To all owners of VE SS or SSV wagons with modified exhausts

[loku16]

Hi Guys,
I have a VE SSV wagon and got a full 3" exhaust including OTR and extractors from VCM. The bloody thing drones at 2000 and can't seem to get rid of it. I know some places guarantee that their systems will not drone but I'm asking whether your wagon drones at 2000rpm and if not, what system you have. The boys at VCM put some sort of diffuser in the mufflers but it has helped only marginally and they say they have not had this issue in any other wagons. They said my large wheels 20" with 275s at rear might contribute but I can't see how.

I know that we don't like to criticise our own cars and the mods we have done but I would appreciate honest feedback on your exhaust system.

Thanks in advance.
Arj

[gsh1970]

I have same mods ie vcm and no drone all / I have SSV ute auto with standard 19" wheels - I know yr asking about wagons but might assist

[RUF-60L]

u have AFM???? if so is it switched off?

[bennypage]

Personally I think your problem might be the 3 inch. I have a full HM/Perry 2.5" exhaust including extractors and outlaw cats fitted by Walkinshaw and there is minimal drone. I am off Walkinshaw now as I have had a horrid experience recently. But the hardware is good.

[Nemo316]

My sedan drones a bit at 2000rpm but I've only got a 2.5" cat back at the moment, I'm getting headers and a VCM otr cai soon.

[Lumps of cheese]

Brothers wagon has no drone with his 2.5" full kpm system, it's a manual too.
Is yours an auto? Most systems will drone a bit in the wagons with autos, not much you can do about it.

[BlueSteele]

Wagons are very difficult. Kinda thinking the same as RUF. is the AFM off??
the only other thing that could fix it is change your diff gears to a 3.45 or 3.7..will get it out of the drone zone

[loku16]

AFM is off. Has had a full tune too.

Wagons are very difficult. Kinda thinking the same as RUF. is the AFM off??
the only other thing that could fix it is change your diff gears to a 3.45 or 3.7..will get it out of the drone zone

I was thinking the same. Expensive option though! Wondering if I put some HM/Perry mufflers whether that would help!

[CORNYY]

Personally I think your problem might be the 3 inch. I have a full HM/Perry 2.5" exhaust including extractors and outlaw cats fitted by Walkinshaw and there is minimal drone. I am off Walkinshaw now as I have had a horrid experience recently. But the hardware is good.

Think this guy might be on the money? I know you can put 3" on v8 but majority have 2.5 the three is sometimes just to big an its sucking out to much causing the drone affect when cruising around that RPM, I could be wrong do you have a mate with the same car or that could help you out an swap exhaust for a week sort of thing?

[TinSnips]

VCM market their 3 inch as the quieter of the 2 (3 vs 2.5) in their range, for stock motors. They recommend against fitting a 2.5 inch to a wagon incase it drones.

I know you've been struggling with this issue for a while, Loku - I would have thought they'd have sorted it by now. All the best with it mate.

[HUX 90]

You could try lining the rear floor of the wagon with dynamat to help reduce the drone

[loku16]

Yeah I bought Dynamat and everything but panel beater/repair place told me that it might be useless because of the ribbed floor on the wagon. You would be putting the sheet over the plastic ribbed area trapping air. Not sure what affect that will have. Also to remove all panels to line the wheel arches would set me back about $400 all up. That's $800 sound proofing job ($400 for the dynamat) for the boot because I'm not game enough to remove the panels myself!

[VooDooWagon]

Just curious as to what speed are you doing to be revving at 2000rpm?

[SSV Redline]

We have the entire cargo area lined with dynamat (including wheel arches) before having a full, 2.5 inch KPM system fitted. Don know if it drones as I dont know what a drone sounds like. Our AFM is still working and we use the semi auto function a lot. Isnt your Cruise For Charity 8 event coming up soon. Oh wait that is Brisbane. Go to the one in Melbourne and ask the question there where you can compare with other wagon owners. Hope you find a quick, cheap and permanent fix.

ON a side note, I'm off to Paris on Sunday for the third leg of our European tour and I have hired a maloo ute for a day for a trip from Bern to Brussels. Cant wait to wind up that V8 on their open roads.

[HEXEM]

I have a VE SSV wagon and got a full 3" exhaust including OTR and extractors from VCM. The bloody thing drones at 2000.
Arj

What configuration are the rear mufflers? I found with my SSV auto that the 'true' dual pipes with chrome tips coming out the back of the muffer created alot of drone at the 1800rpm range. I eliminated my drone by fitting a rear muffler which has a Y pipe with chrome tips.

[glennho]

get a j pipe(helmholts resinator) put on your mufflers.needs to be 730mm long approx,google it or look on the G8 FORUMS. I have j pipes on straight thru tail pipes and there is no drone.

[Gambel]

Loku I have full 3" varex system with no drone at any speed fully open, very happy with it even though alot of people bag varex.
Maybe get some varex rear boxes so you can quieten it up, mine cost 550 for both rear muffler boxes.

[loku16]

Just curious as to what speed are you doing to be revving at 2000rpm?

50-60 in school zone etc and when accelerating slow.

thanks for the replies and suggestions guys.

[POVRTY]

i am following this thread closely as i am purchasing an exhaust for my ssv wags manual..... let us know when and how u solve your problem and good luck

[pjdm1980]

I've got 3" X-force system with Pacemaker extractors and there is no drone at all, it's a sedan though.

[loku16]

Yeah mate... it's not an issue with the sedans. Because the wagon has a big open space and longer wheel base, apparently droning can occur. What I don't understand is

1. If you fit the same equipment in two wagons, how can one drone and the other not?
2. How can different sized wheels contribute to droning? Not talking about changing diameter of the wheels but just having 20" 275s at the rear?

Anyway...hopefully I can get rid of the droning! Doesn't help that I got an auto either I guess. (to confirm AFM is off)

[RUF-60L]

Yeah mate... it's not an issue with the sedans. Because the wagon has a big open space and longer wheel base, apparently droning can occur. What I don't understand is

1. If you fit the same equipment in two wagons, how can one drone and the other not?

well everyones definition of drone is different, u could sit in someones car who says it drones and u might not hear it.....

just like some ppl say its 'loud' drone.....it might not be loud to u

[-vkhg]

subscribed, my old mans had his exhaust done in his ss auto sedan and it drones crusing at 80 and 100. sounds like shit so im being really careful in looking for an exhaust system for my sedan.. let us know how you go?

[TraidMarc]

I have an SS-V Sportwagon with KPM stainless 2.5 cat back AFM Auto and no drone that I can speak of, and if anything it is quieter when the AFM kicks in but sounds muted. Over all i think it is loud but I have been driving a Mazda 3 SP-23 for the last 6 years, where as my mate thinks it is quiet..........compared to his 5.7 with a full Di-Fillipo system. One thing I have noticed since putting an OTR on is that AFM will kick in at doing 40km where as it never kicked in until 60km before(but that is another topic, see tuner section)

[VooDooWagon]

50-60 in school zone etc and when accelerating slow.

thanks for the replies and suggestions guys.

Does the auto rev that high at such slow speeds? My M6 is doing 1500rpm in 3rd at 50kph and 1900rpm at 60kph but no drone.

In 4th gear at 60kph it's revving at 1600rpm. I would've thought the auto would of been in a similar rev range in the same gear.