djohn3853

Hi All, new member to the forum. Also new to Corvettes. bought my 99 vert a year ago. Its bone stock
My question is about the exhaust. I love the sound of the exhaust, but want it louder.
Do i need to get a cat back system such as Borla (appx $1400 for part alone). or is there a cheaper option

MWWarlord

First off, Welcome to the forum!
There are several exhaust options. A cat back system will likely get you what you want. Borla and Corsa both offer good options that won't drone like a lot of the cheaper systems will. Another option that might work well for you would be the bypass mod. This involves adding a pipe that goes from just before your muffler to just after the muffler. This does not bypass the muffler completely. It has no drone at all, and is not obnoxiously loud. However, it will make the exhaust louder. Most exhaust shops can do this for you for a couple hundred bucks. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about.
http://images.app.goo.gl/jUDUdxjcfUskcAUz8

Note: the picture is of the Ti exhaust from a Z06, but it will work exactly the same on the steel exhaust in you vert.

lewislgZ06

All you need is an axle back system. There are flanges just before the rear axles, and the new system will connect from that point back.
If you want the Borla ATAK system, go to Complete Street Performance's website late at night, like 9P. The advertised price is lower at night (around $1200) for whatever reason, plus if you use the coupon code oct2020, you get an additional 5% off, which puts it at about $1147, IIRC.That is the best deal I have found it for on the internet.

https://www.cspracing.com/borla-atak...design/140428/

I just recently purchased this system and I am very pleased with it after trying several different ones over the past few years. It has a good tone, good volume, and zero drone.

djohn3853

thank you Warlord and lewislg
i think the axle back system is what i meant, even though i said cat back. are they the same?
thanks for the pic Warlord of the bypass. Like the say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I like the price of this option.

mfi2000

I have the same car as you with a billy boat rt 66..its a bit too tame for me so after a lot of research I'm thinking of the Corsa Extremes. No drone. My BB's have a bit of drone at 65mph..some of the other systems have a lot which becomes annoying.

MWWarlord

Glad I could help. The bypass mod is much cheaper, and I suspect you'll be happy with the result.

djohn3853

Probably a dumb question, but that's my specialty, would the exhaust have to be taken out of the car to make the bypass mod ?

MWWarlord

They shouldn't have to remove the whole exhaust, but they would almost certainly have to remove the axel back portion of it. Any good exhaust shop will have a lift, so removing the needed section is only as hard as removing 4 bolts and sliding the muffler brackets out of their clips. The removal and re-installation will take 20 minutes or less total. Doing the actual mod itself will take a bit longer. However, this is definitely something the shop should be able to do while you wait.

GettnBetter

In my 2000 vert, I went with Borla 140017 which has two large 4.5" tips. Current pricing seems to be about $700. Sound is raspy and loud. Adding an additional X pipe will help to reduce popping and gurgling but I liked it without.

I installed the system myself on jack stands, no drama. I left everything loose, aligned all the parts till it looked straight and then tightened all the clamps.

sbadd99

I went with OBX SS Headers 1/3 the price of the mainstream ones, Basani crossover and GHL mufflers, its loud but no drone and at cruise its quieter, had in on now for 7 years. I had Billy Boat and my ears used to ring for an hour after getting out droned a bit, manual car.

redzg

The sound change achieved for the money invested is very compelling:

My Vette Life

obx jacked up their prices It's no longer what it used to be.

Vetteman Jack

The exhaust bypass on a stock system would be the most economical route to go. But, if you really want a great sound from your exhaust, go aftermarket. I ran a set of Corsa Indy Pace Cars (now Sport) on my '03 C5 and it sounded great.

Depending on just how loud you want to go, you could do a B&B Route 66 system - I had one of those on my '00 C5 and it was a little louder than stock and looked great with the quad oval exhaust tips.

Best bet is to wait a while and try and go to some car shows or cruise-ins and listen to the exhaust that may be on the C5s that are there. Talk to the owners - I would bet many would be very willing to fire up their car so you can hear the exhaust.

Water_Walker

Borla drones. Be care of misinformation.

lewislgZ06

The newest Borla ATAK 140428 doesn’t. I know because I have it.

Also according to Borla, the new S Type II and Touring axlebacks are also guaranteed not to drone.

mcropper03

So I used to think CSP Racing was the lowest, but I found RCA Garage that after using the code exhausted2020 it drops the Atak system down to $1125 with free shipping.
You have to put your address in for the free shipping to show up. I ordered a Borla system for my 2020 Silverado and it showed up in like 2 days. Great service.

grinder11

I bought a set of Flowmaster mufflers from Summitt 17 years ago. They were $250.00 each. I just cut the originals off, and slipped the new ones on. I think they have both a 2-1/2" AND a 3" inlet. Have 2 polished stainless tips on each. I love them, but can get a little "droney" on trips over 100 miles at freeway speeds......

Michael Clemans

We all want our rides to sound like what a Corvette is supposed to sound like. I went with Borla cat backs. Check out Amazon. Here are a couple pictures...I shoulda done a video with the sound. Sorry I haven't done that yet. But I can tell you that the cop that lives next door says it has a NICE low rumble. I didn't tell him how "low" that rumble is when my foot gets heavy...lol

Water_Walker

Mine does. I know because I have it.

It took them 20 years to make a c5 exhaust that doesn’t drone?

lewislgZ06

You're the first person I've heard claim that. What did Borla have to say about it?