Anybody have this cat back on their vert? I see now that B&B has a 2 1/2" system along with the 3". Is the 2 1/2" system any better as far as resonance? I'm curious as to what the sound would be like with the top down. As far as future mods go, I'm only looking to going with a LT4 top end kit with the hot cam, so the 2 1/2" would be okay. I've just not heard of anyone with the 2 1/2 B&B catback system on their vert, or coupe. Anybody?

 

No clue.

All I do know is that the Corsa system does not resonate AT ALL.

 

You are so right. I helped Dilligas install his Corsa and it looks and sounds great. I just wish both tips were active.

 

I have the 3" on my 92 vert and with the ragtop up, there is quite a bit of resonance in the 1200-1600 RPM range which, for my car with the 2.73 gears, is just at cruising speeds. Anything above 70MPH the resonance goes away. Once I put the hardtop on, resonance is greatly reduced.

With the top down, I really don't notice a lot of resonance. The system does sound nice and I get a lot of compliments on both the look of the stainless and the sound from outside. Corvette Fever did a sound test of various cat-back systems a few years ago and the B&B 3" System generated the most dB both inside and out and had the highest increases of HP and torque.

I just looked at the Billy Boat website and they don't show a 2.5" system for the LT1, the L98 system is 2.5". :confused:

 

Hey c4cruiser, Thanks for the reply :cheers: Mid America has both the 3" and 2 1/2" systems for the LT1 (92). Personally, I want a little more sound than a Corsa. I've given up on my wife riding with me so I want it loud. :thumbs:

 

I have the 3" system on my '95 LT1. The best quality over all that I've ever seen in an exhaust system, but I guess that's why you pay over $1,000 after shipping for it. At first resonance was pretty bad, but as it broke in (after about 1,000 miles) I had damn near ZERO resonance. I know others will probably differ but on my car it disappeared. I later took off the resonator though and a good deal of resonance came back, but I liked the sound a little better so I stuck with it. I'm very happy with it, all though I hope it'll get a little louder long run with headers and cam, which I'm 99.9% positive it will obviously. All in all, I recommend it :cheers:

[edit] Just realized you asked about a vert, sorry, I have a coupe, BUT with my windows down and top off there is NO resonance anyway.


[Modified by BowTieBlood, 9:31 PM 12/2/2003]

 

Hey Bowtieblood, Thanks for the reply :cheers: I've been on the fence: Corsa vs B&B. I'm falling towards the B&B for the sound. I hope the quality of the B&B is as good as the Corsa and from what you say it is. You say the resonance went away, maybe it was your hearing that went away :lolg: :rofl: :lol: Do you find yourself saying, "what did you say?" a lot? :rofl: :lolg: :lol: Sorry, I couldn't resist. Thanks for the comeback :cheers:

Somebody has to have a 92-96 LT1 vert with the B&B catback. Or will I be the first?

 

Also consider that when I bought the car (used), it had the Flowmaster cat-back on it, it was so quiet that I didn't even know it had Flowmasters on it. Guess I have a freak car :confused: Who knows, but the TriFlo was everyone's love when I put it on, what a difference, and the quality over the Flowmaster, WOW :eek: But def. take others opinions on it if they ever chime in, because my car is always quiet.

 

B&B is loud and resonance only seems to be a problem with automatics that have the 2.59 gears.

 

Resonance is also a problem in 6 speed, especially in 6th gear.

Once you get above 2000 rpm the resonance goes away, so with 4.10's if you can stay above 75 mph it is pretty quiet, with 3.45's.....need to be going pretty fast...

Oh, going downhill, no resonance.....uphill, much resonance

On coupe....Windows down, little resonance....windows up, much resonance

Once again, in my opinion, B&B 3" exhaust looks good, great for track or cruise ins, but plain & simple it is not for the highway unless you are deaf or wear earplugs....

 

Thanks Bud, Glad to see someone chime in that is in my age group. :yesnod: Did you notice any difference in performance when you installed the B&Bs?

 

No seat of the pants difference in performance, but it is pretty well documented that you will get around 10 hp gain.

Does sound good (except for resonance), which is kind of fun at times!!!!

 

I think I've made up my mind on the B&B. Now, I have to decide on whether it will be a 3" or 2 1/2" system. The best price so far is from MAD @ $999.99. How does that compare to what you paid?

 

I got a very nice responce from B&B today. It seems they improved their resonance problem thanks to feed back from people who installed it. Yes the 2 1/2" system is quieter, but the HP gain is still best with their 3" system.

 

Here is the reply I got from the Billy Boat Exhaust. I had asked about the resonance problem and the differences between the 3" and 2 1/2" systems.

"Tom, our 3.00" system is the biggest HP gainer. The 2.5" system is a 6 to 7 HP increase at the rear wheels. Several years ago interior resonance was a very real issue with our 3" system. If you wanted the HP increase of the 3" system the resonance automatically came with it. About 2 years ago we redesigned the interior of the 3" muffler adding an internal resonator (Hemholtz resonator I believe is the proper name ). That design change made the 3" system very tolerable. Probably the best comparison I can give you is that 2 1/2 years ago at least 75 percent of the 3" systems we sold --the customer loved the performance increase but called us to let us know the interior resonance was not enjoyable. Today we RARELY get that negative call regarding resonance. Since sound is totally personal and very subjective, the 2.5" system is the quietest both inside and outside of the car. To the majority of LT-1 owners, today's 3" system is within the tolerable range inside the car and still retains the big HP increase. I hope this will be of help to you. Thanks for your inquiry.
[Mike Ryan] "


So, with that I'm looking to buy the 3" B&B system.


:hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

 

Just wonder if you discussed the x-pipe as an option on either system????

It is nice to see they did respond to market feedback regarding resonance.

My system was one of the first for an LT4, and actually I am sure MORE than 75% of the customers of that vintage viewed resonance as unacceptable!!!

 

We didn't discuss the X-pipe effects. What is that supposed to do?

 

I have the BB 3 inch system with the x pipe ,I love the sound and the quality of the fit and finish.I researched exhaust systems for aboit three months and am very pleased with the BB system. :party:

 

Thanks Paul for the reply. I wonder if you got the newer version of the B&B system. Did the X-pipe replace the resonator?

 

2 quick comments:

1. Keep in mind that their resonator out-flows their x-pipe, even they'll tell you that as many members usually point out. X-pipe will usually increase resonance as well, or so I've expereience in friends cars. So consider the resonator option as well as an x-pipe for your liking.

2. I have an automatic with 3.07s, resonance is not near as bad as anyone tells you ON MY CAR. I drove a '97 Trans Am with a Flowmaster and echo tips, and in comparison the Tri-Flo is silent resonance wise. This also is agreed upon by my Dad who I let drive sometimes (he's 57). At highway speeds you can not even hear the exhaust, I cruise 75mph from Austin to Lubbock (380 miles) everytime I go to and from school.