What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? - The Ford Focus Forum

**xFOCIx** · 10-16-2009, 08:51 PM

I backed my tail pipe into a concrete post. I got the piping straightened out so it's not chaffeing on things, but I think baffles are collapsed inside, because my mileage is down 20%.

Is it possible to check the back pressure using the drainage hole on the front muffler?

If I remove the lunchbox and replace with a plain pipe, how much louder would it get?

**Spyder** · 10-16-2009, 09:02 PM

It's not going to get too much louder at all. Some people do it to improve the look and sound. It just gets a little louder, I did it myself a while ago.

**snake eyes** · 10-17-2009, 12:47 PM

I go back and forth and it's not much louder, and actually the ST's don't even have it. it is louder than stock by a little bit but when you get on it is when you will notice a difference, idle is a bit louder honestly if you have someone in the car before and after they won't notice much of a difference.

<l><l>

**Nickgt40** · 10-17-2009, 01:04 PM

I did it on my zetec for looks if nothing else. I think it definitely made a difference in the amount of sound that is put off, contrary to what is stated above. However, that may just be a duratec vs. zetec thing. It definitely makes you put your foot into it a bit more because it sounds better under load. So your mileage will probably go down from before the accident, but at the same time, a restricted exhaust isn't going to be very good for economy either.

**xFOCIx** · 10-18-2009, 05:26 PM

I was averaging 27mpg mixed and my driving habits haven't changed and I'm averaging 23mpg. This is lame, but I don't want my car to sound like a ricer. I like it nice and quiet.

Does anyone happen to have diagram of what its like inside the lunch box or a cut away picture?

**snake eyes** · 10-18-2009, 07:43 PM

sure there arent any other problems? I don't think a tap in the bumper will cause that. Fuel filter up to date on replacement (every 30k)? Any CEL's? tried different gas stations? Something tells me there is either more done than said or something else got screwed up in the process. BTW remember fuel is going to winter blend so your going to lose a lil mileage since there will be an increased % of methanol in the gas.

edit: I did see a lunchbox for sale either on here or FF in case you just want a stock replacement

<l><l>

**cobrawannabe cdw27** · 10-18-2009, 08:22 PM

It's stock on STs which means that it isn't ricey. Ford did it. Definately worthwhile, especially if you weld on a nice, 2.75" or 3" tip.

**mnfocusS** · 10-19-2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrawannabe cdw27

it isn't ricey.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrawannabe cdw27

3" tip.

these do not go together.

**Cameroon** · 10-19-2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xFOCIx

Does anyone happen to have diagram of what its like inside the lunch box or a cut away picture?

I don't have a pic but have seen one cut in half. The piping goes through the 'box' in the "S" pattern you would imagine it would. There are two holes in the pipe where it is oriented left right (the exhaust gasses escape through the holes towards the front/back of the car).

Thats it the pipe with two holes passing through a box.

**locdowg7** · 10-20-2009, 12:02 AM

What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe?

Simple awnser: For every resonator removed god kills a kitten. If you can handle that then the above awnsers will help to.

**Mabolzichjjl** · 10-20-2009, 02:23 AM

anyone got a vid without their "lunchbox"?

if i could remove it - it'd be a godsend... its ugly as hell. moreover, i dont really wanna buy a whole exhaust system to get a bit better sound......

**Focusfre4k** · 10-20-2009, 08:16 AM

Not sure why you guys even have a thread about this...just chop it off and extend the piping with a good looking tip and call it a day.

**Mabolzichjjl** · 10-20-2009, 06:54 PM

he posted a thread asking before makes a decision that could effect his car!

**xFOCIx** · 10-20-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Focusfre4k

Not sure why you guys even have a thread about this...just chop it off and extend the piping with a good looking tip and call it a day.

I have no idea how effective the lunchbox is and I don't want my car to sound like ricer Civic or attract cops and I don't know just how much it would make it louder by removing it.

I prefer to research before doing it.

**cobrawannabe cdw27** · 10-21-2009, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnfocusS

these do not go together.

You do realize that a 3" tip is .25" bigger than a stock ST tip, right?

**cobrawannabe cdw27** · 10-21-2009, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by locdowg7

What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe?

Simple awnser: For every resonator removed god kills a kitten. If you can handle that then the above awnsers will help to.

Have you any experience with this mod on this car? Apparently not.

**Mabolzichjjl** · 10-21-2009, 01:07 AM

how do ya think it would sound with the lunch box cut off and a glass pack thrown on there?

**locdowg7** · 10-21-2009, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrawannabe cdw27

Have you any experience with this mod on this car? Apparently not.

Damn dude it was sapose to be a joke ya know funny haha...

To awnser your question no I havent done this mod nor would I. I am more interested in performance gains and how my car drives then the way it sounds. Which is why Ima get FS stealth exhaust cuz I perfer the sound of the motor over the sound of the exhaust.

**Focusfre4k** · 10-21-2009, 04:33 AM

XFociX, Jason(deception) has this done, he is located in the Portland area, he has this done. It sounds fine. If you remove the two cat's..then it will be loud. just take it off.

**rightfootfirst** · 10-21-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mabolzichjjl

anyone got a vid without their "lunchbox"?

if i could remove it - it'd be a godsend... its ugly as hell. moreover, i dont really wanna buy a whole exhaust system to get a bit better sound......

ill post one up in a lil (i like the sound but never heard it with the lunch box cause i got it used recently)

**daschj** · 10-21-2009, 12:07 PM

HEy Foci- I did this mod on my 2004 2.3 ZX3. It is only slightly louder. Inside and driving you will likely not even notice the difference. It is not ricey and it is not a cop magnet. I cannot attest to any increase in performance because I did not do pre and post testing. It did weigh slightly less than 10 lbs. Less weight is better for both performance and economy. I had a chromed tip put on the replacement pipe. IF I were to redo I'd have a stainless steel tip added. The PZEV engine is so clean, the inside of the chrome pipe is showing rust stains. Total cost= about $30. It made me feel better.

**DueceCoupe** · 10-21-2009, 12:08 PM

Youtube has tons of vids on this....
Search Focus Lunchbox to hear good examples of this.
I think it is a nice sounding easy mod.

**rightfootfirst** · 10-21-2009, 12:13 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHnOl6GPsfo
early in the am (hence the exhaust fog) and dont really notice it once your on the road

**MrBirdman330** · 10-21-2009, 02:48 PM

ST Exhaust is louder than that though. I think the only exhaust louder than the ST is the FSwerks actual Racing Exhaust which I plan to put on my ST once the Factory Exhaust is done for. Which after 5 years and still going strong is amazing.

**mnfocusS** · 10-21-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobrawannabe cdw27

You do realize that a 3" tip is .25" bigger than a stock ST tip, right?

Which is why I didn't say anything about the 2.75" tip.

10-16-2009, 08:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
xFOCIx TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 348	What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? I backed my tail pipe into a concrete post. I got the piping straightened out so it's not chaffeing on things, but I think baffles are collapsed inside, because my mileage is down 20%. Is it possible to check the back pressure using the drainage hole on the front muffler? If I remove the lunchbox and replace with a plain pipe, how much louder would it get?

10-16-2009, 09:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spyder TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WI Posts: 314	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? It's not going to get too much louder at all. Some people do it to improve the look and sound. It just gets a little louder, I did it myself a while ago. __________________ My 2002 ZX3 with tasteful mods is for sale! PM me if interested!

10-17-2009, 12:47 PM	#3 (permalink)
snake eyes TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: houston (katy), tx Posts: 336	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? I go back and forth and it's not much louder, and actually the ST's don't even have it. it is louder than stock by a little bit but when you get on it is when you will notice a difference, idle is a bit louder honestly if you have someone in the car before and after they won't notice much of a difference. <l><l> __________________ 2005 ses zx3 5sp- svt 5 spokes and sitting on SVT suspension, some other random stuff, DONE! 1988 supra- the new project..... now running and working out the kinks, just a lil faster than the focus

10-18-2009, 05:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
xFOCIx TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: PDX Posts: 348	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? I was averaging 27mpg mixed and my driving habits haven't changed and I'm averaging 23mpg. This is lame, but I don't want my car to sound like a ricer. I like it nice and quiet. Does anyone happen to have diagram of what its like inside the lunch box or a cut away picture?

10-18-2009, 07:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
snake eyes TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: houston (katy), tx Posts: 336	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? sure there arent any other problems? I don't think a tap in the bumper will cause that. Fuel filter up to date on replacement (every 30k)? Any CEL's? tried different gas stations? Something tells me there is either more done than said or something else got screwed up in the process. BTW remember fuel is going to winter blend so your going to lose a lil mileage since there will be an increased % of methanol in the gas. edit: I did see a lunchbox for sale either on here or FF in case you just want a stock replacement <l><l>

10-18-2009, 08:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
cobrawannabe cdw27 BOOTSTOMPED! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Colchester, CT (I follow the box) Posts: 845	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? It's stock on STs which means that it isn't ricey. Ford did it. Definately worthwhile, especially if you weld on a nice, 2.75" or 3" tip. __________________ Matt- Call me Wannabe Pitch Black on Black/Red 2006 ST---23D/5-speed- Energy-Elbrus- I WANNA BE FOCUSSTGUY WHEN I GROW UP!!!

10-20-2009, 12:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
locdowg7 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 84	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? Simple awnser: For every resonator removed god kills a kitten. If you can handle that then the above awnsers will help to.

10-20-2009, 02:23 AM	#11 (permalink)
Mabolzichjjl Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 44	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? anyone got a vid without their "lunchbox"? if i could remove it - it'd be a godsend... its ugly as hell. moreover, i dont really wanna buy a whole exhaust system to get a bit better sound......

10-20-2009, 08:16 AM	#12 (permalink)
Focusfre4k I pay 5 dollar! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OR Posts: 3,294	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? Not sure why you guys even have a thread about this...just chop it off and extend the piping with a good looking tip and call it a day. __________________ 2008 Focus coupe - current 2005 Focus ZX5 - gone, but not forgotten "you could walk around with an overpriced slow Mac in a manila folder and be like "Yo, check this out, aww yeah, you didn't think there was a laptop inside but there was!!!""- Ducman

10-20-2009, 06:54 PM	#13 (permalink)
Mabolzichjjl Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 44	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? he posted a thread asking before makes a decision that could effect his car!

10-21-2009, 01:07 AM	#17 (permalink)
Mabolzichjjl Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 44	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? how do ya think it would sound with the lunch box cut off and a glass pack thrown on there?

10-21-2009, 04:33 AM	#19 (permalink)
Focusfre4k I pay 5 dollar! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: OR Posts: 3,294	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? XFociX, Jason(deception) has this done, he is located in the Portland area, he has this done. It sounds fine. If you remove the two cat's..then it will be loud. just take it off. __________________ 2008 Focus coupe - current 2005 Focus ZX5 - gone, but not forgotten "you could walk around with an overpriced slow Mac in a manila folder and be like "Yo, check this out, aww yeah, you didn't think there was a laptop inside but there was!!!""- Ducman

10-21-2009, 12:07 PM	#21 (permalink)
daschj Rookie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 13	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? HEy Foci- I did this mod on my 2004 2.3 ZX3. It is only slightly louder. Inside and driving you will likely not even notice the difference. It is not ricey and it is not a cop magnet. I cannot attest to any increase in performance because I did not do pre and post testing. It did weigh slightly less than 10 lbs. Less weight is better for both performance and economy. I had a chromed tip put on the replacement pipe. IF I were to redo I'd have a stainless steel tip added. The PZEV engine is so clean, the inside of the chrome pipe is showing rust stains. Total cost= about $30. It made me feel better. Last edited by daschj; 10-21-2009 at 12:08 PM. Reason: spelling

10-21-2009, 12:08 PM	#22 (permalink)
DueceCoupe Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 94	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? Youtube has tons of vids on this.... Search Focus Lunchbox to hear good examples of this. I think it is a nice sounding easy mod.

10-21-2009, 12:13 PM	#23 (permalink)
rightfootfirst Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 4	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHnOl6GPsfo early in the am (hence the exhaust fog) and dont really notice it once your on the road

10-21-2009, 02:48 PM	#24 (permalink)
MrBirdman330 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: At a U-Haul Center near you. Posts: 1,472	Re: What happens if I remove the resonator/lunch box by the tail pipe? ST Exhaust is louder than that though. I think the only exhaust louder than the ST is the FSwerks actual Racing Exhaust which I plan to put on my ST once the Factory Exhaust is done for. Which after 5 years and still going strong is amazing. __________________ Everybody says you can't make money off small cars. Well, you'd better damn well figure out how to make money, because that's where the world is going. - Alan Mulally

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