I've got an '01 convertible, and I actually love the performance and sound I'm getting from the combination of long tubes and the stock cat back - perfect blend of growl and restraint for me personally. That said, I am NOT fond of the look of the stock exhaust from behind. I'd like to change the oval, chrome tips for some round, black tips.

I've done a ton of searching, both here and elsewhere, and though I have seen a number of threads describing grinding the spot welds on the wimpy Caddy quad tips to remove them, I've not found what I'm really looking for.

I'd love to find experienced-based recommendations for "generic, inexpensive", auction site or Pep Boys type, universal-fit tips to replace the stock, oval tips. I'd really like to avoid paying $120+ for "Corvette specific" replacement tips, especially if they're going to be chrome (which I don't want).

Anyone out there willing to share any positive experiences buying aftermarket, universal fit round tips that use like a set screw or something similar to attach? I'd prefer black, but would even do chrome if inexpensive enough, because I wouldn't feel bad about scuffing them up and painting them.

Thanks, in advance...

I'm thinking of a tip swap, though not sure how to do it properly. Lots of universals out there. This particular site may be of interest. Sold in Pairs. Price listed = 2 tips. Good luck.
http://pypesexhaust.com/ag-134856.13...-corvette.html

The OP noted he has a 2001. Maybe a tip is a tip, but that link shows 97-2000 only.

A quick check of some of the major Corvette parts suppliers shows they list replacement tips, but they are either out of stock or quite expensive. Have you tried checking with a local muffler shop that sells exhaust tips - they sometimes have decent looking tips at a reasonable price.

Thanks for chiming in everyone. I'll let you know what I try...

I'm going with Vetteman Jack and saying just call a local exhaust shop.

A place shouldn't charge you in the more than ~$100-$150 range to do what you want to do, including hacking the old tips off at the welds and throwing on new ones. Most quality exhaust shops are going to have a large supply of various tips in different sizes and styles on hand for this purpose, more so than somewhere like PepBoys or AutoZone, which lowers their cost and lowers yours. If you can't get a local place to do what you want to do at an affordable price then either they don't know what they're doing or you don't know what you want.

Alternatively you can hack them off yourself and install a more round black tip but if you can't weld you're going to be dealing with screw ons, which have their own issues both in looks and functionality.