Exhaust ideas?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Exhaust ideas?
I just recent bought a 2001 vette and was wondering what kind of exhaust ideas anyone has. I'm looking for something loud obviously but I also want a deep sound. My brother has a 2014 v6 mustang with roush axle backs and they are very ricey.. Granted they are loud but that is not the type of loud I'm looking for. Money is not really an issue but I've heard it is better to forget about axle backs and do a custom exhaust. If anyone can give me some direction of what to do that would be great! Thanks 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
A V6 by nature is going to sound different, less deep than a V8. Popular option is headers, x-pipe and axle back from a Z06.
What is your total budget?
Headers and x-pipe run 800-2000+
Z06 mufflers usually run 400, aftermarket mufflers from 600 up
What is your total budget?
Headers and x-pipe run 800-2000+
Z06 mufflers usually run 400, aftermarket mufflers from 600 up
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
Headers, x-pipe, z06 TI exhaust. Can't go wrong. (You'll need it tuned tho) I already did the exhaust axle back changeout and even tho it is nice and different, it still had the motor boat sound. The car is a different sounding, and performing machine. With just those mods, and I had a blackwing on it already puts down 350 to the wheels. Base C5, non z06. I know it is not a beast but it can shred the tires if desired and it sounds like it wants to eat something when you get on it. However, it cruises the street and highway nicely, no drone, etc.
Pro
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 595
Likes: 84
From: Colonial Beach Virginia
If your looking to keep it a relatively stock and good driver, just put an axle-back system on it. I went with the BB Bullets and it is perfect with the stock exhaust, and makes it sound like a monster. Deep and loud. A little droning, but as soon as I put my car cover in the trunk (its a Vert), the drone all but disappears. I would not go the full headers and new x-pipe route unless I made other engine mods to fully take advantage of them. They do most definitely sound better, but at a much higher cost. My 2-cents.
I found my BB Bullets locally for $300 on CL. They were used for 50 miles and were still in brand new shape. Good deals on exhaust are out there. Huge difference in the temperament for a mere $300!
I found my BB Bullets locally for $300 on CL. They were used for 50 miles and were still in brand new shape. Good deals on exhaust are out there. Huge difference in the temperament for a mere $300!
Last edited by Redhook98; Jan 14, 2015 at 08:22 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 136
Likes: 6
From: Lees Summit Missouri
Headers, x-pipe, z06 TI exhaust. Can't go wrong. (You'll need it tuned tho) I already did the exhaust axle back changeout and even tho it is nice and different, it still had the motor boat sound. The car is a different sounding, and performing machine. With just those mods, and I had a blackwing on it already puts down 350 to the wheels. Base C5, non z06. I know it is not a beast but it can shred the tires if desired and it sounds like it wants to eat something when you get on it. However, it cruises the street and highway nicely, no drone, etc.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 2
From: Richmond BC
Headers, x-pipe, z06 TI exhaust. Can't go wrong. (You'll need it tuned tho) I already did the exhaust axle back changeout and even tho it is nice and different, it still had the motor boat sound. The car is a different sounding, and performing machine. With just those mods, and I had a blackwing on it already puts down 350 to the wheels. Base C5, non z06. I know it is not a beast but it can shred the tires if desired and it sounds like it wants to eat something when you get on it. However, it cruises the street and highway nicely, no drone, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 21,325
Likes: 3,841
From: small town in S.E Pa. PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
If all you want is loud, ( obviously ) just put cutouts on it.. or a bypass pipe.
If you want a balanced and designed exhaust, with proper scavenging of the exhaust pulses, with no drone at cruise rpm's in the critical 1200 to 1500 rpm range then you are going to need a system that is designed to get the most out of your LSX motor. The worst thing you could do is put on a custom exhaust system from a shop that has no test facilities to determine harmonics or flow. If you just want loud ( Obviously ).. and don't care about the important stuff, you can just weld a bypass pipe to your stock exhaust system.. 50 dollars a side...at any muffler shop..
If you want a balanced and designed exhaust, with proper scavenging of the exhaust pulses, with no drone at cruise rpm's in the critical 1200 to 1500 rpm range then you are going to need a system that is designed to get the most out of your LSX motor. The worst thing you could do is put on a custom exhaust system from a shop that has no test facilities to determine harmonics or flow. If you just want loud ( Obviously ).. and don't care about the important stuff, you can just weld a bypass pipe to your stock exhaust system.. 50 dollars a side...at any muffler shop..
Last edited by Evil-Twin; Jan 14, 2015 at 10:42 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 360
Likes: 6
From: Panama City, FL
Headers, x-pipe, z06 TI exhaust. Can't go wrong. (You'll need it tuned tho) I already did the exhaust axle back changeout and even tho it is nice and different, it still had the motor boat sound. The car is a different sounding, and performing machine. With just those mods, and I had a blackwing on it already puts down 350 to the wheels. Base C5, non z06. I know it is not a beast but it can shred the tires if desired and it sounds like it wants to eat something when you get on it. However, it cruises the street and highway nicely, no drone, etc.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Racer
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 410
Likes: 3
From: Garland Texas
I considered putting the TI exhaust back on but like the very aggressive sound it has now. My car sounds much meaner than what it actually is but sounds perfect idling, city, or highway.
Racer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 360
Likes: 6
From: Panama City, FL
The bypass is definitely an inexpensive way to add a lot of sound. In my opinion, bypass cars often sound extremely raspy (on the order of straight pipes) while just being quieter than straight pipe cars. I'm a fan of the smooth tone through the Z06 catback or Corsa mufflers.