

Swap the V1's for V2's (+$300 at least, assuming a trade is not possible. I just sold my V1's for $325 today for a $175 loss. I paid $500 including taxes)

OR

Add 2 Vibrant Super Quiet Resonators (+$200, +$100 bucks at least for install)

Like it? Yeah? Great. Total Spent: $1000

Don't? Damn.

I feel like if I reached this point and wasn't happy, I would have just said forget it, and put the stock mufflers back on (+$100 at least for install of stock mufflers, -$350 for the sale of the V2's or -$325 if I had kept the V1s, -$50 for the sale of the x-pipe or nothing if I kept it, and -$100 for the sale of the Vibrant Super Quiet Resonators)

Total Spent: $600 +/- $50 (All so I could keep my stock mufflers, and piss off my wife)

And IMO, this would be a conservative estimate of the loss. Then in order for me to be happy, add in the price of either a nice cat back (+$1100) or a new axle back (+$500, +$100 possible install needed to add more pipe from when I cut it for the V1s), barring this same process from repeating.

Total Spent: $1100 - 1800 (Low end being an axle back, that's a really expensive axle back, and high end being a cat back, that's also a really expensive cat back, and an extremely pissed off wife)

Or I could have gone this route, which I am...

Sell the V1's (-$325 for sale of the V1s, -$100 for the return of the uninstalled x-pipe, +$100 for the install of the stock exhaust while I hunt for something new) and purchase a nice catback exhaust I'VE ACTUALLY HEARD IN PERSON (+$1100) and be happy with about 10 times less hassle.

Total Spent: $1375 (Slightly more than a nice Cat Back cause I made the MRT mistake, a relatively undamaged stock exhaust for reinstall when the car is sold, and a moderately happy wife)

And in case you're wondering, my wife's happiness meter isn't based on the cost, but rather her perception of whether or not I'm screwing up our brand new Camaro, lol.

So rather than go through a bunch of trial and error, I've decided I'm going to just get a cat back that's rather drone free. I'm thinking a Corsa or an Ark DTS. Do they sound as amazing as the MRTs at WOT? I don't know yet, but even if they don't, I think that's a small price to pay to be able to drive all day, have a car that can still roar, and be headache free.

Moral of the story: Listen to the damn things in person BEFORE you buy them.

[Kessler]

corsa has a cat back with j-pipes pre-installed. J-Pipes work, J-pipes kill drone.

I bought MRT v1, bought the 3 u-pipes off summit racing, customized v1 before installing, Never heard the drone. I can empathize your thought processes, But I am happy it worked out for me. I wish you luck when your get your exhaust the way you want it.

[skibik]

I understand the pain. It sure would be nice to see or try some of the mods before installing. As for exhaust it makes it tough when all you have is video clips. Where I live these cars are far and few so it isn't an option. I guess I am just glad mine worked out. I have had that feeling like I wish I could see, touch or hear mods in person. When it comes to regrets on buying something for me the biggest waste of money was the gauge face plates for the tach and speedo. I relied on pictures and since these are special order and they can't be returned. I just rendered all my warning lights useless during the day as they can only be seen at night with the dash lights turned on high, at least I am only out $85 on them. The only nice thing is I was sent the complete set for the 4 pack gauges as well and that was supposed to be a $250 set. LOL, I had to buy the gauge cluster and a harness just so I could use the face plates for those gauges. The only other mod I still have doubts about is the Solo HFC's. Even though it sounds pretty sweet to me it was more then I should have spent. Of course I wasn't really going for the sound as much as I was going for the added performance when I bought them. It was supposed to be an added 15 RWHP and I know it isn't much considering what we have already but to me there was no noticeable difference at all. After I had them installed I have been kind of regretting it ever since considering the price.

It looks like you have a plan and hope it works out. You will have to get a clip of the new system when it is installed. Good luck.

Dean.

[Saint_Shroomie]

Originally Posted by Kessler

corsa has a cat back with j-pipes pre-installed. J-Pipes work, J-pipes kill drone.

I bought MRT v1, bought the 3 u-pipes off summit racing, customized v1 before installing, Never heard the drone. I can empathize your thought processes, But I am happy it worked out for me. I wish you luck when your get your exhaust the way you want it.

I'm glad you're j-pipes worked out for you. I almost went that route after seeing your posts about them in the other thread. I decided not to because I read they only work for certain frequencies based on the length. Even when they're adjustable you still are only getting a specific frequency, and I was afraid I would knock it out in one range, and then just be bothered by it in another. I also didn't want to cut a hole in the V1s then not be able to sell them.

Originally Posted by skibik

I understand the pain. It sure would be nice to see or try some of the mods before installing. As for exhaust it makes it tough when all you have is video clips. Where I live these cars are far and few so it isn't an option. I guess I am just glad mine worked out. I have had that feeling like I wish I could see, touch or hear mods in person. When it comes to regrets on buying something for me the biggest waste of money was the gauge face plates for the tach and speedo. I relied on pictures and since these are special order and they can't be returned. I just rendered all my warning lights useless during the day as they can only be seen at night with the dash lights turned on high, at least I am only out $85 on them. The only nice thing is I was sent the complete set for the 4 pack gauges as well and that was supposed to be a $250 set. LOL, I had to buy the gauge cluster and a harness just so I could use the face plates for those gauges. The only other mod I still have doubts about is the Solo HFC's. Even though it sounds pretty sweet to me it was more then I should have spent. Of course I wasn't really going for the sound as much as I was going for the added performance when I bought them. It was supposed to be an added 15 RWHP and I know it isn't much considering what we have already but to me there was no noticeable difference at all. After I had them installed I have been kind of regretting it ever since considering the price.

It looks like you have a plan and hope it works out. You will have to get a clip of the new system when it is installed. Good luck.

Dean.

That sucks about the HFCs, they're indeed expensive. I would say they probably aren't worth it unless you're racing regularly, or really really really need that exhaust to be a touch deeper. If you regret em, I'd recommend tossing em up for sale. Someone will pick em up, provided they don't have too many miles on em. Then at least you can recover something. Did you keep the stock cats?

[skibik]

Originally Posted by Saint_Shroomie

That sucks about the HFCs, they're indeed expensive. I would say they probably aren't worth it unless you're racing regularly, or really really really need that exhaust to be a touch deeper. If you regret em, I'd recommend tossing em up for sale. Someone will pick em up, provided they don't have too many miles on em. Then at least you can recover something. Did you keep the stock cats?

Yes I did but I am in kind of the same boat. I paid someone to put them in because passenger really sucks to get that side off. I would have to sink another c-note to put the stock back on. Don't get me wrong I do think it sounds great just not $700+ great(cost of cats and install). I was fortunate, or unfortunate depending on how I look at it, to get in on the group buy or I wouldn't even have bought them. You mention drone, how about a fitment issue with drivers side resonator hitting the cross member, you want to talk annoying. Solo was going to pay to have them replaced with a set they knew fit. I said I wasn't going to bother pulled it off and put a dent in it so it would clear the cross member. It is one of those things even though I like it I just wished I would have saved my money and spent it on something else kind of thinking. Hindsight is 20/20! I have come to the conclusion it does sound nice, I just have to learn to live without the thought of what I could have spent the money on otherwise.

Dean.