Exhaust doubts - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

MikeWest · 07-16-2022

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 · 07-16-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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 out of date.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%20W...%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 · 07-16-2022

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

Shizap · 07-16-2022

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 · 07-17-2022

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

Norwegianmopar · 07-17-2022

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.20210907_123857.jpg 20210907_123840.jpg 20210907_123929.jpg

Sent from my SM-G955F using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app

tgonyaw · 07-17-2022

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 · 07-17-2022

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

CamP · 07-17-2022

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt B

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 · 07-18-2022

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.

07-16-2022	#1
MikeWest Join Date: May 2021 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 6	Exhaust doubts 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

07-16-2022	#3
CamP Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: fort worth Posts: 183	Re: Exhaust doubts I prefer Corsa. No drone and fairly quiet at cruise. Loud at wide open throttle.

07-16-2022	#4
Shizap Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Coweta, Georgia Posts: 53	Re: Exhaust doubts 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.

07-17-2022	#5
dredgeguy Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 1,722	Re: Exhaust doubts Stainless Works headers with their cats and Corsa is a great combo, great sound with no drone. __________________ Charlie __________ Dredgeguy WAZOO Member 1992 Bright Red/Black ZR1 #246 Dana 4:10 gears Polished LT5 by Haibeck Polished Fikse FM5's with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Stainless Works headers and cats with Corsa

07-17-2022	#6
Norwegianmopar Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Norway Posts: 346	Re: Exhaust doubts 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.20210907_123857.jpg 20210907_123840.jpg 20210907_123929.jpg Sent from my SM-G955F using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app __________________ Roy Martin 1994 ZR-1 #112 Admiral Blue/Black Dana 4:10 Aluminum flywheel Corsa exhaust Watson headers Haibeck chip 470 HP/399 RWHP 1991 ZR-1 #400 White/Red (SOLD) Dana 4:10 Powder coated engine Haibeck performance chip Borla exhaust

07-17-2022	#7
tgonyaw Join Date: May 2018 Location: VA Posts: 204	Re: Exhaust doubts 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!!

07-17-2022	#8
Matt B Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Beautiful Bavaria Posts: 522	Re: Exhaust doubts Is it known how much HP are added to a stock setup by a Corsa? __________________ ZR-1 #638/1991

07-18-2022	#10
1977CamaroZ28 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Jerica - SPAIN Posts: 316	Re: Exhaust doubts 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. __________________ 1.990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 #2342 - Black/Black - March 1.990 - OBX Headers and OBX complete Exhaust Line (No Cats). K&N Air Filter with open Air Box. Jerry's Gaskets Silicone Air Duct. DeWitts Two Row Pro Series Radiator. Samco's Hose Coolant Kit. ECM/EPROM Improved. MSD Spark Plug Wires 8,5mm Super Conductor. EBC Brakes YellowStuff with EBC D-Series Rotors and Raybestos hoses. Last edited by 1977CamaroZ28; 07-18-2022 at 04:07 AM.