When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I would like to get a much better, performance sound out of my 1980 corvette. The car is totally stock, still running the two into a single Cat, back out to two stock mufflers. What are good mufflers that will bolt right on, but sound louder?
Do you want actual performance too, or just "performance sound"? The latter often requires a higher compression ratio and a larger, overlapping cam, but a simple exhaust leak will make your car sound louder.
For performance, mufflers aren't your problem. The single cat and stock exhaust manifolds are the big restrictions. I've never had much luck picking mufflers that don't drone at cruising speeds, so I don't run them in my 80. You might want to search for threads with "chambered exhaust", otherwise Magnaflows often have straight-through options.
Do you want actual performance too, or just "performance sound"? The latter often requires a higher compression ratio and a larger, overlapping cam, but a simple exhaust leak will make your car sound louder.
For performance, mufflers aren't your problem. The single cat and stock exhaust manifolds are the big restrictions. I've never had much luck picking mufflers that don't drone at cruising speeds, so I don't run them in my 80. You might want to search for threads with "chambered exhaust", otherwise Magnaflows often have straight-through options.
For now just the "Sound". Next year I plan on replacing the engine, and swapping in a 4 speed for the automatic. So for now just a bolt on set of mufflers to make it loud/louder. I don't drive very long distances with it, so drone is fine. I am used to "drone" with my 69 427 car which has side pipes
For now just the "Sound". Next year I plan on replacing the engine, and swapping in a 4 speed for the automatic. So for now just a bolt on set of mufflers to make it loud/louder. I don't drive very long distances with it, so drone is fine. I am used to "drone" with my 69 427 car which has side pipes
I'm a big fan of not doing things twice. If you know what engine is going in (and especially if it is still a Gen 1 SBC), it won't be wasted effort to upgrade the entire exhaust system now. You could do true duals, with (my 79) or without ( @interpon's 79) cats, as required. It may save a bunch of time and pipe bends to change or modify the transmission crossmember to allow for the 79 and earlier-style exhaust. Then you'll have everything ready to tie into headers when you replace the engine!
I'm thinking for what you want right now, or this driveing season, is cut off the stock mufflers and slip on straight pipes with a turn down tip, , that factory 'cat' really reduces sound as well, , doing this for a small cost will help ya determine if you want louder or less noise,, Just my $0.02,,
I personally think it is a waste of time to put mufflers on and leave the woeful stock exhaust hanging in there........it is just terrible, and saps a ton of power.....plus, with a cat, it sounds worse as it gets louder.....like a shitty old pickup with the muffler cut off.
Get a whole system now......2.5" true dual with some Pypes or Magnaflow mufflers......you will grow into it and receive a huge power gain....you will thank yourself.
i was thinking OP wanted sound for now..
agree no muffler with cat.. or i was thinking but a good muffler now.. (all of the above) and you can still use them on true duals later.. no waste..
i ran mine with cat only LOL... just see.. sounded like junkyard scrap tow truck..
honestly i LOVE the sound of one pipe into 2... i think OP will sound great as is and getting louder mufflers..it just sounds different with 2 into one and then 2.. obviously not for performance.
i think there needs to be more videos of different mufflers to hear !
I run Hedman headers, true duals (2.5"), H-pipe and dynomax super turbos. Dynomax Super Turbos are a great value and you get tips when you buy for the C3 corvette: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/w...0aArNfEALw_wcB
I've had stock, Dynomax Super Turbos, Dynomax Ultra Flos and Borla Pro XS.
The latter two are my favorite, and they're pretty much the same muffler. The Borlas are slightly nicer build and material quality.
The Super Turbos honestly didn't do much for my car, noise wise, when it was running with a single cat. The straight-through Ultra Flos were much more noticeable. It wasn't until I put the 400ci motor that's in there now that the car really started to sound serious.
I'd recommend Ultra Flos or similar. I've heard the mufflers JB 78-L82 has on his car, on a C6, and they're quite nice. Not droney but authoritative. That said, there's a 430 HP LS3 in front of them so not apples and oranges.
The stock L-48s will all pretty much sound like trucks no matter what you do.
I've heard the mufflers JB 78-L82 has on his car, on a C6, and they're quite nice. Not droney but authoritative.
With my L-82 355 with strong roller cam, 10.2 compression, AFR heads along with XSPower 1 3/4 inch/1 7/8 headers with 2.5 inch duals and the Type S Borlas, the sound from my C3 is about as perfect as I have experienced in over 40 years messing with cars. The C4 Borlas Type S on my car are moderately loud at idle, relatively quiet at part throttle cruise, quickly get VERY loud and authoritative at even moderate throttle, scream at high RPMs. These Borlas easily out sound my 10 C6Z06 with stock mufflers, flaps open at any RPM.....the Z06 LS7 427 sounds great but needs these Borlas as well.....for the C6.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Apr 23, 2021 at 10:36 PM.
Muffler suggestions for 1980 Corvette
