Borla Stinger axleback
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Race Director
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Borla Stinger axleback
I've been considering the idea on changing exhaust systems, on my car. Right now, the entire system is oem. A decent new stainless catback is close to or above $2k, too rich for my budget. A system that I'm looking at, is the Borla Stinger. Yeah, that would be pretty loud with longtubes and x-pipe but anyone have any experience with a Stinger axleback, with the stock components in front of it?
At a cost of around $1k, I could probably justify that, as long as the sound isn't socially-irresponsible. lol
At a cost of around $1k, I could probably justify that, as long as the sound isn't socially-irresponsible. lol
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Charles Town WV
2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C6 of the Year Winner - Modified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I've been considering the idea on changing exhaust systems, on my car. Right now, the entire system is oem. A decent new stainless catback is close to or above $2k, too rich for my budget. A system that I'm looking at, is the Borla Stinger. Yeah, that would be pretty loud with longtubes and x-pipe but anyone have any experience with a Stinger axleback, with the stock components in front of it?
At a cost of around $1k, I could probably justify that, as long as the sound isn't socially-irresponsible. lol
At a cost of around $1k, I could probably justify that, as long as the sound isn't socially-irresponsible. lol
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I had stingers on my 98 that was supercharged with longtubes and offroad x, it was loud but it wasn't unbearable by any means. A little bit of drone in overdrive at 60-70 mph. That car was an a4 with 3.42 gears though so very possible that might be a non issue with a stick car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
I've run the Borla single tip Stingers as well as the Quad tip. Both on mostly stock C5s with MN6. Then ran the single tips on H/C with BBK shorties and Bassini X-pipe with Magnaflow high flow cats. Then added 4.10 gears to the mix. Then the same single tips on H/C with Novi 1500, Kooks 1 7/8 longtubes and Kooks off-road cat-less x-pipe back in a 3.42 diff. I absolutely LOVE the sound of the single tip Stingers paired with longtubes and x-pipe.
The Stingers drone in an MN6 cruising in 6th between 1600-1800 rpms. So highway speed driving within speed limits the drone is evident. Especially with a 3.42 gear. The 4.10 gear (which is my favorite in an NA MN6 C5) puts the rpms just above that 1600-1800 rpm drone zone when following the 65mph limits.
I prefer the single tip sound and looks over the quads. But to your ask, they are not obnoxious. Especially with stock manifolds and H-pipe. The H-pipe is really the culprit of not having a good sounding catback on an otherwise stock C5. But a C5 with longtubes, x-pipe and Borla Stingers sound outstanding!
The Stingers drone in an MN6 cruising in 6th between 1600-1800 rpms. So highway speed driving within speed limits the drone is evident. Especially with a 3.42 gear. The 4.10 gear (which is my favorite in an NA MN6 C5) puts the rpms just above that 1600-1800 rpm drone zone when following the 65mph limits.
I prefer the single tip sound and looks over the quads. But to your ask, they are not obnoxious. Especially with stock manifolds and H-pipe. The H-pipe is really the culprit of not having a good sounding catback on an otherwise stock C5. But a C5 with longtubes, x-pipe and Borla Stingers sound outstanding!
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,650
Likes: 7,292
From: CT
I love them. Ran that combo with headers and xpipe for a decade, and with a supercharger for 4 years. Great combo. The car sounds proper.
Speed Engineering headers are likewise great while being inexpensive. Even TPS are good fitment if you want to work with them. Any of the above would be a good combo.
Speed Engineering headers are likewise great while being inexpensive. Even TPS are good fitment if you want to work with them. Any of the above would be a good combo.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 194
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I would highly recommend the Borla S Type II part# 140427. I purchased mine on Amazon for $1,566 and I believe Summit Racing also sells them at that price. I know it’s more than the older style Borla Classic/Stinger but there’s no drone at any speed or RPM with my M6 trans. My car is completely stock with the exception of this exhaust system and it’s got great sound and volume at full throttle but when cruising you don’t even know it’s there and I can leave the neighborhood without bothering anyone which was exactly the balance I was looking for. If you can scrounge up a few hundred more bucks you’ll be very happy. Amazon link below.
https://a.co/d/g1hZZI6
https://a.co/d/g1hZZI6
Last edited by Midwest19942000; Aug 7, 2024 at 04:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The Stingers drone in an MN6 cruising in 6th between 1600-1800 rpms. So highway speed driving within speed limits the drone is evident. Especially with a 3.42 gear. The 4.10 gear (which is my favorite in an NA MN6 C5) puts the rpms just above that 1600-1800 rpm drone zone when following the 65mph limits.
I prefer the single tip sound and looks over the quads. But to your ask, they are not obnoxious. Especially with stock manifolds and H-pipe. The H-pipe is really the culprit of not having a good sounding catback on an otherwise stock C5. But a C5 with longtubes, x-pipe and Borla Stingers sound outstanding!
I prefer the single tip sound and looks over the quads. But to your ask, they are not obnoxious. Especially with stock manifolds and H-pipe. The H-pipe is really the culprit of not having a good sounding catback on an otherwise stock C5. But a C5 with longtubes, x-pipe and Borla Stingers sound outstanding!
Like you, I also prefer the dual tip outlets, not the quads.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
23+ years with the older style single tip Stingers with assorted engine, exhaust and gear mods on my black coupe, and I wouldn't change them for anything else. I had the Borla quads on my FRC. But no other mods besides a Vararam. It sounded "just okay" with stock manifolds and H pipe. Pretty generic to be honest. I've also run Billy Boat Bullets on a silver coupe I owned a for a few years. They were obnoxious. And quality of welds on the Bullets was average at best. One of the exhaust hangers broke free in about 2 years. I'd never buy Billy Boat again.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
And for additional clarity on my previous post...that 1600 to 1800rpm drone is in 6th gear at 60 to 65 mph. So the 3.42s are prone to drone because of the RPM range at those speeds in 6th. As long as you keep it out of the "drone zone" it's not an annoyance. That's why the 4.10 gear helps woth exhaust drone. (Serendipitous additional positive outcome from the gear).
I heard a stock C5 like mine with the Z06 titanium axleback, yesterday. Quiet until he really got into the throttle.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 1,144
From: Sleepy Hollow- NJ
1600-1800rpm in 6th would put the resonance range, at 75mph or so. Our speed limits here in Central TX range from 75 to 85mph so it sounds like drone would be a possible issue.
I heard a stock C5 like mine with the Z06 titanium axleback, yesterday. Quiet until he really got into the throttle.
I heard a stock C5 like mine with the Z06 titanium axleback, yesterday. Quiet until he really got into the throttle.
The Z06 titanium exhaust sounds pretty good for a stock exhaust. But it's not impressive to me. A tad too tame. But if I were daily driving my vette these days I may consider it. And when I was 25 the first thing that I had change was the stock exhaust because it was too "soft". Cool thing about buying that titanium exhaust is you'll get back what you paid for them if you decide to resell.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 771
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From: Middleton, Id
I really don't know why some of these manufactures are so proud of their systems. I just cant justify 1500-2000 for a cat back system either. Not like the car is worth all that much anymore. You'd think the development costs would have been recouped long ago. Corvette tax I guess....
Running Guns & Moonshine
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 12,650
Likes: 7,292
From: CT
I really don't know why some of these manufactures are so proud of their systems. I just cant justify 1500-2000 for a cat back system either. Not like the car is worth all that much anymore. You'd think the development costs would have been recouped long ago. Corvette tax I guess....
Thread Starter
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C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The used market online does a good business selling cat backs. Every time someone buys a vette it they set it up the way they like vs the last guy so the first thing to go is often the pipes. There are some great deals online for cat-backs if you look. Don't neglect FB marketplace for local options. For example, I just sold a Borla S two weeks ago for $450 in 9/10 condition after 18 years on the car.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I really don't know why some of these manufactures are so proud of their systems. I just cant justify 1500-2000 for a cat back system either. Not like the car is worth all that much anymore. You'd think the development costs would have been recouped long ago. Corvette tax I guess....
https://www.borla.com/products/chevr...t-system-12649
I do think I could buy the Borla Stinger system for less than a grand and I like the 4.5" diameter dual tips. Just need to shop around.
Last edited by USAZR1; Aug 9, 2024 at 01:47 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Cincinnati, OH
I really don't know why some of these manufactures are so proud of their systems. I just cant justify 1500-2000 for a cat back system either. Not like the car is worth all that much anymore. You'd think the development costs would have been recouped long ago. Corvette tax I guess....
Something's definitely not right when they're selling a pair of stainless straight pipes (no mufflers), for almost $825.
https://www.borla.com/products/chevr...t-system-12649
I do think I could buy the Borla Stinger system for less than a grand and I like the 4.5" diameter dual tips. Just need to shop around.
https://www.borla.com/products/chevr...t-system-12649
I do think I could buy the Borla Stinger system for less than a grand and I like the 4.5" diameter dual tips. Just need to shop around.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 4,043
Likes: 342
From: Central NJ
I have a borla system, not stingers, on my 01 A4 with stock exhaust system. Sounds real nice and drone is very minimal, but nothing that bothers me............I did have the borla stingers on my 99 A4 with headers and bassiani x-pipe. Sounded great, but the drone caused me to sell the exhaust......I did, however, have it for about 5 years because it sounded oh so good....
Thread Starter
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From: Central TX
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
It has gotten a little out of hand. Granted, material cost and labor cost have also gone up even though your car has gotten older and worth less. Go see C8 catback prices...I see $2-4K easily...
That Borla straight pipe catback price is comical. I think they did it just to see how dumb people are to pay that price. Hint: go find a base car catback for virtually free, cut the mufflers off to use the over axle pipes and have a muffler shop extend them out the back with tips. Voila!
That Borla straight pipe catback price is comical. I think they did it just to see how dumb people are to pay that price. Hint: go find a base car catback for virtually free, cut the mufflers off to use the over axle pipes and have a muffler shop extend them out the back with tips. Voila!
I thought the same thing about those Borla straight pipes too, smitty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Corsa has gone up but maybe a couple hundred. I bought a new Sport system couple years ago, sold it and had a couple different systems then realized Corsa IS the answer for no drone and sound for me so I priced out a new system again....I was about $1200 and then jumped to about $1500 or so recently.
I lucked out and found a Sport system from a junk yard on ebay parting out a car for $700. I'm never getting rid of the Sport system again. I may try others, but I will always keep it.
One of the systems I had was BB PRT's with LT's and catted X pipe. I had that system on my car as I drove to go pick up the Corsa system. Was ~7hrs total in the car....as soon as I got back I put the Sport system on and it was night an day better. Many say PRT's don't drone...I disagree.
I lucked out and found a Sport system from a junk yard on ebay parting out a car for $700. I'm never getting rid of the Sport system again. I may try others, but I will always keep it.
One of the systems I had was BB PRT's with LT's and catted X pipe. I had that system on my car as I drove to go pick up the Corsa system. Was ~7hrs total in the car....as soon as I got back I put the Sport system on and it was night an day better. Many say PRT's don't drone...I disagree.
Last edited by smitty2919; Aug 9, 2024 at 04:05 PM.