Corsa upgrade?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 944
Likes: 31
From: WV
Corsa upgrade?
I recently purchased a 1993, equipped with stock LT-1 engine. Modest exhaust upgrades already in place include:
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
I recently purchased a 1993, equipped with stock LT-1 engine. Modest exhaust upgrades already in place include:
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 109
From: Austin Texas
I recently purchased a 1993, equipped with stock LT-1 engine. Modest exhaust upgrades already in place include:
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
- Hooker shorty headers
- 3” exhaust pipes from the cats,
- DynoMax VT mufflers with 3" inlet / outlet, feeding 4" tips
Cats remain in place; but I don't know whether they are stock or high flow.
For looks and throaty sound, I would prefer a Corsa cat back system. Existing system sounds kind of tame, and has that "raw" aftermarket look. But the purpose of the car is primarily track duty for HPDE events (novice level for now). Car must remain street legal, as it will be driven to and from the track.
I'm guessing that the Corsa would be 2" from the cats to the muffler. Yes?
Most important, will my desire for Corsa exhaust be a step backward in terms of performance?
You might find you get slightly better performance from it than your 3" system. I was told by my engine man that a 3" system is only required when you get into the 400+ Cu/in range on the motor. If you have less than that...it was wasted money.
Corsa = No resonance...throaty at moderate pedal and absolutely awesome at WOT.
I'm hoping to have some video footage from outside my car at the track (CotA)...waiting on the editing work. Had a few dozen people come up and tell me my car sounded the best of all...this was with a variety of C6Z06's, Ferrari's, AMG's and others on track with me.
The sound INSIDE the car was great...can't imagine how it sounded from outside!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 944
Likes: 31
From: WV
Yes please post that video
The Corsa system is basically a 2 1/2" free-flowing exhaust. There is no restriction...no baffles in the mufflers. It is a WONDERFUL system, and anyone who says different just couldn't swing the cost.
You might find you get slightly better performance from it than your 3" system. I was told by my engine man that a 3" system is only required when you get into the 400+ Cu/in range on the motor. If you have less than that...it was wasted money.
Corsa = No resonance...throaty at moderate pedal and absolutely awesome at WOT.
I'm hoping to have some video footage from outside my car at the track (CotA)...waiting on the editing work. Had a few dozen people come up and tell me my car sounded the best of all...this was with a variety of C6Z06's, Ferrari's, AMG's and others on track with me.
The sound INSIDE the car was great...can't imagine how it sounded from outside!
You might find you get slightly better performance from it than your 3" system. I was told by my engine man that a 3" system is only required when you get into the 400+ Cu/in range on the motor. If you have less than that...it was wasted money.
Corsa = No resonance...throaty at moderate pedal and absolutely awesome at WOT.
I'm hoping to have some video footage from outside my car at the track (CotA)...waiting on the editing work. Had a few dozen people come up and tell me my car sounded the best of all...this was with a variety of C6Z06's, Ferrari's, AMG's and others on track with me.
The sound INSIDE the car was great...can't imagine how it sounded from outside!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
If you keep your corvette mostly stock, its def not a step backwards.
Back 10+ years ago, there were dyno charts before/after from a few lt1 guys, showing a 15rwhp improvement. Its got to be from the mufflers....
Now, if you are going to supercharge or do a solid lifter, high revving 383 heads/cam, then yes it is a step back.
All this said, there a couple things that i dislike about corsa:
1. Price has doubled with no improvements in the part. That system used to sell new for $895 back in 2001. In 02 it went up to $995.
Whats it cost now?
2. Its heavy. Smaller diameter pipes should equal a lighter exhaust? Wrong. Its 55 lbs just like the lt1 stock 2 3/4" dia system
my advice is to see if you can find the system used
Back 10+ years ago, there were dyno charts before/after from a few lt1 guys, showing a 15rwhp improvement. Its got to be from the mufflers....
Now, if you are going to supercharge or do a solid lifter, high revving 383 heads/cam, then yes it is a step back.
All this said, there a couple things that i dislike about corsa:
1. Price has doubled with no improvements in the part. That system used to sell new for $895 back in 2001. In 02 it went up to $995.
Whats it cost now?
2. Its heavy. Smaller diameter pipes should equal a lighter exhaust? Wrong. Its 55 lbs just like the lt1 stock 2 3/4" dia system
my advice is to see if you can find the system used
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 109
From: Austin Texas
If you keep your corvette mostly stock, its def not a step backwards.
Back 10+ years ago, there were dyno charts before/after from a few lt1 guys, showing a 15rwhp improvement. Its got to be from the mufflers....
Now, if you are going to supercharge or do a solid lifter, high revving 383 heads/cam, then yes it is a step back.
All this said, there a couple things that i dislike about corsa:
1. Price has doubled with no improvements in the part. That system used to sell new for $895 back in 2001. In 02 it went up to $995.
Whats it cost now?
2. Its heavy. Smaller diameter pipes should equal a lighter exhaust? Wrong. Its 55 lbs just like the lt1 stock 2 3/4" dia system
my advice is to see if you can find the system used
Back 10+ years ago, there were dyno charts before/after from a few lt1 guys, showing a 15rwhp improvement. Its got to be from the mufflers....
Now, if you are going to supercharge or do a solid lifter, high revving 383 heads/cam, then yes it is a step back.
All this said, there a couple things that i dislike about corsa:
1. Price has doubled with no improvements in the part. That system used to sell new for $895 back in 2001. In 02 it went up to $995.
Whats it cost now?
2. Its heavy. Smaller diameter pipes should equal a lighter exhaust? Wrong. Its 55 lbs just like the lt1 stock 2 3/4" dia system
my advice is to see if you can find the system used
Don't know if you noticed...but the cost of EVERYTHING has gone up since 2001...including the raw materials to manufacture.
Last I remember...a company was supposed to make SOME profit on their sales, right?
Last edited by 1991Z07; May 30, 2014 at 12:25 AM.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
1. Price has doubled with no improvements in the part. That system used to sell new for $895 back in 2001. In 02 it went up to $995.
Whats it cost now?
Whats it cost now?
best on-line pricing I'm seeing for an LT1 is $1173 shipped. I just bought my L98 system from these people (paid about $900) -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corsa-Performance-14117-Sport-Cat-Back-Dual-Rear-Exit-Stainless-Steel-/161166321790?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACorvette%7CYear%3A1993&hash=item258642e87e&vxp=mtr
Last edited by Joe C; May 30, 2014 at 05:59 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,366
Likes: 2,732
no flames, but, I've got to ask, have you got a raise in salary in the last 13 years? priced SS lately?
best on-line pricing I'm seeing for an LT1 is $1173 shipped. I just bought my L98 system from these people -
Corsa Performance 14117 Sport Cat Back Dual Rear Exit Stainless Steel | eBay
best on-line pricing I'm seeing for an LT1 is $1173 shipped. I just bought my L98 system from these people -
Corsa Performance 14117 Sport Cat Back Dual Rear Exit Stainless Steel | eBay
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corsa-Performance-14116-Sport-Cat-Back-Dual-Rear-Exit-Stainless-Steel-/131020669256?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e8170c148&vxp=mtr
my L98 system was not a re-pack, and not missing any hardware. in fact, it looked like it was drop shipped directly from corsa. a lot of on-line vendors/dealers, and fleabay sellers do not inventory hardware, but have it shipped directly from the manufacturer. I'm getting cheap in my old age, and this is about the best pricing I've found. I'm thinking I paid about the same price for my 96 LT-1 car when I bought the system about 3 years ago.
Last edited by Joe C; May 30, 2014 at 06:02 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 763
BTW - for our L98 fans -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corsa-Performance-14115-Sport-Cat-Back-Dual-Rear-Exit-Stainless-Steel-/360890962122?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5406c710ca&vxp=mtr
I have no interest in any of these fleabay auctions, just passing along some pricing info. this is the system I recently bought for my 90. as I said, I cheap, and these prices (w/ shipping) seem to be about the best I've found at this point in time.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corsa-Performance-14115-Sport-Cat-Back-Dual-Rear-Exit-Stainless-Steel-/360890962122?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5406c710ca&vxp=mtr
I have no interest in any of these fleabay auctions, just passing along some pricing info. this is the system I recently bought for my 90. as I said, I cheap, and these prices (w/ shipping) seem to be about the best I've found at this point in time.
Last edited by Joe C; May 30, 2014 at 06:25 AM.