Exhaust doubts

[MikeWest]

Hi Guys,

I can't make up my mind. My Z still has the factory exhaust and after driving a road tour weekend last week I really decided I want to go for an exhaust upgrade...more sound, performance and experience.

Now I checked some options own Corvette Central and you tube, but I only find the Corsa and BB option.

Do you guys have any other suggestions?

And any advise you can give me based on your experiences?

Appreciate it!

Rgds,

Mike

[WARP TEN]

Hi Guys,

I can't make up my mind. My Z still has the factory exhaust and after driving a road tour weekend last week I really decided I want to go for an exhaust upgrade...more sound, performance and experience.

Now I checked some options own Corvette Central and you tube, but I only find the Corsa and BB option.

Do you guys have any other suggestions?

And any advise you can give me based on your experiences?

Appreciate it!

Rgds,

Mike

OK, I'll give it a go. I have posted here and on other ZR-1 forums quite a few times on this so other readers may be bored with my musings. But here goes: In the '90s I did a lot of research on aftermarket exhaust systems, owning and testing about half a dozen brands on my '93, and I wrote about them in early ZR-1 publications, so my info is a bit (!) out of date. However overall I found that the best system at the time was the Corsa system for its sound, performance and lack of resonance (drone). They are still good systems but I am sure over the years other manufacturers have improved on their control of resonance and improved the horsepower increases one could expect to achieve with them. Others can chime in on their experience with some of the newer systems, and Marc Haibeck's website discusses some as well ina 2011 presentation (http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/A%20Review%20of%20ZR-1%20Exhaust%20Systems.pdf). On both my '93 and my '95 I had Corsas for many years and was happy with them. However in my old age I began to tire of the constant loudness of the aftermarket exhaust and so on my '95 I eventually went back to my stock system with QTP electric cutouts. I decided that that was the setup I really liked the best. It had a stock look and the later ('93-'95) stock systems had less restriction in the resonators than the early ones. Stock quiet most of the time and adjustable to have either a nice rumble to a wide open straight exhaust to scare children and set off car alarms. Marc Haibeck did the install and I had him locate the cutouts right in front of the rear mufflers so I could preserve my spare tire carrier (Marc normally likes to eliminate the tire carrier and put the cutouts there). I hid a rocker switch under the carpet on the passenger side of the console to operate them. Not everyone's cup of tea but I liked it. Here are a couple of pictures; there are more in my albums section. BTW, with my 2016 Z06 I now have a similar setup with its adjustable exhaust valves for different sound levels.--Bob

[CamP]

I prefer Corsa. No drone and fairly quiet at cruise. Loud at wide open throttle.

[Shizap]

I have stock mufflers with aftermarket headers and the resonator deleted. There is no drone, and it is quite a bit louder than factory without being too obnoxious.

[dredgeguy]

Stainless Works headers with their cats and Corsa is a great combo, great sound with no drone.

[Norwegianmopar]

We have Watson headers and Corsa exhaust on our 94 and I love the sound. Deep rumble at lower rpm's and it screams at wot. It gets a lot of attention everywhere we go, both because of the sound and the Admiral Blue color.182391824018241

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[tgonyaw]

I have Corsa on my 91. All the comments are true. No drone, more performance per Marc Haibeck.

Just sounds like a happy car going down the road!!

[Matt B]

Is it known how much HP are added to a stock setup by a Corsa?

[CamP]

Is it known how much HP are added to a stock setup by a Corsa?

Not enough to feel, but it sounds good!

For more power, it compliments top end porting and headers.

[1977CamaroZ28]

Good morning! I have OBX installed by last owner previous to me and I'm happy with it. Headers and complete exhaust line from OBX. Deep sound in comparison with sotck and no drone. It's a middle point, approximately, between stock and Corsa (refering to sound).

But, if I will change in future... Corsa. With no doubt.

[MikeWest]

Thx guys, appreciate your input so far!

[Karl]

Thx guys, appreciate your input so far!


Lots of options......if you want to minimize your cost then I say use a '96 LT4 car exhaust (2 3/4") and replace the resonator with an x pipe and swap on a set of headers.

If no budget then b&b 3" with the adjustable muffler and a matching header.

[Absentninetimes]

My car came with Billy Boat already on it and it sounds great. Downside is the drone in 6th gear is borderline unbearable.

Sounds like Corsa is the clear winner.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

Hi Guys,



I can't make up my mind. My Z still has the factory exhaust and after driving a road tour weekend last week I really decided I want to go for an exhaust upgrade...more sound, performance and experience.



Now I checked some options own Corvette Central and you tube, but I only find the Corsa and BB option.



Do you guys have any other suggestions?



And any advise you can give me based on your experiences?



Appreciate it!



Rgds,



Mike


My recommendation is whatever you do try to hear it in person and get a ride too if possible. Don?t go by video sound or what people tell you. I know that is difficult, but if the timing and opportunity is right, that is the best way. I almost pulled the trigger on a Corsa until I heard it in person. Many love it, but it?s not for me. I had my own put together (replaced resonator and mufflers) because of the lack of options.

I didn?t see you mention SW. I?ve heard good things about Stainless Works system, but no first hand experience.

https://stainlessworks.net/exhaust-1990-corvette/



Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

[JT ZR-Won]

I have noticed a lot of folks mentioning drone with the B&B systems. My '90 has full length headers into a B&B system that sounds incredible, but has no drone sound at all. Are there different B&B systems out there?

A buddy of mine a long time ago had a '95 with a B&B system and I remember the drone sound he had at a very low RPM.

Jay

[Mr.Yuck]

The search for the perfect exhaust will never end. I've tried them all and settled on the 3 inch B&B Fusion system with the X-pipe. I upted out of the B&B mufflers with the dump valves integrated into them because it still causes a restriction and they run a old school vacuum operated set up.. So I Fabricated my own dump valves that come straight out of the rear pipes with no restrictions.. If it's not enhancing your performance you're just making noise......1825118252

The older I get the faster I was.

[HAWAIIZR-1]

I have noticed a lot of folks mentioning drone with the B&B systems. My '90 has full length headers into a B&B system that sounds incredible, but has no drone sound at all. Are there different B&B systems out there?



A buddy of mine a long time ago had a '95 with a B&B system and I remember the drone sound he had at a very low RPM.



Jay



Here is info from Marc:

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


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[MikeWest]

Thx for sharing, love your setup. Question though - on slide 14 there are other headers, what type/brand are these?

Sorry for asking these questions, but in Europe there is not a lot of knowhow on this topic to collect for me.

Rgds

Mike

OK, I'll give it a go. I have posted here and on other ZR-1 forums quite a few times on this so other readers may be bored with my musings. But here goes: In the '90s I did a lot of research on aftermarket exhaust systems, owning and testing about half a dozen brands on my '93, and I wrote about them in early ZR-1 publications, so my info is a bit (!) out of date. However overall I found that the best system at the time was the Corsa system for its sound, performance and lack of resonance (drone). They are still good systems but I am sure over the years other manufacturers have improved on their control of resonance and improved the horsepower increases one could expect to achieve with them. Others can chime in on their experience with some of the newer systems, and Marc Haibeck's website discusses some as well ina 2011 presentation (http://www.zr1specialist.com/HAT%20Web/presentations/A%20Review%20of%20ZR-1%20Exhaust%20Systems.pdf). On both my '93 and my '95 I had Corsas for many years and was happy with them. However in my old age I began to tire of the constant loudness of the aftermarket exhaust and so on my '95 I eventually went back to my stock system with QTP electric cutouts. I decided that that was the setup I really liked the best. It had a stock look and the later ('93-'95) stock systems had less restriction in the resonators than the early ones. Stock quiet most of the time and adjustable to have either a nice rumble to a wide open straight exhaust to scare children and set off car alarms. Marc Haibeck did the install and I had him locate the cutouts right in front of the rear mufflers so I could preserve my spare tire carrier (Marc normally likes to eliminate the tire carrier and put the cutouts there). I hid a rocker switch under the carpet on the passenger side of the console to operate them. Not everyone's cup of tea but I liked it. Here are a couple of pictures; there are more in my albums section. BTW, with my 2016 Z06 I now have a similar setup with its adjustable exhaust valves for different sound levels.--Bob

[MikeWest]

Hi,

There is no budget constraint on this one. We are pulling the engine, so the right moment to upgrade from stock to something which really makes you feed and experience the LT-5.

Which header would you match with the B&B 3? ?

Rgds

Mike



Lots of options......if you want to minimize your cost then I say use a '96 LT4 car exhaust (2 3/4") and replace the resonator with an x pipe and swap on a set of headers.

If no budget then b&b 3" with the adjustable muffler and a matching header.

[WARP TEN]

Thx for sharing, love your setup. Question though - on slide 14 there are other headers, what type/brand are these?

Sorry for asking these questions, but in Europe there is not a lot of knowhow on this topic to collect for me.

Rgds

Mike

Hi Mike--Questions are always great to ask. Not sure we can always give the answers. I did not quite understand your note about "Slide 14". My '95 ZR-1 had a set of Stainless Works headers installed by Marc, no catalytic converters, and then it attached to the stock '95 exhaust system to which I afixed the cutouts in front of the rear mufflers. So he attached the SS headers directly to the stock exhaust. Hope that helps but if you have other questions please ask away. --Bob

[Karl]

Hi,

There is no budget constraint on this one. We are pulling the engine, so the right moment to upgrade from stock to something which really makes you feed and experience the LT-5.

Which header would you match with the B&B 3? ?

Rgds

Mike

OBX or stainless works 2" header. I would get either jet hot coated.

[Mr Blue]

I went with coated headers, MagnaFlow cats and MagnaFlow catback designed for LT1&LT4. I don't know if it had any effect on power, but I love the sound. It does have a slight bit of drone at cruise, but it's not overbearing. A nice rumble at idle, and roars at WOT.


David