Exhaust disappointment
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 146
From: dalton ma
Exhaust disappointment
I have the optional exhaust on my basic Stingray LT2. I removed the fuse at about 300 miles and it sounds "OK" but not nearly as nice as my previous C5 with a Borla cat back system nor as good as my buddy's C6 also with a Borla. Kinda wished I saved the money on the optional exhaust and put the money toward another Borla. Anybody else less than thrilled with the factory option, stock or "defused" ?
Last edited by claf; Sep 18, 2019 at 09:36 PM.
Lurker
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 643
From: Denton, TX
St. Jude Donor '19-'20
Fixed....2LT
i bought what I bought.
‘Wouldn’t expect an NPP stock exhaust to sound like I wanted, its factory!
Mild2Wild, Borla x pipe and BorlaATAK and now i’m Satisfied.
‘That’s what test drives are for...try before ya buy.
‘I know it’s more money but get ya the Borla
i bought what I bought.
‘Wouldn’t expect an NPP stock exhaust to sound like I wanted, its factory!
Mild2Wild, Borla x pipe and BorlaATAK and now i’m Satisfied.
‘That’s what test drives are for...try before ya buy.
‘I know it’s more money but get ya the Borla
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,186
Likes: 1,792
From: Stafford Springs CT
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I'm happy with my GS. My C5 had a Corsa Extreme and I loved it. I then added LT headers, high flow cats and xpipe and it was crazy loud! I like the NPP on my GS in the sport or track mode (through engine management setting).
Administrator
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From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
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For a factory exhaust system, I think the NPP sounds very good. Are there better sounding exhausts out there, yes. But I can't say I am displeased with my NPP system.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 23
From: Joplin, MO, USA
My NPP sounds a lot like the Corsa that I had on my C5, except that it's more controllable. Quiet when you want it to be, but always a great sound under acceleration-very happy with it!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 51,040
Likes: 1,159
From: S/W ,Fla-Ohio State Football isn't a matter of life or death,Its Much More serious than that
I have the optional exhaust on my basic Stingray LT2. I removed the fuse at about 300 miles and it sounds "OK" but not nearly as nice as my previous C5 with a Borla cat back system nor as good as my buddy's C6 also with a Borla. Kinda wished I saved the money on the optional exhaust and put the money toward another Borla. Anybody else less than thrilled with the factory option, stock or "defused" ?
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Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 2,031
From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
I did a Borla 60547 xpipe and ATAK NPP exhaust. It’s perfect
in stealth mode I can drive home late at night and no one cares, in loud it’s as good as my C5Z with headers and stingers.
honestly though, the xpipe does more than the mufflers.
in stealth mode I can drive home late at night and no one cares, in loud it’s as good as my C5Z with headers and stingers.
honestly though, the xpipe does more than the mufflers.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,195
Likes: 1,070
From: South Florida
I recommend a cut-out, follow by trial and error muffler systems for both sides.
elaborate
I like a factory exhaust for the 'low' side if possible because it offers the ultimate stealth package.
Then the cut-out while open breaths through a whole new exhaust system, plus the stock one. consider using aluminum for ultimate weight saving and perhaps distinct tone. I would not recommend Aluminum plumbing for the primary system due to length and weight but when it comes to the auxillary cut-out system, the lightweight Al pipes are often shorter and their less density allows supporting to be done more easily.
The added exhaust 'space' is where you get the tone and increase in performance when it is sized / routed properly. The muffler choice (trial and error) is given in the tone (whatever you prefer). Engines run at frequency 'rpm' and firing events corresponding to those timing are a frequency signal generated in the air that we hear, squished and squeezed and torn apart by a turbine the sound can be altered dramatically in many ways from beginning to exit.
elaborate
I like a factory exhaust for the 'low' side if possible because it offers the ultimate stealth package.
Then the cut-out while open breaths through a whole new exhaust system, plus the stock one. consider using aluminum for ultimate weight saving and perhaps distinct tone. I would not recommend Aluminum plumbing for the primary system due to length and weight but when it comes to the auxillary cut-out system, the lightweight Al pipes are often shorter and their less density allows supporting to be done more easily.
The added exhaust 'space' is where you get the tone and increase in performance when it is sized / routed properly. The muffler choice (trial and error) is given in the tone (whatever you prefer). Engines run at frequency 'rpm' and firing events corresponding to those timing are a frequency signal generated in the air that we hear, squished and squeezed and torn apart by a turbine the sound can be altered dramatically in many ways from beginning to exit.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 15,039
Likes: 1,613
From: Holly Springs NC
St. Jude Donor '16-'17,'22,'24
I'm keeping my NPP for now, but if I ever do change, it will be to one of the aftermarket systems that work with NPP. With all the options out there, someone has to make the system that an individual wants.
Scientific Negotiator
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,724
Likes: 2,031
From: USA
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'10, '14
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 3,851
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From: Manassas VA
Shoot me a PM guys, I'll fix you right up 
Regards
Chip
Regards
Chip
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,442
Likes: 2,535
From: New Jersey
I like the fact that I can turn it on and off with the NPP. Most of the time I like to listen to my music or feel the car accelerate without noise, but there are some times I feel like making some noise.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,888
Likes: 1,197
From: Ft. Myers FL
I had headers, a Corsa X pipe and L&N exhaust on my C5. If I got on it it was so loud it would set off car alarms! 
When I got my C5 it sounded like a vacuum cleaner so I got Corsa Ports with a Corsa X pipe. They sounded good but not obnoxious. 
When I ordered my C7 I made sure it had the Npp option. Would I like it a little louder? Yes, but, it's okay overall for me. 
When I got my C5 it sounded like a vacuum cleaner so I got Corsa Ports with a Corsa X pipe. They sounded good but not obnoxious. When I ordered my C7 I made sure it had the Npp option. Would I like it a little louder? Yes, but, it's okay overall for me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4,303
Likes: 2,055
From: Margate, FL
I added a Borla X-pipe and am satisfied now. The stock NPP was a little too muted.
I've had an aftermarket exhaust on my previous car... it was fun for about a month then become annoying due to the drone.
I've had an aftermarket exhaust on my previous car... it was fun for about a month then become annoying due to the drone.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 379
Likes: 248
From: Stafford VA
Had Stock NPP it wasn't bad...
- Added Borla X-Pipe... nice improvement in snap, crackle, and Pop factor + some volume
- Next Added ARH mid-length Headers w/High-Flow CATs... MUCH improved sound (Still with NPP)
I loved the STOCK NPP sound and volume so much that I debated for 2 years whether to add after Market (Axle back because I didn't want to drop 2 grand + on a tone change....
- This year at Carlisle I added Borla ATAK Axle back.... I've included videos below. While at the track the spectators actually had to stop talking as I went by because they honestly could not hear one another. I was told it was the loudest of all the cars that day... AND, I still have STEALTH Mode when I get home
I can only say that Mics do not do the exhausts justice, NOT even close.
Stock - Stealth then Track Mode
Borla X-Pipe - Stealth then Track Mode
Borla X-Pipe and ARH Mid-Lengths with Hif Flow CATs - at the Dyno
and now with the Borla ATAKs Plus the whole exhaust completely modified. The Mic is hanging down by the exhaust tips for the in car track video, and if just the Iphone mic for the drive by-
Hope that helps,
L1FRDOG
Good Luck,
Dave
"L1FRDOG"
- Added Borla X-Pipe... nice improvement in snap, crackle, and Pop factor + some volume
- Next Added ARH mid-length Headers w/High-Flow CATs... MUCH improved sound (Still with NPP)
I loved the STOCK NPP sound and volume so much that I debated for 2 years whether to add after Market (Axle back because I didn't want to drop 2 grand + on a tone change....
- This year at Carlisle I added Borla ATAK Axle back.... I've included videos below. While at the track the spectators actually had to stop talking as I went by because they honestly could not hear one another. I was told it was the loudest of all the cars that day... AND, I still have STEALTH Mode when I get home
I can only say that Mics do not do the exhausts justice, NOT even close.Stock - Stealth then Track Mode
Borla X-Pipe - Stealth then Track Mode
Borla X-Pipe and ARH Mid-Lengths with Hif Flow CATs - at the Dyno
and now with the Borla ATAKs Plus the whole exhaust completely modified. The Mic is hanging down by the exhaust tips for the in car track video, and if just the Iphone mic for the drive by-
Hope that helps,
L1FRDOG
Good Luck,
Dave
"L1FRDOG"
Last edited by L1FRDOG; Sep 19, 2019 at 01:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,396
Likes: 525
From: Lower New York
I have the NPP with my 2019 GS and also had it with my 2013 GS . There really is no comparison between the two. The C6 is light years better sounding. Before I traded in my '13 two months ago I had it side by side with my neighbors 2017 GS. We started one car, shut it off than started the other, with the 2017 being first. When I started my 2013 we both just looked at each like what the ****. The C6 is so much louder and deeper and it popped and gurgled on deceleration like crazy. My 2019 nor my neighbors 2017(my car is a stick, he has the auto) makes any king of noise on deceleration. Both cars are stock NPP. This is one aspect of the car I am totally disappointed with.
Last edited by Oh Boy; Sep 19, 2019 at 01:10 PM.