New Exhaust System
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Olympia WA
New Exhaust System
I bought a 2004 Corvette in March, with 6000 miles on it. I have done a lot to it, and now it is time to change out the exhaust system. I would love some help, as I have done a lot of research, and man there is a lot of products out there. I want a system that will make my car runble like a lion, and not pur like a kitten. But I also want to hear the radio and people talking. Want a strong idle and take off, so people know the vette has left the area. I waited 56 years for this baby, and what a great car and the people who drive them. Just great!I wanted to post pics, but do not know how to do it? Thanks for any help I can get.
Rick in Olympia WA
Rick in Olympia WA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 866
Likes: 0
From: Madison Wisconsin
Loud = GHL, B&B Bullets, SLP
Good overall sound = Borla
Pur like a kitten = Corsa
http://content.madirect.com/offers/c.../iacchart.html
These are IMO of course.
Good overall sound = Borla
Pur like a kitten = Corsa
http://content.madirect.com/offers/c.../iacchart.html
These are IMO of course.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tahoe Nevada
Borla
Doesn't exactly roar like a lion, but between roaring like a lion and purring like a kitten I think the Borla twin tips are an excellent choice. Lets see some pics...Congrats on the new Vette
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Borla or B&B
check out this site to hear for a comparison of various alternatives
yourself. the best appraoch is to hear them in real life, but this is a reasonable proxy.
www.ls1sounds.com
check out this site to hear for a comparison of various alternatives
yourself. the best appraoch is to hear them in real life, but this is a reasonable proxy.
www.ls1sounds.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,869
Likes: 252
From: Hillsboro OR
I bought a 2004 Corvette in March, with 6000 miles on it. I have done a lot to it, and now it is time to change out the exhaust system. I would love some help, as I have done a lot of research, and man there is a lot of products out there. I want a system that will make my car runble like a lion, and not pur like a kitten. But I also want to hear the radio and people talking. Want a strong idle and take off, so people know the vette has left the area. I waited 56 years for this baby, and what a great car and the people who drive them. Just great!I wanted to post pics, but do not know how to do it? Thanks for any help I can get.
Rick in Olympia WA
Rick in Olympia WA
Congrats on the new ride!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Exhaust system sounds are like BEER. There all beer BUT, every one has their favorite beer and they swear by it! I bet you don't like every beer out there! Same thing goes for exhaust systems.
You need seat time in different cars to actually hear different exhaust systems. When you find one that you like,, COPY that exact set up EXACTLY! Things like different Cams or even headers make a difference in the way a system sounds!!
If you purchase an exhaust system with someones opinion, you may end up installing 3-4 different systems before you find the one you really like!
I have a complete Stainless Works 3" system in an 02 ZO6, To me, the system rocks! I have only heard one other system that sounds as good (MAYBE EVEN BETTER) and thats the GHL Magnum! My main concern with any after market exhaust system is interior cabin resonance or DRONE! I enjoy a loud exhaust but cant put up with drone for very long!
It gets on your nerves quickly and makes long trips unbearable!
Post in General section or in the events and regional section and see if you can fine people in your area that live close and have different systems for you to listen to. Believe me, thats the best way to save MONEY!
BC
I bet you don't like every beer out there! Same thing goes for exhaust systems.You need seat time in different cars to actually hear different exhaust systems. When you find one that you like,, COPY that exact set up EXACTLY! Things like different Cams or even headers make a difference in the way a system sounds!!
If you purchase an exhaust system with someones opinion, you may end up installing 3-4 different systems before you find the one you really like!
I have a complete Stainless Works 3" system in an 02 ZO6, To me, the system rocks! I have only heard one other system that sounds as good (MAYBE EVEN BETTER) and thats the GHL Magnum! My main concern with any after market exhaust system is interior cabin resonance or DRONE! I enjoy a loud exhaust but cant put up with drone for very long!
It gets on your nerves quickly and makes long trips unbearable!
Post in General section or in the events and regional section and see if you can fine people in your area that live close and have different systems for you to listen to. Believe me, thats the best way to save MONEY!
BC
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Here is the link to B&B and how there system sounds.
http://www.bbexhaust.com/car/corvette/c5/
Check this out for fun.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/279656/corvette_dyno/
http://www.bbexhaust.com/car/corvette/c5/
Check this out for fun.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/279656/corvette_dyno/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 6
From: Los Angeles
The B&B Bullets on the C5 will definitely turn heads. It idles strong and screams at WOT. It will be more difficult to carry on a conversation on the highway vs being in a sedan or something, but not intolerable. No issues with the hearing the radio.
I think if you did LT headers with the B&Bs it would be too loud, but as a catback alone the B&B is awesome. I've received many compliments with mine.
I think if you did LT headers with the B&Bs it would be too loud, but as a catback alone the B&B is awesome. I've received many compliments with mine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,113
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I'm surprised no one has mentioned magnaflow.I have the magnaflow setup on my c5 and it had a rich,deep tone through the entire powerband and WOT.It is nowhere near as loud as the B&B setup,GHL setup or borla stinger setup, but the best way to put the magnaflow sound is authoritative.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
If you are going for that 60s muscle car sound, I would check out the Borla Stingers or GHLs. I have the quad tip round Stingers. My original setup with stock manifolds and cats was Mangaflow X-Pipe and Borla Stingers. I loved the sound. After I put AR headers and hi-flow cats on this past August, I was not so thrilled with the Borlas. They have a tendancy to resonante.
I think if I had it to do all over again, I would give serious thought to a set of GHL Mangums or Bullets. I have heard these with and without headers and they sound awesome. Good luck with your purchase.
I think if I had it to do all over again, I would give serious thought to a set of GHL Mangums or Bullets. I have heard these with and without headers and they sound awesome. Good luck with your purchase.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
From: hill billy hell
Here is the sound of B&B Bullets w/ LGM LT headers,no cats, x-pipe:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/814375...arket_exhaust/
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/814375...arket_exhaust/
Last edited by jirasvet; Sep 11, 2007 at 04:46 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
I bought a 2004 Corvette in March, with 6000 miles on it. I have done a lot to it, and now it is time to change out the exhaust system. I would love some help, as I have done a lot of research, and man there is a lot of products out there. I want a system that will make my car runble like a lion, and not pur like a kitten. But I also want to hear the radio and people talking. Want a strong idle and take off, so people know the vette has left the area. I waited 56 years for this baby, and what a great car and the people who drive them. Just great!I wanted to post pics, but do not know how to do it? Thanks for any help I can get.
Rick in Olympia WA
Rick in Olympia WA
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
I'd stay away from B&B or Borla if you don't want drone and want a liveable interior at cruise. I have Corsa Indy's that I think are the best of all worlds. They sound great at anything above part throttle, but are dead quiet at cruise. They don't have a real rumble at idle, but with an x-pipe they have a nice exotic sound.
I also considered GHL, but I preferred the overall design and look of Corsa. Good luck!
I also considered GHL, but I preferred the overall design and look of Corsa. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Lake Tahoe Nevada
I think That Drone Sounds Bad ***..As Long As You Don't Have To Drive The Car Everyday Or On A Trip Across The Country. Ill Leave My Z06 Catback Alone And Just Change The Headers And X Pipe, Also I May Do The Muffler Cross Mod To The Z06 TI Exaust Still Undecided Though.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,869
Likes: 252
From: Hillsboro OR
I Think That Drone Sounds Bad ***..As Long As You Don't Have To Drive The Car Everyday Or On A Trip Across The Country. Ill Leave My Z06 Catback Alone And Just Change The Headers And X Pipe, Also I May Do The Muffler Cross Mod To The Z06 TI Exaust Still Undecided Though.
Lol old habits never seem to go away..I do that occasionally...Pardon my insanity..Lol