C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LT1 muffler delete, how loud?

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Old 12-28-2015, 08:40 AM
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1stVetteFinally
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Default LT1 muffler delete, how loud?

Completely stock '92 coupe is what I have, and I'm thinking about deleting the mufflers. I've never heard a LT1 with the mufflers removed. And I haven't heard a LT1 with an after-market exhaust system in quite a while, long enough that I don't remember just how the different brands sound. One of my room mates does have a LS1 powered WS6 with a cat-back Corsa exhaust system on it. How loud would my LT1 be with deleted mufflers compared to my room mates LS1 with the Corsa exhaust? Would my car have a deeper sounding exhaust compared to the Corsa? I personally don't like the Corsa sound. It's just not deep enough for my liking.

Stock LT1 mufflers replaced with straight pipes hung out the back, all other stock exhaust system remains (cats, O2 sensors).
Old 12-28-2015, 08:53 AM
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antfarmer2
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it would be to loud for me and most likely the panda's too
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Old 12-28-2015, 09:16 AM
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If the mufflers were cut off and replaced with some open pipe, it would be easy enough for a muffler shop to do and not very expensive. Don't add tips at this point; that cam be done later. If you didn't like the sound, the OEM mufflers can be welded back in place.

The next step would be to remove the resonator and weld in open pipes while leaving the mufflers.

If that step isn't to your liking, then I would suggest a cat-back system from Magnaflow. They are a pretty popular system for C4's.
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:15 AM
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TorchTarga94
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It will be louder than your friends WS6 at wide open throttle and pretty similar at idle, yours may be a little deeper as LT1's generally have a little deeper sound than the gen III engines.

Corsa actually sounds great on the LT1 C4. Magnaflow is definitely the deepest if that is what you are after. They just don't look nearly as nice as Corsa, B&B, or stock.

Deleting the mufflers is a really good economical choice, just be prepared for some drone while cruising.
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:16 AM
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I guess the question is what you hope to achieve. If you are trying to compete with the Rice boys, that would be one thing. Maybe get a 5 inch exhaust tip that makes noise. OTOH, if you are trying to get more performance, maybe you might need to go look at where the exhaust is weakest. IIRC, many have suggested that on the L98, we can use the better flowing LT1 system so unless you have major mods, it might be the last thing you need to worry about.
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Old 12-28-2015, 10:20 AM
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kimmer
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I have no mufflers and really like the sound.
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Old 12-28-2015, 11:36 AM
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LTxDave
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I deleted the mufflers on my 96 and it was perfect. I daily drove it like that for years.
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Old 12-28-2015, 11:55 AM
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THE 383 admiral
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I will post My Stock LT1 motor with LT 3" collectors 3" cat delete, H pipe with Mufflers. ALL OBX minus. The cat delete.
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Old 12-28-2015, 12:50 PM
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LCPLPunk
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I just had this done and it isn't too loud at all. I'm not really sure I like the sound yet (haven't driven it too much after the change), but I'm going to give it some more time before I decide.

Sound clips can be found here:


Just search on Youtube for C4 Corvette Muffler delete (OR) Muffler eliminator

Last edited by LCPLPunk; 12-28-2015 at 12:53 PM.
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Old 12-28-2015, 02:24 PM
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It is loud when you hit the throttle. Sometimes it wears on me. It is nice when you are tooling around town and going through the gears.
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Old 12-28-2015, 02:57 PM
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frank632
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It depends on where you drive your corvette "at what rpm" , I have a LT4 6 speed with flow masters, At 70 to 75 mph I has a loud roar inside at 80 and up its back to almost normal,
it sounds great running through the gears,tho
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Old 12-28-2015, 03:05 PM
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QCVette
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When I bought my '94 (6 speed) it had eliminators on it. The rest of the exhaust was stock and still had the resonator on it.

My first thought was it was terribly loud. As I drove it (2.5 years and 45k miles) I got used to it and really came to like it. Now I don't have that car and really miss the sound. Especially working through the gears.

To me, it has the best sound at idle of anything I have heard. It is a very deep rumble.

When driving it, how loud depends on how much throttle. If you limp it along, it is slightly loud, but if you put your foot into it, it is very loud. I did a lot of highway driving and at those speeds you can hear it, but it was not objectionable for me. I could still listen to the radio or talk with a passenger. Some people report that it drones bad, but at light throttle with the cruise control on, I did not really notice the drone. If it was loaded like going up a hill it got louder.

Overall, I liked it a lot. It was also one of the least expensive exhausts.

Last edited by QCVette; 12-28-2015 at 03:06 PM.
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Old 12-28-2015, 04:37 PM
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Ron B C4
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PO of my car welded in some pipe in place of mufflers and left tips and resonator. I didn't really feel it was that loud. It just had a crappy sound to me. Have since replaced with a complete MagnaFlow system. Very happy with that.
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Old 12-28-2015, 05:20 PM
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94corvetteC4
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I think the Borla Stinger cat back sounds the best. The muffler eliminators does sound good though.
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Old 12-28-2015, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by 94corvetteC4
I think the Borla Stinger cat back sounds the best. The muffler eliminators does sound good though.
I don't know what you mean by "sounds the best". I have Borla Stinger cat back and it was noisy as all hell. I had to put a Random Tech cat to make it quieter so the wife felt it was barely tolerable and would ride in it. Otherwise she would want to drive her car. If I thought the LT1 exhaust would not cause any restriction over the stingers and they were cat back from my system, I'd have lost the Borla.
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Old 12-28-2015, 09:52 PM
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The Borla is loud but the sound is deep and smooth. The muffler delete sounds a little raspy and pops on deceleration. It's not a loud obnoxious pop but it's their and can be heard when their is no load on the engine.

I'm going to go the muffler delete route to see what it sounds like in person and not from a cell phone recording. If I don't like it that's fine since I don't like the factory mufflers anyway I won't be out anything. I might just go with the Melrose full system with Borla stingers or MagnaFlow mufflers.
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Old 12-29-2015, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by LCPLPunk
I just had this done and it isn't too loud at all. I'm not really sure I like the sound yet (haven't driven it too much after the change), but I'm going to give it some more time before I decide.

Sound clips can be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYcwuhhC8kM

Just search on Youtube for C4 Corvette Muffler delete (OR) Muffler eliminator
Thank you for all the replies everyone, specially you LCPLPunk. Your video has convinced me to try deleting the mufflers, right after I get it inspected this week.

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Old 12-29-2015, 10:45 AM
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THE 383 admiral
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Quiet, Low tone. Till WOT. This setup sounded Awesome without mufflers.
Tickets Attraction.. this vid is with Mufflers..

Last edited by THE 383 admiral; 12-30-2015 at 10:02 PM.
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Old 12-31-2015, 09:03 AM
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larry_c4
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I have a '92 with muffler eliminater pipes. It can be pretty loud when you get on it, but it's not very loud at idle. Just a nice rumble
Old 12-31-2015, 11:25 AM
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94corvetteC4
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Local shop wants $150 to do the delete. That's parts and label plus cutting the tips off the mufflers and installing them on the pipes he puts on. Sound about right?


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