Exhaust note question please
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Exhaust note question please
When I hear the newer mustangs and camaros I hear each cylinder fire, its very defined. In my 96 its muddy and nothing defined. I replaced mufflers with what essentially huge glass packs. This brought the volume up with minimal drone but I dont like the sound.
Im wondering, whats creating this sort of mixed sound? If I went with "performance" catalytic converters would it help? Or is it the stock resonance muffler that mixes it up?
I dont know if Im explaining this well.. do you guys know what I mean?
Im wondering, whats creating this sort of mixed sound? If I went with "performance" catalytic converters would it help? Or is it the stock resonance muffler that mixes it up?
I dont know if Im explaining this well.. do you guys know what I mean?
Last edited by barchetta1; Jul 29, 2018 at 08:27 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
The resonator reduces harmonics by creating an opposing standingwave or something to that effect. That will muffle distinct fires. The long cat also creates a pocket for it to mix with the next pulse. The newer camaros may have a more dual style exhaust setup with something like a crossover x in the middle. Also more compression and horsepower help create more distinct sounds as well...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
The resonator reduces harmonics by creating an opposing standingwave or something to that effect. That will muffle distinct fires. The long cat also creates a pocket for it to mix with the next pulse. The newer camaros may have a more dual style exhaust setup with something like a crossover x in the middle. Also more compression and horsepower help create more distinct sounds as well...
I dont think Im going to find the answer Im looking for. Perhaps its just the lt1 cam and I wont get that sound until I change that out. Ive listened on youtube and I think a cam is what mabe gives that sound. I presume the new cars have variable cam timing.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 234
Likes: 20
From: Stuart Florida
The 96 doesnt have a long cat.. has two coffee can cats, one on each side.
I dont think Im going to find the answer Im looking for. Perhaps its just the lt1 cam and I wont get that sound until I change that out. Ive listened on youtube and I think a cam is what mabe gives that sound. I presume the new cars have variable cam timing.
I dont think Im going to find the answer Im looking for. Perhaps its just the lt1 cam and I wont get that sound until I change that out. Ive listened on youtube and I think a cam is what mabe gives that sound. I presume the new cars have variable cam timing.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I think ddahlgrin has something there. I have an afetrmarket cam 227/234, .575, 110 LSA with all the necessary goodies such as heads etc. and I just not happy with the idle sound. I'm running straight dual exhaust, no CATS, no resonator, Flowmasters with crossover pipe. I've been told it is the firing order combined with the duration and LSA. I may have to go to CORSA or some other premium exhaust to get the sound I want. It seems evrywhere I turn it's more $$ LOL
When I listen to youtube before and after of cross over pipes I do hear a more distinct sound if each cylinder firing. I havent looked for a cat in/catsout video.. not sure if there is one. Im in SC so I could remove and not be bothered.
only lt1 cat delete I could find
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 585
From: Texas
Headers. Dollars to donuts the cars with the sound you like are running long tube headers. And if they're running headers, 99% of the time they're going to have an upgraded cam, as well. The mufflers control the overall volume of the exhaust, but cam & headers are going to affect the tone of the exhaust more than any other thing.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Headers. Dollars to donuts the cars with the sound you like are running long tube headers. And if they're running headers, 99% of the time they're going to have an upgraded cam, as well. The mufflers control the overall volume of the exhaust, but cam & headers are going to affect the tone of the exhaust more than any other thing.
I need to do my gear first but was hoping maybe the x pipe would do it or a cat delete. Headers are too damn expensive for me right now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 585
From: Texas
Or, you could save even more money and build a set yourself if you know how to weld.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
But that being said, even if what I am hearing is not stock those cars sound sick as hell with very distinctive cylinder firing. I dont really hear the difference all that much between the firing orders I posted here. I mean its there but not anything Id spend any money on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
Not sure you were able to determine it looked relatively stock. its not uncommon to go with long tube headers and leave stock mufflers and resonator to avoid drone...
But that being said, even if what I am hearing is not stock those cars sound sick as hell with very distinctive cylinder firing. I dont really hear the difference all that much between the firing orders I posted here. I mean its there but not anything Id spend any money on.
But that being said, even if what I am hearing is not stock those cars sound sick as hell with very distinctive cylinder firing. I dont really hear the difference all that much between the firing orders I posted here. I mean its there but not anything Id spend any money on.
I know the sound you're talking about, I don't hear it that much tbh. I get compliments on mine quite often. We've gotten compliments on the 67 too because it has a 70s sound to go with the 70s theme. Maybe mine has an 80s sound, who knows. It is so subjective anyway. I just know going under an overpass in the vette at wide open is one of the crazier sounding notes I've heard. At the end of the day it's what you want to hear. The standard sbc firing order is considered uneven though or something like that. I don't buy that much into that though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
I mean if I were spending the money I wouldn't leave the rest alone but that's me. (I can also pick out headers from a mile away since they have such a distinct sound but maybe with a stock exhaust you won't hear that.) Really didn't sound that memorable imo, I actually had to listen to make sure it wasn't a V6 or something like that. Once I rolled the window down I could tell but nothing to write home about. Same way I feel about the 350r, sort of like a pissed off weed whacker more than anything.
I know the sound you're talking about, I don't hear it that much tbh. I get compliments on mine quite often. We've gotten compliments on the 67 too because it has a 70s sound to go with the 70s theme. Maybe mine has an 80s sound, who knows. It is so subjective anyway. I just know going under an overpass in the vette at wide open is one of the crazier sounding notes I've heard. At the end of the day it's what you want to hear. The standard sbc firing order is considered uneven though or something like that. I don't buy that much into that though.
I know the sound you're talking about, I don't hear it that much tbh. I get compliments on mine quite often. We've gotten compliments on the 67 too because it has a 70s sound to go with the 70s theme. Maybe mine has an 80s sound, who knows. It is so subjective anyway. I just know going under an overpass in the vette at wide open is one of the crazier sounding notes I've heard. At the end of the day it's what you want to hear. The standard sbc firing order is considered uneven though or something like that. I don't buy that much into that though.
Inside my car what I hear is a mish mash of exhaust notes.. sounds all mixed together when Im on it. At part throttle its not too bad but full throttle nothing but a mixture of pulses.. in fact I hear no pulses. Eh crap, Im never happy.. I will say this, on youtube the L98's sound better than the lt1s. Not sure why.all of this being said I hate drone. Ive been doing a lot of reading of the guys who own the 2010 on up muscle cars (mainly camaros) and most of them are looking for more volume and no drone.. which is hard to get if not impossible.But they clearly have more product to look at.
Here I go... back onto youtube...
Last edited by barchetta1; Jul 31, 2018 at 09:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
all I know is I am envious when I hear the notes (new cars) Inside my car what I hear is a mish mash of exhaust notes.. sounds all mixed together when Im on it. At part throttle its not too bad but full throttle nothing but a mixture of pulses.. in fact I hear no pulses. Eh crap, Im never happy.. I will say this, on youtube the L98's sound better than the lt1s. Not sure why.
all of this being said I hate drone. Ive been doing a lot of reading of the guys who own the 2010 on up muscle cars (mainly camaros) and most of them are looking for more volume and no drone.. which is hard to get if not impossible.But they clearly have more product to look at.
Here I go... back onto youtube...
Inside my car what I hear is a mish mash of exhaust notes.. sounds all mixed together when Im on it. At part throttle its not too bad but full throttle nothing but a mixture of pulses.. in fact I hear no pulses. Eh crap, Im never happy.. I will say this, on youtube the L98's sound better than the lt1s. Not sure why.all of this being said I hate drone. Ive been doing a lot of reading of the guys who own the 2010 on up muscle cars (mainly camaros) and most of them are looking for more volume and no drone.. which is hard to get if not impossible.But they clearly have more product to look at.
Here I go... back onto youtube...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
Just in case you've never heard mine then... Mostly stock at that minus mufflers. It's a very distinct sound I've been told.
https://youtu.be/R4oarPI4QWQ
https://youtu.be/40ZvJSe-CyM
https://youtu.be/R4oarPI4QWQ
https://youtu.be/40ZvJSe-CyM
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 96
From: Magnolia Tx
And this may be some of the issue. Have you had a buddy drive your car while you were standing outside watching and listening to it go by? They sound WAY different inside than they do from the outside.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 1,487
From: New Jersey
very mild cam comparable to a stock 89 l98 cam. 206/214 on a 112 lsa iirc. Nothing worth noting. Still has mufflers, they're just built into the tips there. They are a chambered (basically glasspack) type. The old monza style muffler is what they are modeled after. Mid america sells them and I love them.
As far as drone, top off or on it doesn't bother me. Lugging it around 1600 gets a little and running it up past 3k gets some too but just cruising I only really hear wind noise. Way better than the 3rd gen my cousin has or the 67. I found it not really any worse than the stock type muffler they replaced. There is a crossover tube on the rear y though. Top on it is dead quiet... like surprised me how quiet. The nice thing is the tips protrude out under the bumper. Iirc that helps as well as turndowns.
As far as drone, top off or on it doesn't bother me. Lugging it around 1600 gets a little and running it up past 3k gets some too but just cruising I only really hear wind noise. Way better than the 3rd gen my cousin has or the 67. I found it not really any worse than the stock type muffler they replaced. There is a crossover tube on the rear y though. Top on it is dead quiet... like surprised me how quiet. The nice thing is the tips protrude out under the bumper. Iirc that helps as well as turndowns.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 80
From: Fort Mill, SC
But to your point... Im listening to cars from outside the cars.. valid point.
Do you guys hear what Im hearing inside your cars?
Im at a age where I dont care what others think..
Sorry I didnt mean for this to go on and on.