Aggressive Sound...cost effectively
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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 57
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From: Baltimore MD
Aggressive Sound...cost effectively
I am a new owner of a 2002 Z06.* It is mostly stock with the exception of a VaraRam intake and a Corsa X-Pipe. *The sound is okay, but I want a bark to match its bite.
*
I plan to eventually add “real” performance mods to increase power, but right now I just want a more aggressive sound.* I’m looking for a nice “grumble” at idle.
*
I’ve been doing some research on exhaust, and have found numerous brands.* I’m constrained by a budget of around *$500, so pre-owned is fine by me; and by Maryland emissions, so I’ll need to keep the cats.
*
So far, based on my research, I’ve narrowed it down to SLP Loud Mouth, Corsa Xtreme, and Billy Boat Bullets; however, I am completely open to any other suggestions. *I saw a brand called “Pypes” on the Summit Racing website, and the NXT Step brand on eBay…does anyone know anything about those?
*
So I guess my question is three-part…
*
1. What would you recommend the first thing I do to achieve the sound I’m looking for?
2. Those that have installed any of the above systems, what are the pros/cons?
3. Is this something I can do, or will I need a professional? *(I’m no mechanic, but I can turn a wrench and follow instructions)
*
I would also like to mention that I have never been as happy about owning a car as I am with the Z06. *In fact, I sold a “Magnum PI” Ferrari to buy the Z06, and I have absolutely no regret. *I have to believe that a lot of that has to do with this forum…I’m addicted!* You guys are great, and I look forward to participating for a long time.
*
Thanks again and have a great day!
*
Josh
*
I plan to eventually add “real” performance mods to increase power, but right now I just want a more aggressive sound.* I’m looking for a nice “grumble” at idle.
*
I’ve been doing some research on exhaust, and have found numerous brands.* I’m constrained by a budget of around *$500, so pre-owned is fine by me; and by Maryland emissions, so I’ll need to keep the cats.
*
So far, based on my research, I’ve narrowed it down to SLP Loud Mouth, Corsa Xtreme, and Billy Boat Bullets; however, I am completely open to any other suggestions. *I saw a brand called “Pypes” on the Summit Racing website, and the NXT Step brand on eBay…does anyone know anything about those?
*
So I guess my question is three-part…
*
1. What would you recommend the first thing I do to achieve the sound I’m looking for?
2. Those that have installed any of the above systems, what are the pros/cons?
3. Is this something I can do, or will I need a professional? *(I’m no mechanic, but I can turn a wrench and follow instructions)
*
I would also like to mention that I have never been as happy about owning a car as I am with the Z06. *In fact, I sold a “Magnum PI” Ferrari to buy the Z06, and I have absolutely no regret. *I have to believe that a lot of that has to do with this forum…I’m addicted!* You guys are great, and I look forward to participating for a long time.
*
Thanks again and have a great day!
*
Josh
Resident moron
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,746
Likes: 20
From: Assachusetts
This answer isn't exactly what you want but it IS food for thought and you should consider it carefully.
First off - any of your exhaust choices that you mentioned are nice and will be loud for sure. However, you have to think long-term. You say you are planning on "real" performance increasing mods in the future. This is important, because if you get a really loud axle-back right now, it will sound nice and loud of course. But then in the future, when you add a bigger cam, ported heads, longtubes, etc, it will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the exhaust volume even further - making your nice loud axle-back sound brutally loud and perhaps TOO loud (depending on the person). Then you end up spending even more $$ for a quieter muffled system.
I see this scenario play out all the time. If I were you, I'd save up for some nice longtubes first. See how you like the exhaust then. If it's still too quiet, then get a new axle-back. At least then you'll have a better picture of just how much louder you want it, and you may be in a better position to make an accurate decision. Maybe you'll get a milder system because you only want it a little louder at that point.
Heads/cam will also increase the volume and will change the sound, but IMO not quite to the same extent that adding longtubes will.
IMO, the most cost-effective solution is just getting some cutouts welded in. They cost like $20 a piece and you just need to pay to get them installed. They are VERY loud too. Probably too loud for most, and unrefined too (some people don't like the "raw" sound).
As far as doing the work yourself, it all depends on your level of skill. The hard thing about installing an axle-back is that you have to get the car QUITE high in the air, which if you don't have the right jacks, jackstands and such can be harder than it seems. Other than that it's generally pretty cut and dry, remove the old and install the new. Most axle-backs will hook right up with supplied clamps, no problem.
As far as which brand and such to go with...everyone has their own opinion, you need to decide for yourself. Listen to various cars with various systems and make a judgement from there. Personally I run a heads/cam setup with TPIS longtubes, 3" random tech cats/x-pipe and open cutouts, sounds amazing to me but I bet half the people here wouldn't like it. It's a very subjective area.
Dope
First off - any of your exhaust choices that you mentioned are nice and will be loud for sure. However, you have to think long-term. You say you are planning on "real" performance increasing mods in the future. This is important, because if you get a really loud axle-back right now, it will sound nice and loud of course. But then in the future, when you add a bigger cam, ported heads, longtubes, etc, it will SIGNIFICANTLY increase the exhaust volume even further - making your nice loud axle-back sound brutally loud and perhaps TOO loud (depending on the person). Then you end up spending even more $$ for a quieter muffled system.
I see this scenario play out all the time. If I were you, I'd save up for some nice longtubes first. See how you like the exhaust then. If it's still too quiet, then get a new axle-back. At least then you'll have a better picture of just how much louder you want it, and you may be in a better position to make an accurate decision. Maybe you'll get a milder system because you only want it a little louder at that point.
Heads/cam will also increase the volume and will change the sound, but IMO not quite to the same extent that adding longtubes will.
IMO, the most cost-effective solution is just getting some cutouts welded in. They cost like $20 a piece and you just need to pay to get them installed. They are VERY loud too. Probably too loud for most, and unrefined too (some people don't like the "raw" sound).
As far as doing the work yourself, it all depends on your level of skill. The hard thing about installing an axle-back is that you have to get the car QUITE high in the air, which if you don't have the right jacks, jackstands and such can be harder than it seems. Other than that it's generally pretty cut and dry, remove the old and install the new. Most axle-backs will hook right up with supplied clamps, no problem.
As far as which brand and such to go with...everyone has their own opinion, you need to decide for yourself. Listen to various cars with various systems and make a judgement from there. Personally I run a heads/cam setup with TPIS longtubes, 3" random tech cats/x-pipe and open cutouts, sounds amazing to me but I bet half the people here wouldn't like it. It's a very subjective area.
Dope
