C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

NPP Drone

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 02:11 PM
  #1  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default NPP Drone

I have a 2013 GS with NPP. When all the pipes are open there is a pretty good drone which many have complained about and I did a search first.
I like the change with ultimate sound of the open exhaust but is there a single modification step to eliminate some of the drone? X pipe, other?

I like the NPP ability to switch back and fourth.

Thx ahead. I'll take the flaming too.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 02:39 PM
  #2  
AORoads's Avatar
AORoads
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Default

Unless you've modified the pipes more than stock, "all the pipes open" for NPP means only two of the four (the inner two)---correct? I don't know if X pipe, etc. will do what you wish but what I wanted was a little more sound, no drone and not the on-off (full open or full closed) of most add ons.

So, I added the little stainless collars that keep the flaps slightly open. What that did was for me to select the amount of opening which correlated to how much sound I wanted at idle as well as escalating sound as I accelerated. It also allowed me to have no drone (but more sound than closed--less sound than full open) at highway speeds. It also meant that at full throttle or starting at about 2900 rpm, the flaps would begin to open as they normally would to full-open. It works well for me.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 03:44 PM
  #3  
Homer3D's Avatar
Homer3D
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,863
Likes: 150
From: Woodland CA
Default

Off the top of my head, maybe adding a resonator at the mid-pipe might help reduce some drone. I can’t tell you how much though. But if you already have the switch, I would just set it back to MILD when the drone gets too bad. That’s what I do. I would say 99% of the time I have it on WILD and set it on MILD for those rare times when I need to quiet it down.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 04:01 PM
  #4  
lebvette's Avatar
lebvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Default

The X pipe will not help. I have one.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 05:04 PM
  #5  
BEZ06's Avatar
BEZ06
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 853
From: Daytona Beach FL
Default

Originally Posted by vet55
I have a 2013 GS with NPP. When all the pipes are open there is a pretty good drone which many have complained about and I did a search first.
I like the change with ultimate sound of the open exhaust but is there a single modification step to eliminate some of the drone? X pipe, other?

I like the NPP ability to switch back and fourth.

Thx ahead. I'll take the flaming too.
The valves only open when the RPM and throttle position tell them to open.

I believe for your GS it's greater than 3500 RPM and 25% throttle.

If you don't like the sound with the NPP valves open, just let off the throttle.

If you're cruising at 65 or 70 mph and more than 3500 RPM then you're still in 3rd gear - shift to 6th and enjoy a nice quiet ride down the highway!!!!!
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 06:02 PM
  #6  
lebvette's Avatar
lebvette
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
Likes: 25
From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Default

I assumed he had the Mild to Wild, and had it opened. If it has drone without that, then he IS running high RPM's, or something is wrong.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 06:19 PM
  #7  
Iconic's Avatar
Iconic
Miller Time Wisconsin 🍺
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 9,782
Likes: 1,521
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C7 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist
2020 C7 of the Year Finalist -- Modified
2018 C7 of Year Winner
2017 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '13 thru '22
Default

Originally Posted by lebvette
I assumed he had the Mild to Wild, and had it opened. If it has drone without that, then he IS running high RPM's, or something is wrong.
I'm assuming the same for my reply.

I too have the M2W. I also have the collars and they can be set to have the valves partialy open in an infinite number of positions. I bought mine from nakkidparts dot com (not sure if they're a forum sponsor - google them) I think I paid around $25 for the pair
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 09:57 PM
  #8  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Originally Posted by AORoads
Unless you've modified the pipes more than stock, "all the pipes open" for NPP means only two of the four (the inner two)---correct? I don't know if X pipe, etc. will do what you wish but what I wanted was a little more sound, no drone and not the on-off (full open or full closed) of most add ons.

So, I added the little stainless collars that keep the flaps slightly open. What that did was for me to select the amount of opening which correlated to how much sound I wanted at idle as well as escalating sound as I accelerated. It also allowed me to have no drone (but more sound than closed--less sound than full open) at highway speeds. It also meant that at full throttle or starting at about 2900 rpm, the flaps would begin to open as they normally would to full-open. It works well for me.








Yep. sorry guys. I have M2W and I thought all four opened in the wild phase. And yes the drone is when the wild is on. I do like it and can obviously switch it off. I guess I would would like a little less drone and more pipe or exhaust sound when it is open. Thanks for the replies. I'll keep reading also.

Last edited by vet55; Apr 30, 2014 at 10:04 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 09:59 PM
  #9  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Originally Posted by US Icon
I'm assuming the same for my reply.

I too have the M2W. I also have the collars and they can be set to have the valves partialy open in an infinite number of positions. I bought mine from nakkidparts dot com (not sure if they're a forum sponsor - google them) I think I paid around $25 for the pair
Originally Posted by AORoads
Unless you've modified the pipes more than stock, "all the pipes open" for NPP means only two of the four (the inner two)---correct? I don't know if X pipe, etc. will do what you wish but what I wanted was a little more sound, no drone and not the on-off (full open or full closed) of most add ons.

So, I added the little stainless collars that keep the flaps slightly open. What that did was for me to select the amount of opening which correlated to how much sound I wanted at idle as well as escalating sound as I accelerated. It also allowed me to have no drone (but more sound than closed--less sound than full open) at highway speeds. It also meant that at full throttle or starting at about 2900 rpm, the flaps would begin to open as they normally would to full-open. It works well for me.



Thx. I will check it out.

Originally Posted by lebvette
The X pipe will not help. I have one.
Thx!

Last edited by vet55; Apr 30, 2014 at 10:02 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2014 | 10:28 PM
  #10  
BEZ06's Avatar
BEZ06
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 853
From: Daytona Beach FL
Default

Originally Posted by vet55
Yep. sorry guys. I have M2W and I thought all four opened in the wild phase. And yes the drone is when the wild is on. I do like it and can obviously switch it off. I guess I would would like a little less drone and more pipe or exhaust sound when it is open. Thanks for the replies. I'll keep reading also.
Aha!! Now I understand what you're talking about!!

If you have a M2W switch, you can close them up, but I think what you want is what AORoads mentions - the collars that hold the valves open slightly, i.e., they never fully close.

The valves are in the two inner exhaust outlets. It takes engine vacuum to close them, so if you look in the exhaust when the engine is shut down they will be open.

When you start the engine and vacuum builds, the valves will close - at least until you reach the RPM/throttle required to open them, or open them with your M2W switch.

Generally they are either fully closed or fully open. Fully open will give you drone when cruising, but if you have the collars to restrict hem from closing completely that may give you an increase in sound without so much drone when you close them.

Good luck with it, and let us know what works for you.

Last edited by BEZ06; Apr 30, 2014 at 10:30 PM.
Reply
Old May 1, 2014 | 08:03 AM
  #11  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Originally Posted by BEZ06
Aha!! Now I understand what you're talking about!!

If you have a M2W switch, you can close them up, but I think what you want is what AORoads mentions - the collars that hold the valves open slightly, i.e., they never fully close.

The valves are in the two inner exhaust outlets. It takes engine vacuum to close them, so if you look in the exhaust when the engine is shut down they will be open.

When you start the engine and vacuum builds, the valves will close - at least until you reach the RPM/throttle required to open them, or open them with your M2W switch.

Generally they are either fully closed or fully open. Fully open will give you drone when cruising, but if you have the collars to restrict hem from closing completely that may give you an increase in sound without so much drone when you close them.

Good luck with it, and let us know what works for you.
Thx. I will probably try the collars and will report back. I may do some more insulation in the interior to help with the drone also. My GM mechanic is a big modifier and I will get his input also.

Thx to all!



Bought the nakidparts collars and will f/u. Thx.

Last edited by vet55; May 2, 2014 at 08:10 PM.
Reply
Old May 3, 2014 | 10:09 PM
  #12  
Arclight's Avatar
Arclight
Advanced
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Default

I have a switch wired to the NPP fuse,but after adding the collars to the actuation rods-leaving the LOUD flaps barely open-now I rarely even use the switch. Just enough NOT to sound quiet and not loud enough to drone on the highway.

The collars were cheap,and they even come with a long t- handled allen wrech to install them. With the car off, its easy to override the spring to see how much you have actually opened the butterfly. Very little is all it takes.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 04:58 PM
  #13  
Keith Tedford's Avatar
Keith Tedford
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 314
Likes: 4
From: Ontario
Default

Exhaust systems that are poorly sound engineered can have an absolutely annoying drone. Some of the biggest name companies can be the worst. Driving a car with a drone can ruin an otherwise fun ride. Been there. I've never been a fan of loud exhaust anyway so I'm sticking with the stock system. It makes all the good sounds under acceleration and is quiet when it needs to be.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 07:22 PM
  #14  
ParisTNDude's Avatar
ParisTNDude
Drifting
10 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,548
Likes: 15
From: Paris TN
Default

I'm on my third muffler system and currently use NPP. I have a switch to open and close when I want. Drone is uncomfortable with the system fully open at cruise speeds and sometimes even with them closed, certain RPMs seem to produce more drone than I like. To be honest, I love the sound of Corsas on any LS engine but the cost is prohibitive for me. Drone is more noticeable in auto cars and Corsa fixes that with a resonator behind the X pipe or part of it. I had B&Bs and loved the sound when running it hard, but drone was unbearable. I feel your pain but not sure there's an easy fix. I'm guessing your's is a 6A as well.
Reply
Old May 5, 2014 | 08:03 PM
  #15  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude
I'm on my third muffler system and currently use NPP. I have a switch to open and close when I want. Drone is uncomfortable with the system fully open at cruise speeds and sometimes even with them closed, certain RPMs seem to produce more drone than I like. To be honest, I love the sound of Corsas on any LS engine but the cost is prohibitive for me. Drone is more noticeable in auto cars and Corsa fixes that with a resonator behind the X pipe or part of it. I had B&Bs and loved the sound when running it hard, but drone was unbearable. I feel your pain but not sure there's an easy fix. I'm guessing your's is a 6A as well.
Thx for the response. Yes a 6 Auto. I'm not totally unhappy with the drone but at times would like to hear more of the pipes alone. I will give the Collars a try and I am talking to my Chevy Mech. The resonator sounds like an interesting idea.



Originally Posted by Keith Tedford
Exhaust systems that are poorly sound engineered can have an absolutely annoying drone. Some of the biggest name companies can be the worst. Driving a car with a drone can ruin an otherwise fun ride. Been there. I've never been a fan of loud exhaust anyway so I'm sticking with the stock system. It makes all the good sounds under acceleration and is quiet when it needs to be.
Have to agree.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2014 | 08:19 AM
  #16  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

So the idea of muffers resonating might be change by changing the frequency of one muffler only. I am thinking of trying the Kevler wrap in the Link and see how it goes. It's expensive but it is removable and will not void the warranty. Thoughts?


http://www.thermotec.com/products/16...ler-cover.html
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2014 | 10:19 AM
  #17  
Quick Silver Z's Avatar
Quick Silver Z
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,137
Likes: 2,092
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Default

I think drone is more a function of the plastic "trunk" floor material and the huge trumpet of a window channeling the sound directly to your head. Many have tried all combinations of pipes and mufflers and still claim some or even more drone.

If you ever hear a Z06 with its Bi-Mode fuse pulled you would think the coupe and GS are pretty quiet.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To NPP Drone

Old Jun 12, 2014 | 01:37 PM
  #18  
vet55's Avatar
vet55
Thread Starter
Race Director
Supporting Member
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 12,874
Likes: 1
From: Dallas Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Quick Silver Z
I think drone is more a function of the plastic "trunk" floor material and the huge trumpet of a window channeling the sound directly to your head. Many have tried all combinations of pipes and mufflers and still claim some or even more drone.

If you ever hear a Z06 with its Bi-Mode fuse pulled you would think the coupe and GS are pretty quiet.
I have never ridden in a ZO6 and I need to, thx. But I did ride in a new Callaway vet and it had zero drone and that's what got me started. I know it is a different exhaust system, but there is a difference maybe I can learn from.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2014 | 02:02 PM
  #19  
j_digi454's Avatar
j_digi454
Safety Car
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
Default

Originally Posted by AORoads
Unless you've modified the pipes more than stock, "all the pipes open" for NPP means only two of the four (the inner two)---correct?
Actually, when the valves are open, all 4 are open, however, because there is more resistance to flow on the "quiet side" of the muffler, the major portion of flow is through the side with the open valves.

Originally Posted by vet55
Yep. sorry guys. I have M2W and I thought all four opened in the wild phase.
Your are correct, the valves only open and close one side of the muffler which is unrestricted. The other side has no valves and is always open in either mode.

Last edited by j_digi454; Jun 13, 2014 at 10:13 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2014 | 07:24 PM
  #20  
haljensen's Avatar
haljensen
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Default

Originally Posted by vet55
I have never ridden in a ZO6 and I need to, thx. But I did ride in a new Callaway vet and it had zero drone and that's what got me started. I know it is a different exhaust system, but there is a difference maybe I can learn from.
Of course the Callaway didn't drone, the baffles don't open until 3500 RPM.

You'll always have drone with the baffles open at low RPM regardless of what else you do with the rest of the exhaust, open exhaust at low RPM under load = drone.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:28 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE