Resonator-Tailpipe 1973 Coupe Deville.

[34837]

Hello, After driving car for awhile when heated. a rattle appeared, seems the rear tailpipe hanger needs replacing, also the pipe it self in mushed slightly, too many curbs. According to my paper work the muffler was replaced in the 80's, seems to be holding up. However there is no longer a resonator in place, probably removed at that time. Should I reinstall the resonator, apparently a quieter vehicle but was it popular to remove it for better performance? Thanks, A (the pic is my wife telling me "we can't afford it!" the day we did.)

["Cadillac Kid" Greg Surfas 15364]

Arch
The resonator is exactly that. It is a straight through muffler and has a very negligible effect on performance but does quiet down the exhaust "rumble".
Greg Surfas

[34837]

Thanks Greg, food for thought. Not sure what happened to pic in previous message. Arch

[Highwayman68]

I added the resonator back in a couple of years ago when I redid the exhaust on my 68 to help quiet down the rumble. It's a personal choice more than anything.

[TJ Hopland]

I think the resonator and muffler were a 'tuned' set so if either of them isn't the original spec or designed to work together you may not get the original results.  I have added them and had them fall off where it really didn't make a noticeable difference.  I would imagine the distances and maybe curves come into play too. 

Many quiet muffler designs including many of the stock ones have a soft insulation material inside them that is held in place with a wire mesh.  With short trips and a lot of sitting the mesh rots out and lets the insulation move and restrict the flow so you can have a muffler that looks new on the outside but is blocking flow internally.  They are nice and quiet when they are like that but if you are thinking performance isn't what it once was that could be one reason.