Old Borla Exhaust from LPE ... big resonator is rattling, replace with Magnaflow? ---

[alwayscode390]

The car currently has an old Borla exhaust installed by Lingenfelter back in 1993.

My big round mid-car "resonator" was hit while the car was being backed off of a tow truck by the previous owner.

It dented it , and now it rattles like the insides broke apart. Its LOUD like a catalytic converter heat shield making contact with metal somewhere.

Are these straight-through mufflers like the magnaflows?

If so, can I just replace it with a straight-through magnaflow muffler?

This is the big muffler in the center, before the two smaller ones at the rear by the tips.

It looks like it has both pipes from the headers entering it on either side, then exiting it on either side.

http://i50.tinypic.com/sov68p.jpg

Thanks for the advice , thanks :) ---

[GOLDCYLON]

The car currently has an old Borla exhaust installed by Lingenfelter back in 1993.

My big round mid-car "resonator" was hit while the car was being backed off of a tow truck by the previous owner.

It dented it , and now it rattles like the insides broke apart. Its LOUD like a catalytic converter heat shield making contact with metal somewhere.

Are these straight-through mufflers like the magnaflows?

If so, can I just replace it with a straight-through magnaflow muffler?

This is the big muffler in the center, before the two smaller ones at the rear by the tips.

It looks like it has both pipes from the headers entering it on either side, then exiting it on either side.

http://i50.tinypic.com/sov68p.jpg

Thanks for the advice , thanks :) ---


I have a spare Corsa resonator that you could plumb in there. Any exhaust shop worth its salt could make it fit. Is the exhaust 2.5 ot 3.0 ?

[alwayscode390]

Im thinking its 3" but Im not sure quite yet.

PM me the price , thanks :) ---

[LGAFF]

Its 2.75 Challenge exhaust, take the resonator out, it necks down to 2-2.25 inches and cost you HP, out an Xpipe in place of it.

You will pick up 5-10hp

[alwayscode390]

Custom built x-pipe in place of the resonator?

Sounds like an awesome plan!!!

Thanks for that :) ---

[LGAFF]

Same setup with X Pipe: 350ci 391 rwhp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y4Re5TqIw4

[alwayscode390]

What were their other mods?

That sounds great!!! I really appreciate the idea ---

[Daniel_Mc]

I've run the random tech mid system for years and IMHO is a great bag for the price. All SS and Mandrel bent in your choice of size with or without cats.

http://www.randomtechnology.com/

Daniel

[XfireZ51]

What were their other mods?

That sounds great!!! I really appreciate the idea ---

Dump the Borla! Get an Xpipe to replace the resonator, then do DynoMax Ultra Flow or even the VT muffs for drone control.

[alwayscode390]

Ill look in to those mufflers, thanks for the suggestions.

If I just go x-pipe, is this the setup you were using Daniel?


"C4 Converter/X-pipe

84-96

350/5.7L

Stainless DualCat X-Pipe System (for use with headers- call for adapter pipe information)

172-30915"

I don't see an option for "no cats" and everything else says "except zr-1" ---

[2ZR1S]

I have the same exhaust with a SS x pipe that I got from Summit Racing. My resonator broke also. You will need some straight pipe and the good wide band dynomax clamps and do it yourself. I need to get around to having mine welded.

[alwayscode390]

I have the Watson Headers installed too. Seems something that a muffler shop would have no problem doing ---

[GOLDCYLON]

Im thinking its 3" but Im not sure quite yet.

PM me the price , thanks :) ---

Pm sent

[Bob Eyres]

Its 2.75 Challenge exhaust, take the resonator out, it necks down to 2-2.25 inches and cost you HP, out an Xpipe in place of it.

You will pick up 5-10hp

Good advice. I had the same system many years ago and found that, although it sounds sweet, it is probably the most restrictive system available next to stock.
I wouldn't waste money on an X pipe to fit the Borla. Go with a newer system if you've got the cash, or have a muffler shop remove the resonator and replace with two straight pipes until you find a system you like.

I went from the Borla to a stainless 3" B&B system with X pipe, and it's not for the faint of heart, (meaning wives:). But I've become addicted to the Beast sounding like a Beast. :eek:

Also, if you're looking for a system that isn't too loud, but really flows well, search for the link to Hib Halverson's article on how he built a custom one with many stock parts that flows really well. Anybody have that link?

[alwayscode390]

I really like the sound and the tips ... the squared off tips look great with the squared off tail lights IMO. It does drone a ton though.

I may look into another setup, I hear nothing but negative stuff about the Borlas on this forum.

Thanks :) ---

[LGAFF]

I think the Borla comments are alittle over reactive......once the resonator is removed the challenge systems has 2.75, bigger than most other exhaust systems. You can get a 3" SS X-PIPE on the challenge setup for a few hundred. The system is louder than most, but I am more interested in the power aspect, flappers, quiet ride are not important to me.....and buying an entirely new system to go 3" with no evidence its better than a 2.75" seems like a jump in faith. I am not sure anyone has dyno sheets that show other setups with more power, I think most are based on assumptions, and testing vs Corsa's 2.5 exhaust system.


If you want a quiet ride, and money no object go 3", but other than that not sure its worth the $ vs the Borla w/X-Pipe

[alwayscode390]

I always heard you can lose torque going 3" on a small block engine.

I think I am going to stay Borla with the x-pipe. I have an appointment for the exhaust shop on Monday ---

[FU]

Dump the Borla! Get an Xpipe to replace the resonator, then do DynoMax Ultra Flow or even the VT muffs for drone control.

:cheers: way too go !

[mike100]

If you have quiet mufflers, the X-pipe or H-pipe is the way to go. It doesn't get that much louder since the muffler is doing all the work. The stock resonators are terrible, but the magnaflow one is too fat and will scrape- plus it isn't even a true dual flow as it merges into one chamber.

[WARP TEN]

I think the Borla comments are alittle over reactive......once the resonator is removed the challenge systems has 2.75, bigger than most other exhaust systems. You can get a 3" SS X-PIPE on the challenge setup for a few hundred. The system is louder than most, but I am more interested in the power aspect, flappers, quiet ride are not important to me.....and buying an entirely new system to go 3" with no evidence its better than a 2.75" seems like a jump in faith. I am not sure anyone has dyno sheets that show other setups with more power, I think most are based on assumptions, and testing vs Corsa's 2.5 exhaust system.


FYI, here are a couple of links to Marc Haibeck's website regarding his dyno testing and evaluations of various exahust systems.

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/Tech%20Info/corsa%20vs%20b&b.htm

http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/A%20Review%20of%20ZR-1%20Exhaust%20Systems.pdf

[alwayscode390]

That was awesome, thanks for the links.

Haibeck says the Borla regular is 2.5" ... the Challenge system is 3"

The guy above says I have the Challenge system ... and claimed it to be 2 3/4". Does anyone know which is correct?

How can you spot the differences in the Borla Regular vs the Challenge, just the bigger diameter pipes?

Haibeck says the Borla without the resonator is a great setup ... sounds like a plan (easiest , cheapest, with good results ) ... I appreciate the help!!! :) ---

[GOLDCYLON]

That was awesome, thanks for the links.

Haibeck says the Borla regular is 2.5" ... the Challenge system is 3"

The guy above says I have the Challenge system ... and claimed it to be 2 3/4". Does anyone know which is correct?

How can you spot the differences in the Borla Regular vs the Challenge, just the bigger diameter pipes?

Haibeck says the Borla without the resonator is a great setup ... sounds like a plan (easiest , cheapest, with good results ) ... I appreciate the help!!! :) ---

Id still plumb in a 2.5 corsa resonator in there if your car is not a DD but if its just a weekend car go for it with the x pipe. I think resonance is going to be an issue for you. GC

[LGAFF]

Its 2.75.....I have it on my car

[alwayscode390]

Ok ... that's perfect , I was just double checking ... I will have the car in the air Monday anyway ... but thanks again :) ---

[LGAFF]

I note that Haibeck has the Borla system as a 10hp restriction, if you remove the resonator I would have to believe that you get most of the 10hp back, so the mufflers are not a flow issue as some have noted, just the resonator.

[alwayscode390]

I would have to say I got the same thing out of his studies. I love the sound and the tips ... makes the most sense to just modify this setup since its already installed too :) ---

[CJ_ZR1]

I would have to say I got the same thing out of his studies. I love the sound and the tips ... makes the most sense to just modify this setup since its already installed too :) ---

I have the same exhaust with x-pipe and coated Stainless Works headers. I believe mine is the regular 2.5" system. I love the look and sound of this exhaust. There is very little resonance with my setup.

I've run the random tech mid system for years and IMHO is a great bag for the price. All SS and Mandrel bent in your choice of size with or without cats.

http://www.randomtechnology.com/

My system is clamped now but either going to get local exhaust shop to weld whole system except to the headers or thinking about going with random tech mid system like Daniel suggests and adding electronic dumps :D

[alwayscode390]

Thanks for the heads up about the resonance. Luckily Im not TOO worried about the drone , it actually drones pretty good right now LOL ... compared to the Corsa exhaust on my Viper ---