Upgrade Exhaust - Is it worth it?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 882
Likes: 39
From: NJ
Upgrade Exhaust - Is it worth it?
I know a lot of people have upgraded/changed the stock exhaust but is it worth it? Other than a different sound, do you notice any significant performance improvement?
I am ok with the stock exhaust note but would swap for improved performance. A better overall groan wouldn't hurt either but I don't want to make that the only reason to change.
Let me know your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks!
I am ok with the stock exhaust note but would swap for improved performance. A better overall groan wouldn't hurt either but I don't want to make that the only reason to change.
Let me know your thoughts and experiences.
Thanks!
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Santa Margarita CA
Good Headers will give you 25+ HP with your stock cat backs and slighty improve stock sound. No need to demand that cops notice you when you stick your foot in it, on the street everyone will turn to look when they hear the LS2 roar even through stock mufflers. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 947
Likes: 46
From: Saint Cloud Florida
Originally Posted by Cookee
Good Headers will give you 25+ HP with your stock cat backs and slighty improve stock sound. No need to demand that cops notice you when you stick your foot in it, on the street everyone will turn to look when they hear the LS2 roar even through stock mufflers.
My sentiments exactly.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
Likes: 257
From: Florida
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C2 of the Year Finalist - Modified 2020
C2 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
The Corsa Sports add a very nice exotic sports car sound and is well worth the cost to me; maybe not to you. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38,772
Likes: 621
From: Boston MA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08,'12-'13
Originally Posted by OHSIXX
The Corsa Sports add a very nice exotic sports car sound and is well worth the cost to me; maybe not to you.
I have the corsa sports and it makes the car sound like it should of sounded from the factory !
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,248
Likes: 421
From: Texas Where God intended me to be.
2023 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C5 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '11,'22 thru '26
How loud are the B&B bullits vs the Corsa Sports. I'm looking at both right now
Also just how big of a pain is it to remove the change these out with the pan under the car. This is my first corvette and it is a different animal than my Challenger or Cuda
Also just how big of a pain is it to remove the change these out with the pan under the car. This is my first corvette and it is a different animal than my Challenger or Cuda
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
I've gone through a couple of sets of cat backs. If you like losing money buying and trying to find the right cat back, go ahead and try one out. If you have no tolerance for drone, leave the stock cat back on and go with headers and high flows. These are easy enough to work on so putting them on is pretty simple. No issues there. I for right now have settled on stock manifolds and stock cat back with Random Tech high flow converters. If I go a considerable amount of time with no codes thrown from the high flows, I will go with long tubes with stock mufflers.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 57,408
Likes: 164
From: queensbury ny
performance...
YOU WROTE...This is helpful. Right now, I am looking to spend my money to improve the performance.
I'm good with the sound from the stock mufflers.OK,to improve performance get yourself a header package...kooks,for one,is a pretty good system.for around 1800 bucks you get 3x3 xpipe,headers,hi-flow cats and around 25-30 hp,maybe a little more.Don't screw around w/every exhaust out there,they'll sound good but won't do anything performance wise,or very,very little,anyway.
I'm good with the sound from the stock mufflers.OK,to improve performance get yourself a header package...kooks,for one,is a pretty good system.for around 1800 bucks you get 3x3 xpipe,headers,hi-flow cats and around 25-30 hp,maybe a little more.Don't screw around w/every exhaust out there,they'll sound good but won't do anything performance wise,or very,very little,anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 144
From: NC
Originally Posted by jesse12804
Rick...web site for that place??how much for the headers?
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/member.php?userid=5074
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Dulles Virginia
I'm running Bullets on my car and although I didnt expect any performance improvements, it sure as hell feels stronger. I'm willing to acknoledge the possibility that the strength is a byproduct of the incredible sound, but ignorance is bliss. It sounds and feels great with the Bullets on there.