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So I'm looking to get an exhaust for my car but looking at prices I can't understand why they vary by the thousands. I was looking at either Corsa or AWE which start around $2000 but then the price can jump up to $3,4,5 thousand. Some I've seen even higher (titanium which is understandable).
some exhaust like the one i got (paragon touring ) do not have the AFM/NPP valves installed. and others like borla have all the valves so your car exhaust works like it did from the factory. on my exhaust you need to get simulators so you dont have any check engine lights.
reason I got mine that way is so i can hear the exhaust all the time. my exhaust was $1900 and $200 for the simulators
I see, so the higher priced once come complete while the cheaper ones don't have valves. Do you have to run simulators or can you just clear the codes after installation?
Also keep in mind the heat management aspect. The higher priced units have typically put in more work in that regard (e.g. Borla). Corsa also makes a solid unit, and supplies Lingenfelter. If you don't retain the valves you will need to run simulators (AFM for all, NPP if you have the optional performance exhaust).
I have not heard of anyone having an issue with catback exhaust heat, yet. I had both my headers & cats ceramic coated to help keep engine bay temps down, and when/if I pull the trigger on a catback system I'll either be doing Borla since it comes with GM-validated heatshielding or a Corsa and having it ceramic coated to match the headers & cats. Both brands include high-quality proprietary exhaust valves.
I have not heard of anyone having an issue with catback exhaust heat, yet. I had both my headers & cats ceramic coated to help keep engine bay temps down, and when/if I pull the trigger on a catback system I'll either be doing Borla since it comes with GM-validated heatshielding or a Corsa and having it ceramic coated to match the headers & cats. Both brands include high-quality proprietary exhaust valves.
Alright good to know. I've always used Corsa on my other vettes so I was leaning that way. Didn't plan on spending that much on an exhaust setup though. If they come with valves it's an easier install I assume? Don't have to remove the bumper or do you have to regardless?
First read the tech info by the designer, builder and supplier of the C8 OEM exhaust, Tenneco. They are a Tier 1 supplier and also designed, made and supplied the C6 and C7 exhaust systems.
As they said much easier for the front engine car where exhaust cools before it gets to the V4 and NPP butterflies. (Happens to be a customer of my patented welding shielding gas saving device.) They explain the changes they had to engineer to deal with the heat of the C8 ME design.
Then Google what Borla did to manage heat. One of the owner’s had a good video of what they faced and some ways they deal with heat. Look at their design versus the simpler on most other cheaper systems.
Borla is the ONLY exhaust supported by GM. Can buy from a Chevy Dealer and have them install.
Dealing with the close proximity of headers, CAT, short exhaust pipes, V4 and NPP actuator electric motors is not simple. Cost money to do it right! Google the right words and both the Tenneco article and Borla early video (took over a year from it and their first available for sale.) The Borla website has sound files of their various systems for the C8.
I have Borla, Stainless Steel, short "Hot Rod" mufflers and 3 inch Stainless Steel pipes coming from the long tube headers on the 8.2 Liter big block in my ProStreet Rod. Great products.
First read the tech info by the designer, builder and supplier of the C8 OEM exhaust, Tenneco. They are a Tier 1 supplier and also designed, made and supplied the C6 and C7 exhaust systems.
As they said much easier for the front engine car where exhaust cools before it gets to the V4 and NPP butterflies. (Happens to be a customer of my patented welding shielding gas saving device.) They explain the changes they had to engineer to deal with the heat of the C8 ME design.
Then Google what Borla did to manage heat. One of the owner’s had a good video of what they faced and some ways they deal with heat. Look at their design versus the simpler on most other cheaper systems.
Borla is the ONLY exhaust supported by GM. Can buy from a Chevy Dealer and have them install.
Dealing with the close proximity of headers, CAT, short exhaust pipes, V4 and NPP actuator electric motors is not simple. Cost money to do it right! Google the right words and both the Tenneco article and Borla early video (took over a year from it and their first available for sale.) The Borla website has sound files of their various systems for the C8.
I have Borla, Stainless Steel, short "Hot Rod" mufflers and 3 inch Stainless Steel pipes coming from the long tube headers on the 8.2 Liter big block in my ProStreet Rod. Great products.
Yeah looks like a nice system from Borla which comes with a price. I generally like the higher pitched sounds of the Corsa so it's a tough call.
I see, so the higher priced once come complete while the cheaper ones don't have valves. Do you have to run simulators or can you just clear the codes after installation?
you have to run simulators... I have no issues with heat, paragon is a top notch company....
Alright good to know. I've always used Corsa on my other vettes so I was leaning that way. Didn't plan on spending that much on an exhaust setup though. If they come with valves it's an easier install I assume? Don't have to remove the bumper or do you have to regardless?
The bumper will have to be removed regardless, but with the correct valves all OEM controls will remain functional.
I prefer Corsa's system but love the fact the Borla has been validated & approved by GM. Really is a toss-up for me too!
I have to say after installing my Paragon Track setup it is well made and sounds amazing. Its like a different car and how it should be, it does have more exotic sound to it and the YouTube videos do no justice as it does not capture the exact sound. No heat issues from what I can tell but also if you look at how much more room you have under there with the OEM out you have way more air flow to cool areas under the car. Heat would be after you park but I did install some reflectix under the carpet in the trunk.
I see, so the higher priced once come complete while the cheaper ones don't have valves. Do you have to run simulators or can you just clear the codes after installation?
That's one aspect of it. Another is that some companies just bend tubing until it fits and stick on a couple of basically empty "mufflers." Some actually do some testing to see if the system improves or hurts performance. Some have really nice clean welds, some look like they were welded by a novice in his first welding class. As Kracka said, some pay attention to heat management, some don't. And not all steels are the same.
Originally Posted by Apaolo
Is heat generally an issue with these cars?
None of the systems are likely to melt anything. But heat degrades materials over time, not just by melting things. GM spent a lot of money to put the heat shielding around the exhaust system. I doubt they would have spent the time to engineer that, and the money to build it, if they didn't think it was important.
That's one aspect of it. Another is that some companies just bend tubing until it fits and stick on a couple of basically empty "mufflers." Some actually do some testing to see if the system improves or hurts performance. Some have really nice clean welds, some look like they were welded by a novice in his first welding class. As Kracka said, some pay attention to heat management, some don't. And not all steels are the same.
None of the systems are likely to melt anything. But heat degrades materials over time, not just by melting things. GM spent a lot of money to put the heat shielding around the exhaust system. I doubt they would have spent the time to engineer that, and the money to build it, if they didn't think it was important.
Yep, Tenneco who designed, builds and ships complete systems to GM to be installed has several articles about the challenges in designing the C8 Exhaust. They are a US company (happens to be a customer for my patented welding products) made the C6 and C7 exhaust systems as well. in an article they wrote they mentioned they had their German Division engineers develop the V4 exhaust valve actuators as unlike the C7, were the exhaust had cooled by the time they reached the muffler, with the ME they are exposed to high heat. There are electric motors that activate those and the NPP valves.
This is a condensed article by someone else describing the issue. Borla made a good video of all the things they had to engineer and do to handle the heat. It's probably why they are the ONLY one to have GM approval. See Below
What's the best sounding system for around 2k? opinions?
general consensus seems to be either the paragon track system or the awe track system . I talked to one of the vendors on this site - ( who was EXTREMELY nice/knowledgeable) and he thought the awe tracks system was by far the best for the$$&
general consensus seems to be either the paragon track system or the awe track system . I talked to one of the vendors on this site - ( who was EXTREMELY nice/knowledgeable) and he thought the awe tracks system was by far the best for the$$&
I look at Paragons best as it has v - band connection and three piece vs 5pc (not counting the tips). Less connections to leak from. Dont forget the simulators.
So I'm looking to get an exhaust for my car but looking at prices I can't understand why they vary by the thousands. I was looking at either Corsa or AWE which start around $2000 but then the price can jump up to $3,4,5 thousand. Some I've seen even higher (titanium which is understandable).
^^^^
Hmm, the Borla systems have so much more "engineered" technology re the same as Tenneco put in the OEM system. Has nothing to do with "Corvette tax!
Little wonder it's the ONLY system approved by GM and one Chevy Dealer's sell! It comes with the GM Warranty versus installing something that will overheat V4 valves, trunk material etc.
^^^^
Hmm, the Borla systems have so much more "engineered" technology re the same as Tenneco put in the OEM system. Has nothing to do with "Corvette tax!
Little wonder it's the ONLY system approved by GM and one Chevy Dealer's sell! It comes with the GM Warranty versus installing something that will overheat V4 valves, trunk material etc.
Which system overheats the AFM valves and trunk material?
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Why do exhaust prices vary so much?
Yep, Tenneco who designed, builds and ships complete systems to GM to be installed has several articles about the challenges in designing the C8 Exhaust. They are a US company (happens to be a customer for my patented welding products) made the C6 and C7 exhaust systems as well. in an article they wrote they mentioned they had their German Division engineers develop the V4 exhaust valve actuators as unlike the C7, were the exhaust had cooled by the time they reached the muffler, with the ME they are exposed to high heat. There are electric motors that activate those and the NPP valves.
