C5 exhaust
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
C5 exhaust
Looking for a deep throaty exhaust sound when stepping on it and yet can tolerate conversations while cruising. What would you suggest. I have listened to videos and the Billy Boat PRT seems to give best sound. Any one else experiences would be helpful
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
The "best sound" is subjective and everyone will have their own personal opinions - but for the criteria you mention (deep or loud when stepping on it and quite at idle/cruise) the PRT is a good option, as would be the Corsa Pace Car - and possible even the GHL a little bit.
Magnaflows (which I have) tend to have a little more in-cabin sound at cruise...I have a mild drone at 1500 to 1700 RPM - which is exactly the RPM range where the Corsas are specifically tuned to NOT make any noise.
Then lastly you have more open or straight-through systems like the Borla XR1 or LoudMouths that are going to be loud pretty much all the time.
My only thought on the PRT or Corsas is that you usually want to get an X-Pipe with those systems otherwise you can end up with that "tinny" sounding, marble in a can effect at idle. The X-pipe clears that up.
That's my 2c.
Magnaflows (which I have) tend to have a little more in-cabin sound at cruise...I have a mild drone at 1500 to 1700 RPM - which is exactly the RPM range where the Corsas are specifically tuned to NOT make any noise.
Then lastly you have more open or straight-through systems like the Borla XR1 or LoudMouths that are going to be loud pretty much all the time.
My only thought on the PRT or Corsas is that you usually want to get an X-Pipe with those systems otherwise you can end up with that "tinny" sounding, marble in a can effect at idle. The X-pipe clears that up.
That's my 2c.
Last edited by DarkBlueC5; May 8, 2012 at 03:13 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 11
From: Plano Texas
Oldtimer
Using sound vs value as only criteria, look at the XS Power cat backs. Great looks, good growl under acceleration, nice potatoe-potatoe sound in idle, and no drone while crusing. Similar to Corsa touring at 1/2 the price. I have them on my 03 coupe and I'm a happy camper.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-reviews.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-reviews.html
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 367,666
Likes: 24,663
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I'm running the Corsa Indy Pace Car exhaust on mine - no drone, no popping, and step on the gas, it sounds great. Easy to have a conversation when driving too.
Navigator
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Cobble Hill BC
Having just installed the GHL Bullets, my vote would be for those. For me they are loud enough when stepping on it and I really don't notice them any more than the stock exhaust when cruising. Now to be fair, I do have a convertible so the in-cabin sound may be very different in a coupe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,449
Likes: 343
From: SC
Then lastly you have more open or straight-through systems like the Stingers or LoudMouths that are going to be loud pretty much all the time.
I disagree. I have Borla Stingers, no headers. Love them. Nice sound at Idle and roar at wot. I can talk to my passenger all I want comfortably.
I disagree. I have Borla Stingers, no headers. Love them. Nice sound at Idle and roar at wot. I can talk to my passenger all I want comfortably.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Naperville Illinois
My mistake, I was thinking of their other system (but accidentally wrote Stingers), I believe it's called the XR1? it's a pretty much straight through design. Thanks for the correction.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 819
Likes: 3
From: Flowery Branch Ga
I've got the Magnaflow catback on mine. Easy install and quality is there. Find as many sound clips as you can from the makers and base your choice on what sounds best to you. Good luck.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 22
From: Portland OR
I liked the the sound of the Borla stingers but the drone was too much for me.I have a C5 convertible so I don't have the benefit of the insulation that the hardtops give you and it doesn't get any better with the top up.I want to order the XS Power cat backs from Superman09 if it doesn't take to long to get them in stock.I am going for a performance tune in Washington and I want everything in place.I think the XS Power cat backs are the answer for a vert.
FRED
FRED
Pro
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: Whitesboro Texas
Can you give us more info on your car? The engine, transmission, and rear end gearing will have an effect on the exhaust tone.
I have a stock LS1 and 6-speed. I installed used Borla Stingers a few months ago. It has a nice deep rumble, is loud at WOT and quiet while cruising. Also, I haven't noticed any drone at all while cruising, and it is my DD.
I have a stock LS1 and 6-speed. I installed used Borla Stingers a few months ago. It has a nice deep rumble, is loud at WOT and quiet while cruising. Also, I haven't noticed any drone at all while cruising, and it is my DD.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,489
Likes: 1,809
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,336
Likes: 1
From: Henderson Nevada
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
AKA "The CLOWN"
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,261
Likes: 13
From: Chicago South Suburbs
Exhaust choices are all very different and very hard to pick. Your exhaust sound will change with most mods. If you are keeping your car stock than I would say any exhaust except for Corsa, they have this fluttering burble sound at idle that sounds awful. Corsas sound pretty good with a cam, headers or both. I recommend GHLs as of course thats what I have and just sound awesome. My exhaust sound has changes several times with adding headers, then a cam, then a S/C, and finally punching my cats. Now my car just sounds pissed off and angry all the time!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Milford DE
There are a million threads like this on hear do a search and you'll see this debated over and over. IMO B&B bullets are awesome I've ran them on both of my C5 and my C5Z but alot of people on here seem to like the GHL bullets systems or corsa. I personally had the corsa system on my Z and didnt care for the high pitch sound best of luck in your decision
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Knoxville TN
Using sound vs value as only criteria, look at the XS Power cat backs. Great looks, good growl under acceleration, nice potatoe-potatoe sound in idle, and no drone while crusing. Similar to Corsa touring at 1/2 the price. I have them on my 03 coupe and I'm a happy camper.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-reviews.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...k-reviews.html
If I wanted to drop more money, I would have gotten Corsa. For the price I'm very happy with my XS Power.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 15
From: Richardson TX
I got the Magnaflow 15763 "magnapack" catback system with X pipe installed about a month ago. Its supposedly one of the louder systems for c5's.
Its not nearly as loud as I thought it would be. I'm used to having loud cars, and motorcycles with straight pipes, so maybe I just have a skewed perception, but I would have gone with something louder if I had to go back and do it again. Probably GHL bullets or Borla Stingers.
There is almost no drone at highway speeds, but I also have a convertible, and I haven't driven the car on the highway without the top down since I got the exhaust. It doesn't idle very loud either.
Then again, I haven't really heard many other c5 exhausts in person, so I don't know how loud mine is compared to others.
Its not nearly as loud as I thought it would be. I'm used to having loud cars, and motorcycles with straight pipes, so maybe I just have a skewed perception, but I would have gone with something louder if I had to go back and do it again. Probably GHL bullets or Borla Stingers.
There is almost no drone at highway speeds, but I also have a convertible, and I haven't driven the car on the highway without the top down since I got the exhaust. It doesn't idle very loud either.
Then again, I haven't really heard many other c5 exhausts in person, so I don't know how loud mine is compared to others.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 339
Likes: 6
From: Lompoc California