LT4 Breathing improvements

[TANWare]

The one bad thing about ram air is you can't see the numbers off a dyno nor tune for it. The problem is the air is not moving over the vehicle for the ram air to operate while sitting stationary on the dyno............................

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hib, speaking of 3" exhaust, I was wondering if you had a general opinion of Billy Boat exhausts for the LT4, and the 3" version in particular. (Year: 1996 - LT-4, 3") I suppose I'm mostly asking about overall quality, warranty, etc. Sound is mostly a personal preference, but I'd be interested in any thoughts you have on that, as well. What about Borla?

I ask about Billy Boat and Borla, because my Corvette mechanic has recommended Borla, but says B&B is also very good. I'm leaning towards the B&B because the Borla now use standard LT1 tips, which is not appealing to me. I prefer the dual round tips for each muffler. I figure an exhaust is as much an aesthetic choice (sound and looks) as it is a perfomance choice. I'm not sure which sounds better to me, yet. I have to do some more checking on that.

So, I guess I'm asking for an objective opinion, since I respect your opinion after reading reading many of your posts. (sorry, I'm not really trying to butter your bread, just to get an answer... not too much at least!)

Thanks in advance for any info you have!

Billy Boat's exhausts work well, usually fit ok, they are about the loudest on the market that still uses mufflers and they're really expensive. I was under the impression that B&B and Billy Boat are the same company.

I'm not a Borla fan. I don't care for the sound and some of Borla's stuff is made offshore. I've talked to folks who've bought them and had fit problems. I think Borla makes some aftermarket systems which are almost as loud as Boat's.

Borla and Boat/B&B are much different. Boat's stuff is better quality.

For my C4 I build a custom system using Flowmaster and stock parts. It works well but is not nearly as loud as a Billy Boat system. My Wife, the Fairest Sandra the Red and I, have driven that C4 all over the country in the last 20 years and we'd have never "lived though" the trips with a loud exhaust. There's an old article here on the CAC about how I did that system.
How to Build a C4 LT1/4/5 Exhaust that Gains 28 hp and...is Quiet

 

[LT4CE]

Billy Boat's exhausts work well, usually fit ok, they are about the loudest on the market that still uses mufflers and they're really expensive. I was under the impression that B&B and Billy Boat are the same company.

I'm not a Borla fan. I don't care for the sound and some of Borla's stuff is made offshore. I've talked to folks who've bought them and had fit problems. I think Borla makes some aftermarket systems which are almost as loud as Boat's.

Borla and Boat/B&B are much different. Boat's stuff is better quality.

For my C4 I build a custom system using Flowmaster and stock parts. It works well but is not nearly as loud as a Billy Boat system. My Wife, the Fairest Sandra the Red and I, have driven that C4 all over the country in the last 20 years and we'd have never "lived though" the trips with a loud exhaust. There's an old article here on the CAC about how I did that system.
How to Build a C4 LT1/4/5 Exhaust that Gains 28 hp and...is Quiet

Thanks for the info Hib. B&B is expensive, as is the Corsa. The least expensive seems to be Magnaflow, but in spite of Mario Andretti endorsing them, I've heard there are quality issues there. Believe it or not, I had already read your article about building the exhaust! So I figured you might know some additional details about the two exhausts I'm interested in. I appreciate your perspective.

 

[wildbill486]

I saw them at Mid America corvette parts on sale for 1600.00. Its made from stainless and has 4 outlets 2 on each side. I like that look better than the rectangular one that was stock

That could be what I have on my (new to me) LT4. It sounds great and has the four round outlets made outa stainless. I'm thinking headers are a definite addition at some point.

This is my first day researching the LT4 and I'm (tickled pink, stoked, pumped) exited at the incredible small block that chevy lied about in this year corvette. haha! What a fun problem to luck into.