LT1 muffler delete, how loud?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
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).
Stock LT1 mufflers replaced with straight pipes hung out the back, all other stock exhaust system remains (cats, O2 sensors).
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,605
Likes: 202
From: Trinity FL
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.
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
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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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 151
Likes: 6
From: Honolulu Hawaii
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
Sound clips can be found here:
Just search on Youtube for C4 Corvette Muffler delete (OR) Muffler eliminator
Last edited by LCPLPunk; Dec 28, 2015 at 12:53 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
From: GALLATIN Tennessee
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
it sounds great running through the gears,tho
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
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.
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; Dec 28, 2015 at 03:06 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 692
Likes: 27
From: Deltona Florida
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.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
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.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 329
Likes: 23
From: douglasville georgia
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 588
Likes: 35
From: Smithfield VA
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
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
