Synacks

I'm on the verge of buying a 2009 Z06 right now, the only "problem" that it has aftermarket headers and high flow cats. It appears to have the stock catback though.

For many people this wouldn't be a problem but I can't have a car that is insanely loud where I live, and I feel like that combination of exhaust would be pretty darn loud.

Is there anything I can do to quiet it down without losing the power benefits of the headers and cats?

BearZ06

Remove the headers and put the stock system back on. If your stock otherwise you won't lose that much, you could likely trade with someone. You'd need a stock tune also.

Michael_D

I have migrated from the OEM muffs, to PRTs, to what I have now...Borla Touring. I must be in the minority, but I think cars loud as hell belong on the race track, not in residential areas. Plus, I just get tired of the noise when I'm driving. The Touring muffs aren't exactly quiet. Just right to me. Maybe a tad louder than the OEM at idle and WOT. Start up they are quieter than the OE's. No drone whatsoever at any rpm/speed. Well there is a wee bit at about 1600, but it's not the type to give you a headache.

Undy

Just headers and cats are not going to make the car loud. Lift the passenger side carpet and check to see of the exhaust flap fuse is pulled or an aftermarket switch has been installed.

Don't pull your headers!

v8sten

this

stefuel

MD, you are not a minority or at least not alone. The days of loud street cars are over for me. You can still be fast AND quiet

v8sten

I have 2" kooks headers and no cats with modded stock 07 mufflers. on the quiet setting its not loud at all, friends dont even hear me pull up. on the loud setting , its loud on the outside of the car, but not so bad on the inside.

Synacks

I actually ended up buying Fartpipe's red 2009. It has American Racing headers and high flow cats. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ond-in-pa.html

I work at a small building and live in a close residential area and want to avoid letting everyone know every time I start the car up. The car does come with the mild wild switch. Worst comes to worst I'll find some stock cats and call it a day. I'd never remove those headers though!

BTW I just secured the car today and it will be delivered within a week for me to finally purchase. Can't wait.

Les-10

Michael_D

The OEM mufflers have a pretty good (loud) bark at start-up. With the absence of vacuum, the muffler flaps are open, so when it starts, the flaps are open. If you modify the mufflers, the start-up is even louder. This is why I ended up going with the quietest, non-flap type muffler I could find. My neighbors hated me at 5AM. When I had the OEM mufflers (modified), and also when I had the PRTs, my ears would be ringing after a 30-minute high rpm drive.

Nowanker

Call me an old fart if you like... but quieter is better. I don't like to attract any extra attention when I'm driving. I already seem to be a police magnet.
Maybe I smell like donuts or something...

TRSCobra

Stock cats will only work if you go back to stock manifolds, so you're stuck unless you want to go completely back to stock.

Synacks

I found out that catted X-pipes were put in. Still has stock catback.

Synacks

So what are the quietest mufflers out there?

Fartpipe

I dont think you're finding anyting quieter and the car has a mild to wild on it. Just flip the switch to closed after the car starts. It'll be super quiet boss

Synacks

You're awesome. How is the car on a cold start though?

BTW it'll be arriving Friday, can't wait man!

Michael_D

Aftermarket, the Borla Touring.

But the OEM are probably the quietest, as long as the valves are shut and they have not been 'modyfied'. They have a solenoid that uses engine vacuum to actuate them. So they will be open if the engine is off, and no vacuum present. They close after the engine starts. Now having said that; I'm quite certain that if I were to take the time to screw around with the actuators, I could figure out how to reverse their open/close sequence to fail closed, verse fail open. Heck, somebody probably already has.... I just didn't bother to dig into this, cause I prefer to tone of the Borla Touring muffs I have now.

Synacks

Thanks guys

Nowanker

Quiet is also an advantage at some tracks... I'm close to Laguna, but doubt I'd make their new 90db (89?) standard limit.
LG headers, cats, stock mufflers/no mod. The car is quite reasonable, doesn't draw undue attention.
I wrapped the headers to try to damp out some of the ringing, unknown effect. I might try some turn downs on the primary outlets, and wire the solenoid to close with a switch when I'm near the sound station...

Synacks

Sounds to me like headers and stock exhaust works out pretty well.