The stock resonator on my car had developed an annoying buzz and a small leak so it had to go. I read all the old threads on here regarding removal of the resonator and replacement with a glass pack, vs. straight pipe, and all the differing opinions on sound.
Well, today, I'd had enough, and swung by my local muffler shop to just have the stupid thing cut out and a 2.5" straight stainless pipe welded in. I figured if it's horrible, I can section that pipe and add a glass pack, and I wouldn't have lost much, anyway, as pipe work would be needed to adapt a shorter glass pack to the space where the resonator used to be, regardless.
So far, I'm perfectly happy with the sound with no resonator. For anyone with a bad resonator and considering just dumping it, here is my assessment of what to expect with stock mufflers, for what it's worth.
I have a more or less stock 2005 GTP with a slightly upgraded cam and a ZZP 3" catted downpipe. Stock exhaust manifolds and mufflers.
With a 2.5" pipe in place of the resonator, idle sounds exactly the same. Mid throttle pulls are very slightly louder with a tiny bit more exhaust roar, but it's a decent sounding roar (not raspy or grating). Full throttle pulls sound noticeably better, with a nice deep roar out the back, but the engine and supercharger are still the most prominent sound. Highway cruising at 2000 RPM is the only downside, but it's not a big one. There is a subtle, not too attractive drone at the back, but it's not loud, and is nothing compared to the tires and wind at that speed. Between the three different main sounds at that speed it's still the slightest, by far. I was worried about ugly raspiness, but there really isn't any at all. It pops and burbles more when closing the throttle hard in a low gear, but to me that sounds just fine.
I have no idea how the 3" downpipe affected my results with no resonator, as that was already done, but, for the future, when someone is considering exhaust changes, these were my results with that combination. Overall I'm happy with it and figure I'll keep it this way for now.