Exhaust Issues
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
Exhaust Issues
I have a 2002 c5 Z06. I had a Borla exhaust installed on the car. After a few years of having the exhaust I've started to notice a very pronounced ringing sound that occurs only around 2.5k RPMs. What is causing this issue / Is there a fix.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on what appears to be your Borla mufflers droning.
Is this new? You said you had the mufflers on for a few years but just noticed it? Also, can you elaborate more on the ringing sound? People describes sounds differently so any detail (or a sound clip) helps. You may have a loose piece of trim (or other) that is now interacting with the vibration caused by the muffler drone.
Is this new? You said you had the mufflers on for a few years but just noticed it? Also, can you elaborate more on the ringing sound? People describes sounds differently so any detail (or a sound clip) helps. You may have a loose piece of trim (or other) that is now interacting with the vibration caused by the muffler drone.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
The exhaust has been installed for awhile honestly. Maybe 6 or so years i would say. The sound started about 2 years ago. Its always annoyed me but never got around to fixing it. I'm not sure how to describe the sounds honestly :/ It just once it gets to around 2.5k RPMs (Unfortunately cruising speed in 3rd gear) it is just a really pronounced droning noise. I think you had a better word than I did. More of a drone than ring. I hate it cuz when it makes that noise it sounds like i have a beat civic instead of a classic vette with a quality exhaust.
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,213
Likes: 1,173
From: Southlake, TX
Well, you have the drone. There is only one real way to eliminate drone and that is to swap mufflers.
Your Borla has a design that relies heavy on "sound absorption" to mitigate noise. Not all the sound gets absorbed all the time and the "extra" sound becomes your drone at certain RPMS. It is characteristic and you are not going to be able to change it.
The other method of muffling sound is through "pressure wave cancelation" as found in OE mufflers and CORSA brand. Pressure wave cancellation has no drone as all the sound waves end up banging into each other and get altered-- there is no sound to escape and become drone.
Both system types have a distinct sound so hear them in person or watch a few YouTube video.
I have an "x" pipe leading into my OE Titanium mufflers. Consider a set of these if you plan to swap.
Your Borla has a design that relies heavy on "sound absorption" to mitigate noise. Not all the sound gets absorbed all the time and the "extra" sound becomes your drone at certain RPMS. It is characteristic and you are not going to be able to change it.
The other method of muffling sound is through "pressure wave cancelation" as found in OE mufflers and CORSA brand. Pressure wave cancellation has no drone as all the sound waves end up banging into each other and get altered-- there is no sound to escape and become drone.
Both system types have a distinct sound so hear them in person or watch a few YouTube video.
I have an "x" pipe leading into my OE Titanium mufflers. Consider a set of these if you plan to swap.
Last edited by billschroeder5842; Apr 19, 2023 at 11:03 PM.
