Resonator upgrade 8.3 with parts list
I must admit I was skeptical, wasn't wanting to change the exhaust just for a different sound. However....the folks who have gone before and claimed a performance improvement were, if anything, far too modest. The turbo spools up much faster, acceleration from a dead stop is 100% improved. The coach just generally seems happier at cruise and upgrade downshifting is reduced. As far as fuel mileage can't say, it's still above 10 so I'm happy.
Here's how I knew right off performance was improved. Leaving my house there's about 1/2 mile of straight country road I always drive slowly watching out for dogs and critters, checking out the longhorn herd. This road T's into a very busy 2 lane road and the center of a nasty blind curve with Houston road warriors driving like wild bats to get home. As is my custom, I nailed the throttle for a left hand turn. The new acceleration profile caught me by surprise, I almost drove into the ditch on the far side of the road. This alone is worth the cost of admission. Sounds boss too.
The installation scheme reuses the 4" stainless flex, cut down a bit. I left it as long as possible, in fact it laps over the turbo downtube several extra inches. Next comes the 4X5 adapter, followed by a 5" short ell, then a 5" long ell, then the Aero resonator (I used the longer one) then a 45 deg bend, finally the exhaust pipe. Joining the 4X5 adapter to the 4" flex tube necessitated cutting a sleeve from the old 4" exhaust, this is slipped inside the flex exhaust and the adapter and the single flat band clamp goes over that joint. It might be possible to avoid this with a different adapter but I bought what was available. No exhaust parts are contacting anything but the exhaust hangers and the exhaust pipe is staying centered in the enlarged opening.
Not listed in the parts from Ryder Fleet Products are the resonator Aero 5050XL from "our deals rock.com" and the exhaust pipe and one overlooked 4" lap band clamp (I reused the old one but not optimal). Used some 5" aluminized pipe I had on hand as no short lengths of stainless pipe were available. It takes about 24" of this pipe. Also cut from stock on hand was the 2" X 2" steel angle, approx 48" long that I replaced the original hanger bar with. This was extended from original to allow more hangars along the run of the exhaust. As installed it runs slightly downhill after the turns to get our of engine area to exhaust, and parallel with engine and coach. So, the cost was in the 350.00 range all up.
If I was doing it again I would remove the side panel, lots of trips back and forth under the coach as I was working out the installation. Hopefully this will help make the job easier for you. Thanks again to everyone who went ahead with this upgrade, it's well worth the effort.
S48 11S50045A 5" Exhaust Pipe 45 Degree Elbow 1 $22.48
2 S48 12500A Elbow 90 deg alum 5 id 5 od 1 $29.50
3 S48 12510A Elbow 90deg 5 idx5 od 1 $22.87
4 S48 19A500Z Clamp 5" muffler zinc weld 3 $12.30
5 S48 20400ES Flat Band Clamp 4" Stainless Steel Easy Seal 1 $6.49
6 S48 20A500 Preformed Lap Joint Band Clamp 5" Aluminum 6 $39.66
7 S48 28540A Reducer ID 5 1 $14.79
8 VAL V831 Universal Tail Pipe Hanger Heavy Duty 3 $8.16
Ordered Total: $168.20
Topic: Resonator upgrade 8.3 with parts list