Cat Backs
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 44
From: Pensacola Florida
Cat Backs
I've been thinking about upgrading my exhaust and ran into an 85 yesterday that had a Borla cat back exhaust installed. That car was excessively loud, too much so for my taste.
Questions: Are all makes of cat backs about equal in sound level?
Is any particular one quieter than the others?
Are these DIYer systems truly DIY, with no welding or cutting torches?
Rick
Questions: Are all makes of cat backs about equal in sound level?
Is any particular one quieter than the others?
Are these DIYer systems truly DIY, with no welding or cutting torches?
Rick
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
I have the Borla catback and it is designed to fit as the stock exhaust does. I found the Borla to drone pretty bad inside the car but didn't mind the exterior noise level. I modified mine and got rid of the drone and quieted it down a bit. Happy with it now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
The 85 exhaust bolts from one end to the other. The mufflers are usually held on with "U" bolts. Later models (your 89) has the cat welded to the pipes so it may be more difficult to change out to a new system.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 44
From: Pensacola Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,067
Likes: 1,723
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I've been thinking about upgrading my exhaust and ran into an 85 yesterday that had a Borla cat back exhaust installed. That car was excessively loud, too much so for my taste.
Questions: Are all makes of cat backs about equal in sound level?
Is any particular one quieter than the others?
Are these DIYer systems truly DIY, with no welding or cutting torches?
Rick
Questions: Are all makes of cat backs about equal in sound level?
Is any particular one quieter than the others?
Are these DIYer systems truly DIY, with no welding or cutting torches?
Rick
Corsa is probably the best of both worlds, and has been for awhile.
If you can get under there you should be able to do any of it yourself.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 412
Likes: 64
Just to echo the sentiments of some of the other replies, no, not all cat back systems are the same in terms of tone or volume. There are many contributing factors, including piping diameter, muffler type (packing material, size, shape, inlet/outlet configuration), whether or not it has resonators, the exhaust outlet configuration, etc. We don't currently offer a bolt on cat-back system for the 85 C4, but it is possible to piece together a system that will offer you improved flow characteristics and more power, while also being reasonable for a street driven car in terms of volume. The majority of our systems tend to have a deeper tone. Just something to keep in mind. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a PM and we'll be happy to help!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 44
From: Pensacola Florida
Just to echo the sentiments of some of the other replies, no, not all cat back systems are the same in terms of tone or volume. There are many contributing factors, including piping diameter, muffler type (packing material, size, shape, inlet/outlet configuration), whether or not it has resonators, the exhaust outlet configuration, etc. We don't currently offer a bolt on cat-back system for the 85 C4, but it is possible to piece together a system that will offer you improved flow characteristics and more power, while also being reasonable for a street driven car in terms of volume. The majority of our systems tend to have a deeper tone. Just something to keep in mind. If you have any questions, feel free to shoot us a PM and we'll be happy to help!
I plan on making the C=4 gathering in May, I will find out which one I like then, I hope.
Rick
