I am contemplating having a Borla Cat back system installed on my LT1. Does anyone have an opinion or experience with this particular set up? Are there any performance advantages or is is it mainly auditorily cosmetic?

 

I think you would be happier with a Corsa system. NO DRONE. Had Borla replacement mufflers on once on my 1996 Drone gave me a headache. Bought Corsa been pleased ever since,

 

no performance, just sound.....Corsa's sound good and don't drone but $1500

 

mufflers dont really add much, primarly sound. Bought a complete Y assy and catback yrs ago with better cats, couldnt tell if it helped or not but sounded good. Delta flow 50s

 

I just removed a Borla system on my 89'.
It sounded great, but after an hour or so I was deaf from the drone.

BTW, it's still for sale

 

As noted above no power really to be gained on a stock engine because your stock dual exhaust is not considered to be restrictive. So sound only.
You would be much better off in the long run to invest your $$ in a nice set of long tube headers and tie them into your stock cat-back exhaust. the sound will be lower and deeper and no tune adjustment will be needed until such time as you replace the cam.

 

a decent pair of headers is about $800. If you plan any future mods, the headers will most likely enhance that mod. I'm not sure what gains on a stock motor, but on a modded motor you can gain up to 40hp

 

I have the cat-back system on my LT4 and I don't have any drone issues. With the top up and the windows closed, it is louder inside of course, but it is not a drone perse. In a coupe, it might be very different. I drive with the top down 95% of the time here in FL.

 

I am not sure why everyone hates on the price of a Corsa. OK, mine was installed when I bought the car, but there is absolutely no drone. The tips look like jewelry. The sound is very nice, but a tad too quiet for my taste. I get that it is expensive, but the exhaust note dictates so much about the impression and sensation of the car. I think it's money well spent unless your only goal is HP. Which, you might just want to ditch the C4 and start with something more powerful because if HP is your only concern, the C4 will always be behind until you do a block up build.

 

I currently have Borla on my '96 and Corsa on my '95.

The Borla is a deeper sound than the Corsa and also seems like a less distinct pulse.

The Corsa is actually quiet inside the car to the point I would like a little louder. However, when I started the car with my wife outside the car she commented that it was loud. The Borla has more of a rumble inside the car that I enjoy listening to when I work through the gears, and I suspect it is about the same loudness as the Corsa outside the car.

I am not too sensitive to drone, but I don't mind either system. There is less noise inside on the Corsa system, but I like hearing the exhaust.

I had muffler eliminators on my '94 and they were louder than both systems. At first I thought the eliminators were horribly loud, but I got used to it and learned to control the noise with the throttle. I actually got used to it and liked it. I miss it now. The eliminators had the best sound at idle of any system I have tried. Sorry I got sidetracked on eliminators.

The exhaust tips are very nice on the Corsa and I think they look great. The Borla has a rectangular can over the outlet pipes and I think they look cheap and tacky.

As for performance, I can't feel any performance difference between stock and any of the systems. If you go to one of these systems it should be because of sound or looks.

Good luck with your choice.

 

I have a '93 LT1 with a Borla catback system and I love it. I like the lower rumble as apposed to loud and raspy. I haven't noticed a loud drone, just a smooth rumble, but I drive with my top down all the time.

 

In a coupe, the sound resonates like your in a drum.

 

My 94 came with the Borla already installed. Drone was noticeable but not anymore since I installed sound deafing material in the car. Don’t mind driving long distances anymore