The Resonator split at the seem

The resonator split at the seems, took it to the muffler shop and they said they could not re-weld the seem. They wanted $160 for a new aftermarket resonator or $50 for a straight pipe to replace the resonator they warned me that the Intrigue would be real loud. Looking at the size of the muffler on the Intrigue I did not belive it would be that loud and I went with straight pipe and I was correct, almost no difference in noise. saved a bundle of cash

The resonator split at the seems, took it to the muffler shop and they said they could not re-weld the seem. They wanted $160 for a new aftermarket resonator or $50 for a straight pipe to replace the resonator they warned me that the Intrigue would be real loud. Looking at the size of the muffler on the Intrigue I did not belive it would be that loud and I went with straight pipe and I was correct, almost no difference in noise. saved a bundle of cash

Good decision. How many miles on your intrigue?

Might improve your performance/mileage.

Resonator should have no impact on either, at least not until you become extremely modified.

IMO any effect on either is simply in your head.

Resonators still flow very well, they simply cancel out some of the more abrasive exhaust notes.

^^

What effect would there be in replacing the stock muffler with one that is more on the performance curve?

Well the general rule of thumb in the H-body world, is that the stock muffler flows extremely well, theres a 12 second Bonneville running a stock muffler to attest to this.

As far as the W-body, more specifically the Intrigue and I would include the Regal, Im honestly not sure. I would venture a guess, that it also flows pretty well, and that the performance increase would be minimal. The only thing you would most likely notice would obviously be the sound.

The biggest restriction in a W-body exhaust is the U-bend just behind the catalytic converter. Followed either by the converter itself or arguably the downpipe.

Performance gain from the U-bend delete is obviously more noticeable in the SCed cars, but mine seemed to rev up a little faster after doing. I didnt necessarily notice a power increase perse, but it seemed to rev faster.

I did however notice my intake, but I did the exhaust work before I did the intake, so that chain of events could be related.

This post is already far longer than I intended it to be. My opinion on the muffler is simply my opinion. Ive heard accounts of the resonators being cut open to show that they flow pretty darn well, and shouldnt impede performance though.

If youre looking for a muffler as a performance gain, you might try asking some Regal folks what they think, as Im sure the mufflers are probably quite similar.