I've seen this question answered both ways. Does adding aftermarket exhaust actually help increase sound or does the factory exhaust with some mods really do the sound justice?

I have a 2014 Z51 with NPP. I have a few mods as of now along with a tune.
Injen Cold Air Intake
Borla X-Pipe – Model #60547
Weapon-X Ported Intake
Ported Throttle Body

I've had a C5 and a C6 corvette both had aftermarket Borla Stinger exhaust on them and were pretty loud. I just would like to get more sound if possible, but the cost of the C7 exhaust almost seem to outway the volume increase according to many. Is that a fair statement?

 

That's the way I feel about it. IT just depends on how much you are willing to pay for a little better sound. Not worth it to me.

 

Here's a fairly accurate video of the Corsa Xtreme exhaust on a Stingray:

I have the Xtreme on my Z06 and it will wake the dead. Just cruising around casually it's not overly aggressive. But when you get on the throttle it will get extremely loud.

I also had Borla Stingers on my C6, which I really liked. The Corsa Xtreme is a little bit higher pitched, and significantly louder.....more like the stock exhaust on steroids. What I liked about the Stingers is that they rumble & pop on deceleration (when in gear). The Corsas are fairly quiet on deceleration.

I didn't get a Borla system this time because I don't like their newer single-wall tips. They look cheap to me. The old double-wall tips on the C6 Stingers were nice.

I drove a C7 GS that had the AWE Touring exhaust. It sounded nearly identical to the Borla Stingers. If I was doing it over again, I'd go with those.

 

I had a B&B Route 66 system on my ‘00 C5 and a Corsa Indy Pace Car system on my ‘03 C5. The Route 66 was a rather mild, yet better sounding exhaust than the stock system. The Indy Pace Car system raised the sound level considerably and really sounded great.

Now that I have a C7 with the NPP, I have been impressed with how well the stock exhaust sounds, especially with the valves open all the time. I am a fan of aftermarket exhaust, but at this point I have no plans to replace the NPP. Of course, I may be in the minority on this.

 

Love the factory exhaust with NPP. I installed ARH LTs (with cats) along with an A&A... the exhaust sound is otherworldly now. Restrained and stock sounding under part throttle acceleration but when you mash the loud peddle it's glorious vengeful furry!

 

Thanks for all the input. I do like the sound of the exhaust with the values open and think the x-pipe helps in that a little more. I don't think the cost is going to be worth it on the C7. Maybe just invest in some LTs.

 

I did not have NPP on my 2017, so I installed AWE track edition exhaust. Really love the sound and didn't break the bank.

 

I have the factory NPP. To me, it sounds "just okay". By contrast, my neighbor has a completely stock 2018 Camaro SS 1LE with NPP and his car sounds much more aggressive. I'll eventually get an exhaust, but I also struggle with the cost/benefit.

 

Have you installed the Mild to Wild NPP controller? Cheap fun at about $40.

 

I 'think' that if you pull fuse # X the valves will always be open. Someone will chime in w/ the # soon I hope.

 

The NPP exhaust can be quite loud when you want it to be loud. It is hard to tell from the video clips what gear the transmission was in since that can affect exhaust noise levels. I have an LT4 Vs the LT1 and with an M7 transmission. When I set the exhaust into track mode it stays open in all gears except when the engine is below 1500 rpm in 5th gear. If I drive around town at light throttle (or even in cruise control at 40 to 50 mph) the exhaust doesn't make much noise, although it is louder than when the valves are closed. However, as soon as the throttle opens and rpms go up the exhaust will roar. Even with the stock cats in the mid pipe. If you have a mid pipe without the cats the NPP exhaust will make more noise.

The 2014s don't have as much control over the NPP as the 2015+ cars so an easy way to see how your NPP holds up to the aftermarket exhausts is to pull the fuse and keep the valves open all of the time. You could also go into the Vehicle Personalization Settings, Choose Driving Mode followed by Engine Sound Management and then turn sound management OFF to see what happens. You don't say whether or not you have an M7 or an A6 but it makes a difference in the way the NPP exhaust works. The NPP valves are closed anytime the AFM system runs the engine in 4-cylinder mode, with the M7 AFM is only active when you choose Eco Mode using the console dial. With the A6 AFM is active all the time so the engine is constantly switching to 4-cylinder mode and the valves are closing and opening as it goes from 8 to 4 to 8 again.

Bill

 

Bill is spot on. I have a 2014 A6 and the AFM system is a complete PITA with NPP. We've had our vert 6 months now and I will try the Range disabler this summer as that 8-4-8-4-8 switching drives me crazy.

On the other had, the Corsa Pace/Sport in both our C5 & C6 with manuals was music to my ears!!

 

I bought the awe track edition. 1k. So not bad. And it will give me black exhaust tips which is a bonus. I haven’t installed it yet but the reason for the purchase is the AFM valve simulators and not having the AFM valves on the exhaust since after 1 track session my AFM valves melted and I’m waiting for them to be replaced by the dealer (currently driving the car dodging the police cause of my rejected emissions sticker for these dumbass AFM valves). I have the range device so I don’t need these dumb things other than to pass emissions.

I’m hoping it’s louder cause pulling the fuse for NPP (42 for me I think but I think it was different number earlier in the life of C7, Google NPP fuse and it will bring up a thread with the actual fuse #) is not loud enough. I have verified it’s not loud enough cause my wife doesn’t think a cold start or driving around town with the fuse pulled the exhaust is loud

 

I have Borla Xpipe on both my 16 Stingray and my 19 Z06. Having those secondary Cats gone the car is significantly louder especially when tromping on it. At idle not as much, but you can tell the difference. Cold starts are a major difference before and after change out.

 

For anyone in a CA emissions state does removing secondary cats pass emissions?

 

Spot on with joemessman. I have a 19 M7 Z06 NPP and was budgeting to have installed a Borla ATAK or Corsa Extreme exhaust this summer for like $3200. I wanted a louder sound. My friend said in Feb that he had a coveted 4 year old Borla X-pipe (60547) that he was selling for $400 installed. It removes the secondary cats. I thought about it for 5 seconds and said what do I have to lose for $400. It's the best money I've spent! Cold starts will rock the foundation and I have to be (somewhat) aware who's walking the dog nearby on the sidewalk. Best part is when you are driving and press the pedal in the 3000-3500 rpm range. It roars. I'm perfectly satisfied with "just" the X-pipe. I told my wife that I saved her $2800 so what other mods can I add!

 

Sorry I didn't reply sooner was traveling.
I do have a M7 and I have pulled the fuse just to know I can force the valves to stay open. Only time I want them closed are on long trips. (which isnt to often) The wife doesn't like the constant drone.

Side note: I was at major hotel in Indy this last weekend. They asked when I got there if they could park my car out front to "show off". I said sure no problem. Backed it up to hotel right by door. I left this morning and told valet he didn't need to do anything. I just got in and started it up. I looked and saw a couple people jump in lobby when it fired up. Love that cold start sound.

 

Hey I have the samething as you same year and the same goodies but I have the Borla Attak cat back and let me tell you the sound is worth the money trust me!~

 

I pulled fuse number 42 on my 2017 GS,leaves the NPP open all the time. Not worth adding a louder exhaust with the fuse pulled. Try it.

 

You will love it!