C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

exhaust decision

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2014 | 08:10 PM
  #1  
t tom's Avatar
t tom
Thread Starter
Advanced
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Danville illinois
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
Reply
Old May 14, 2014 | 09:45 PM
  #2  
Bob Chapman's Avatar
Bob Chapman
Pro
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 45
From: Marquette MI
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 14, 2014 | 11:57 PM
  #3  
jrose7004's Avatar
jrose7004
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,490
Likes: 1,811
From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Default

I've had the Corsa Pace Car system on both C5's that I've had.
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 12:02 AM
  #4  
dbgoodwin's Avatar
dbgoodwin
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Default

Borla guy here. Drones a bit at 2100rpms but sounds vicious when you open it up. Normal cruising it's not too loud
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 01:59 AM
  #5  
Smokin Joe's Avatar
Smokin Joe
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Default

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
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 06:16 AM
  #6  
Cybermind's Avatar
Cybermind
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 06:33 AM
  #7  
crazystevex's Avatar
crazystevex
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 800
Likes: 12
From: Wichita Kansas
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 07:16 AM
  #8  
Cybermind's Avatar
Cybermind
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,479
Likes: 36
Default

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.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 15, 2014 | 11:02 AM
  #9  
Smokin Joe's Avatar
Smokin Joe
Drifting
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Default

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.
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 11:28 AM
  #10  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

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
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 11:57 AM
  #11  
Lt. Dan M.'s Avatar
Lt. Dan M.
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 901
Likes: 2
From: Palm City Fl
Default

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....
Reply
Old May 15, 2014 | 12:14 PM
  #12  
Bluefire's Avatar
Bluefire
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Veteran: Air Force
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,825
Likes: 221
From: Hillsboro OR
Default

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. .
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To exhaust decision





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:55 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE