OBX Exhaust Update
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
OBX Exhaust Update
I've been following quite closely the threads on OBX Exhaust for the past two years. Trying to decide between this system and the Corsa - which I preferred, but not for $1k.
Decided on the OBX, contacted RSA Performance and asked if they had a system in stock, received a reply the next day indicating that yes; they had these ready to ship.
Placed my order last Monday, received an acknowledgement almost immediately, and a shipping notice on Tuesday.
System arrived today - very well packaged, no apparent damage to any piece. Obviously from overseas (due to nature of packaging), but still - very nicely done.
Beautiful polished appearance, welds are perfect. Intend on having the system installed this week and will update with installation successes or woes and pictures.
Decided on the OBX, contacted RSA Performance and asked if they had a system in stock, received a reply the next day indicating that yes; they had these ready to ship.
Placed my order last Monday, received an acknowledgement almost immediately, and a shipping notice on Tuesday.
System arrived today - very well packaged, no apparent damage to any piece. Obviously from overseas (due to nature of packaging), but still - very nicely done.
Beautiful polished appearance, welds are perfect. Intend on having the system installed this week and will update with installation successes or woes and pictures.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
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St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I have the 92-95 system on my 95. I can not find OBX for that year anymore. I have it on Betty Boop, and Im very happy with it.
If your Vette is an automatic with 2.59 gears you may experience drone.
If your Vette is an automatic with 2.59 gears you may experience drone.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
I've been following quite closely the threads on OBX Exhaust for the past two years. Trying to decide between this system and the Corsa - which I preferred, but not for $1k.
Decided on the OBX, contacted RSA Performance and asked if they had a system in stock, received a reply the next day indicating that yes; they had these ready to ship.
Placed my order last Monday, received an acknowledgement almost immediately, and a shipping notice on Tuesday.
System arrived today - very well packaged, no apparent damage to any piece. Obviously from overseas (due to nature of packaging), but still - very nicely done.
Beautiful polished appearance, welds are perfect. Intend on having the system installed this week and will update with installation successes or woes and pictures.
Decided on the OBX, contacted RSA Performance and asked if they had a system in stock, received a reply the next day indicating that yes; they had these ready to ship.
Placed my order last Monday, received an acknowledgement almost immediately, and a shipping notice on Tuesday.
System arrived today - very well packaged, no apparent damage to any piece. Obviously from overseas (due to nature of packaging), but still - very nicely done.
Beautiful polished appearance, welds are perfect. Intend on having the system installed this week and will update with installation successes or woes and pictures.
This was the headers. The exhaust itself had so bad a fit that we gave up on installing it and are waiting for winter, then we will be cutting it up and will reweld the exhaust as it did not fit at all. I will put pictures up later.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
Mid-Project update. Just received a call from the shop installing my OBX system "These pipes are junk, nothing is lining-up, clamps are crap" "What do you want us to do with it?"
We are now exploring simply using the muffler and tips, scrapping every pipe from the manifolds-back. The first call regarded the catalytic converters not fitting in place of the stock units, then the pipes were bent wrong, now nothing is lining-up.
Nice - wonder what my response will be when I contact the vendor.
This is a 180 degree feeling from receiving the pipes earlier -
We are now exploring simply using the muffler and tips, scrapping every pipe from the manifolds-back. The first call regarded the catalytic converters not fitting in place of the stock units, then the pipes were bent wrong, now nothing is lining-up.
Nice - wonder what my response will be when I contact the vendor.
This is a 180 degree feeling from receiving the pipes earlier -
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
Mid-Project update. Just received a call from the shop installing my OBX system "These pipes are junk, nothing is lining-up, clamps are crap" "What do you want us to do with it?"
We are now exploring simply using the muffler and tips, scrapping every pipe from the manifolds-back. The first call regarded the catalytic converters not fitting in place of the stock units, then the pipes were bent wrong, now nothing is lining-up.
Nice - wonder what my response will be when I contact the vendor.
This is a 180 degree feeling from receiving the pipes earlier -
We are now exploring simply using the muffler and tips, scrapping every pipe from the manifolds-back. The first call regarded the catalytic converters not fitting in place of the stock units, then the pipes were bent wrong, now nothing is lining-up.
Nice - wonder what my response will be when I contact the vendor.
This is a 180 degree feeling from receiving the pipes earlier -
The headers and y-pipe are actually half-decent compared to the dual exhaust.
This is what I ended up with as a temporary solution until winter.
I would like to know what response you get from the vendor...
Last edited by Ronaldo; Jun 19, 2014 at 01:03 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
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From: Conroe Texas
i am budgeting for the corsa system when the time comes. still in the stage of assembling the short block if i ever get time to do it ( what happened to having all the time in the world after you retire/semi retire???), but the price tag is holding me back until i am really ready for them. so now i am seeing threads dealing with the crappy workmanship/fitting/customer service of the obx and magnaflow systems, re-inforces my decision of going corsa which is a good system. had corsa's on my c5z. quality may cost more, but you get what you pay for.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
Like you, will now wait until I can take the tome, cut and fit, then install properly. Just very frustrating. The price of a Corsa system was not the issue, affording a "better" system was not a consideration. Justifying the price differential was the issue. A full system for $550 vs mufflers/tips for $1k. This is a weekend car, not a daily driver and certainly not a show contender.
Was simply looking for a nicer sound and improved appearance. In no way did I expect the response I received from the shop.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
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From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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You also have to assume not all exhaust shops are "created equal". Some may not have much patience (or equipment) for custom bending/installation?
Pipe is pipe, right? Bend it, cut it, weld it.
That said, maybe the cat-back's from OBX are jigged wrong?
Pipe is pipe, right? Bend it, cut it, weld it.
That said, maybe the cat-back's from OBX are jigged wrong?
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 7
From: Chewelah Wa
I bought a Walker replacement rear Y with a crossover for my 85 a few years ago......it was a joke. I had to cut and reweld it in 4 different places to get the "stance" right on my Monza tips. The thing practically dragged on the ground as is. There is a lot of subtle ups and downs on a c4 exhaust to get right, and both sides have to match of course. I decided to build my own the next time, which I did. The 85 has flat flanges in a couple of spots, if those are off, you are screwed. Later models prolly had less of an issue.
Last edited by powerpigz-51; Jun 20, 2014 at 11:07 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 379
Likes: 7
It's this model I bought, and yes I would not be surprised if this is a generel problem on the OBX exhaust.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBX-Exhaust-System-86-91-Chevy-Corvette-C4-5-7L-L98-/181443035896?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3ed902f8&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OBX-Exhaust-System-86-91-Chevy-Corvette-C4-5-7L-L98-/181443035896?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a3ed902f8&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
Well sports fans, I promsied updates. After my initial entry into this dibacle, I contacted RSA Performance (who's name has changed twice during e-mails) to inquire about returning/exchange/options, etc. At first I thought I would find a satisfactory answer to allow for installation of this unit on my car. The initial e-mail string was helpful and showed a willingness to work through this. Unfortunately, it's now come-down to "we don't see a problem with our product"
The last string of e-mail reads like a script from a third rate Bruce Lee movie from the 70's. Obviously written by someone with a very limited grasp of the english language and the proper use of same.
Guess now it is up to me to determine how to install this system, or simply weld the entire thing together, polish the stainless and hang it on the garage wall. Would make a nice decoration.
Has anyone actually successfully installed one of these systems on a car with stock exhaust headers, not aftermarket???
The last string of e-mail reads like a script from a third rate Bruce Lee movie from the 70's. Obviously written by someone with a very limited grasp of the english language and the proper use of same.
Guess now it is up to me to determine how to install this system, or simply weld the entire thing together, polish the stainless and hang it on the garage wall. Would make a nice decoration.
Has anyone actually successfully installed one of these systems on a car with stock exhaust headers, not aftermarket???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 7,339
Likes: 137
From: WilkesBarre PA
I worked on a 94 that came in with this exhaust. It fit horrible and whoever put it on just threw it on. It was on with stock manifolds and cats. (all though one cat blew apart and was stuck in the muffler). When I reinstalled the system I had to trim most of the pipes to help it line up better. The clamps are garbage too! I had better ones laying around and used them.
I've used OBX stuff on other cars and they all fit bad and had to be modified to fit. If you have the time and patience they will fit and sound decent. But they take alot of patience and cursing!!!
I've used OBX stuff on other cars and they all fit bad and had to be modified to fit. If you have the time and patience they will fit and sound decent. But they take alot of patience and cursing!!!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Tx
obx headers
I worked on a 94 that came in with this exhaust. It fit horrible and whoever put it on just threw it on. It was on with stock manifolds and cats. (all though one cat blew apart and was stuck in the muffler). When I reinstalled the system I had to trim most of the pipes to help it line up better. The clamps are garbage too! I had better ones laying around and used them.
I've used OBX stuff on other cars and they all fit bad and had to be modified to fit. If you have the time and patience they will fit and sound decent. But they take alot of patience and cursing!!!
I've used OBX stuff on other cars and they all fit bad and had to be modified to fit. If you have the time and patience they will fit and sound decent. But they take alot of patience and cursing!!!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 2
From: DeWitt MI
Final installment of the OB(crap)X exhaust. After any number of phone calls to speed shops, and after the recommendation of the shop that manages my company fleet of heavy-trucks, I found myself in the lobby of xyz custom exhaust in my town. Discussed the situation and provided pictures of my exhaust layer-out on the floor, the 'factory' photo and various shots from the forum. The owner assured me he could make these work.
Today delivered my car at 8:30 with all necessary pieces. At 2:30 received a call and was told "it's done, this was the biggest piece of sh#$ I've ever had to work with, but they are on." "Had to cut, bend, weld, cut some more and weld some more, but they fit and look pretty good." "Sound OK too"
Picked up the car (after a $300.00 shop bill) and before I left the parking lot - knew I'd made a huge mistake. The resonance is so bad that i cannot hear the stereo at idle speeds, much-less at highway speeds. Must admit that at idle they sound nice, WOT they are awesome, but you can't live your life at idle or WOT.
These will probably come-off and be replaced by something else. I'm now $750 into this set and really, really disappointed.
Today delivered my car at 8:30 with all necessary pieces. At 2:30 received a call and was told "it's done, this was the biggest piece of sh#$ I've ever had to work with, but they are on." "Had to cut, bend, weld, cut some more and weld some more, but they fit and look pretty good." "Sound OK too"
Picked up the car (after a $300.00 shop bill) and before I left the parking lot - knew I'd made a huge mistake. The resonance is so bad that i cannot hear the stereo at idle speeds, much-less at highway speeds. Must admit that at idle they sound nice, WOT they are awesome, but you can't live your life at idle or WOT.
These will probably come-off and be replaced by something else. I'm now $750 into this set and really, really disappointed.