Im sure this has been asked several time but looking for opinions on a cat back exhaust. Looking at Borla and Billy Boat. I want a polished quad tip look and something with some sound. My car is a 03 Z06 with ARC headers and X pipe already but stock Titanium cat back. Is it worth the switch and whats a 30K mile very clean Titanium stock cat back worth? Or would you just keep it? Any input would be helpful. I was looking to get my car tuned at Redline Motorsports in a few weeks so I wanted to make the change before the tune.
Thanks

 

I am partial to Borla myself. My Atak axleback exhaust has zero drone with my LG LTS and hiflow cats. It’s close to stock cruising.... but if I smash the peddle it’s loud and sounds good. I would keep the Ti exhaust in case you decide to cam later and want a bit less noise.

at your point an axle back swap would net minimal gains mainly just sound. I would spend the money on a cam kit.

 

Personally, I would keep the titaniums. They sound great, don't drone, and are lighter than any aftermarket catback out there aside from maybe one of the obnoxious straight pipe kits.

 

The only catbacks that don't drone are stock Ti, Corsa, BB PRT and Borla Atak I believe.

If you don't mind drone, then sky is the limit on options. Just depends on the sound you want.

As for a 30K mi Ti catback worth $300-400. I have one but I run Corsa. I won't sell the Ti system because it's too cool of a part to sell. There has not been a factory optioned Ti exhaust system on any Production car that I know of since.

 

I would say Borla or Corsa have the best sound. However, neither is going to get you much HP over the stock Ti. I'd say you'll get $200 - $500 if you sell your Ti exhaust.

 

Im leaning towards the Borla type S. I don't want any drone and will probably just keep the titaniums. They literally look brand-new. I had the Borla attack on a LS3, that was just a little too loud.

 

You for sure should sell me your Ti catback

 

There is no "best sound". It's ALWAYS personal preference. What is not subjective is the relative exhaust note each system gives. Magnaflow/Borla are deeper and more muffled but can have a crisp pitch at WOT. Corsa/BB PRT/Flowmaster are more raw and can be raspy and have a higher pitch or "scream" at WOT.

I can't speak about the S types and drone with LT's and x pipe, but as far as sound level they are not over the top. I have many local racers that autocross C5's with LT/x pipes and this system and it is the "best nag for the buck" due to cost/weight/relatively quiet exhaust notes to not fail sound. My Corsa Sport is ear piercing top of 1st at WOT 20ft away from the car.

No can do. I'll let others sell you their Ti system lol. I bought it from a friend for a price I couldn't replicate again if I sold mine. Plus it serves as a "if I need cash quick" part I know I can always sell it.


Another option is the Ti bypass mod, but finding Ti material and a person to weld it becomes not viable for most people given the end cost. I'd suspect $200-$400 for a bypass mod depending on the shop you find. It may be worth looking for a used catback.

 

I may do a FTI Street sweeper cam this winter. At that point I may regret my choice of a Borla ATAK system. 🤷🏻‍♂️ But the 400cell ceramic cats I used do a nice job of low RPM sound reduction.

 

I put the Borla S type (I think it's called classic type 140038)on mine right before Christmas 2020, bought from some vendor here on Corvette forum that had a black Friday special.

Sound is great, 1999 stock engine with exhaust manifolds, M6.

I'm still not sure what drone is?

On my 1965 C10 with a 396 big block, it has a bass/loudness with Dynomax super turbo mufflers that will make your ears ring after so long, and still have not even installed my new Summit headers for it, I'm thinking that might be drone, of course it has no overdrive and 3.73 gears.

As far as the Borla S type my brother freaked out when I said they were just under $900.00 shipped, got 10% off for black Friday, he told me that would almost buy a cheap car, yes it would, but this is for a Corvette and to have fun.

I do have more fun driving my Corvette with the Borla, the stock exhaust had good tone, just too quite.

Everywhere I went pickups, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopar sport cars were loud and my C5 was so quiet, the Borla is loud enough now and has a great tone, not just loud like most pickups with flowmasters, it's a unique sound, and sounds great with manual transmission.

They can be a pain to get and stay aligned, I just readjusted the driver's side last night for going too high, now have too low, I'm sure will get it just right soon.

Having a second person to hold in place while you tighten clamp would help, I always have to pull down on tips with one hand and tighten bolt with other hand, then the tips tilt back up as I try to get 2 hand on wrench.

Used floor jack last night with a cushion and very carefully put pressure under muffler to hold position while cranking bolt down with both hands, no tipping back this time, probably one more adjustment and will be just right.

Passenger side gave no issues.

Just saw a great sale on 140038, will give you private message, even better deal than I got.

 

Drone and exhaust sound are often confused. Drone is a constant hum or resonance sound typically at 1,800-2,200rpm at highway speeds. It’s different from exhaust tone. My 5.0 fox body mustang with original 40 series flow master mufflers has it bad on the highway. Thankfully some of the high end exhaust manufacturers have tuned out the drone acoustics in their muffler designs. Borla is certainly one.

 

Carid.com has a special for 846.00 for the Borla with the nice rolled polished tips. I think I’m going with these. Probably will order them next week. I’m lucky to have a lift at home and will make the job a fun project. I’ve already had the whole exhaust system off the car to detail it.
Thanks for the info.

 

There is 140038 the classic, and 140039 which from what I read may be more quite and less drone, they look identical from the pictures I see.

Might be even more part #s, when I bought didn't know there was more than one choice for C5 Corvette S type.

So apparently some thought the original "Stinger" renamed to S type because a car model called stinger told them they can't use that name, was too loud or too much drone, so they made quieter system, but still offer the classic for people who want more loudness.

 

I believe they offer two models for the S type/ S type II. The more expensive model uses the square mufflers style same as OEM. Same side inlet/exit split to a Y then rolled tips.

 

I thought the difference was the tips. I need to do more research. One model had the straight cut tips and the other was angle cut and looks cleaner. The one that ends in 39 was the angle cut and was about 125.00 more. They gave me a discount code and sent a 25.00 voucher which brings me to 850 for the more expensive set and free shipping.

 

This is the one I wanted.

 

 

I need to get a picture, but my Borla tips look like the ones that are part # 140039

Edit

Got some pics, from what is shown in new pics online from Borla, either they have updated the tips on the model 140038 to model 140039, or I received a set of 140039 that got put into 140038 box, still have box and it says 140038.

 

I ran a set of B&B Route 66 on my '00 - liked the look but the sound was not a whole lot different than stock, just a bit louder and deeper.

I ran a set of Corsa Indy Pace Car catbacks on my '03 and what a difference they made - not only to the sound (with no drone) but the looks were outstanding.

I have never run a set of Borla mufflers but there have been a number of threads on the forum praising them.

 

I have Corsa Extremes on my Z06 with longtubes and off road x pipe. It's actually quiet on the inside with no drone. I can have a very casual conversation with a passenger and there are no issues. Outside on the other hand it is ear piercing loud when you are on it, but idle it's actually not too bad. It is by far the best sounding exhaust IMO if you want the loud in your face raw sounding exhaust.

My wife has a 04 Vert with longtubes and Borla exhaust like the one you have pictured. It is noticeable louder than stock, is more of a refined mellow tone, but still sounds fantastic when you get on it.

Those two exhausts have a very different yet distinct tone and it really boils down to what kind of sound you are looking for.