corsa cat backs
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
corsa cat backs
New to corvette.... Want to make this ride sweet and decided to add Corsa cat backs, from what I've read, they seem to be the best. Anyway want to add some HP and the add for Corsa says it adds up to 40 HP, is this true without doing anything to the catalitic converters? I've heard that in order to add horse power you have to put in a X pipe off road and remove the Cats is that true?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I have the Corsa cat-back. It's a great exhaust and I have no doubt they provide some increase in horsepower. But 40 hp seems a bit hard to believe. When you look at the design, the muffler has no restrictions. You can see straight through from the inlet to the outlet. The advantage is the sound cancelling technology they use. The system sounds aggressive under power but quiet when cruising. They have no drone. I think if you eliminate any cats the system may be louder than you want. With a single main cat and a 396 Super Ram mine is border line.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
, 40 hp is total BS. most likely, you'll never feel 5 hp, in fact i've heard for anything to register on your SOTP meter, it takes about 20 hp. since cats are the most restrictive part of the exhaust system, adding anything less restrictive downstream doesn't add much. add an after market exhaust for looks and sound, but don't do it for performance, cause it ain't gonna happen!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 48
From: Angier nc
What year vette do you have?If it is an early tpi one the best thing you can do is remove the precats and install a high flow main cat.Then you can adapt an LT1 exhaust to the car and be quicker/better sounding for a lot less money.
If it is an LT1 car Corsa is hard to beat.For a stockish motor with factory manifolds I would replace the stock resonator with an x-pipe and see how you like it.
An x-pipe can add hp to most systems but is not necessary for an increase.Less restriction/improved flow is where the power is.
If it is an LT1 car Corsa is hard to beat.For a stockish motor with factory manifolds I would replace the stock resonator with an x-pipe and see how you like it.
An x-pipe can add hp to most systems but is not necessary for an increase.Less restriction/improved flow is where the power is.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
The MOST you will get at the wheels is 10 from any cat-backCorsa's web site says 14 average, which is probably motor horsepower, which would translate to something less than 10 RWHP
http://www.corsaperf.com/product_dis...px?product=188
I was sure Corsa would not promote some BS like 40 horsepower from a C4 cat-back.....
Combine with high flow cats and long tube headers and the total gain might be up around 40 horsepower..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
The MOST you will get at the wheels is 10 from any cat-backCorsa's web site says 14 average, which is probably motor horsepower, which would translate to something less than 10 RWHP
http://www.corsaperf.com/product_dis...px?product=188
I was sure Corsa would not promote some BS like 40 horsepower from a C4 cat-back.....
Combine with high flow cats and long tube headers and the total gain might be up around 40 horsepower..
When I installed my Corsa system i also installed a high flow main cat (no pre-cats) and TPiS headers. If you do the whole exhaust I guarantee you will feel it. The majority of the increase in power comes from the headers. The stock exhaust manifolds look OK from the outside but the ports are very restrictive (1-1/4" diameter). Actual hp gains are dependent on other power modifications. If you increase intake and cylinder head flow you also need to increase exhaust flow.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
What year vette do you have?If it is an early tpi one the best thing you can do is remove the precats and install a high flow main cat.Then you can adapt an LT1 exhaust to the car and be quicker/better sounding for a lot less money.
If it is an LT1 car Corsa is hard to beat.For a stockish motor with factory manifolds I would replace the stock resonator with an x-pipe and see how you like it.
An x-pipe can add hp to most systems but is not necessary for an increase.Less restriction/improved flow is where the power is.
If it is an LT1 car Corsa is hard to beat.For a stockish motor with factory manifolds I would replace the stock resonator with an x-pipe and see how you like it.
An x-pipe can add hp to most systems but is not necessary for an increase.Less restriction/improved flow is where the power is.
The TPI stock headers are extremely restrictive. You can see it when you take them off. Throwing some LT1 headers on there is simple to do and dirt cheap. Getting a blank Y-pipe is another great addition and a simple install. With that, you might as well throw in a high flow cat to attach to the Corsa kit. You can head to a junk yard and find the headers. You can get the Y-pipe from tons of sponsors on this site and the cat can come from....well.... anywhere!
Considering how restrictive the stock exhaust is, you MIGHT be able to get 30 HP gain. Pretty cheap, and you get the great sound with it. Be careful though. You don't want to get pulled over for noise pollution. Even though it gives you some cool bragging rights, it's expensive.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
cat backs
wow, thanks for all the info, wasn't sure on the 40 HP now know. How about adding a free flow cat or the X pipe, will they make it much louder, don't want exhaust too loud. I have a 98 convertable with a grand sport engine in it.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 261
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
, 40 hp is total BS. most likely, you'll never feel 5 hp, in fact i've heard for anything to register on your SOTP meter, it takes about 20 hp. since cats are the most restrictive part of the exhaust system, adding anything less restrictive downstream doesn't add much. add an after market exhaust for looks and sound, but don't do it for performance, cause it ain't gonna happen!I would think the best mods for a non racing vette owner, would be:
catback
change the rear gears
They are the best because they are easily changed back to stock and you can sell the parts on ebay when you are done with the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,733
If it's a '96 MY LT4 the exhaust is already quite good. Aside from spending money the Corsa isn't likely much of a performance boost.
I'd be inclined to do a "rear gear"! I don't believe I'd go to a 4.10 but do maybe a 3.73 or a 3.90. An x-pipe to replace the resonator might be something to consider but unless you just want the Corsa tips and the WOT roar of the Corsa I'd certainly stay with "what you got"!
I'd be inclined to do a "rear gear"! I don't believe I'd go to a 4.10 but do maybe a 3.73 or a 3.90. An x-pipe to replace the resonator might be something to consider but unless you just want the Corsa tips and the WOT roar of the Corsa I'd certainly stay with "what you got"!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
5 max thats it. The manufacturers will tell you 40 because they want you to get a smile on your face, buy it, install it and then come here and post that your LT1 now has 340 horses.
Last edited by PLRX; Aug 13, 2011 at 08:20 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,915
Likes: 48
From: Angier nc
If it is a 96 lt4 with a 6 speed you already have 3.45 gears.Unless you plan on racing it that really is a good gear.Not worth the cost to go to a 3.73 IMO.I have 4.10's in mine and sometimes get tired of the constant shifting in town.1st 2nd 5th has become the norm.
Like said the stock exhaust is pretty good.Replacing the resonator will pick up a few hp and improve the sound.If you like the shiny tips try a magnaflow axle back and save the money.
Like said the stock exhaust is pretty good.Replacing the resonator will pick up a few hp and improve the sound.If you like the shiny tips try a magnaflow axle back and save the money.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
If it's a '96 MY LT4 the exhaust is already quite good. Aside from spending money the Corsa isn't likely much of a performance boost.
I'd be inclined to do a "rear gear"! I don't believe I'd go to a 4.10 but do maybe a 3.73 or a 3.90. An x-pipe to replace the resonator might be something to consider but unless you just want the Corsa tips and the WOT roar of the Corsa I'd certainly stay with "what you got"!
I'd be inclined to do a "rear gear"! I don't believe I'd go to a 4.10 but do maybe a 3.73 or a 3.90. An x-pipe to replace the resonator might be something to consider but unless you just want the Corsa tips and the WOT roar of the Corsa I'd certainly stay with "what you got"!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
....as far as the cat-back portion goes...but there are bigger gains to be made from high flow cats and long tube headers, that is the better starting point for power gains
Or just do it all!!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,733
If it is a 96 lt4 with a 6 speed you already have 3.45 gears.Unless you plan on racing it that really is a good gear.Not worth the cost to go to a 3.73 IMO.I have 4.10's in mine and sometimes get tired of the constant shifting in town.1st 2nd 5th has become the norm.
Like said the stock exhaust is pretty good.Replacing the resonator will pick up a few hp and improve the sound.If you like the shiny tips try a magnaflow axle back and save the money.
Like said the stock exhaust is pretty good.Replacing the resonator will pick up a few hp and improve the sound.If you like the shiny tips try a magnaflow axle back and save the money.
