High-flow cats and exhaust loudness - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SapperMac · 07-09-2019, 09:11 PM

This question has probably been asked hundreds of times already, but here goes. I have a 2010 2SS 6M. The only mods are bolt ons at this time. I have a Spectre CAI that was on it when I bought it. I added BBK shorty headers and a Flowmaster 3" cat-back exhaust. I still have the stock mid-pipes on there. It sounds nice, but is a little quieter than I would like. I don't want it to be crazy loud, just less tame than it sounds now. How much louder will it get if I install high-flow cats?

Clarkstar · 07-09-2019, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SapperMac

This question has probably been asked hundreds of times already, but here goes. I have a 2010 2SS 6M. The only mods are bolt ons at this time. I have a Spectre CAI that was on it when I bought it. I added BBK shorty headers and a Flowmaster 3" cat-back exhaust. I still have the stock mid-pipes on there. It sounds nice, but is a little quieter than I would like. I don't want it to be crazy loud, just less tame than it sounds now. How much louder will it get if I install high-flow cats?

Get long tubes and scrap the cats...

Chris49066SS · 07-09-2019, 09:51 PM

Oh you mean you don't want yours to sound like mine?
Haha

Long tube headers will be louder and aggressive.
High flow cats will manage the drone nicely and keep the rasp away (you know, what you hear a lot of when we cross paths on the street), but won't do anything too drastic in terms of volume. They will just give it that nice, refined tone (the thing I have none of)

It should sound real nice either way. I recommend long tubes and high flow cats and it should sound mean but still manageable. You should have no worries trying to go through Gate 3 lol. Going through Gate 6 is tense for me...

which is why I hardly ever take it to work.

pyroguy · 07-10-2019, 09:03 AM

It will get louder, but as others have said save your money and get a set of long tube headers and a tune.

However, if you're dead set on keeping the stock manifolds, check out DRKS1D3's videos. He has posted plenty of videos of his '11 SS with and without shorty headers and high flow cats through a Flowmaster exhaust.

Iron Lung Jimmy · 07-10-2019, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SapperMac

This question has probably been asked hundreds of times already, but here goes. I have a 2010 2SS 6M. The only mods are bolt ons at this time. I have a Spectre CAI that was on it when I bought it. I added BBK shorty headers and a Flowmaster 3" cat-back exhaust. I still have the stock mid-pipes on there. It sounds nice, but is a little quieter than I would like. I don't want it to be crazy loud, just less tame than it sounds now. How much louder will it get if I install high-flow cats?

A set of high flow cats will get you the sound you want.

I went from stock exhaust to stock exhaust with high flow cats... it sounded great.

Then the stock mufflers started rattling so I put on a Solo cat back. Louder and, once I got used to it, better.

Then I put on long tubes and, quite frankly, the sound didn't change that much. More power, to be sure, but not a big change in exhaust note.

VR Baron · 07-11-2019, 07:01 AM

Hiflows will be a a noticeable louder when getting on the gas. When cruise with a 3” catback They will be a bit louder, a bit more base sound but not bad.
Dynoed mine, made 10 peak tq and 15 peak hp. Average accross the range was 11 hp. Your shortys made 9-10. My peak hp with both was 20. Atune added 12 more.
Enjoy!

OmniCamaro · 07-13-2019, 07:18 PM

In my own personal experience, LT headers, complete 2.5” no cats from there: for me it was definitely loud enough, which I wanted, but the tone was too high. I just recently put HF cats in and it cleaned it up a lot. Still loud but not ear piercing loud.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

mpsgolf · 07-13-2019, 08:51 PM

I have a 2012 SS with shorty headers and a SW Retro cat back. The factory exhaust was too quiet for me - it did not sound like a muscle car should. I like the sound it has now. A deeper rumble and louder but not too loud either outside or driving. Admittedly I may not like really loud exhausts as much as some.

I had Solo high flow cats also for a while. They were louder but mostly I didn't like the tone. It was a raspier tone and at some RPMs it had a bit of drone I didn't like either. I didn't get the low deep rumble I was looking for. Lots of people love them though.

VR Baron · 07-13-2019, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

I have a 2012 SS with shorty headers and a SW Retro cat back. The factory exhaust was too quiet for me - it did not sound like a muscle car should. I like the sound it has now. A deeper rumble and louder but not too loud either outside or driving. Admittedly I may not like really loud exhausts as much as some.

I had Solo high flow cats also for a while. They were louder but mostly I didn't like the tone. It was a raspier tone and at some RPMs it had a bit of drone I didn't like either. I didn't get the low deep rumble I was looking for. Lots of people love them though.

I agree. My shortys and 3” magnaflow competition catback probably sounds close to yours. Nice deep rumble. The small cam helps a bit too

SapperMac · 07-29-2019, 11:29 PM

Well, the JBA high-flow cats have been on for just over a week now, and I absolutely love the sound of this thing. I know a lot of you guys suggest long tubes, but when I installed the BBK shorties, my thought process was that still being in the Army, I don't know where I might get sent next. I wanted headers, but wanted to keep the ability to be "emissions legal". So I went with the shorty headers. Now, the high-flow cats are no good in say New York or California, but I kept the stock cats in the event I need to swap them back in to pass an emissions test. Anyway, the combination of the shorty headers, high-flow cats, and the Flowmaster 3" cat-back gave it the deep tone I was looking for while still being able to cruise through the neighborhood at zero dark thirty without upsetting the neighbors. The other pluses I have noticed are slightly better gas mileage and a bit snappier feeling when you get into the go pedal.

Chris49066SS · 07-30-2019, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SapperMac

Well, the JBA high-flow cats have been on for just over a week now, and I absolutely love the sound of this thing. I know a lot of you guys suggest long tubes, but when I installed the BBK shorties, my thought process was that still being in the Army, I don't know where I might get sent next. I wanted headers, but wanted to keep the ability to be "emissions legal". So I went with the shorty headers. Now, the high-flow cats are no good in say New York or California, but I kept the stock cats in the event I need to swap them back in to pass an emissions test. Anyway, the combination of the shorty headers, high-flow cats, and the Flowmaster 3" cat-back gave it the deep tone I was looking for while still being able to cruise through the neighborhood at zero dark thirty without upsetting the neighbors. The other pluses I have noticed are slightly better gas mileage and a bit snappier feeling when you get into the go pedal.

Good deal. I should've kept my cats around for that reason too. I never drive it to PT anymore out of courtesy for the neighbors.

mpsgolf · 07-30-2019, 08:10 AM

Glad you hot what you wanted! I went shortys for same reason as you - emission inspections where I live.

pyroguy · 07-30-2019, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpsgolf

Glad you hot what you wanted! I went shortys for same reason as you - emission inspections where I live.

St. Louis will pass you with long tube headers. I'm in St. Charles County (emissions

) and I passed with mine.

Juiced1 · 07-30-2019, 09:26 AM

I would say ditch the shorties and go with long tubes. The power just isn't there with shorty headers. If you aren't after power a set of high flow cats will increase the volume. It won't be the biggest difference but it is very noticeable.

07-09-2019, 09:11 PM	#1
SapperMac Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 19 View My Garage	High-flow cats and exhaust loudness This question has probably been asked hundreds of times already, but here goes. I have a 2010 2SS 6M. The only mods are bolt ons at this time. I have a Spectre CAI that was on it when I bought it. I added BBK shorty headers and a Flowmaster 3" cat-back exhaust. I still have the stock mid-pipes on there. It sounds nice, but is a little quieter than I would like. I don't want it to be crazy loud, just less tame than it sounds now. How much louder will it get if I install high-flow cats?

07-09-2019, 09:51 PM	#3
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	Oh you mean you don't want yours to sound like mine? Haha Long tube headers will be louder and aggressive. High flow cats will manage the drone nicely and keep the rasp away (you know, what you hear a lot of when we cross paths on the street), but won't do anything too drastic in terms of volume. They will just give it that nice, refined tone (the thing I have none of) It should sound real nice either way. I recommend long tubes and high flow cats and it should sound mean but still manageable. You should have no worries trying to go through Gate 3 lol. Going through Gate 6 is tense for me... which is why I hardly ever take it to work. Attached Images __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

07-10-2019, 09:03 AM	#4
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,919 View My Garage	It will get louder, but as others have said save your money and get a set of long tube headers and a tune. However, if you're dead set on keeping the stock manifolds, check out DRKS1D3's videos. He has posted plenty of videos of his '11 SS with and without shorty headers and high flow cats through a Flowmaster exhaust. __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

07-13-2019, 07:18 PM	#7
OmniCamaro US Veteran Drives: 2011 Silver Ice Metallic 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bossier City, La Posts: 1,407	High-flow cats and exhaust loudness In my own personal experience, LT headers, complete 2.5” no cats from there: for me it was definitely loud enough, which I wanted, but the tone was too high. I just recently put HF cats in and it cleaned it up a lot. Still loud but not ear piercing loud. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk __________________ *Dear Lord, give me the strength to carry on despite my Camaro addiction!* JRE iTSX tune, full cat-less Dynatech exhaust, CAI intake, Stillen Slotted/Drilled Rotors, RB braided brake lines, BMR lowering springs, (reserved for definite future MODS)

07-13-2019, 08:51 PM	#8
mpsgolf Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: St Louis Missouri Posts: 501	I have a 2012 SS with shorty headers and a SW Retro cat back. The factory exhaust was too quiet for me - it did not sound like a muscle car should. I like the sound it has now. A deeper rumble and louder but not too loud either outside or driving. Admittedly I may not like really loud exhausts as much as some. I had Solo high flow cats also for a while. They were louder but mostly I didn't like the tone. It was a raspier tone and at some RPMs it had a bit of drone I didn't like either. I didn't get the low deep rumble I was looking for. Lots of people love them though. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Mods: trunk subwoofer and amp, LED lighting (fogs, interior, trunk), skip shift eliminator, CAI cold air kit, Vmax ported throttle body, Stainless Works retro chambered cat back, JBA Cat4ward SS ceramic coated headers Potential Next Mods: Tune, F&R sway bars, rear cradle bushing inserts and trailing arms

07-11-2019, 07:01 AM	#6
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,288	Hiflows will be a a noticeable louder when getting on the gas. When cruise with a 3” catback They will be a bit louder, a bit more base sound but not bad. Dynoed mine, made 10 peak tq and 15 peak hp. Average accross the range was 11 hp. Your shortys made 9-10. My peak hp with both was 20. Atune added 12 more. Enjoy!

07-29-2019, 11:29 PM	#10
SapperMac Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS M6 Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 19 View My Garage	Well, the JBA high-flow cats have been on for just over a week now, and I absolutely love the sound of this thing. I know a lot of you guys suggest long tubes, but when I installed the BBK shorties, my thought process was that still being in the Army, I don't know where I might get sent next. I wanted headers, but wanted to keep the ability to be "emissions legal". So I went with the shorty headers. Now, the high-flow cats are no good in say New York or California, but I kept the stock cats in the event I need to swap them back in to pass an emissions test. Anyway, the combination of the shorty headers, high-flow cats, and the Flowmaster 3" cat-back gave it the deep tone I was looking for while still being able to cruise through the neighborhood at zero dark thirty without upsetting the neighbors. The other pluses I have noticed are slightly better gas mileage and a bit snappier feeling when you get into the go pedal.

07-30-2019, 08:10 AM	#12
mpsgolf Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: St Louis Missouri Posts: 501	Glad you hot what you wanted! I went shortys for same reason as you - emission inspections where I live. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS Transformer Mods: trunk subwoofer and amp, LED lighting (fogs, interior, trunk), skip shift eliminator, CAI cold air kit, Vmax ported throttle body, Stainless Works retro chambered cat back, JBA Cat4ward SS ceramic coated headers Potential Next Mods: Tune, F&R sway bars, rear cradle bushing inserts and trailing arms

07-30-2019, 09:26 AM	#14
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,663	I would say ditch the shorties and go with long tubes. The power just isn't there with shorty headers. If you aren't after power a set of high flow cats will increase the volume. It won't be the biggest difference but it is very noticeable.