Exhaust Mods
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 55
From: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
The cheapest way to go is pick up a Z-06 Ti exhaust it looks great from behind because the tips are oval and the rumble is just a little more then what you have.
Good Luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,066
Likes: 0
St. Jude Donor '06
I currently have GHL Bullets, the rest is stock. They have a nice rumble and no significant drone.
Still has a bit of the motor boat sound at idle, but a major improvement over stock.
Nick
Still has a bit of the motor boat sound at idle, but a major improvement over stock.
Nick
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
A good catback would be in order - B&B, Corsa and Borla all make good systems that sound great.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Would the TI's be different enough to be worth the additional expense or are the very close to stock?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
I kind of wished that I had bought a Ti exhaust when I upgraded but I went with Corsa Pace Cars and for me they are too loud. I know most on here like a really loud exhuast sound, but maybe it's my age because I don't like it. The Pace cars have no drone, which is nice, but they do have the motor boat sound at idle and really scream when you put the metal down. Ti has a softer, smoother sound but if you like loud, they're not going to fill the bill. They're a little louder than stock, but not a heck of a lot.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,819
Likes: 1
From: Toledo Ohio
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Hey
(enclosed pictures are not mine, but taken from Forum)
You can place a bypass pipe(as shown). Find a friend or exhaust shop that will work with you(Good welder). Can be done on car-just remove 2 hanger bolts from rear cans and let hang down. Be sure welder moves ground so stray volts don't get in system. Should be able to get this Mod. done for $100. Also works with Z06 Tis.(pictured) If ya don't like it, your not out much.
Do some searches there are many write-ups from over the years. Some have called this the motorboat Mod. Also the AA Mod. Most people don't know/remember that it was a dealer installed option in '97.
I did this with mine when new.
In use its a little more than stock at idle and low RPMs. When you get on it most of the exhause goes strait out the center pipe and not through the muffler. Sounds great from outside and you don't have to listen to it , all the time, in the car. Like all $1000 cat backs.
(enclosed pictures are not mine, but taken from Forum)
You can place a bypass pipe(as shown). Find a friend or exhaust shop that will work with you(Good welder). Can be done on car-just remove 2 hanger bolts from rear cans and let hang down. Be sure welder moves ground so stray volts don't get in system. Should be able to get this Mod. done for $100. Also works with Z06 Tis.(pictured) If ya don't like it, your not out much.
Do some searches there are many write-ups from over the years. Some have called this the motorboat Mod. Also the AA Mod. Most people don't know/remember that it was a dealer installed option in '97.
I did this with mine when new.
In use its a little more than stock at idle and low RPMs. When you get on it most of the exhause goes strait out the center pipe and not through the muffler. Sounds great from outside and you don't have to listen to it , all the time, in the car. Like all $1000 cat backs.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
I kind of wished that I had bought a Ti exhaust when I upgraded but I went with Corsa Pace Cars and for me they are too loud. I know most on here like a really loud exhuast sound, but maybe it's my age because I don't like it. The Pace cars have no drone, which is nice, but they do have the motor boat sound at idle and really scream when you put the metal down. Ti has a softer, smoother sound but if you like loud, they're not going to fill the bill. They're a little louder than stock, but not a heck of a lot.
Everything I've heard about the Corsa Touring is that it's a barely audible difference between it and the stock exhaust.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 10
From: Simi Valley CA
When I had my C5 coupe, I put the Corsa touring on there. It was very close to a mustang sound. I'm not changing out my Ti's on the Z, but the Corsa was quieter under normal driving, and a bit louder under WOT.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,554
Likes: 3
From: pasadena in the great state of TEXAS
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
i would go with the ti's. i had corsa's on a coupe that i had and now have a z with ti's and i like the sound of the ti's better. i wish that i would have put ti's on the coupe. plus the ti's are about half the cost...hind site is 20/20
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 8
My suggestion would be to go to a local Corvette get-together (gtg) and get a first hand "hearing" on what exhaust system sounds good to you. Some maybe too loud, too quiet and have the dreaded drone. Don't forget to listen from inside of the cabin and not just outside.
My history: Had the Borla's (too loud & the drone) switched to Corsa Touring (a step up from stock). But I like it.
My history: Had the Borla's (too loud & the drone) switched to Corsa Touring (a step up from stock). But I like it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,892
Likes: 47
From: Helotes TEXAS
Ti's are the CHEAPEST exhaust mod you can do and well worth the $300 - $350 expense. If you want something louder, then you're looking to spend about $500 - $650 for a good used system that will be significantly louder than stock.
My .02..... Z06 Ti's.
My .02..... Z06 Ti's.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 453
Likes: 24
From: Middleburg Hts OH
On my 2000 FRC I took off the factory syaytem and installed a TI. The TI system was a tad bit more agressive, but not what I was looking for. I bought a Corsa Pace Car system and found it to be exactly what I was looking for. Quiet while I was driving around town, and agressive when I wanted it to be. Hope this helps. 
Pro
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 14
From: Huntington Beach / Fountain Valley California
I have the NXT Step Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust System.
I ABSOLUTLY Love it. The Sound is awesome, it is not too loud and has no drone either.
The fit and finish is incredible. The welds are very well done and the construction material is all T304 Stainless Steel (A VERY NICELY MADE SYSTEM).
The Polished Stainless Steel Exhaust tips are BEAUTIFUL and look like they are replicated from the Corsa Style. The chrome polished stainless steel shine is perfect and just makes the rear of my C5 "pop" with sparkle.
If you do a search on this forum for NXT Step Exhaust you will find that some say it is a nice copy of a Borla with Corsa Quad Tips at half the price of a Borla but with similar sound and construction.
You can find these on the Big Auction site for around $500 to $650 shipped.
(I found mine on craigslist that was used slightly for only a few months on a Sunday driver before the guy removed it and sold the car - It was like new - I paid $200 for mine and it was the best mod I have ever done.)
This Exhaust is one of those "Best kept secrets" that you stumble upon rarely.
Do a search here on the forum and there are plenty of youtube sound clips and videos of NXT STEP EXHAUST Systems.
HERE IS A FORUM THREAD FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ALSO INSTALLED ONE WITH PICS:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-arrived.html
Here is a description from amazon
Product Description
Nxt Step Performance Corvette C5 Exhaust System - Performance, Stainless Steel With Quad Tips, 1997-2004. Up To 12hp Increase Performance, Exhaust Note Without Resonance, Constructed Of T304 Stainless Steel, Bolt-On Installation. Get improved performance and great sound with this all stainless steel exhaust system. It features polished quad tips that are 3.5" in diameter and is one of the best cat-back systems on the market today.
Pics: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563867127UENeUS
I ABSOLUTLY Love it. The Sound is awesome, it is not too loud and has no drone either.
The fit and finish is incredible. The welds are very well done and the construction material is all T304 Stainless Steel (A VERY NICELY MADE SYSTEM).
The Polished Stainless Steel Exhaust tips are BEAUTIFUL and look like they are replicated from the Corsa Style. The chrome polished stainless steel shine is perfect and just makes the rear of my C5 "pop" with sparkle.
If you do a search on this forum for NXT Step Exhaust you will find that some say it is a nice copy of a Borla with Corsa Quad Tips at half the price of a Borla but with similar sound and construction.
You can find these on the Big Auction site for around $500 to $650 shipped.
(I found mine on craigslist that was used slightly for only a few months on a Sunday driver before the guy removed it and sold the car - It was like new - I paid $200 for mine and it was the best mod I have ever done.)
This Exhaust is one of those "Best kept secrets" that you stumble upon rarely.
Do a search here on the forum and there are plenty of youtube sound clips and videos of NXT STEP EXHAUST Systems.
HERE IS A FORUM THREAD FROM ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO ALSO INSTALLED ONE WITH PICS:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-arrived.html
Here is a description from amazon
Product Description
Nxt Step Performance Corvette C5 Exhaust System - Performance, Stainless Steel With Quad Tips, 1997-2004. Up To 12hp Increase Performance, Exhaust Note Without Resonance, Constructed Of T304 Stainless Steel, Bolt-On Installation. Get improved performance and great sound with this all stainless steel exhaust system. It features polished quad tips that are 3.5" in diameter and is one of the best cat-back systems on the market today.
Pics: http://good-times.webshots.com/album/563867127UENeUS
Last edited by saxtech; Feb 25, 2010 at 03:35 PM.