Replace stock mufflers
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 63
Likes: 6
Replace stock mufflers
I have the base model ‘96 that is good condition as in paint, interior and it runs well. It’s used for Sunday coffee drives and local car shows. I want to upgrade the stock mufflers as the car sounds just too quiet for a corvette. I don’t have the funds to go with a all new SS tubes and Borla or Magnaflow or other high end systems, just maybe new mufflers that will give the car a bit of a hot rod sound. I was hoping you experts could point me in the right direction. Back in my early days we would install 26” glass packs to get the rumble but not sure if that would do the trick today. Thanks in advance for any advice.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 396
From: Northwest Ohio
With those constraints as parameters I’d try to mod the stock system (you may get some annoying drone going this route, but that’s about the same risk outside of the cor$a system):
Muffler eliminators (do a quick google)
or
Replace resonator with x-pipe
or both…
Muffler eliminators (do a quick google)
or
Replace resonator with x-pipe
or both…
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
Try what is called "Chambered Muffler Eliminators". Straight pipes (no catalytic convertor) and in in-line X pipe. Inexpensive upgrade for sure. That's what I have on my 1985. No emissions test on an antique vehicle in PA. 
I have basically very little to no drone at all with these because of the X pipe. They give a very nice deep tone at idle and are muscular sounding at cruise. Wide open throttle and others will know you're on the move. But not obnoxious noise. It sounds like a Vette should. 
I get lots of compliments on mine.
I have basically very little to no drone at all with these because of the X pipe. They give a very nice deep tone at idle and are muscular sounding at cruise. Wide open throttle and others will know you're on the move. But not obnoxious noise. It sounds like a Vette should. I get lots of compliments on mine.
Last edited by FOURSPEEDVETTE; Jan 17, 2023 at 08:39 PM. Reason: typo
Racer
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 296
Likes: 169
From: Mooresville, IN
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2021 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
4th vote here for replacing the resonator with an X-Pipe. The stock mufflers (92-96) are not very restrictive and do a great job at keeping annoying drone minimized. Start with an X-pipe and down the road if you have a desire for more volume, a set of long tube headers and High-flow (or deleted) cats would be a nice step up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,332
Likes: 1,141
From: Vermilion OH
The X-pipe would be a nice addition! I have muffler eliminator on my 84 and I've been more than happy with them. They look good and offer an excellent sound at idle while not being terrible loud on the road.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I had muffler eliminators on my '94 6 speed for about 50k miles.
They have the best sound at idle. It is a deep rumble that sounds great.
At cruise they were loud enough to be able to listen to them, but were not loud enough to prevent talking or listening to the stereo.
Under throttle they were loud. My first thought was that they were horrible. I found that by how much throttle I used I could regulate the sound to make it loud when I wanted or to make it more docile if I didn't.
After driving them for several years and a lot of miles, I really got to like them. I sold that car and I found I really missed that sound.
Good luck with your choice.
They have the best sound at idle. It is a deep rumble that sounds great.
At cruise they were loud enough to be able to listen to them, but were not loud enough to prevent talking or listening to the stereo.
Under throttle they were loud. My first thought was that they were horrible. I found that by how much throttle I used I could regulate the sound to make it loud when I wanted or to make it more docile if I didn't.
After driving them for several years and a lot of miles, I really got to like them. I sold that car and I found I really missed that sound.
Good luck with your choice.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
The X pipe can be purchased at a good parts store. A decent muffler shop may be able to fabricate one also. My X pipe came from the auto parts store. And all that had to be done was weld it in.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
I'm thinking about doing the eliminators as well. I don't want obnoxious so I think the chambered ones might be best for me. Is there a preferred brand for these? I did watch a YT video of a guy that used the ones RPI sells and said the fitment was awful and just ended up using the tips and having a local shop bend up some pipe. So he basically paid $250 for some tips.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 441
From: Albuquerque NM