gpruitt54

I have not yet made the choice to install headers and I may never do it. However, in the mean time, I think I want to install a Borla X-Pipe that I saw on Ebay.

See the listing here

According to the description, this is a replacement for the stock mid-pipe on the C5 exhaust. Can I expect to see some level of performance improvement with this bolt on?

onspeed

nope

pjdbm

You will have to cut the OEM H pipe to install this, you will get NO performance benefit but you will get a smoother sound at idle (less gurgle)

grantv

Measurable, maybe a teeny bit. Something noticeable, seat of the pants? No.
X pipe is about sound. A little quieter, less gurgly, more exotic, nicer sounding.

scorpiofox69

Agree. Eliminates the "motorboat" sound at idle. Stick with a quality x-pipe. Either the Borla or Magna-Flo. The less expensive ones have a tendency to not hold up well due to the "persuasion" sometimes required to fit, and may split or have weld breaks. You want quality construction and fit so as to not have to repeat the process.

Cheap ends up not being so.....

Corvette#2

I think I actually noticed a difference with my borla x-pipe and axle back besides the better idle and loss of gurgling. It seems like the car was just a tad smoother and faster revving to redline, and perhaps lost a bit of torque off the line. But it was a slight difference and I could have imagined it.

gpruitt54

It sounds, at least from some here, that adding an X-pipe is not a worthwhile upgrade. Or, am I misinterpreting?

grantv

Mods add up. So performance wise I'd still say yes. It in theory does flow better.
Re sound I'd also say yes. Much better.

gpruitt54

My idea is to do this one thing at a time. For the moment, I am not ready to go with headers. So, I would like to improve the sound of the car, starting from the rear and moving forward. In this case, an X-pipe and cat back system.

NikolaCop

About a month ago I installed the X Pipe and had a shop do the ‘Muffler Bypass’ mod on my car which is completely stock, and I’m happy with the noise! Not very loud, but a much more quality smoother sound if that makes sense.

SG Lou

Improvement in sound...YES
Improvement in HP..nothing that will be noticeable

Corvette#2

If your goal is to improve the sound, an x-pipe is absolutely worth it.

gpruitt54

After watching this thread and watching videos similar to the following leave me confused.
See the

ASRoff

Here this should clear it up for you....

gpruitt54

OK, that video answers the questions(s). No real difference. But, better sound with the X pipe. Some of you have already said that X pipes sound better. The video confirms it.

So then, is 2 to 3 hundred dollars worth a better sound. Sure, could be. Guys spend thousands on cat back systems for a better sound, right?