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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 08:01 PM
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Default X-pipe

Hey everyone -
im new to this so please be patient-
I recently bought a very clean low mile C7 3LT Z51. I’m very happy with it but have been doing a lot of mods-
I just received my Borla X pipe and notice I have to keep the Catalytic converters, what?

uuugh - is this going to give me the same sound I’m looking for or will this just me more of the same of what I have.

it the Borla a bigger diameter than the original?

should I consider having someone lengthen it for me. I called Borla and they said they stopped selling because they were illegal. Hmmm ... what to do


any ideas?

I appreciate any help-
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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 08:11 PM
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I just put on a new AWE Xpipe that replaces the rear two cats (there are four). It's probably just like the Borla you have. It added some sound, I like it.

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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 10:18 PM
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Yep! With the Borla pipe that you purchased you will have to cut your cats and weld to the new x pipe. That defeats the purpose! The old Borla had the flange ends onto the pipe. Others on the market like Corsa, Awe and Manzo. I purchased the Manzo today from eBay. Some other forum members have used the same with no issue.
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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 10:55 PM
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I have the Borla X-Pipe installed on my car. Remove the old pipe and just install the Borla with no cats. The rear cats are not computer tracked just the fronts and the sound is great. Is this legal? You decide but all of us (to my knowledge) have done it this way. By the way, where did you purchase the Borla ?

Last edited by Stan0324; Mar 16, 2020 at 10:55 PM.
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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 11:16 PM
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Awe is the way to go good sound. Rdp sells them on here. Bolts right up and does away with secondary resonators or cats
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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Stan0324
I have the Borla X-Pipe installed on my car. Remove the old pipe and just install the Borla with no cats. The rear cats are not computer tracked just the fronts and the sound is great. Is this legal? You decide but all of us (to my knowledge) have done it this way. By the way, where did you purchase the Borla ?
I purchased from RPI design- it isn’t long enough to attach up to the header - because now you have to keep the cats- I was thinking of removing the cats and having the pipe extended to the headers like the old Borla
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Old Mar 16, 2020 | 11:54 PM
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You can do that but you’ll throw a check engine light for the cats if you don’t have a way to turn them off. Back in the day you could buy sims to plug into the O2 wiring harness to turn the light off. I don’t think they are available anymore. If you have HPtuners you can turn the light off also. Or know someone that does have it. And really, if you’re gonna go to that trouble, you might as well just put a set of long tubes on it and gain some hp.

Last edited by jaywoo; Mar 16, 2020 at 11:55 PM.
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 12:33 AM
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Awe and Borla basically sound identical, you can tell the difference if you put them side by side and not know which is which.

Last edited by G8ME; Mar 17, 2020 at 12:34 AM.
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 06:16 AM
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Originally Posted by G8ME
Awe and Borla basically sound identical, you can tell the difference if you put them side by side and not know which is which.
Don’t waste your time with the Borla you have. Corsa has been very popular as well and is still available. Also the AWE sounds like an option here.
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 08:51 AM
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OP, I’d return the Borla. As mentioned above, there are X-pipes available that do not have to be retrofitted. Here’s a pic of the Corsa X-pipe:




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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 11:27 AM
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Borla no longer sells the cat-less aka "off road" x-pipe. I have the original and it sounds great... but the government cracked down on them for selling an emissions cheating device.

As mentioned the C7 has four catalytic converters: two in front that are monitored and two in the back on the x-pipe which are not. So removing the rear cats by doing a cat-less x-pipe mod will not generate any engine codes.
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 11:50 AM
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BJPC7;

My X-pipe: Corsa 3.0" Double Helixx X-pipe #14761 Corvette C7 $521.13.

-HP= +5
-Torque=+4
-Increased air flow=+20.24%
-Weight reduction=-2.1lbs

*Washington State no longer tests vehicle emissions starting this year, signed by Gov. Jay Inslee.*

Note: Took me 1.25 hours to install.

Many thanks,

Ray
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 11:59 AM
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Send it back and get the AWE or the Corsa. Do not do the retrofit-good luck!
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Old Mar 17, 2020 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by BJPC7
I purchased from RPI design- it isn’t long enough to attach up to the header - because now you have to keep the cats- I was thinking of removing the cats and having the pipe extended to the headers like the old Borla
This is exactly what I would do and, if I ever add an X-pipe now that the Borla and AWE off-road pipes are no longer able to be purchased (well, the AWE is almost sold out and those that are left are being sold for $50 more now by the one vendor selling them) is exactly what I'd do. Or I might just cut out the rear cats and replace them with a straight piece of exhaust tubing since our cars already have an x-pipe on them. Returning what you own and replacing it with an AWE or Corsa is of zero value, just a headache for you. Just install what you have but have your exhaust shop install a section of exhaust tubing in place of the cats vs welding the Borla to your rear cats. As long as you don't mess with the cats in the down pipes you won't have any codes. On a stock car though the X-pipe isn't really worth any gains other than sound. The only reason to trade your pipe in for an AWE is if you want to go back to stock easily later. That's it.
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