Corvette Cat back Exhausts - Opinions, experience, thoughts?

[Crucifix]

Hi All,
I am interested in getting your opinions on cat back exhaust kits for my 1992 LT1. I have a Borla kit on back order from Summit because from what I have read it is the most popular with Corvette owners. I figured since I have to wait 4 to 6 weeks I would ping you all to confirm.
Is this correct? If not why? What other kits out there (Monza, Flowmaster, Corsa, etc..) would you recommend? Let me know if you have it installed or if it's just your opinion.

Much appreciated all.

Peter

 

[92conv]

There are VERY many threads concerning this same issue. If you run a search you should run across many different opinions. Personally, I'm going to go the sidepipe route as soon as I can get a set. Looks sweet

 

[WhalePirot]

I'm going to go the sidepipe route as soon as I can get a set. Looks sweet

True, but see what Ken had to say about his.

 

[92conv]

I will most definitely be keeping my eyes open for potholes!!!

 

[WhalePirot]

I will most definitely be keeping my eyes open for potholes!!!

The ground clearance issue is true, but they are also quite restrictive with the sharp bends required for routing.

My local shop recommended DynoMax, which I also believe is popular, but I went for another set of Flowmasters.

 

[Toms007]

I have read most of the threads about exhaust systems on 2 or 3 different forums. What I have found is that everybody likes what they have (or nearly so). I think it depends on the sound you want and like. My suggestion is to find someone with the same setup as yours (or as close as possible) and listen to their system.

From what I know (which is debateable), if you don't want any resonance (or out and out noise) inside the car, your best choice is Corsa. But others don't mind the resonance or loudness and prefer the throaty sounds Borla, BB (Billy Boat), Sound Effects, Flowmaster, Magnaflow or "Muffler Eliminators" are all there to be had. Headers and X-pipes all affect the sound too, as well as the size of the pipes. I love the sounds many of these systems have as they drive by, but living with them inside the car might be something quite different.

Again, when it comes time to replace mine, I'm going to hunt down some cars with the different systems and take a ride in them to make my final decision.

 

[tlong]

Somehow the Corsa has mellowed into a great throaty rumble without resonance. Straight pipe from cats and they look great too. Scares kids and old ladies WOT.

The Corsa people say I am hallucenating, and lately that could be true (another story) but the carbon has lowered the pitch.

As always get to a club meeting and hear for yourself.

 

[Crucifix]

Thank you all,
I decided to wait and read some of the older posts. Right now it is between the Corsa or the Borla for me. I do like the rear profile of the Corsa and would love to see them installed. Anybody have a picture?

Peter

 

[Toms007]

Not mine but here you go.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1031496

How about a wave file to hear what they sound like?

96 LT1 A4 with Corsa Cat Back 7 March 05

 

[Moonunit 451]

Thank you all,
I decided to wait and read some of the older posts. Right now it is between the Corsa or the Borla for me. I do like the rear profile of the Corsa and would love to see them installed. Anybody have a picture?

Peter

I love my Borla's. I've heard other setups that I think might sound better at low R's, but when you nail it they really wake up. They're comfortable at a cruise too, the only irritating resonance is at certain loads between about 1700 and 2000 R's.

 

[lagasvd]

CATs

I just put on a set of magnaflows. All stainless steel and they fit perfectly. I put them on in under an hour in my garage. Probably not as loud as the others but with a convertible I didn't want loud, just the deep throatly rumble. Paid $430 delivered in three days from the performancepeddler.com.

 

[rkew]

PowerEffects

I tried a set of Borla's on my '91 but (a) I never got them to fit right (I couldn't get the tips parallel to the rear fascia) and (b) after a few years, the resonance just got to be too much. They sounded great when I nailed it, but the resonance on the highway was too much until I got up to 2,500 rpm or so. The problem with that is 2,500 rpm in 6th gear equals something in the neighborhood of 90 mph. Relative to the fit issue, I've read many postings over the years from people who couldn't get Borla's to fit right.

So, I gave PowerEffects a shot and I really like them. The sound, look, and fit great.

 

[Moonunit 451]

Had to bend the tips a little on one side, but they came out pretty good, I think

 

[Chris Kennedy]

If you are having trouble deciding I would simply go with the muffler eliminators. They are cheap when compared with Borlas, etc., and fit on very easily. You can decide to get something else later if you don't like them, and not feel that you are stuck with them because of the cost.

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas

 

[legendzzz]

Hey Chris I Have The Muffler Eliminators They Sound Great And You Lose About 40lbs In Weight And Lost Weight Is Hp Gain!! Do You Know What Hp Gain Is From Them? They Really Do Sound Good And Are Not Loud At All Until You Mash The Pedal, I Was Really Surprised

 

[koolaid117]

Here is a picture of the Corsas that came on my car:

Hope this helps. By the way, I love the sound!!

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Hey Chris I Have The Muffler Eliminators They Sound Great And You Lose About 40lbs In Weight And Lost Weight Is Hp Gain!! Do You Know What Hp Gain Is From Them? They Really Do Sound Good And Are Not Loud At All Until You Mash The Pedal, I Was Really Surprised

Glad you like them! I don't know what the performance gain is, but the weight loss also means that there is far less strain upon the muffler hangers (these can be a weak point). It would be fun at some time to try the Borlas just to see how they sound, but at about 4-5 times the price of muffler eliminators THAT is just too expensive for an "experiment". I would rather bank the money for repairs, etc.

Cheers,

/s/ Chris

 

[Crucifix]

Hi,
Will I be able to pass inspection with a set of muffler eliminators?

Thank you,
Peter

 

[legendzzz]

The guy I bought the vette from had no problems passing all these years so I do not see you having a problem, BUT I have not gotten my car inspected yet.

 

[Chris Kennedy]

Hi,
Will I be able to pass inspection with a set of muffler eliminators?

Thank you,
Peter

Well, I have not had a problem down here in Houston. You will find that the catalytic converters cut out a LOT of the noise, so the muffler eliminators aren't that much louder. Frankly, the loudest things on the street are the Harleys with the open exhausts. Generally, most of the inspectors here don't really look to see if you have mufflers to begin with, and since the car doesn't sound that much louder, it doesn't cause suspicion. Still, lots of cars "pass" in Houston without lights or fenders, it seems, so I wouldn't guarantee you will pass (unless you're in Houston). If I had to call it, though, I think you will be just fine so long as you still have the cats on and the installation is done neatly. One suggestion: If you get the chambered exhaust muffler eliminators, you can always argue that the chambers are, in fact, "mufflers"---which is true, so you ARE running "mufflers"!

/s/ Chris Kennedy
Houston, Texas