Borla or Corsa mufflers?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Borla or Corsa mufflers?
Hey all, I have an 86 l98 completely stock at the moment. Planning on getting some exhaust work done. I'm between Borla or Corsa. So far my understanding is that Borla sounds better but Corsa has less drone. I want the best possible performance and minimal drone. At the same time I want people heads to turn haha. I want it to sound good but not be overly loud. Good for the street, not for the track if you know what I mean. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Congrats! You have just re-started WW3!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zioqlN-f-l8
BTW... pick Corsa is you don't like drone
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zioqlN-f-l8
BTW... pick Corsa is you don't like drone
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,564
Likes: 1,676
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Could you send me some pictures of it? Also, do you not think borla is good for performance? Asking be cause you said why am I looking at borla if I want best possible performance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
WWIII??? Can I be Switzerland or Canada then...
Unless you get a full "cat-back system" or at least remove the stock resonator, only replacing the OEM mufflers with Corsa, Borla, or Magnaflows, won't do much for performance. It will increase the sound though. Since you mentioned you don't want cabin drone, you'll need to concentrate on whatever brand produces the least amount of drone. THAT is where your research is needed. You won't find a muffler replacement (by itself) that will produce noticeable performance increase, without you doing something else like also eliminating the resonator or going cat back too.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Unless you get a full "cat-back system" or at least remove the stock resonator, only replacing the OEM mufflers with Corsa, Borla, or Magnaflows, won't do much for performance. It will increase the sound though. Since you mentioned you don't want cabin drone, you'll need to concentrate on whatever brand produces the least amount of drone. THAT is where your research is needed. You won't find a muffler replacement (by itself) that will produce noticeable performance increase, without you doing something else like also eliminating the resonator or going cat back too.
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Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I had Corsas put on this Vette and absolutely zero drone and it still sounds good.
If you want to increase performance add a 2 1/2" SS front Y and hi-flow cat along with the Corsa.
If you want to increase performance add a 2 1/2" SS front Y and hi-flow cat along with the Corsa.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 47
Likes: 17
From: Anderson, Indiana
I have an 85 that had Borla installed by previous owner. I do like the sound but folks are right about drone with them. As side note, drone was so bad my wife couldn't ride for more than about 15 minutes without a headache. I was able to solve by adding Block it noise pad. I hesitated on purchasing as they are a bit pricey, but it makes a difference. Not sure on how many dB's it dropped, but wife no longer gets headaches and I think it does help the speakers a bit too.
Last edited by Dls1dls1; Aug 3, 2018 at 03:40 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 33
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
In my neighborhood - where the speed limit is 20 mph (which I am a huge advocate of obeying due to the number kids) - the Corsas on my LT4 turn everyone's head. And I agree, while driving the car, I don't think it sounds loud at all. But my neighbors tell me it sounds great (lots of sports car enthusiasts in my neighborhood).
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
I do believe the "mid back part" you're calling a cat, is actually a resonator. Am I wrong here, or do California C4s have 3 cats (one on each side forward, and one the two pipes flow into together at mid section)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
I have a Magnaflow axle-back system (Two slightly larger pipes leading into the rear Magnaflow mufflers). I also have stock cats and stock resonator. There is still a DRONE sound.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Depends. Do you need the noise to introduce yourself and if so, how much are you willing to spend on that pleasure? Unfortunately, my combination of LT headers, higher flow cat and Borla cat back is too noisy for the wife and myself so if I had to do it again, I'd go Corsa in hope of a quieter system.