stt816

Hi I’m trying to figure out what borla exhaust system this is. It’s a 2000 c5 convertible, manual. My dad bought it in 2000 and if I had to guess got the exhaust in 03 or so. I got under there and was looking for a model number or engraving and couldn’t find anything

what model does it look like to you?
is it a cat back or axle back?
does it look like x pipes or anything was added?

any info would be great.

Tips

Right under tips

Leading in

Underside 1

Underside 2

smitty2919

It's an older system since they don't offer that anymore. Nothing popped up easily on a quick google search.

Looks like you still have the factory cats, so this most likely made you cut your stock midpipe and attach the new midpipe/midmount muffler section then also bolt on the over axle pipe section. It was most likely sold as a paired system.

You can also call Borla and ask.

Johnny Hardcore

Wow, haven’t seen one of those in about 20 years. Thats the Borla XR1 which is a bullet type muffler with two inlets and two outlets. It replaces the factory H-pipe (and no need for an X-pipe) then goes out through two Borla straight pipes.
Sounds pretty good from what I recall.

Johnny Hardcore

PS….yes it required cutting the H crossover out of your stock pipes. Then welding in the XR1 bullet type muffler in place of the H.

stt816

Great thank you! I love the sound. It's actually holding me back from putting headers on the car. I feel like right now is the perfect tone and not too loud

Some questions
1...So this would be considered a catback?
2..Is there anything I can do to get more performance (exhaust wise) with this setup and without changing the sound much/without making it louder?
3....Can you see from there if my cats are still there or no? I'm sure they're there as I pass emissions and there's no odor

stt816

found this video...this is what is sounds like


Another one

USAZR1

I really like the design of that exhaust. It would make a good start for the centermount exhaust I'm envisioning for my car.

Johnny Hardcore

Just like most exhaust videos...these don't do it much justice. I recall it sounds much better than that in person. I considered the XR1 before doing the Stingers. I knew I was doing Longtubes so I opted for the Stingers instead and haven't changed my exhaust system on my coupe since 2003 because I LOVE the way my combo sounds.


The XR1 is basically a cat-back as it retains your stock cats and a few inches of stock pipe after the cats before tying in. (Picture below).

The XR1 is more of a "racecar" exhaust than a mufflered axle/cat back. Actually the XR1 is a resonator, not a muffler but it does muffle some over a straight pipe all the way through. The only way to truly get any significant performance gains from an exhaust is with longtube headers. That makes things a bit more challenging and limits options when retaining the stock cats. Most LTs require a new x-pipe. But I'm not familiar enough with systems that retain OEM cats. Longtubes will absolutely make your exhaust a bit louder, but the sound IMO is much better with LTs. Especially if you add a a came with a nice lope. ( to me not a single c5/6/7 corvette with just an exhaust and no lopey cam sounds "good" never mind "great").

I can't tell if your cats were retained from the pics you provided but I'm thinking they were based on the XR1 set up, you passing emmissions, and your car not having Longtubes already.

Corvetteexhaustsystems

I have one brand of headers that can mount to that midpipe. You would have to go catless though.

G_Loc

Wow don't see that system around very often! Shame that it was discontinued.

USAZR1

I agree. Wouldn't mind having something like that, on my car.

Johnny Hardcore

Be nice to stt816 and send him a PM. So if he goes in a different direction you get first dibs.

stt816

I could never see myself parting ways with these....but then again everyone has their price 😏😂

lol ... This was my dad's car so everything on it is sentimental...I actually remember him on the internet listening to different catbacks. That was a pretty big deal back then because it was probably around 2002-2003. I remember thinking it was so cool.

Some more questions
1...If my cats are still there...would it be stock most likely? And would going high flow cats make a difference? I wouldn't go no cats.

2... Would the pipe that replaced the H Pipe be equal performance wise to an X Pipe that I always see around these forums?

smitty2919

It won't be worth the money to go high flow cats for a price/performance standpoint.
In your system, the resonator replaced your stock H pipe, I'm not sure how the XR1 resonator is designed. Some dual in/dual out mufflers have an internal X design, some are parallel straight through.

You can get headers from TPS Motorsport with their header extensions and weld in some high flow cats then mate it to your XR1 catback.

My review:
​​​​​​https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...m-exhaust.html

Johnny Hardcore

I agree with @smitty2919 on all of the above. And I'm with you on the sentimental stuff. So if I were you and decided to go a different route I'd still hold onto the exhaust my dad chose for the car when it was his.

Just because there are OE cats it doesn't indicate the engine is stock. It could have heads and cam done. But it's a tough call as not all cams lope and he could have port work done on the original heads. However, it does indicate you don't have aftermarket long tubes.

You could setup dyno time and the wheel hp and torque will be an immediate indicator on whether or not more extensive mods you aren't aware of were done by dad.