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My 2011 GS does not have the NPP exhaust and is too quiet for me. I like the Corsa extreme axle back exhaust from the exhaust clips on Youtube. The cost of an Corsa exhaust is about $1800 for an increase of maybe 5hp but great sound. The cost of a set of kooks headers with a catted x pipe is around $2400. My question is what other costs I would be looking at to go with the headers and leave the exhaust stock. Do I need a starter insulator, insulated tunnel shield, spark plug wire protecters,dyno tune. Should the headers be coated? What additional costs would I be looking at over the initial price of the headers? I would install the headers myself.
A tune would be needed. All the other stuff you mentioned are good to get but not necessary. Coating headers is not a bad idea. A cheaper alternative is to wrap them.
You could always start off with a Corsa extreme exhaust and work your way up to a set of long tube headers, or all at once if you want to be real loud.
Why not just wait until a used set of extremes pop up that way you can pick em up for like 1/2 the price? Same for headers as they pop up all the time. Regardless though, if you just do an axle back, then nothing needed extra past the install. (Could do tune if you're super **** but will be fine without). Otherwise, if you go headers, you'll also need a tune so figure in about 600-700 extra. Headers with stock exhaust will likely drone and be annoying. At least with the Corsa you know you wont have to worry about that...
For anyone stating a tune is needed with exhaust work, just is not true.
Your car has no clue how much exhaust is it letting out. It only cares about timing load based on fuel type and air coming in.
That being said, it’s a mixed bag. I’ve done stock mufflers on cars with headers back and no cats and was louder mostly because of the lack of cats.
Without NPP’s I’d probably do mufflers first and headers later. Just my preference though.
Back when my GS was basically stock (along with the optional NPP mufflers), I installed a set of headers with cats.
After the header install, the exhaust sound was just about the same as with the OEM exhaust manifolds ... except at WOT when the NPP valves would open.
When the valves would open the exhaust became obnoxiously loud! ... My fix was to remove the NPP mufflers and install a set of Borla 'Touring' mufflers.
I will take PMPERFORMENCE advice and start with the exhaust first and then go from there. Should I go with Corsa sports if I eventually get headers or would the Extreme be too loud?
I will take PMPERFORMENCE advice and start with the exhaust first and then go from there. Should I go with Corsa sports if I eventually get headers or would the Extreme be too loud?
I’m in the same boat as you and agree the stock exhaust is way to quiet IMOP. If I was going to do headers, I would definitely knowing me go with a dyno tune. The dyno tune/tuner would make this a very expensive mod, with little gains.
The “corvette tax” is stupid expensive for a full catback exhaust 2k+ new and axel back around 1k-1200 ish. I have no idea why and I’m sure they could blame R&D costs. You can’t tell me our exhaust systems are difficult to figure out when compared to other V8 equipped comparable vehicles.
After researching and finding very little inexpensive options for just an relatively inexpensive axel back exhaust, I plan on trying out
NXT Step Performance Exhaust Systems EX3033
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nsp-ex3033
I could find very little information on those who use this exhaust, but I did find one review that verified it had very little/no drone. The listing states “exhaust note without resonance”, assuming they are referring to drone noise? At just around $700, it’s worth trying out. It takes a month to ship is another down side but plan on that going into purchasing. Spending $1200 for basically a sound mod with very little HP gains is just ludicrous.
I just put on a Speed Engineering headers/mid pipe exhaust ($600), and NPP axle back($300). Made my own “mild to wild” setup with a vacuum pump and blow off valve $50. Throw in another $50 for better clamps and I’m under $1k. I had a Borla S Classic on and took it off because it would have been too loud with the headers. Haven’t sold it yet but figure I can get $700 for it. So for the princely sum of $300 I have an exhaust I really like. Yes, I did get a tune , but I did it at the same time as cam and converter install so it was sort of a wash. In case anybody is looking for a nice 4 year old Borla, it’s for 2009-2013.
On my M6 2012 GS with NPP, i installed Kooks 1 3/4 long tube headers and mid-pipe ensemble with high flow cats uncoated and a Dyno tune. I have the M2W set to wide open full time. The sound is amazing especially at high RPM - it's intoxicating.
I’m in the same boat as you and agree the stock exhaust is way to quiet IMOP. If I was going to do headers, I would definitely knowing me go with a dyno tune. The dyno tune/tuner would make this a very expensive mod, with little gains.
The “corvette tax” is stupid expensive for a full catback exhaust 2k+ new and axel back around 1k-1200 ish. I have no idea why and I’m sure they could blame R&D costs. You can’t tell me our exhaust systems are difficult to figure out when compared to other V8 equipped comparable vehicles.
After researching and finding very little inexpensive options for just an relatively inexpensive axel back exhaust, I plan on trying out
NXT Step Performance Exhaust Systems EX3033
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/nsp-ex3033
I could find very little information on those who use this exhaust, but I did find one review that verified it had very little/no drone. The listing states “exhaust note without resonance”, assuming they are referring to drone noise? At just around $700, it’s worth trying out. It takes a month to ship is another down side but plan on that going into purchasing. Spending $1200 for basically a sound mod with very little HP gains is just ludicrous.
There are a bunch of YouTube videos with the Nxt exhaust. Sounds good. Everyone who has them say they love it and no drone. Can't beat the price.
You do not NEED a new tunnel shield regardless of what anyone tells you. You also do not need to coat the headers, coatings have come a long way but I didn’t bother. The headers should come with 02 extensions. I do not have wire covers and haven’t had issues yet. You WILL need a tune so plan for another $450-$650 for that depending who does it. I have my car with ARH with no cats and NPP. In quiet mode only a trained ear would notice that the car has headers. When they’re in loud mode they’re not bad at all cruising, minimal drone since mine is a stick, but at WOT it’s rowdy and will draw the attention of any cop within a miles distance 😪
Headers
