I gave up.
CA Smog/Sound concerns
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
CA Smog/Sound concerns
I drive 150 miles a day. To be realistic, the track mode on the Z51 exhaust just drones needlessly, and is really only usable when you know you will be getting on it. In most cases, the commute is with Touring or maybe Sport.
Obviously, any change to the headers or pollution controlled areas of the car are illegal by pain of death by SJWs screaming that they need safe spaces in your ears. But in essence, it is proper to make sure the car stays "Clean" - which you can do with mid-length ARH as well as (I assume) a custom setup with Long tubes and good-flow cats that will actually last.
But that sound - Do these options drone? I hate drone. It makes driving the car NOT enjoyable. And I use it for commute so its not some 2k miles a year toy where it doesn't matter if it gives you a headache from the smell and sound.
Comments? Been there done that?
Obviously, any change to the headers or pollution controlled areas of the car are illegal by pain of death by SJWs screaming that they need safe spaces in your ears. But in essence, it is proper to make sure the car stays "Clean" - which you can do with mid-length ARH as well as (I assume) a custom setup with Long tubes and good-flow cats that will actually last.
But that sound - Do these options drone? I hate drone. It makes driving the car NOT enjoyable. And I use it for commute so its not some 2k miles a year toy where it doesn't matter if it gives you a headache from the smell and sound.
Comments? Been there done that?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
I guess the drive modes for Z51 has same options as for Zs (mine). You "should" be able to set the "exhaust mode" separate from "drive mode" or have it synced to "drive mode". You could set exhaust mode to STEALTH (valves closed) which should eliminate the drone & then whatever drive mode you prefer for BUTT comfort.
These options may also not apply for different trim levels of car. Check your OM for guidance.
These options may also not apply for different trim levels of car. Check your OM for guidance.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
I understand the drive modes. I was attempting to demonstrate that subjectively, even the Track mode on the Z51 is too boomy for highway driving at 2k rpm (90-100mph), which is approx normal commute speeds 80% of the time. At below that its even more boomy. So I turn it to Sport or Touring.
If headers will make a negative difference in that realm, I would need to rethink, independent of my smog issues.
If headers will make a negative difference in that realm, I would need to rethink, independent of my smog issues.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,441
Likes: 557
If you go the header route you will fail a visual durning smog. So plan on removing and replacing when it’s time to smog. Long tubes will make it louder and nastier and will add some drone as you drop two cats, even when you get catted long tubes. Putting it in stealth will quiet it down, but not as much as it does now. You seem to have sensitive ears, as the stock NPP never drones to me, regardless of mode. I don’t think your going to like adding long tubes or mid lengths. Your better off looking at a cat back like Corsa that can be aggressive and quiet, based on mode, all with the drone completely tuned out.
Last edited by rb185afm; Aug 15, 2018 at 05:39 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 142
Likes: 16
From: Chicagoland
Don't do headers. I have catted longtubes and you can smell the difference in the exhaust, at least I can. It is also louder since I have one set of hi flow cats, as opposed to two sets like the factory. I run with NPP set to open all the time and really don't hear any drone but clearly I'm not sensitive to it. The stock exhaust never was really that loud to me and cruising in top gear on the highway aren't the valves closed anyways, even in track mode. You have to get on it for them to open.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
Oh Jesus Christ. Read the original post.
Please - old white men driving vettes - I understand that I can do as I choose with the sounds whenever I want. I don’t have to sit there and put my reading glasses on to read the manual on something so obvious.... lol.
My question (as Is actually answered in the last response above) - was how much drone with headers and does the stock exhaust drone with them even more than it does *when it is in track setting”
Jesus. I said I understood the drive modes and how I can change them. I am asking about how it is affected by changes in headers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
Don't do headers. I have catted longtubes and you can smell the difference in the exhaust, at least I can. It is also louder since I have one set of hi flow cats, as opposed to two sets like the factory. I run with NPP set to open all the time and really don't hear any drone but clearly I'm not sensitive to it. The stock exhaust never was really that loud to me and cruising in top gear on the highway aren't the valves closed anyways, even in track mode. You have to get on it for them to open.
Thanks for your response. For me, and obviously subjectively, as I move through the settings (Exhaust valve) , stock, Touring is just a bit quiet. Sport is good for most of the time, and Track is not good at all for constant rpm, especially where I sit on the highway (about 2k rpm). Its quite boomy. And I wanted to give all the info on this in the original post - this is not a "fun day" car - its actually a real commuter and it gets 750 a week. Average speed is 58mph.
Disappointing to hear that even with some aftermarket cats you can still smell it. Can you provide the cats you used?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 849
Likes: 112
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 364
From: California
I drive 150 miles a day. To be realistic, the track mode on the Z51 exhaust just drones needlessly, and is really only usable when you know you will be getting on it. In most cases, the commute is with Touring or maybe Sport.
Obviously, any change to the headers or pollution controlled areas of the car are illegal by pain of death by SJWs screaming that they need safe spaces in your ears. But in essence, it is proper to make sure the car stays "Clean" - which you can do with mid-length ARH as well as (I assume) a custom setup with Long tubes and good-flow cats that will actually last.
But that sound - Do these options drone? I hate drone. It makes driving the car NOT enjoyable. And I use it for commute so its not some 2k miles a year toy where it doesn't matter if it gives you a headache from the smell and sound.
Comments? Been there done that?
Obviously, any change to the headers or pollution controlled areas of the car are illegal by pain of death by SJWs screaming that they need safe spaces in your ears. But in essence, it is proper to make sure the car stays "Clean" - which you can do with mid-length ARH as well as (I assume) a custom setup with Long tubes and good-flow cats that will actually last.
But that sound - Do these options drone? I hate drone. It makes driving the car NOT enjoyable. And I use it for commute so its not some 2k miles a year toy where it doesn't matter if it gives you a headache from the smell and sound.
Comments? Been there done that?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 771
Likes: 136
From: Vacaville Ca