Exhaust Experts Needed

[xlr8nflorida]

I am running Borla (old 80's style intercooled looking tips), Stainless Works Headers, No Cats and the borla resonator.

I am running 400 RWHP. I have been running this same exhaust system for 10 plus years. I have no complaints, it sounds very mild at idle (although you can tell its not stock) and very good when you get on it. I have Zero to very mild resonance if any. Dwight (DDSLT5) told me years ago it would be good because his brother Kurt was running the setup once upon a time until he went to the darkside.

I have been debating an X pipe. I would probably pick up another 5 hp, but maybe I'd get better sound. The B&B is kinda loud for me and I'm not a big fan of Corsa. I'm not really wanting to change out the whole exhaust system.

Does anybody have an X pipe in a configuration similar to my setup?

How does it sound? How is the resonance?

To me its almost perfection for my tastes but If I could get it perfect I'd like to. I have just been hesitant because most here talk about alot of resonance etc. I can't stand resonance.

Any input, sound files etc would be appreciated. Any manufacturers suggested for easy install on Borla?

Maybe I should just leave it the F alone? LOL

[-=Jeff=-]

I am running Borla (old 80's style intercooled looking tips), Stainless Works Headers, No Cats and the borla resonator.

I am running 400 RWHP. I have been running this same exhaust system for 10 plus years. I have no complaints, it sounds very mild at idle (although you can tell its not stock) and very good when you get on it. I have Zero to very mild resonance if any. Dwight (DDSLT5) told me years ago it would be good because his brother Kurt was running the setup once upon a time until he went to the darkside.

I have been debating an X pipe. I would probably pick up another 5 hp, but maybe I'd get better sound. The B&B is kinda loud for me and I'm not a big fan of Corsa. I'm not really wanting to change out the whole exhaust system.

Does anybody have an X pipe in a configuration similar to my setup?


LGAFF has this set-up, but I think he has Watson headers..


How does it sound?

it sounds good from the outside, I have not ridden in it though


How is the resonance?


Good question, I think each persons ears tolerate resonance differently. One might say there is little to no resonance, others may say there is some there, enough to bother you. I have found in my Z (1990, watson headers, 3" magnaflow cats and Borla Challenge system) that there IS resonance, much more noticeable with the roof on and windows closed, it is it there. Is it tolerable, yes, it is on the mild side, but you have the same set-up sans cats (like mine was last year) and the resonance level between cats or no cats is the same..


Maybe I should just leave it the F alone? LOL

Where is the fun in that.. in 5 years my 89 vette had 6 or 7 different exhaust combinations.. LOL

[Rex Ruby]

I'm no expert but I'll tell you what I have and love.
When I first got my Z it had a Borla system on it.
Boring, not loud enough.
Since I had muffler eliminators on my 93 LT1 I thought eliminators would sound great on the Z.
They sounded good but not as good as my LT1.
I lived with that for a while until 2 years ago when I decided to get rid of the Borla resonator and install an X pipe.
I had the X pipe fabbed so I could add some small mufflers just past the X if it was too loud.
Well, it's loud but not obnixous.
Inside noise when cruising has very little resonance.
Idle and WOT, sound GREAT.

I paid about $125 to get the X pipe fabbed up.
Try it, if you don't like it you can always change it back.

[xlr8nflorida]

Do you have pics of your x pipe?

Are you running headers and no cats?

[Rex Ruby]

Here's a pic of it uninstalled.
http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/23790/2975257890034327257S600x600Q85.jpg (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2975257890034327257UWEMBH)
If you'd like to see it installed I can take a pic this week.

[xlr8nflorida]

Wow, the x pipes I was looking at were much smaller. Is that 3 inches?

[Rex Ruby]

Wow, the x pipes I was looking at were much smaller. Is that 3 inches?

I believe 2.75"
I could always measure!

[Paul Workman]

Ah...ye ol' quest of "having one's cake and eating it too!"

I can tell ya what isn't working too well, if resonance is an issue (performance might not be suffering tho...)

Behold! SW 2" headers, X pipe, and Magnaflow dual outlet muffs!

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/tech%20files/StainlessWorks2001Large.jpg

It sounds "bitchin", and you can ask anyone in the neighborhood, cuz they all have heard it...at the same time...and considering my neighbors live around the periphery of a square mile...you get the picture!

This setup is similar to what Pete had before except he has Watson headers, and he installed a pair of bullet resonators behind the X pipe, and later installed the flapper on one of the two outlets of each twin outlet muff (B&B?).

A fellow FBI'er (Phil) has what I believe to be my setup except he installed a pair of chambered 3" muffs "Power Sticks" between the X pipe and the muffs (don't know which muffs he has). I'm going to dyno and then later run mine "as is" at the Corvette Challenge (only a little over 2 weeks away) and then I'm going to try Phil's setup (the chambered muffs positioned about where they would be insterted (below).

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/tech%20files/StainlessWorks2002Large.jpg

But, honestly, I like the sound of Pete's system (with the flapper) as well as Bob G's (using a similar X pipe as the fabbed one pictured in the other post, and also a flapper), and Lee's car sounds so very good to.

In my case, I'm not "in love" with the MF muff - it just happens to be what I had handy as I kluged this thing together with performance trumping all, for the time being. Everything is "up for grabs", short of the $1600 it would take to "try out" a Corsa (which I don't really like the sound of that much anyway - but that is just a personal thing).

Gotta go make the doughnuts. Y'all have a good un!

P.

[LGAFF]

I have a 2.75 Borla and a 3" X(magnaflow...TRU-X)...........its not quiet and there is a decent amount of interior resonance.........but its a performance car.