Hey guys! I've got an 06' 2.2 Balt... Just bought an Injen CAI, ZZP Mid-Length Headers & 400 cell catted DP combo, and a Borla muffler. Its all 2.5" and custom 2.5" piping is going to be used from the dp to the muffler and out to the tip. Do I need a resonator? I want to try and stay away from the 4 banger rasp.
I'd like a smoother sound.
I've check some videos and other people seemed to be doing alright without a resonator as long as the dp was catted.
Any advice would be appreciated.

 

I would deffinately put a resonator in. These cars can get raspy.
Run the intake in shorty mode, Car runs better.

 

You could probably get a magnaflow res or a zzp res. I'm tempted to get a muffler delete pipe but I don't know how that would sound on my car.

 

I've not yet upped my exhaust to 2.5", but I'm catted with no resonator and a Flowmaster 40 Series. Sounds pretty good to be honest, not much rasp at all, but Im soon to be going up to 2.5" cause Im SC'd, so I really need to.

I've tossed around the idea of trying a muffler delete, but I would have to run a resonator at least because without it, it would be obnoxiously loud from what I've heard. More than likely what I'll end up doing is going with a single hi-flow cat, no resonator, and a Borla muffler. I like the way that set up sounds.

As far as the suggestion to keep the intake in shorty set-up, I can attest to that. Untuned L61's dont like a CAI. You'll throw codes left and right. Its more of a headache and hassle then its worth.

 

So far, I've heard very good things about the Borla pro xs. Really smooth sounding set-up. I'll throw a code with a CAI? what!?

 

get a 2.4 intake manifold and throttle body

 

Where can I find one? I'm kind of new to all of this. I searched earlier, but not much luck. Also, is vibrant a good resonator?

 

Welcome to Cobalt land, Once you enter there's no escape.

 

400 cel cat was a good idea, i can say that forsure. mine is raspy as hell these days. i got an exhaust leak somewhere that doesnt help anything..

 

Bentley, yeah the CAI will throw a code. I cant remember what it is, but the MAF on these cars is pretty damn finicky. When I was still NA I put on a CAI and within 15 miles I was throwing a MAF code and a misfire code. The car ran like absolute sh*t. Put the short ram intake back on and a day later the codes were gone and never came back.

I do agree with going with a hi-flow cat. Personally, I'd skip on the resonator cause with a good muffler, you wont need it. And as far as the 2.4 TB and mani, you can sometimes find them on the classifieds here or you can check your local Craigslist for salvage yards with an LE5 Cobalt and you can get them from there. But you will need to be tuned at that point, from what I understand. I'm told that its a pretty decent improvement over stock, but how much I really dont know.

 

Hmmm. Who woulda thunk it? Lol
Thanks for the advice fellas