Exhaust Suggestions
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
Exhaust Suggestions
Hello all,
I DD my C5 and want to start looking at giving it a little upgrade. Planning on getting a CAI and an exhaust. I generally like things that are used less frequently, so something like the Blackheart Axel Back interested me. What are your suggestions, popular or not, that I could look at for something that would give the car a little extra umph, but will be acceptable on highway cruises?
I DD my C5 and want to start looking at giving it a little upgrade. Planning on getting a CAI and an exhaust. I generally like things that are used less frequently, so something like the Blackheart Axel Back interested me. What are your suggestions, popular or not, that I could look at for something that would give the car a little extra umph, but will be acceptable on highway cruises?
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 14,137
Likes: 2,984
From: Iowa
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
This site tells you, mostly, how loud the exhaust systems are for our C5s
https://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvett...ry/c5-mufflers
https://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvett...ry/c5-mufflers
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
This site tells you, mostly, how loud the exhaust systems are for our C5s
https://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvett...ry/c5-mufflers
https://www.mamotorworks.com/Corvett...ry/c5-mufflers
Thank you. I'm curious as to how they'd number the stock exhaust. 1-2-3 doesn't mean much if I don't know the baseline. Which is why I was hoping to get some suggestions based on what people liked.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
Lots of options out there for you. There's no measurable (maybe a couple, maybe) HP to gain from a catback, just sound. Make your selection based on how loud you want it. While researching stay away from systems know to drone. Long tube headers will increase HP if that's the real goal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 3,467
From: Oswego IL
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 1,386
From: Orange County, CA
I DD my Z06 (stock Ti exhaust) and wouldn't want it any louder. It's fairly quiet when cruising, yet has plenty of capacity to let slow-left-lane drivers know of my discontent.
Recently I put in a Borla post-cat X pipe which didn't seem to impact exhaust volume level.
Recently I put in a Borla post-cat X pipe which didn't seem to impact exhaust volume level.
Last edited by MetalMan2; Jan 7, 2020 at 06:18 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 49
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia
I've seen a few selling stock Z06 exhaust for around $400. I've been wondering g if trading to those was worthwhile. I know they are lighter, not sure about sound level.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 641
From: Garland TX
Not worth it. They are not much if anything louder than a stock C5 exhaust and barely audible at WOT. There is a reason lots of guys end up selling their C5Z exhaust, it's too quiet.
Last edited by Not4spd; Jan 7, 2020 at 11:28 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Central PA
I'll have to research it a little I don't see them listed on their website anymore, the "mufflers" were basically small round resonators with nothing in them. I replaced it with a stock Z06 titanium system I got from a local club member, funny thing is he put a Billy Boat system on his with straight tube headers, eliminated the cat and is as happy as a clam.
Last edited by ridingfree; Jan 8, 2020 at 09:25 AM. Reason: more to add
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 904
Likes: 296
From: Sacramento, California
Steve
Racer
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 331
Likes: 74
From: Florida
Any model C5 versus a 2002-2004 Z06 will sound pretty different. Those Z06 models had the "high flow" Rhodium/Platinum catalytics, no pre-cats (sometimes called pup-cats) and of course the titanium axlebacks/mufflers.
The Ti mufflers are different inside versus the steel mufflers. The Ti have larger preforated exit louvers, different sized/quantity Helmholtz resonance chambers (3 instead of the steel's 2) and sound more tuned into the gutteral midrange to me. I had the bypass on stock mufflers, with pup cats and main cats, but the sound didnt do it for me.
I now have the 02+ OEM Z06 full exhaust without pup cats and it sounds perfect to me. They got it right on this one. Growly, no drone, smooth with a little edge. I've done the loud exhaust thing before and just can't do it anymore.
The Ti mufflers are different inside versus the steel mufflers. The Ti have larger preforated exit louvers, different sized/quantity Helmholtz resonance chambers (3 instead of the steel's 2) and sound more tuned into the gutteral midrange to me. I had the bypass on stock mufflers, with pup cats and main cats, but the sound didnt do it for me.
I now have the 02+ OEM Z06 full exhaust without pup cats and it sounds perfect to me. They got it right on this one. Growly, no drone, smooth with a little edge. I've done the loud exhaust thing before and just can't do it anymore.
Last edited by 02torchred; Jan 8, 2020 at 08:39 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
I have owned C5 Corvettes with the each of the following exhausts: Billy Boat PRT, Z06 titanium, Borla S-Type II, and Borla ATAK.
The Billy Boat PRT had unpleasant drone at 50 MPH.
The Z06 titanium was only mildly louder than stock, very disappointing.
If you want moderately louder than stock with no drone, get the Borla S-Type II.
If you want significantly louder (but not deafening) with no drone, get the Borla ATAK.
The Billy Boat PRT had unpleasant drone at 50 MPH.
The Z06 titanium was only mildly louder than stock, very disappointing.
If you want moderately louder than stock with no drone, get the Borla S-Type II.
If you want significantly louder (but not deafening) with no drone, get the Borla ATAK.
Last edited by CorvetteBrent; Jan 9, 2020 at 06:26 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 5,414
Likes: 3,957
From: Cincinnati, OH
I'm skeptical of Borla not having drone given the simple can style mufflers. The only guarantee of louder than stock and no drone will be Corsa, but that comes at a price.
EDIT:
After doing some googling, it appears there is the following exhaust setups for Borla:
Classic S-Type (which was known as the Stingers) had a small ~6" diameter can muffler...this system had the drone
S-Type II which was redesigned from the "classic" and is now more of a full size muffler
Atak which again is a more full size muffler but louder than the S-Type II
EDIT:
After doing some googling, it appears there is the following exhaust setups for Borla:
Classic S-Type (which was known as the Stingers) had a small ~6" diameter can muffler...this system had the drone
S-Type II which was redesigned from the "classic" and is now more of a full size muffler
Atak which again is a more full size muffler but louder than the S-Type II
Last edited by smitty2919; Jan 13, 2020 at 04:30 PM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 594
Likes: 194
From: Back in North Central OH
I guess decibels are in the ear of the beholder. I replaced my stock exhaust with a Z06 exhaust and it sounds noticeably louder to me. I was afraid of spending a pile of money and getting something that would give me a headache. The Z06 is a perfect fit for my taste. Years ago, when I was young, I had a 64 Olds Jetstar l that was so loud I had to shut it off a block from the house and coast home so I wouldn't wake my parents. Good times.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 387
From: Port Charlotte Florida
Borla's design is more than simple "can" mufflers. The innards are a result a considerable research and testing. The info on their website elucidates it better than I can in this short reply. The Borla ATAK, in particular, is complex and utilizes three distinct exhaust paths within the can. I have put 27,000 miles on my Corvette with the Borla S-Type II, and I can assure you that there is no drone at any speed I have ever driven (ranging from 0 to 165 MPH). As for the Borla ATAK, those were installed recently on my other Corvette, but, so far, I can attest that there is no drone at the speeds I have driven thus far (0 to 90 MPH). As for Corsa, I have never owned or driven a car featuring that brand, so I can't reasonably comment.
Last edited by CorvetteBrent; Jan 10, 2020 at 05:17 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 987
Likes: 224
From: Motor City, MI
OP, if you're looking at Borla systems stay away from the original S-Type. It was on my car when I bought it. It droned bad.
I replaced the Borlas with a ti system, which was pretty quiet with factory exhaust manifold but just right for me with long tube headers.
I replaced the Borlas with a ti system, which was pretty quiet with factory exhaust manifold but just right for me with long tube headers.
Last edited by Time for a C-5; Jan 10, 2020 at 09:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 9
From: Lexington Park MD
For a DD, I highly recommend the Corsa Sport (Pace Car). Quiet when you want, awesome when you get on it, and no drone. If you want something louder, the Corsa Extreme is also good with no drone.
