Hello, my 2003 Corvette with automatic transmission and unmodified engine needs new muffles, my mechanic just advised me. He asked me which ones I want, but I have zero knowledge here. I want ones that are super-quiet inside and out. Searching the forums here, I found no guidance. Any opinions are deeply appreciated.

 

Why you need new mufflers? Sounds like the stock set is what you want, I kinda miss the stock "no noise" setup.

 

The OEM exhaust seems to last forever but many exhibitions that like to make noise change them all the time.. I suspect there are many original equipment systems available from folks that "upgrade".

 

Dave, the OEM systems will most likely be the quietest exhaust you will find, and you can undoubtedly find a used system dirt cheap, as many have replaced them for exactly this reason. May I suggest that a really nice replacement would be an OEM Z06 setup? Only marginally, if at all, louder, and a significant weight savings, not to mention nicer looking tips (IMO). Good luck whatever you decide.

 

Just installed a factory Z06 exhaust on mine and absolutely love it. I installed it just for the round tips because the oval tips just looked cheesy.

 

Some upgrade their exhaust to after market so look for a used Z06 exhaust, you will be happy as mentioned above.

 

This pic might help you make a decision. Both sides are factory exhausts. Took pic to show the difference before I installed both sides of the Z06 exhaust. Round tips fill in the bumper cutout very nicely.

 

I am with the crowd that likes quite exhaust when driving. My '72 had factory side pipes and it was beyond noisy. When I bought my C5, ity came with aftermarket Magnaflow mufflers. Not loud at all.

 

I love my stock exhaust, though I wouldn't call it super-quiet. It has a nice, low rumble to it.

 

nothing wrong with stock, while an aftermarket deal might scream Ricky racer to a potential buyer if you sell the car later on.

I think loud cars are just old-fashioned, but live with the slight performance advantage my magniflow axle back is said to have over stock, there is no quality disadvantage, and anything that flows better than stock will be louder. My neighbor lady says I am driving a "race car". I think it sounds only slightly changed from stock, and also looks cool, complimenting the rear shape, if you are into checking out exhaust pipes.

 

Find someone that has upgraded their exhaust to an aftermarket system and still has the OEM exhaust. The OEM exhaust and usually be found at a very good price.

 

MY stock Z06 mufflers are very quiet almost to quiet. Check the for sale site on this forum.

 

There is an interesting new twist. My mechanic, as I described in the OP, advised me that I needed new mufflers but I forgot to ask him why. That was about 2 weeks ago. The other day I went back to see him and specifically asked about my OEM mufflers -- what was their issue? He replied that the baffles inside were corroded and this was causing excess driving noise and they need to be replaced.

And it just so happens that he has a set for sale. He explained that he bought his C5 new, and immediately drove it from the dealer to a custom exhaust shop where they installed a performance exhaust. His factory exhaust, he went on to explain, has 10 miles on it, and has been sitting undisturbed in an air-conditioned room since then. He offered them to me for $400, plus installation of course.

I replied that I would consider his set but needed to conduct some research. The least expensive new aftermarket exhaust is the Borla #140017, for sale between $670 and $690, all over the internet including direct from Borla via Amazon. They're not quiet, but they're new and won't have any latent issues like my mechanic's long-forgotten take-offs might potentially have.

But the bigger issues is . . . doesn't it seem odd that my mechanic asserted that I need a new exhaust and he just happens to have one for sale personally? I'm no expert but I never heard anything that I would consider might be a tell-tale sign of an internally damaged muffler(s). Sure, the exterior is corroded. I live in south Florida. But I've been told that assuming no physical damage, the C5 OEM exhaust should last the life of the car like any metal parts underneath.

So everybody please send me your opinion:

1) Do nothing until my OEM exhaust falls off the car from accumulated south Florida corrosion

2) Take the potentially questionable set off my mechanic's hands for $400 and make him happy

3) Order a new set from Borla for 50% more than my mechanic's used set, but sleep well knowing there won't be any surprises

4) Get a second opinion from an honest broker (of which there might be none in south Florida - just sayin')


By the way, Borla has a C5 exhaust that is "quieter", its representative told me over the phone. # 140426. Double the price. See links below if interested. And thank you.

https://www.borla.com/products/c5_co...t__140017.html

https://www.borla.com/products/c5_co...t__140426.html





Finally, my mechanic has been working on my car since I bought it in 2015. His shop does great work and I never feel ripped off. The place is full of Corvettes of every C-number, and lately there's several Shelby Cobras there too.

 

Given the information you provided - #1

 

How long have you had your car? Was the change in the exhaust sound the reason you brought the car in for service? If not, what do you think made him point the exhaust problem out to you?

 

I vote for #1 also. You can find a used factory set much cheaper than 400 dollars. I bought a set of Z06 titanium mufflers in great shape for 300 just a few months ago.

 

Two sets of factory exhaust within 30 minutes of me for $120 right now... Too bad I am looking for Corsas...

 

#1 gets my vote also. Did you notice any change in the sound of the exhaust before you took it to his shop? If not I think that he's just trying to unload his exhaust on you at your expense. If he's trying to sell you a base model steel exhaust then $400 is a ridiculous price even it's basically brand new. Most of the time you can't even give them away. If you lived close to me I would give you the set I have that I just removed. Hell for $400 you can get a really nice used factory Z06 titanium exhaust.

 

Avigar, I purchased the car in June 2015. I'm the second owner. It had 10,500 miles when I bought it. Last month it just passed 40,000.

I brought it in to my mechanic a few weeks ago because of new onset shaking up front at idle RPM. Needs new motor mounts. That inspection service is when my mechanic discovered (let's give him the benefit of doubt) the damaged muffler(s).

What made him point out the exhaust problem (if indeed there really is one), I suppose, was either bona fide damage, or a desire to finally unload his take-off exhaust that has been sitting in his air conditioned storage area for over a decade.

Adwest53, I noticed no unusual sound, and no change in sound, from below and behind me when driving, or when standing outside the car when idling.

I will bring the car in for new motor mounts and a new transmission mount during my next weekday off, predicting early August. I truly appreciate the attention and responses that this post has received. I'm inclined to defer work on the exhaust until after the motor mounts are replaced. At that point, if there is any unruly noise that can indeed be pinpointed to the muffler(s), then I will bring this deferment up to the front burner. Meanwhile I will collect some online ads for C5 take-off exhausts for sale. If my mechanic lowers his price by half, then it's a done deal. Otherwise, I'll let mine ride 'til they collapse then buy a new set.

 

Sounds like he having slow business and trying to get u to unload your wallet