Corsa Vs. Flowmaster Vs. B & B

[Matts95lt1c4]

Hello All,
I have a fully stock 95 auto with 48k miles and am looking for some performance upgrades. When checking into the 3 systems listed (B & B Corsa Flowmaster) I come across 2 items of concern. First is that Corsa and B & B do not mention a performance gain of Hp. However the Flowmaster mentions Hp gains. Also I am concerned with the Alum. Vs. Stainless steel construction of the Cat Back systems. I prefer the stainless to the alum. Why are there no posted Hp gains per application on either the Corsa and B & B? Also am interested in more beefy sound for a car with such a strong engine.
thanks for any help.
p.s. My vette comes out of winter retirement in the next few months.

 

[JPLT1]

I like the Corsas, but Im a little biased. I would suggest going to some vette shows and seeing and hearing first hand all of the systems you have listed, then go from there.

 

[Vettelt193]

I have heard the Corsa system and was not impressed... B&B and Corsa do not make any power claims because the power increase will vary car to car. If you have a stock 'vette, it won't gain nearly the power of one with good intake work, or a cam/heads etc.

Of the three you listed, I think B&B are the best. Very high quality. With an auto, you may be concerned about resonance though, so keep that in mind. Do you have a coupe or convertible? Keep in mind, while the stainless is better, the aluminum will last years and years.... There are also other systems out there to look at.

 

[Matts95lt1c4]

I have a coupe.
Matt

 

[Vettelt193]

Are you concerned with the resonance? What can happen on the coupe is the sound comes up into the rear hatch area, and bounces off the glass, creating a bass box of sorts. It only happens at certain RPM's.

Also, is cost an issue? I know most people have a certain amount to spend overall, and with a cheaper system you should be able to throw a K&N, open air filter lid, air foil to help the system out as a whole. When you look at performance, you have to look at the balance of things... if all you want is a good sounding engine, there is no reason to spend that kind of cash on such an expensive exhaust system... all you have to do is cut off the mufflers and put on straight pipe.

 

[TerryD]

My buddy with a 93 had flomaster mufflers put on and the resonance was more than I'd like. He eventually went witht the B&B 2.5". It is no louder than a stock system but rpm's seem to rev quicker and it looks awesome. Do the Corsa tips stick out past the rear valence. This was my only concern, the B&B fits snug under the rear without sticking.

 

[Matts95lt1c4]

Sound is an issue, just as performance is an issue. I had a friend with a 99 mustang gt who took his mufflers out and went with the straight pipes. It sounded good at times, but during deceleration it sounded trashy. With pops, and other noises that were less than pleasing. I now get to drive a car that I feel I should invest more in, do not want to cut any corners. Im not really worried about resonance, with my upgraded sound system, which is usually loud.

matt

 

[Vettelt193]

If you don't want to cut any corners, you could always go for Power effects.... if you don't like that one, B&B is the highest quality system you can buy. Just note there are 2 sizes, the 3 inch system is the best.

 

[warren s]

I have a 95 copue and the Corsa Power Pulse system

I WOULD NEVER RECOMEND IT!!!

I know many owners have it an love it but I have had many installation issues (I can send you a picture) detailing them.

The sound is OK, but the origional Corvette exhaust is very good to begin with, so any cat back system is not really going to give a major power increase.

I will say the midrange and top end is better. On an open streach of road, at approx 1/2 mile I used to hit about 142, last blast was 151 with the Corsa system, and a cool day.

Not that I do that frequently.

 

[scorp508]

Corsa is a cult following, the latest trend for exhausts. Personally I don't like them, but hey whatever.

I have a flowmaster on my car in combination with longtube headers and no cats. I like it a lot and find there to be little resonance at cruising speeds at all.

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Corsa is a cult following, the latest trend for exhausts. Personally I don't like them, but hey whatever.

I have a flowmaster on my car in combination with longtube headers and no cats. I like it a lot and find there to be little resonance at cruising speeds at all.

scorp508

I see you live in MA as I do.
How the he11 do you get your inspection sticker??

I'm not sure about headers but from what I was told to get a sticker:
If the car was originally equiped with cats then they must still be installed.
I forget what the age limit is where they don't care if they work or not but they want to see them there.
I guess you would just hollow them out so it looks good.

If you have connections, send me a PM so I can go there too :cool

As far as exhaust all I can say is I test drove a Vette with a Borlla system. It sucked !! It was so loud inside the car that it got very uncomfortable just in the test drive but it sounded great at idle

 

[vms4evr]

FWIW:
When I looked at Corsa I wondered why they didn't post numbers. So I emailed them and asked for dyno output of 92-96 LT1 if they had one. Well they did. Tested a 95-LT1 w/6sp. A 60mph-4th gear roll on. At the rear wheels the corrected numbers were HP +10 , TQ +11. This gain was pretty consistent from 2,000rpm to 5,000rpm.
Graham

 

[SurfnSun]

Ive seen Corsas post 10rwhp in the LT4 forum. I think PE sounds best, but Corsa is for the people who daily drive that can't handle the resonance of the other systems....thats what makes them tops in my book.

 

[vettn94]

Corsa is a cult following, the latest trend for exhausts. Personally I don't like them, but hey whatever.

I don't think I have ever heard it put better than that and I coudn't agree more.
I have riden in a car with the Corsa, the no resonance is nice but the system seemed quieter than the stock one and wasen't very loud at WOT .
Maybe it's just me but if you're going to replace the stock system why not get something bigger ? This is the main reason I didn't go with Corsa. Also be aware that 2 of the muffler tips will be black and the other 2 will always be clean because there is no exhaust flow through them. This is how the Corsa acheives the no resonance.

I have the 3" B&B on my 94.

It definetly has that beefy sound you're looking for and looks great, the only downside is there's some resonance with this system. I saw no gain in the 1/4mi. Luckily I bought it used for less than 1/2 the price of a new so I can't say I'm dissapointed.

There's also nothing wrong with Flowmaster if you can live with those tips.

You do have another option, which is the route I was going to take before the deal on the B&B which was impossible to pass on, and that is to just replace your stock mufflers.

IMO your not going to see any gains from any cat back system you put on your stock 95, despite Corsa's "corrected" dyno #'s
-lol, so buy it for looks and sound first and spend the least you can because the LT1 exhaust seems to be pretty good right from the factory.
I've heard of corrected ET's before how do you get "corrected" dyno #'s?

 

[warren s]

Also be aware that 2 of the muffler tips will be black and the other 2 will always be clean because there is no exhaust flow through them. This is how the Corsa acheives the no resonance.

YUP!!!!

 

[Edmond]

Hi,

One of the reasons that I went with Flowmaster was because of price. It costs considerably less than the stainless systems. Although the B&B and Corsa may be stainless, the welds aren't stainless (if you choose to weld as opposed to using the clamps). But it seems like the clamps don't do as well as welding.

There is quite a bit of resonance on the Flowmaster at certain RPM's. But the sound is wonderful and let's everyone know what you're packin'.:L

Can a catback gain what is advertised? Sure, if they also did the other work like heads, cam, etc... just like Vettelt193 said.

 

[Matts95lt1c4]

Hey thanks alot guys!
the b & b's look great on your ride, I will now be on the lookout for them.
thanks all

 

[oldace84]

For all around performance...I'd go for the FlowMaster's...Yep.....you bet.....
Guess I'm partial to FlowMaster's.....
Do what you think is best....
tony

 

[Skant]

There's a lot of different exhaust systems out there. Performance-wise all the catback type systems produce approximately the same horse power gains. The only exhaust systems that produce significantly greater gains than the others are not smog legal.

Where catback exhaust systems are very different from eachother is in sound quality, loudness, and exhaust tip styling. So which is best is really a personal preference. So when you ask which exhaust arrangement is best, you'll get 20 different answers from 20 different Corvette owners.

In particular, I notice a rift between those who like it really loud and those who don't.

For myself, I like to hear the exhaust when I'm punchng it, but I'd rather listen to my stereo or talk to a passenger when I'm just cruising...so my choice is the Corsa system.

Others may be interested in a more powerful (ie. loud) sound, and favor the less sound dampening exhaust systems. Particularly for vettes that aren't driven very often or that are only driven on the track.


Btw, I don't think I would describe the Corsas as a 'cult following'. This performance exhaust system has a unique and definative feature (snarly when you punch it, quiet at cruise) which appeals to many vette owners... particularly to daily drivers. I would define a 'cult following' as artificial popularity of a product based on unsubstantiated, difficult to prove, or imagined capabilities perpetuated by the public. So unless you're claiming that Corsas don't actually do what they advertise...

I think it's pretty obvious that the Corsa isn't going to be as loud and snarly as the other systems when you punch it. So don't buy it if you want to be heard from blocks (miles?) away when you're speeding. If you're primarily after loudness, the Corsas just aren't the right product to match your needs. That's all.

- Skant

 

[Don&Kelly]

I had Flowmasters on my C4 & had to take them off the resonance was a killer- I put on my Corsa's & wow - no resonance - and I disagree with Vette94 - my Corsa Pace Cars (Indy's) are very loud at WOT - they do not seem loud inside the vette - but outside they are loud .. they are engineered to be that way ... that's why they have such a large following.
I sold my C4 & got a C5 and I put Corsa's on it too ...