ChrisLSx

I'm trying to figure out what to do with the exhaust on my 2004 C5. I'm going to install a set of Kooks (or LG) Long Tunes and a CAT-less mid-pipe, but I don't know what to do for mufflers.

I've been through countless video's of C5 exhaust and everything I've heard is too "exotic" and tinny sounding (a V8 should sound like a V8, like a mustang). Not looking for "loud" but rather deep/roar without drone. Is there such a thing out there? I always had good luck with chambered bullet mufflers (dual exhaust, mufflers after the x-pipe) on my F-body so that's what I'm referencing.

RSbeast

The muffler placement is what dictates a lot of the 'sound' you are looking for. You need a mid mount chambered muffler to accomplish it and there is no way of doing that on a C5. The best you can do is run a bullet style in the tunnel; which sadly will not give you that same smooth deep tone.

ChrisLSx

... anything that would get me close?

RSbeast

I should use 'sadly' in hyperbole for your own sake of taste. I prefer the exotic high pitch wail these cars can produce with proper early X pipe and correct muffler choice. I guess its why I draw to the corvette as it doesn't sound like anything of old.

ChrisLSx

That's the deal with (exhaust) sound, it's entirely personal preference. What one person might find fantastic, another person might not like.

RSbeast

An H pipe will generally produce a deeper tone. If you chose one of the less aggressive options from companies such as magnaflow, they tend to be more mellow in tone. The combination may suit you pending it retains factory manifolds. Headers really amplify the sound here along with loss of catalytic converters.

Mike98SilVert

The closest I have come to producing the sound that you're looking for on my '99 6spd Coupe is by installing Kooks Long Tube headers with their Hi Flow Green Cats and X-pipe and Magnaflow Performance Series exhaust. The Magnaflows produce a deeper throatier tone and the Kooks headers make it louder and deeper.

The B&B Bullets that I have heard sound deeper but quite a bit louder.

DannyZ06

Check out Stainless Works chambered turbo mufflers...I have an older 3" setup from the headers back and they have a nice deep rumble at idle but really open up when you step down on it. They remind me of the old Corvair turbo mufflers from back in the day. Worth a look as it sounds as if that's what you are after. Love mine...never liked the sound of the Corsas or Borlas

Crosis

You will never get the sound of the old school SBC. The LSx engine is very different in design and will not produce that sound. Exhaust note is not only dependent on the exhaust. It also comes from the firing order, combustion chamber, heads etc.

capevettes

B&B Bullets give you that muscle car sound. Ive had them on every newer Corvette I've owned. Love them

Red Square

I've got Borla S-type exhaust and kept the H pipe.
It is growly with a lot of throaty bass. It doesn't drone but you hear and feel it when driving.
It has a very old school, muscle car vibe.

Tulsaeasyrider

Post's #9 and #10 are both accurate. The C5 sounds different than other Corvettes. Billy Boat Bullets are your best bet for "muscle car" sound; you'll get some drone, but, unless you do a great amount of highway travel, it's worth what you want.

ChrisLSx

Thanks everyone. A good bit of my driving is highway, so the Billy Boat Bullets won't work for me. Do the Stainless Works Chambered drone any? I stumbled across a video of a C6 with Kooks and Borla touring that sounds pretty good (sounds more like a WW2 aircraft lol).

acroy

Glasspacks
They sound GREAT, are cheap, and zero backpressure.

ChrisLSx

LOL... and drone like crazy

acroy

Not in my experience; I've had them on a lot of vehicles.
The longer the glasspack the quieter. No drone, just a nice rumble, no resonance. Nice throaty roar under throttle.

Route99

I have headers, x-pipe and NXT exhaust. NXT were less expensive than some of the others but gave a nice sound (for me). Just came back from a 1200 mile round trip to Memphis and no drone when cruising. A little noisy when accelerating but you can still have a conversation (maybe speaking a little louder but still good). You can also hear the radio, but I rarely have it on - I enjoy the "tunes" of the exhaust.
We have considered a switch to Billy Boat's PRT exhaust; quieter when accelerating slowly and cruising but a pretty full tone when accelerating or passing.
As many have mentioned, it's tough to evaluate tone on youtube. The best suggestion for that is to check for cruise-ins, cars and coffee, or something similar in your area and listen to the different cars. When you hear an exhaust sound you really like, ask the owner about their exhaust system (headers or stock exhaust manifold; x-pipe or h-pipe; as well as the actual muffler system).
Good luck!

dbgoodwin

The same way you make a Honda Civic sound like a hemi.

redzg

There is a set of Corsa pipes with Tigershark tips for $650 in the parts section. They sound good and look better than all the rest. Almost P-40ish on the back end. I read an X pipe eliminates the boat burble (though personally I like it).

ChrisLSx

Here is the video I referred to:

I'm certainly looking for local corvette meets so I can go hear some various exhaust tones.