Going to build my cat-back tonight

[AintQik]

Ok first things first... I'm an idiot. I should not be chopping up a brand new car but it just don't sound right. Sencondly I find it hard to believe a simple bolt on exhaust costs a grand. There just aint that much to it. So, in order to convince myself to spend the scratch, I'm first going to screw up my stock system. If it works and sounds great, well great. If it doesn't then I'll spend the money. I have a ton of exhaust stuff lying in the garage and a bunch of mufflers off various hotrods so I think I can make something work. I've got a nice set of 40 series flows that I'll try to weld in and see how it goes. I'll let y'all know how it turns out. I know Corsa does tons of research to get the resonance down, I'm going with the poke and hope method.

oh, p.s. I know people who buy Vettes should have enough money to have professionals work on their cars, but I like to tinker and I'm poor and I'm probably better than half of the professionals

 

[Greenie]

Ok first things first... I'm an idiot. I should not be chopping up a brand new car but it just don't sound right. Sencondly I find it hard to believe a simple bolt on exhaust costs a grand. There just aint that much to it. So, in order to convince myself to spend the scratch, I'm first going to screw up my stock system. If it works and sounds great, well great. If it doesn't then I'll spend the money. I have a ton of exhaust stuff lying in the garage and a bunch of mufflers off various hotrods so I think I can make something work. I've got a nice set of 40 series flows that I'll try to weld in and see how it goes. I'll let y'all know how it turns out. I know Corsa does tons of research to get the resonance down, I'm going with the poke and hope method.

oh, p.s. I know people who buy Vettes should have enough money to have professionals work on their cars, but I like to tinker and I'm poor and I'm probably better than half of the professionals

Be very careful concerning the back pressure or the lack of it!!

 

[AintQik]

No, I'm not one of those fart can kind of guys... I understand the need for back pressure. I'm using a single chamber tuned muffler. There is no packing to wear out. My only concern is mid rpm drone which I think I have taken care of. The mufflers are cake to remove and there is virtually nothing to them. My only snag thus far is that the good mufflers I had laying in the garage were rusted on the inside when I inspected them closer. No sense putting on something like that... the resonators inside were chipping. So, I had to splurge and get 2 new mufflers, so I'm out $160 so far. I've also changed the tips to flat 6" ovals. I'm not a big fan of the quad tips, looks kinda goofy. A ricer company makes a nice stainless tip that fits in there perfectly. IMO the single round tips leave too much room. I'll post some pics when I'm done and see if I can't get a sound clip.

By the way, headers on this car will be cake to install. I can't believe how much room I have compared to the Mustang!

 

[Greenie]

No, I'm not one of those fart can kind of guys... I understand the need for back pressure. I'm using a single chamber tuned muffler. There is no packing to wear out. My only concern is mid rpm drone which I think I have taken care of. The mufflers are cake to remove and there is virtually nothing to them. My only snag thus far is that the good mufflers I had laying in the garage were rusted on the inside when I inspected them closer. No sense putting on something like that... the resonators inside were chipping. So, I had to splurge and get 2 new mufflers, so I'm out $160 so far. I've also changed the tips to flat 6" ovals. I'm not a big fan of the quad tips, looks kinda goofy. A ricer company makes a nice stainless tip that fits in there perfectly. IMO the single round tips leave too much room. I'll post some pics when I'm done and see if I can't get a sound clip.

By the way, headers on this car will be cake to install. I can't believe how much room I have compared to the Mustang!

I didnt think that you were! I totally agree with you concerning the round tips vs. the ovals. Since Im in Philly and will be ordering an 06 C6, you may be fabricating my new mufflers!!! Maybe a new business????

 

[AintQik]

Well if this turns out to sound nice I'd be more than happy to make you some. I just can't see paying that much without giving it a go myself. Here are the tips I used...
Its 6" wide... the same width as the 2 stock round one together so I think it'll look nice. I will work with the muffler to make it fit flush.

 

[HotVetteHotBlonde-Wink]

Im trying to research a little on exhausts. Im not sure which one to get for my C6. The exhaust sounds really wimpy that is stock. I want a very deep, throaty, loud growl sound. Im looking at corsa touring/ but have doubts it will be loud enough. Possibly too mild. Also looking at Borla. Its an automatic as. I heard the route 66 system and its not much different on a C6 than the stock. Any suggestions? I still want to keep a somewhat expensive/classy but cool sound. Some of them sound really high pitched/that sound crappy to me. Its not a "deep loud growl". What do ya think since you know exhaust systems well.
Teresa

 

[AintQik]

Exhaust is very personal so its tough to say. I can prolly assure you that the Touring will not be loud enough for you. Try the Sport if you go Corsa. I have yet to hear any of the after market ones in person. I was looking at the SLP but their muffler is a packed one so I was turned off. I did really like their tips (which they would not sell me on their own). A guy I know said he really liked B&B Bullets but again who knows.

One thing that I like about Corsa is they really engineer to keep the resonance out. That is that annoying vibraty noise at crusing rpm. That really gets on your nerves after a while. To combat that, you lose some of that deep growl at idle and when you pop it. I think the Sports may just be the most aggresive without the drone, but again I have not heard one yet.

I'll let you know how the flows sound on my car.

 

[HotVetteHotBlonde-Wink]

Ive decided to go with the Borla stinger exhaust, 4/quad, with X pipe. It would be great to know how to fabricate your own, like you. Customized.
Aintqik, would it be important to also get a cold air induction system? And will I need to change to different filters, as well as do anything with the CO sensor when I change out the system to the above. I dont want to change the cat system itself because Ive heard that could cause me warrenty problems. I payed alot for the extended warrenty. Do ya mind me pickin your brain for awhile.? I just dont want to spend alot of money and make alot of mistakes. I made a 1,200. mistake by taking the 1,200 something upgraded, not shiny/polished but suppose to be, alluminum wheels. I could have put that towards actuall nice chrome wheels. Live and learn I guess. So whatcha think?

 

[HotVetteHotBlonde-Wink]

Ive decided to go with the Borla stinger exhaust, 4/quad, with X pipe. It would be great to know how to fabricate your own, like you. Customized.
Aintqik, would it be important to also get a cold air induction system? And will I need to change to different filters, as well as do anything with the CO sensor when I change out the system to the above. I dont want to change the cat system itself because Ive heard that could cause me warrenty problems. I payed alot for the extended warrenty. Do ya mind me pickin your brain for awhile.? I just dont want to spend alot of money and make alot of mistakes. I made a 1,200. mistake by taking the 1,200 something upgraded, not shiny/polished but suppose to be, alluminum wheels. I could have put that towards actuall nice chrome wheels. Live and learn I guess. So whatcha think?

By the way Aintqik, did you complete your custom exhaust?

 

[AintQik]

I'm about 90% done with it. It was pouring rain and I was on my concrete slab because the body of the 50 is on stands in the garage. The shed where I keep the Vette has a crushed stone floor so that was not going to work.

It was pretty hard lining up the angles on the mufflers and stuff and I'm not completely satisfied with where they are. It looks to me to be off center about a quarter of an inch and that aint going to fly. I'm going to work with the tips and take up the slack. I'll cut the backs off and re-weld them to sit right.

I fired it up on the jack stands and good googly moogly it was deep. It sounded very aggressive and had a real rumble to it. Did not sound tinney or cheap. I need to wait on some good weather to see how the droning issues play out. I have $245 in this so far.

I have never been a big fan of Borla, but that experience has been on very different cars than these. So if you like the Borla than go for it. If you have not commited a very reputable guy I found up here by me suggested GHL. They have been around a long time in the Porsche community and I was pleased to see they made something for the C6. This guy says they sound very very nice on a relatively stock car. The more I talk to this guy the more I like him. So, he may be on to something. He will be doing the computer work on my car.

To be honest with you I think the air boxes are worthless. From what I have seen on the C6, the stock box is doing ok. For giggle and grins I asked Dave from Cartek if he thought there was any other bolt-on that I should consider. I was not particularly impressed with any of the cold air kits but I figured I would let the guy try and sell me on something. To my surprise he said in his experience none of the cold air boxes were much better than stock and not to waste my money. The only thing that I've come across on other cars is an increase in noise with a cold air kit. That does sound pretty cool, but for what they ask for the Blackwing and such I'm personally going to pass.

One thing we should keep in mind is that these cars make a dump load of power out of a small block, push rod, 2V chevy. In order to do that they need to have some pretty slick stuff in there. I doubt much power is to be gained with simple bolt ons. But, we will see. I'm am learning this motor as I go so most of the stuff I pass on to you is based on working with a few trusted names that know the LS2. As I gather hands on experience I'll be glad to share.

The other thing you asked about was the x-pipe. I'm pretty impressed with the factory h-pipe so it was not something I was going to change. But I wound up going with long tubes so the whole thing is going. There will be a very different sound from a true x-pipe versus an h pipe. How different I'm interested to see because this car's cats are not in the h pipe as in most other cars. The O2 sensors are, again, not in the cross pipe so you will not need to do anything with them unless you change to some kind of header later on. Now, having said that the x pipe you buy will have to be for factory exhaust manifolds. So, if you ever decide to upgrade to headers you will need to buy another x pipe. Don't sound like you want to get that far into the car but I thought I'd mention it anyway.

I have the polished wheels on my car and really like them. One word of caution. Take very good care of them. The clear pits very easily on these wheels. I already have some serious pits starting. My car was a dealer demo thing or something... it had 5000 miles on it when I got it. Hey, I liked the 9 grand off. They apparently did not take good care of the wheels. They are clear coated just like the paint on the car so you should treat them just as you would the paint. Clean and wax. Take care what kind of wheel cleaner you use.

 

[AintQik]

Well, it's done. Here is the pic. I'm no expert so dont jump all over me. I had to hand fabricate those tips from an exsisting set to get the angle and spacing right. Or as right as I could get it. In the pic it looks a lil off but its closer in person. I have $245 in this including shipping. Its really really deep. Nice burble between shifts. Little droning in 6th but I think I can live with it. We'll have to see.

 

[Greenie]

Well, it's done. Here is the pic. I'm no expert so dont jump all over me. I had to hand fabricate those tips from an exsisting set to get the angle and spacing right. Or as right as I could get it. In the pic it looks a lil off but its closer in person. I have $245 in this including shipping. Its really really deep. Nice burble between shifts. Little droning in 6th but I think I can live with it. We'll have to see.

Excellent work and excellent write up. Enjoy it!! BTW, I also heard good thinngs about GHL.

 

[AintQik]

Thanks. I just looked at the GHL stuff and its in the $1100 range. That's reasonable and it looks a lot better than my stuff I'd like to drive a car with those and compare what i think is drone to what they think. So far all I can think is that by saving $800 this sounds purty dang sweet! I'd really like to know how my kit hangs with the big boys.

 

[Greenie]

Thanks. I just looked at the GHL stuff and its in the $1100 range. That's reasonable and it looks a lot better than my stuff I'd like to drive a car with those and compare what i think is drone to what they think. So far all I can think is that by saving $800 this sounds purty dang sweet! I'd really like to know how my kit hangs with the big boys.

At $300.00, you hange ABOVE the big boys. I have used the Tri-Flow system in the past and am quite satisfied with the set up and customer support. It sells for $1000.00 but I bet it doesnt have much over what youve done!

 

[AintQik]

Well Flowmaster should get the credit I just hunked the stuff together. What do you think about those tips? I kinda like them. It was a lot of work to get them in there right but I think it will be nice to be different.

 

[HotVetteHotBlonde-Wink]

Well Flowmaster should get the credit I just hunked the stuff together. What do you think about those tips? I kinda like them. It was a lot of work to get them in there right but I think it will be nice to be different.

Aintqik,
Great job! Now we need an audio to listen to. Pipes look great and I really dont see them being off at all. Looks like it was installed by a professional. Hmm all of us a CAC might have a new source for our custom exhaust installations.
Again, great job!
Teresa

 

[AintQik]

Thanks! I'll try to figure out how to get a clip up tonight. Maybe I can send it to somebody smart? Will the site host a small clip or will I have to put it someplace?

 

[Greenie]

Well Flowmaster should get the credit I just hunked the stuff together. What do you think about those tips? I kinda like them. It was a lot of work to get them in there right but I think it will be nice to be different.

I like them. I always order the quad oval tips but the duals are starting to grow on me!

 

[LT4man]

What a super job you did!

I am impressed with how they look. Very professional. And at such an affordable price.

Can't wait to hear how they sound!

Save The Wave!

 

[AintQik]

The sound is really growing on me. I drove around all morning with a big grin on my face. I need to get y'all a clip!