Cat back exhaust question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 29
St. Jude Donor '12
Cat back exhaust question
So I did a few upgrades to my 04 vert. I have Pfadt tri-y long tube headers with high flow cats a pfadt x pipe. I then left the stock exhaust on. My corvette guy had a set of Billy boats I with the control to go mellow or beefy but he wanted 2k installed so I passed. I also got the rear replaced from 2:73 to 3:42's and added the pfadt cai. So I was tapped out. Now I'm feeling like my car is incomplete. My question is for the time being would z06 titanic exhaust make any difference over my stock mufflers or should I hang tight and get the Billy boats that now self tune from mellow to beefy without the control. They run just over a K but I can get the used z06 for a few hundred? Long winded but thoughts and thanks!!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 519
Likes: 65
From: South Salem NY
get ready for many, many responses. Exhaust systems are largely a matter of personal choice. Once thing I would suggest is that you stay away from any system that has the dreaded 'drone' at cruising speeds. While you may like the sound of a particular exhaust at idle and under acceleration, if it drones while cruising you will regret it.
I did a lot of research on exhaust before settling on a XS Power axle back system. Nice rumble at idle, attention getting under acceleration, nice burble when letting off the gas..........and no drone on the highway. About $450. Very nicely made system. Installed easily.
Regarding the Z06 titanium exhaust. I am not sure if this is correct but I have read that it will only sound like it does on a Z06 on a Z06. It was designed for that car. Makes sense to me.
I did a lot of research on exhaust before settling on a XS Power axle back system. Nice rumble at idle, attention getting under acceleration, nice burble when letting off the gas..........and no drone on the highway. About $450. Very nicely made system. Installed easily.
Regarding the Z06 titanium exhaust. I am not sure if this is correct but I have read that it will only sound like it does on a Z06 on a Z06. It was designed for that car. Makes sense to me.
Last edited by Ducati Guy; May 9, 2017 at 09:27 PM.
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The Ti exhaust will sound a bit better than the stock non-Z06 exhaust. But an aftermarket exhaust in most cases will give the car a whole new and much better exhaust note IMO.
Nothing wrong with the Ti exhaust, but if you really want a more aggressive sound, save up and go aftermarket.
Nothing wrong with the Ti exhaust, but if you really want a more aggressive sound, save up and go aftermarket.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
My tis were tame with the factory exhaust but I love the sound with headers. Still not very loud at idle but come to life when you get on it. Zero drone at any speed or rpm. There are many out there that are louder...depends on what you're looking for.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
Do the Billy Boats have electric cut-outs?
Love tri-y headers, almost made a set for my Z.
Keep in mind that mufflers are going to gain little if any power; the stock mufflers flow plenty fine for an LS1, or even an LS6. Also, an LS6 (Z, Ti system stock) has higher compression and a bigger cam = louder.
Love tri-y headers, almost made a set for my Z.
Keep in mind that mufflers are going to gain little if any power; the stock mufflers flow plenty fine for an LS1, or even an LS6. Also, an LS6 (Z, Ti system stock) has higher compression and a bigger cam = louder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 224
Likes: 29
St. Jude Donor '12
The original Billy boats I was offered for 2k installed did. There is a new model out that does the same thing through an extra smaller pipe that allows the exhaust to be neihbor friendly and the goes to beast mode as you give the girl some gas. These are just over 1k not installed.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
I have LG long tubes with a catless X pipe with Billy boat Route 66 axleback.
I like it. I think the Route 66 is one of the quieter B&B systems. With the rest of the exhaust it sounds noticeably "non stock". It has a bit of a rumble to it. Moderate loud when working through the gears. On the highway, I can still hear it, but it is one of the milder cars I have. After a 1700 mile trip my wife commented that it didn't bother her and we could talk or listen to the radio.
For me on my C5's the Z06 titanium was a little to quiet and my Borla stingers (S type classics) were too loud and droned.
The best thing to do is actually listen to a few if you can. At places like clubs, shows, events, etc many people will let you hear theirs. That is much better than the online videos that never sound like the real thing to me.
Good luck.
I like it. I think the Route 66 is one of the quieter B&B systems. With the rest of the exhaust it sounds noticeably "non stock". It has a bit of a rumble to it. Moderate loud when working through the gears. On the highway, I can still hear it, but it is one of the milder cars I have. After a 1700 mile trip my wife commented that it didn't bother her and we could talk or listen to the radio.
For me on my C5's the Z06 titanium was a little to quiet and my Borla stingers (S type classics) were too loud and droned.
The best thing to do is actually listen to a few if you can. At places like clubs, shows, events, etc many people will let you hear theirs. That is much better than the online videos that never sound like the real thing to me.
Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
Factory Ti(tanium) with the Ti mod. With headers and other mods; perfect and cheap. The Ti mod is a bypass pipe that's welded between the two inlets into the Ti muffler, thus bypassing the muffler partially. You need a welder and a short piece of 1.75-2" Ti pipe for both sides. This will cost less than new systems, but more than the XS Chinese one. I bought two catback systems used for cheap, and SS will last foreverish. Two tip Stingers cost $250, and they were perfect. I also bought a Magnaflow syster for $500. Made money reselling both. Stuck with Corsa Pace Cars.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 657
Likes: 181
From: Houma Louisiana
get ready for many, many responses. Exhaust systems are largely a matter of personal choice. Once thing I would suggest is that you stay away from any system that has the dreaded 'drone' at cruising speeds. While you may like the sound of a particular exhaust at idle and under acceleration, if it drones while cruising you will regret it.
I did a lot of research on exhaust before settling on a XS Power axle back system. Nice rumble at idle, attention getting under acceleration, nice burble when letting off the gas..........and no drone on the highway. About $450. Very nicely made system. Installed easily.
Regarding the Z06 titanium exhaust. I am not sure if this is correct but I have read that it will only sound like it does on a Z06 on a Z06. It was designed for that car. Makes sense to me.
I did a lot of research on exhaust before settling on a XS Power axle back system. Nice rumble at idle, attention getting under acceleration, nice burble when letting off the gas..........and no drone on the highway. About $450. Very nicely made system. Installed easily.
Regarding the Z06 titanium exhaust. I am not sure if this is correct but I have read that it will only sound like it does on a Z06 on a Z06. It was designed for that car. Makes sense to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
With a base system (standard aluminized steel instead of titanium) you can do the same, any welder or exhaust shop can do it for little money. And if you don't like the results, they're pretty much worthless, so sell or toss them if/when you end up aftermarket.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
I recently got a Borla stinger system with an x-pipe. Total w/ installation was about $1000. It's a huge upgrade in sound quality from open cutouts.
(old pick up truck vs bad *** sports car)
It's surprisingly quiet at idle, but as the RPMs increase, it becomes more aggressive with a nice deep tone. Next on the horizon: long tube headers.
(old pick up truck vs bad *** sports car)
It's surprisingly quiet at idle, but as the RPMs increase, it becomes more aggressive with a nice deep tone. Next on the horizon: long tube headers.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
Likes: 291
From: Pasco WA
If you had the Ti system I'd say maybe leave it alone. Sell it, buy another; almost a $ swap.
With a base system (standard aluminized steel instead of titanium) you can do the same, any welder or exhaust shop can do it for little money. And if you don't like the results, they're pretty much worthless, so sell or toss them if/when you end up aftermarket.
With a base system (standard aluminized steel instead of titanium) you can do the same, any welder or exhaust shop can do it for little money. And if you don't like the results, they're pretty much worthless, so sell or toss them if/when you end up aftermarket.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 792
Likes: 32
From: Tempe Arizona
So I did a few upgrades to my 04 vert. I have Pfadt tri-y long tube headers with high flow cats a pfadt x pipe. I then left the stock exhaust on. My corvette guy had a set of Billy boats I with the control to go mellow or beefy but he wanted 2k installed so I passed. I also got the rear replaced from 2:73 to 3:42's and added the pfadt cai. So I was tapped out. Now I'm feeling like my car is incomplete. My question is for the time being would z06 titanic exhaust make any difference over my stock mufflers or should I hang tight and get the Billy boats that now self tune from mellow to beefy without the control. They run just over a K but I can get the used z06 for a few hundred? Long winded but thoughts and thanks!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
-they are somewhat valuable/sought after
-the base systems are pretty much free
-both are 2 1/2" thru, so with a bypass should flow and sound pretty much the same
-any shop can weld the base unit
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 799
Likes: 160
From: Landenberg PA
When I bought my vert it had the stock cat back with an xpipe. Way too mello. Installed TI which I liked but still too quiet.
Found a used corsa sport had that installed and like it much better. More growl pops more on deceleration or in lower gears wasn't crazy about the popping at first but have come to like it. Next up is headers hoping for a little more aggressive sound at WOT.
Found a used corsa sport had that installed and like it much better. More growl pops more on deceleration or in lower gears wasn't crazy about the popping at first but have come to like it. Next up is headers hoping for a little more aggressive sound at WOT.