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2004 C5 manual coupe with 3.42 gears, 1-7/8 long tubes, an x pipe and stingers. It sounds AMAZING and I love the way it sounds daily driving it day in/day out, but on long trips (after about 2 hours) it start to get tiring. Around town I never go to 6th which keeps me out of the droning RPM band, but on long trips that's just not really an option.
I'm considering adding sound deadening to the car, but not sure what to get or what really works. The only axle back exhaust that sounds remotely similar is the MagnaFlow XL series and that's known to drone as well, so that's not really an option. Don't want to go cutouts. I'm stuck...
I have about the same setup and have never complained. Love it. I do have sound deadening, but it does not affect drone - just mild volume change and gets rid of some of the road noise.
Both Borla and Corsa have unique sounds, and neither have much crossover or similarity. That would be a big change from a throaty V8 sound to a euro restricted sound.
Both Borla and Corsa have unique sounds, and neither have much crossover or similarity. That would be a big change from a throaty V8 sound to a euro restricted sound.
Both Borla and Corsa have unique sounds, and neither have much crossover or similarity. That would be a big change from a throaty V8 sound to a euro restricted sound.
I'm not sure what you mean by "restricted"...my Corsa Xtreme system definitely is not restrictive (see signature). But you are correct in saying the note is different. Corsa has a much more crisp and refined note whereas brands like B&B/Borla/Magnaflow are more raspy and raw.
To answer the above, even the performance Corsa sound a bit canned and tinny to me. The thing about exhaust is that it is preference and opinion only. My impression on Corsa is that the typical owner is more likely to be a poser or a mid-lifers, and yes that the sound is a bit canned, limited, restricted. I also am not a fan of quad tips on these American cars even if the factory put them out that way. But these are just my individual opinion. Having tried most alternate exhausts over three C5s and 19 years, and certainly driven cars with Corsa, I'm unshakable on it. But I think the only "bad" exhaust ever made for these cars was the SLP loudmouth. Even with an x-pipe they sound like horrible boat motors at idle (though insane at wot)
I had a similar problem with MagnaFlow cat backs on my 04. They sounded good and were fine with the stock exhaust system but the drone became unbearable when I installed long tube headers. I sold the MagnaFlow cat backs and installed Corsa Sports, previously called Pace Car, in their place. The Corsa Sports completely solved the problem and I could enjoy riding in the car again. Sound deadening adds weight and won't fix the drone issue. Corsa is the best solution.
Last edited by tbrowne; Nov 16, 2019 at 08:12 AM.
Reason: Fix text
To each his own.
I like my new Borla's. Not too loud unless you want them to be and they have a throaty sound that my wife and I like.
Absolutely no drone at any speed.
What still floors me is how much the dang things cost.
Oh well, it is what it is I guess.
Good luck on your choice!
Never really considered myself a mid-life poser before, but I am a big fan of the Corsa products! Having owned multiple Corvettes and muscle cars through the years with various (Borla, Magnaflow, Billy Boat, Flowmaster, and Corsa) performance exhaust systems, I have found that it is hard to beat the quality, craftsmanship, performance, and SOUND of a Corsa Performance exhaust. I will not bash any of the other manufacturers because they all have their own unique characteristics (sound, look, and price) that appeal to the people that buy them.
A couple of the other manufacturer's exhaust systems that I've owned had a TERRIBLE issue with exhaust resonance (drone). Unfortunately, I have found that short of totally replacing the exhaust system, you either have to try and stay in an RPM range that minimizes the drone, or turn the radio up real loud. The radio option was usually my remedy!
I have installed Corsa exhaust systems on my last 4 vehicles (2 C5 Corvettes and 2 Chevy Silverados). No drone, and great sound!
"Euro Restricted" ...... I have to say, that was a good laugh for this mid-life poser!!
Last edited by MacA1979; Nov 16, 2019 at 09:41 AM.
Seems like the mid-life posers make up the majority of us considering most folks are recommending Corsa
Exhaust note preference is similar to asking what’s the best type/weight of oil to run...OP, just spend some time on YouTube and at meets to try and find people with systems you’re interested in. At the end of the day, purchase what YOU like.
I just turned 50 two weeks ago. Mid-life "poseur" or not, I like my exhaust notes to be deep and full of bass notes. Like big-block Chevelles with Flowmasters deep. I always loved that sound. My car was equipped with 1 3/4" ARH headers, catless x-pipe, and Corsa Xtremes when I bought it. I didn't like the cackly-raspy exhaust note. To me, at idle, it sounded like the mufflers had holes punched in them. Kind of "fluttery". It was definitely wicked loud at full-throttle. While there was no drone while cruising. I just hated the sounds it made.
I ended up selling everything and starting from scratch. Kooks 1 7/8" headers and 3" catless x-pipe. LG Motorsports "Big 3" axle-back. To cut back on drone and to reduce the amount of cackling and popping under deceleration, a pair of 3" resonators were added to the x-pipe. For me, the sound is pretty much perfect now. My previous '03Z wore Borla Stingers, and I was hoping to duplicate that sound in a 3" system. Well, I got close. Deep bass at idle, and sounds like "thump-thump-thump-thump" instead of "brap-brap-brap-brap". Hope that makes sense. LOL
There is still a little drone at certain points in the RPM band. Pretty much only when the engine is lugged at around 1500rpm or so. Not too bad, really. The combination of the exhaust resonators and the cabin divider really helped a ton.
Reduce Exhaust drone
