Lethal Performance 2020 Shelby GT500 Stainless Steel Resonator Delete

[Epiphany]

After doing something similar with a Borla exhaust system on my GT350 I planned on removing the resonators from my GT500 before I even had the car. To be clear, I'm not looking for stupid loud but rather a hair more tone. More base. I was ready to fab up my own system and had thought all the details through. So when I heard mention that Lethal was going to offer up a resonator delete pipe my ears perked up. I haven't bought much from Lethal in the past and had little experience with them so I was eager to see how this piece would turn out.

I put my order in a couple of weeks ago (link). I was notified via email that it would be two to weeks before the first of these would ship. No biggie as it has been a bit cold here in Upstate, NY and I'm in parts collection mode anyway with plans to wrench when the sun decides to visit us again. I also got an email stating that I'd have to sign a vehicle compliance waiver before it could ship. What with the EPA hammering everyone at current I completely understand the CYA stance that vendors and manufacturers have had to take even on parts that aren't in violation. This part is post-cat so there is no issue with CARB/EPA so I had no issue signing and neither should anyone else contemplating this mod.

I was curious as to who would be manufacturing the pipe assembly as well as quality as I had yet to see any of that mentioned. Well, today was the day I got an email from FedEx saying it would be delivered and that it would require a signature at delivery. The box showed up and looked to have been packaged and handled well.

The packaging was perfect and gets a big thumbs up from me. I couldn't be more impressed with the contents. Major kudos Jared for developing and making available a very high quality piece!

I like to see quality ancillary hardware with any kit and this one doesn't disappoint. Clamps are first rate...

As are the stainless bands which allow you to retain the heat shield (slightly trimmed).

The resonator delete pipe assembly is extremely well done with obvious attention to detail. Mandrel bends are smooth, tig welds are very well done throughout, and the pipe ends are ding free which is important for ease of installation. They even deburred/smoothed the inside where you have to slide the pipe over the factory pipe.

Gussets are strategically placed to make a rigid assembly.

And for those that might want to see the inside of the "X" here you go...

That's it, the more oval hole on the right. I'll likely clean it a bit but would have no problem running it as is.

I really look forward to installing this one. It is has exceeded my expectations. The fact that it was done out of 304 stainless over 409 is a plus in my book as well. Slightly more expensive but the quality makes it absolutely worth it. No doubt lighter than the resonators it replaces, a plus for the rubenesque beast. I'll document everything at install time.

Thanks Lethal for doing this right. I'll definitely be looking at other items you offer as well. The process from ordering to delivery has been very professional and I truly appreciate that and respect the effort on your end.

 

[socal2fast]

How do you plan on cleaning the holes up a bit? I would love to see before and after on your clean up.

I would like to hear would you think on the sound after install. like you I'm not looking for much louder maybe just a little. But mainly just better deeper sound.

 

[Epiphany]

They're just small shavings from cutting. I'll push/pull a rag through the tubes.

I promise to report back on sound when done.

 

[hoot12]

I wonder if this means stainless works is working on a full system for the new gt500....which I'd love to see. I had SW full kit on a 19 whippled gt and man did it sound awesome. Id really like to hear an H pipe on new gt500.

 

[Logan@Lethal]

I am so happy these are going out! They turned out great.. We are lucky to have RareFab / PBD close to us and Ken installed a first edition on his personal GT500.. wow.. it sounds fantastic! You're going to love it. Really appreciate the kind words and in the future, please do not hesitate to call, email, or message me if you have any questions/concerns. #teamlethal

 

[Epiphany]

Thanks Logan. You guys get an A+ on this one.

And thanks for the following link - very informative with plenty of detail.

https://www.lethalperformance.com/info/2020-gt500-resonator-delete

 

[jvandy50]

Oooooh that is a nice touch deburring where they slip on. I've yet to install an exhaust where there wasn't a file, dremel, or mallet involved.

 

[Epiphany]

We hit 30* outside so I figured I'd get going on this one. Car up in the air on my low rise lift, I slid underneath and started by wiring up the exhaust in a couple of places. I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to remove the stainless band clamps holding the heat shield on.

ProTip - you can slip a screwdriver underneath the clamps, rotate it, and stretch the clamp a bit such that it is raised up and easier to cut, without nicking the underlying exhaust tubing.

You can then carefully slide the shield back, underneath the differential housing, and out.

I then measured from the center of the front clamps back, 30.5", and marked two cut lines. You can use the just removed clamps you cut off to aid in scribing straight lines.

I used a short metal cutting blade in a cordless DeWalt sawzall to cut through the pipes. If you try to use a long blade you run the risk of hitting the CF driveshaft - something you do not want to do.

I removed the resonator section and moved on to trimming the heatshield. I marked it where directed by Lethal.

I decided to make my cut an additional 1/4" beyond the cut line. I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to fold the additional material back over itself, creating a flanged seal like the factory does.

I used a pair of pliers to fold the additional material over itself and then flattened it down with a ball peen hammer.

I liked the idea of doing the above as the front end (or cut end) of the shield will hit water head on and by doing this you in effect seal off the insulating material inside.

I figured it'd be nice to see if you save any weight so I threw both the Lethal pipe and the factory resonator section on the scale.

Side by side...

I'll finish up tomorrow when I have the chance.

 

[socal2fast]

anyone know if this will Kill the Ford warty on the Active Exhaust? I know sometime those go out.

 

[Epiphany]

I didn't see them failing due to a lack of resonators on GT350R models...

 

[marklboris]

Great write up so far and tips on the install. I just received mine today and as you, I am very impressed with the quality of their work. Now, all I need is a car to install it in.

 

[5.Oh Crush]

anyone know if this will Kill the Ford warty on the Active Exhaust? I know sometime those go out.

it does not.

 

[LethalBlake]

We hit 30* outside so I figured I'd get going on this one. Car up in the air on my low rise lift, I slid underneath and started by wiring up the exhaust in a couple of places. I used a dremel with a cutoff wheel to remove the stainless band clamps holding the heat shield on.

ProTip - you can slip a screwdriver underneath the clamps, rotate it, and stretch the clamp a bit such that it is raised up and easier to cut, without nicking the underlying exhaust tubing.

You can then carefully slide the shield back, underneath the differential housing, and out.

I then measured from the center of the front clamps back, 30.5", and marked two cut lines. You can use the just removed clamps you cut off to aid in scribing straight lines.

I used a short metal cutting blade in a cordless DeWalt sawzall to cut through the pipes. If you try to use a long blade you run the risk of hitting the CF driveshaft - something you do not want to do.

I removed the resonator section and moved on to trimming the heatshield. I marked it where directed by Lethal.

I decided to make my cut an additional 1/4" beyond the cut line. I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to fold the additional material back over itself, creating a flanged seal like the factory does.

I used a pair of pliers to fold the additional material over itself and then flattened it down with a ball peen hammer.

I liked the idea of doing the above as the front end (or cut end) of the shield will hit water head on and by doing this you in effect seal off the insulating material inside.

I figured it'd be nice to see if you save any weight so I threw both the Lethal pipe and the factory resonator section on the scale.

Side by side...

I'll finish up tomorrow when I have the chance.

Thanks for the great write up and detailed pictures! Im sure this will help people going forward

 

[Epiphany]

Thanks Blake. Having a video and a writeup from you guys made it pretty easy and made things a lot clearer in my mind.

I had a short window to pick at this again so I did what I could before having to stop. I started by spraying the inside of the pipe with some citrus degreaser followed by pushing a shop rag through with a broom handle. I did this half a dozen times to clean it up.

If it helps, these are the short blades I used in my sawzall that keep you away from the CF driveshaft when making the two cuts to the OEM pipes. You can find them at Home Depot, etc.

I cleaned up the cuts with a file on the inside and some emery cloth on the outside.

At this point you can slide the supplied clamps in place at the rear of the delete pipe and slip the rear of it over the cuts you made and as far rearward as it will go.

You can then slide the factory clamps up front onto the Lethal pipe (orientating the the sprung tabs so they line up with the nubs on the pipes they slip onto at the front). You can then fit one inside the other and then slide them home...

I'll add the heatshield and finish when I have a few minutes. A very pleasurable mod. A view from the rear looking forward.

 

[gfcobra04]

Thanks for the great write up. Just ordered one.
I like the added detail of folding the heat shield over to protect the insulation inside.
After doing the install in your opinion is trimming the heat shield necessary?