AWE Touring vs. NPP: How are you managing without valves?
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Melting Slicks
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From: New Jersey
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St. Jude Donor '25
AWE Touring vs. NPP: How are you managing without valves?
I’m currently on the hunt for a new C7 exhaust and have been weighing a few different options. At a recent cruise night, I heard a C7 with the AWE Touring setup, and it sounded fantastic—exactly the kind of throaty, deep tone I’m looking for.
However, my hesitation with AWE is the loss of NPP functionality. While I definitely want that aggressive sound, there are times—like early morning cold starts or long highway cruises—where having the ability to quiet things down with the valves is a major plus.
For those of you running an AWE system: How are you managing the lack of NPP?
However, my hesitation with AWE is the loss of NPP functionality. While I definitely want that aggressive sound, there are times—like early morning cold starts or long highway cruises—where having the ability to quiet things down with the valves is a major plus.
For those of you running an AWE system: How are you managing the lack of NPP?
- Do you find the cold starts or cabin drone to be an issue in "quiet" neighborhoods?
- Any regrets giving up the valve control, or is the tone worth the trade-off?
Emerging Vendor
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Wisconsin
Awe exhaust
The AWE was not what I was after... There was no way to control the sound because the actuators are disabled when you have to install their AWE valve actuator eliminator brackets... I would think by now AWE like other exhaust manufacturers would come up with a npp valved type exhaust...it's not rocket science to engineer a npp valved exhaust system... others have done it...spend your money wisely and look into a CORSA exhaust...just my opinion
Last edited by Smokeyjr; Yesterday at 10:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Hartford WI
My neighbor has a C7 without NPP and I don't really think it is a huge difference from mine since I stick it in Stealth Mode. I can't even tell when she is driving past my house nor can I tell when my wife is driving the C7 past the house. This is Stealth Mode vs non NPP. It might seem louder because you are inside the car but inside the house, with all the insulation, I really don't think it matters unless you are specifically looking for it. Now if you are hammering it, we are talking a whole new issue. I honestly believe that I would want the NPP just for the quiet when I am driving it. I get that people are conditioned like Pavlov's Dog to think "Loud exhaust = Power" but I want to be able to talk to the wife when I am driving and not have to shout like I did with my modified C4.
Burning Brakes
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From: Hershey, PA
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I bought my car with the AWE touring already installed so I don't have any experience with with the factory NPP. My car also has the AWE x-pipe installed.
Cold starts are pretty loud so having the factory valves would be helpful, but it quiets down after a short time and then it's completely manageable. As for drone, there isn't any. I've never experienced drone at any speed. That's one of their features. Also highway cruising is completely manageable and I'm able to have normal conversations. There are times I actually wish it was louder, but I'm not going to change it.
Cold starts are pretty loud so having the factory valves would be helpful, but it quiets down after a short time and then it's completely manageable. As for drone, there isn't any. I've never experienced drone at any speed. That's one of their features. Also highway cruising is completely manageable and I'm able to have normal conversations. There are times I actually wish it was louder, but I'm not going to change it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Orwigsburg Pa
I had my AWE touring exhaust and borla X pipe on my 19 Z06 for a couple of years and now it’s on my 17 Z06. I love it. There is no droning and it quites down after you start it. It’s great when you get on it. Has a great sound and I would not change it out for something else. I don’t miss the NNP valves.
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Joined: May 2018
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From: Philadelphia
I've installed a bunch of the C7 AWE Touring systems - one of the main selling points is the lack of interior drone, especially with stock manifolds/cats/midpipe.
Cold start is going to be a decent bit louder than stock obviously but reasonable.
I personally think you'd only regret not having valves if you had Headers. When you're not on it, it can be pretty mellow. If you were doing the Track system, different story.
Happy to help with a system if interested, can install too.
Cold start is going to be a decent bit louder than stock obviously but reasonable.
I personally think you'd only regret not having valves if you had Headers. When you're not on it, it can be pretty mellow. If you were doing the Track system, different story.
Happy to help with a system if interested, can install too.
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Alec @ Forza Motor Works
(267) 788.4897 Call/Text
info@forzamotorworks.com
www.forzamotorworks.com
Your trusted source for premium parts - offering competitive pricing, exceptional service, and professional installation options.
Corsa | Borla | AWE Tuning | Girodisc | Halltech | American Racing Headers | Milltek | Soler | Weld | Fabspeed | SOUL | Kooks | BC Forged & 100's more!
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: Orange County, CA
I ran the AWE touring on mine and I had the factory NPP. Even had exhausts from Corsa, Akrapovic with NPP and I always kept the valves open, so useless to me.
AWE Touring was a great bang for buck.
We have them in stock.
-Josh
AWE Touring was a great bang for buck.
We have them in stock.
-Josh
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 50
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From: AB, Canada
I have a 1LZ, so I never had the NPP. But I'm currently running the AWE Touring exhaust on stock x-pipe and headers, and I don't really notice any drone when driving my usual highway speed of 70mph/112kph.
It also isn't too bad on startup. I don't live in town, but I can't really see neighbours being too annoyed with it. Certainly isn't worse than your average diesel truck. Probably not even as obnoxious.
I previously had the AWE Track version, but the drone on that one was insane. Unless you're always driving the exact speed limit, or slower. lol
It also isn't too bad on startup. I don't live in town, but I can't really see neighbours being too annoyed with it. Certainly isn't worse than your average diesel truck. Probably not even as obnoxious.
I previously had the AWE Track version, but the drone on that one was insane. Unless you're always driving the exact speed limit, or slower. lol
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OP do you find yourself going into 4 cylinder mode often?
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2013
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From: New Jersey
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St. Jude Donor '25
I drove a friend's C7 MN7 tonight with an AWE Touring and while it sounded great, on the highway cruising, there wasn't much drone, but I think it's too much for me on a long drive. Might have to go back to an NPP option...
Emerging Vendor
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Awe
I think i am much better served with a "non oem" x pipe (corsa) and a cold air intake (afe)...the sound did increase a little bit with that snap crackle pop from the exhaust...I am very satisfied with the sound my corvette produces...fyi...you might want to try a mild to wild switch...just my opinion 