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Old May 14, 2014 | 08:10 PM
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Default exhaust decision

recently purchased 03 with 12000 miles, sounds pretty tame! Like suggestions from those that have made the switch! What brand/, noticeable power tik? ease of install? everybody's ad makes theirs sound like the best, would rather hear from forum members! thanks for any input
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Old May 14, 2014 | 09:45 PM
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I have the Corsa cat back system on my long tube header exhaust and really like it. I have the "sport" model - medium loudness. It's really there when you get on it but quiet on the highway - no drone. This is a very subjective topic.
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Old May 14, 2014 | 11:57 PM
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I've had the Corsa Pace Car system on both C5's that I've had.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 12:02 AM
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Borla guy here. Drones a bit at 2100rpms but sounds vicious when you open it up. Normal cruising it's not too loud
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Old May 15, 2014 | 01:59 AM
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Originally Posted by dbgoodwin
Borla guy here. Drones a bit at 2100rpms but sounds vicious when you open it up. Normal cruising it's not too loud
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Old May 15, 2014 | 06:16 AM
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Corsa Extreme! Best sounding catback with zero drone. In my opinion, it is the Goldilocks of C5 catbacks. Not too loud, not too tame..........just right. Fit and finish is superb.
I had a Magnaflow 16732 system prior to this and it was way too tame. If you want something closer to stock, go with that.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 06:33 AM
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Just put in some electric cut outs, then you can control the sound level. Loud when you want it and quite when cruising on long trips.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 07:16 AM
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Originally Posted by crazystevex
Just put in some electric cut outs, then you can control the sound level. Loud when you want it and quite when cruising on long trips.
What about the bling factor? He would still be stuck with those small ugly OEM exhaust tips. That was what I hated the most about my C5 when I first got it. Those OEM tips belong on a scooter.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Cybermind
What about the bling factor? He would still be stuck with those small ugly OEM exhaust tips. That was what I hated the most about my C5 when I first got it. Those OEM tips belong on a scooter.
Titanium Z06 catbacks.

I have run several on my car:

B&B triflows (whatever the quieter ones are)
Initial build quality was bad. New design came out and they replaced free of charge. Look was ok. Sound was not much better than stock.

Corsa Indies
Best fit and finish of any catback out there. Higher pitch sound, kind of motorboatish.

Corsa Indies with Longtubes, X, no cats
Longtubes made it louder. Still had the motorboat sound at idle. High pitch, kind of Italian sounding.

Borla with Longtubes, X, no cats
Deep V8 muscle sound. These sound best in my opinion. Build quality was good. I had the most compliments on this set for both sound and looks. Definite drone on the highway.

Z06 TIs
Needed to quiet the exhaust for a road trip. I still have the Borlas in the corner. The Ti's were two pounds lighter than the Borlas, which are much lighter than stock.
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Old May 15, 2014 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Cybermind
Corsa Extreme! Best sounding catback with zero drone. In my opinion, it is the Goldilocks of C5 catbacks. Not too loud, not too tame..........just right. Fit and finish is superb.
I had a Magnaflow 16732 system prior to this and it was way too tame. If you want something closer to stock, go with that.
I agree, corsa is probably the best sounding exhaust for our cars with ghl a close 2nd... I have xtremes, no cats, longtubes, cam and they aren't quiet by any means but while cruising you would never guess how loud they are at wot, it can catch you off guard... they have a very distinguishable sound from other brands and make the car sound like it's really making some power... they are more of a high pitch scream at wot... what I don't like about most others is that they sound deep and flat at wot... but that is all just a matter of my opinion... I would suggest searching every youtube video you can find and maybe going to a meet to hear some in person before you make a decision because the higher end exhausts aren't cheap and I wouldn't want to buy a few of them before I make up my mind... on the other hand a good quality used exhaust will easily sell on here in the fs section
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Old May 15, 2014 | 11:57 AM
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B&B Bullets on my 02Z with LTs and uncatted Xpipe. They dron at lower rpm, but is not bad at all crusing at 45 or 50 mph. I love them, but sometimes wish for something quieter at WOT, they wake the dead!!! Wife can hear me from over 2 miles away.... As far as install, just getting the stock, if that is what is on the car now, off is a PITA unless you have a lift. Most aftermarket seems to be at least 2 piece, so is not so bad to install, but getting that one piece axel back out isn't so easy....
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Old May 15, 2014 | 12:14 PM
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Understand your long term goals before you buy. Are you going to do a heads/cam package later on? This will greatly effect your level of "loudness".

I went with the Corsa Touring (no longer made) and American Racing headers. It sounded better (deeper note) than stock. No drone. No motor boat sound but, not quite loud enough for me. . After I did the H/C pkg. it idles slightly louder (with a lope) with an even deeper note. WOT freakin' ROARS!

Point of reference... There have been many times at the racetrack where people have commented to me that my car sounds like a NASCAR now. .
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