Drone Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Wichita ks
Drone Question
I just bought '02 coupe, & it has stock exhaust. I'm new to C5's & the forum, so bear with me. I see questions about aftermarket exhaust drone, which I think I understand. But shouldn't there be a difference in cockpit drone characteristics in convertible vs. coupe? And therefore different reccommendations for aftermkt catbacks? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
I went with FlowMasters, Drone was min., but there still is drone on certain hills and at certain RPMs, not as bad as others. I've been in C5's with Borla's to much drone, B&B way to much drone and Magnaflow, better but still a strong drone. Again I wanted the sound outside not inside, but you compromise when you go with performance over stock. Again I'm 52 and have grown up (some what) and loud exhaust is not a priority for me, but performance still is, so I did FlowMaster. Good luck, ride with others in their ride and see for yourself. Go to a local Vette club meet and ask question, you wouldn't buy a car without test driving it, don't install a cat back from others without riding in a vehicle so you can see for yourself. Also 90% will be normal riding with maybe 10% pushing it, so will you be able to live with DRONE 90% if you get the wrong setup... Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,452
Likes: 346
From: SC
I just got Borla stingers on my stock 2002 coupe. I have no idea what the drone fuss is about. I have experienced nothing annoying at all. Just a nice muscle car rumble @ idle, and roar at wot. Couldn't be happier. Now, I'm told with headers it's a different story........
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,434
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From: Harrisburg Pa.
I just got Borla stingers on my stock 2002 coupe. I have no idea what the drone fuss is about. I have experienced nothing annoying at all. Just a nice muscle car rumble @ idle, and roar at wot. Couldn't be happier. Now, I'm told with headers it's a different story........
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There may be a slight difference, but you'll still hear some drone with certain systems regardless of whether it is a coupe or vert. I would agree with getting the Corsa system - no drone at all and great sound.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
I complained about the drone in my car when I first got it, Magnaflows. I've since made a partition, that fits real tight in the trunk area. My son had a piece of black material about 1/2 thick, that I covered a 1/4 piece of plywood with. Did the trick for me. I have had quite a few guys tell me how good my car sounds. It's pretty loud when I stand on it, no headers.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 46
From: Springfield IL.
Oldtimer
My son-in-law has a 06 coupe with corsas, no drone but a complete differant sound. If I owned a coupe, I dought if I'd by Magnaflows. My wife is much younger than I, and she said the drone didn't bother her, but I couldn't stand it when we were on the highway for very long. Gave me a headache.
Race Director
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 16,574
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From: Winfield IN
I thought I had read somewhere at one point that coupes will be more drone-prone than convertibles or FRCs simply because of the large, domed rear window and larger rear compartment acting as somewhat of an amplifier.
Drone is very subjective and everybody has different hearing and tolerance levels. When guys say that their Billy Boats don't drone, they are lying. They just have a higher tolerance and aren't bothered by it, because it is a fact that they drone. So it all boils down to, how much can you handle? Do you want all of your sound inside the car, or do you want it outside? Here is a prime example of drone, and shows that the GHL is actually louder inside the car yet quieter outside the car than the comparable Corsa system. That's the exact opposite of what you would think one would want IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws62LeUGvfM
than convertibles or FRCs simply because of the large, domed rear window and larger rear compartment acting as somewhat of an amplifier. Drone is very subjective and everybody has different hearing and tolerance levels. When guys say that their Billy Boats don't drone, they are lying. They just have a higher tolerance and aren't bothered by it, because it is a fact that they drone. So it all boils down to, how much can you handle? Do you want all of your sound inside the car, or do you want it outside? Here is a prime example of drone, and shows that the GHL is actually louder inside the car yet quieter outside the car than the comparable Corsa system. That's the exact opposite of what you would think one would want IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws62LeUGvfM
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,098
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From: ABQ NM
Cruise-In II Veteran
I just bought '02 coupe, & it has stock exhaust. I'm new to C5's & the forum, so bear with me. I see questions about aftermarket exhaust drone, which I think I understand. But shouldn't there be a difference in cockpit drone characteristics in convertible vs. coupe? And therefore different reccommendations for aftermkt catbacks?
To partially answer your question, I think there are differences between the models. I have both a coupe and a Z06, and had the same custom exhaust setup on both. On the coupe, too much drone, while on the Z it was tolerable. It struck me that the shape of the coupe, from back to front, is essentially that of a megaphone, with the passengers at the receiving end
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 10
From: Wake Forest NC
What would be needed is a professional sound engineering system to give quality, consistent side-by-side comparison material. But who has the bucks for all that??
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Hershey PA
I just got Borla stingers on my stock 2002 coupe. I have no idea what the drone fuss is about. I have experienced nothing annoying at all. Just a nice muscle car rumble @ idle, and roar at wot. Couldn't be happier. Now, I'm told with headers it's a different story........
My sentiments exactly....installed stingers 2 weeks ago on my '99 FRC which is completely stock. And, I'm 71 BTW.
Last edited by rwilkins; Aug 26, 2011 at 07:09 AM.