Ok so first thing I have to say is WOW, YouTube videos and the sound clips that GHL shares DO NOT DO JUSTICE

Just some background on my car before I get started, I have a 2004 Z06 with some of the basic respiratory mods: Kooks Long-Tube Headers, X-Pipe, Blackwing CAI (w/ CF air bridge), ECS Tune, and now GHL Bullet Exhaust

I originally bought the car back in December and it came with a set of SLP Powerflo exhaust, now the start up and low rpm/low speed sound was amazing, but the drone was just mind numbing and it got worse when you hit the highway and set a constant speed. Over bluetooth or even with a passenger it became impossible to hold a conversation and interior panels would sometimes rattle due to the resonance.

After about 600-800 miles with the SLP I decided to make the switch to the stock Ti exhaust. My drone sorrows were gone and I again could have a conversation if I wanted to. The mods I had helped the stock Ti sound a little bit better, but to me it no longer sounded like a Vette should. I lost the thrill I once got every I started it up.

After much research I came across the magical "drone-less" GHL exhaust that would "make my car sound like it should". Throughout my 3 month process in choosing an exhaust I rode along in cars with B&B, Corsa, Borla, and Magnaflow and although I like to tone of some I was never fully satisfied. I never got to hear a GHL car in person, so I had to go off vague descriptions and poor quality YouTube videos (anything I found that was good quality was on a car way more modified than mine)

I came across a great deal on the GHL's and figured they seem to be in demand so if I don't like them I'll sell them. I ordered from GHL directly and had them in less than a week!

Packaging
My shiny new exhaust came in a package smaller than I had expected, I ripped it open (before even going into the house) and found a bunch of parts individually bubble wrapped in what I would call "overkill" but I am sure they don't want to take any chances. I opened everything and laid it out on the floor to inspect for any flaws, but to my avail I found none. The piece looked very well constructed, much more than the SLP and almost to the standards of stock. The first thing I noticed was the solid welds and clear air path. This had be grinning at would could be

Install
So I planned that I would wait till the weekend and get this on, but I just could not wait - I had it put on in less than 24 hours of receiving it. I had to know if what I got was worth it, I was looking for great start up sound, low to no drone, throaty/raspy idle, and an exhaust note that was deeper, something that said this is a Z06. The install went flawlessly, fitment was a no brainer. (I do need to go back and adjust the tips so the align a bit better, I was in a rush to get back to the office)

First Impressions
I only had about a 2 mile drive back to the office, but that was probably the best 2 miles I have experienced in this car. Seat belt on, clutch in, key in, turn key, and..... I had got exactly what I wanted, a start up sound that was nothing more or less and worthy of this car. Pulling out I definitely heard the car a little bit more with the windows down, but not obnoxious. More importantly the note/tone of the exhaust was now in the right place.

Extended Drive
I work two jobs so after leaving the office I headed to my part-time at a mall up in NY. Leaving work I figured what the hell let me goto Bear Mountain for a bit of a "spirited cruise". Within the first mile I thought " OMG THIS THING IS WILD". Now I am usually the first to have buyers remorse on large purchases, even if I end up liking them down the road, BUT not this time. To be honest if I could have experienced this before buying I would pay twice as much (but I am glad the price is competitive.)

There is some drone in a few small RPM ranges, but even then it is not mind numbing and my interior panels do not rattle. Although not a huge performance upgrade for my car, it mentally made me feel more confident in the cars capabilities, it made me fall in love with my car all over again (and I never stopped loving it!)


My favorite experience with this exhaust was coming home on the Garden state park way, there was a bit of traffic I was moving at about 35mph in 4th gear, I see an opening coming up just as I am about to go under and extended overpass/pseudo-tunnel and I hold 4th gear and get about halfway down on the gas and the car just sounded amazing.

I had a rough few weeks with some personal things and this exhaust has really been my therapy. I hope that this write up/short story helps other who may have been stuck making the decision.

I will be posting videos, but what good would an iPhone video be, I want to represent the true exhilaration and emotion of this exhaust. So I will be reaching out to a few friends with professional video and audio equipment.

I am sure I have not touched on everything, but please feel free to ask me anything specific.



Also I have NO affiliation with GHL or ANY vendor on or off this forum. I would like to share a link to GHL's special, the price is truly amazing - their customer service and turn around even better. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...isle-sale.html

 

I've heard a lot of good things about them. Glad you like them.

 

 

Doug over the next year you will be seeing a lot of me

CCW's will be ordered next week

That means over the next year:
- PFADT Coilovers
- C6Z Brakes
- ECS N/A Cam Package (btw how is this as a daily setup? I like it because it looks like it also address some maintenance items I'd hit down the road anyway - plugs, belts, timing chain)

 

Hey man! Good to see you post your results. I'm glad you like them. I can't get enough of them myself. Like I mentioned before to you--my gas mileage has suffered b/c of this exhaust, but it's not GHL's fault. I can't keep my foot out of the gas and have a hard time getting out of low gears.
Great write up by the way. I sure hope you can get someone to get a couple of good videos of your set-up. The ones on YouTube and other sites just don't do it AT ALL!!
I didn't get this exhaust to impress everyone else. I bought it because I wanted to Z to sound like it should and I wanted to hear it while I was driving. It is a nice bonus however to have folks ask me about it almost every time I stop somewhere.
A H/C/I package is in my near future as well. Although I might have to put HF cats on afterwards. I do have neighbors that might not like it as much as I do.

 

You should hear them with a blower!!

 

I love my GHLs. I switched from Borla Stingers and get probably 90% of the sound with 0% of the drone. My 100 mile round trip commute has gotten much more enjoyable when I drive the Vette!

Also, the ECS NA cam is great for daily driving. I had that cam with AFR heads before my 427 and the drivability was great. Sat in traffic for hours with no issues whatsoever during my long commute.

 

good for you! a great exhaust will put a smile on your face everytime!

 

Thanks guys! I can't wait to get out of work and enjoy it again

I hope this helps out some of the people who maybe on the cusp or have never considered GHL

 

That's great to hear, my commute is about the same Monday-Thursday. I don't plan on doing heads at the moment (if I can get away with it), probably just their cam package.

The 427 is far on my radar but for sure one day - if you don't mind shoot me a PM with some details and roughly what it ran you.

 

 

Glad you are liking your new GHL's.

I have been considering a set myself, I already have a cam and
a set of LG headers with the TI's

I work in the Hightstown area and would love to hear them in person,
let me know if thats possible. I deliver to the Target and Shop-Rite
on rt130.
Shoot me a PM.

 

 

Good to hear

Chuck

 

Nice review and glad you are enjoying the new sound.

 

PM Sent, I live right by the Home Depot/Walmart/Ford Dealer near where 33 and 130 merge

 

Love mine. They sound great.

 

I love my GHL's and everyone who hears my car (stock) is impressed with them as well.

I so appreciate your write up because I'm planning a set ARH's, with high flow cats and X Pipe for next year and was very concerned with making the car undrivable at cruising speeds and on the highway.

Thanks!!

 

GHLs are the gold standard for C5s, and have been for over a decade. Try as they may, no other fabricator has been able to match the combination of great sound and no drone.

 

I just wanted to thank all of you for the kind words and support.