ZL1 Exhaust Recommendations

BDivine76 · 07-24-2018, 09:18 AM

I'm looking for some input from people who have made changes to their exhaust. From days past I like the sound of Flowmaster exhaust, but they don't seem to be popular these days. I've seen comments about Corsa and Borla on the thread and I would like to know some of the pros/cons of each from other owners. Any thoughts/input is welcome.

Intimidator · 07-24-2018, 10:43 AM

I'll get crucified for this, but who cares.
I am old school and cannot stand the Exotic sounding exhausts...so for me that eliminated Borla, Corsa, and pretty much all the other exhausts on the market.
Luckily I waited for Flowmaster to put out their Outlaw line in a NPP option axle back.
One of my buddies got his first and with headers it sounds wonderful...ahhh, Deep Bass!
I didn't spend a day in it, but he says there is no noticeable drone(??), even if there is you can switch to a mellower sound if needed...I prefer to have my brain bleed when just cruising, so I'll probably just pull fuse 51 again until I'm going on a long trip.
My build is waiting on the Coated Kooks headers to arrive, then all the cats will be taken off, and an X and everything else will be installed. Hopefully in another week or so!

Jimabe · 07-24-2018, 12:01 PM

Obviously this is very subjective. Some love it loud, some not.
My main driver was extra hp, so went Kooks long tubes, no cats, among the other bolt on mods. Originally kept the stock muffler but hated the sound. Blatty, tinny and loud when NPP open. I then went to a CORSA axle back (no NPP). Sound quality better than stock muffler but LOUD as hell. Too loud for me. Looking to knock down the sound some how...maybe hi-flow resonators. Maybe something else...just don't hate it enough to go back to manifolds, cats, stock setup.

I would agree with INTIMIDATOR as well. The pitch from this car is high. Not the deep bass roar with "older" type engines/setups. Hardest part is that these cars are relatively new and there are fewer that tear into them and mod them right away so not many other cars local to hear the sound. Sound clips just don't capture it...

So back to the system i have, it doesn't drone, is fairly quiet at highway speeds/low throttle, but anything above 3K rpm, it's extremely loud and high pitched. Don't love the sound but maybe i'd like the deeper tone of the Flowmaster?...would have to hear one before i switch again.

BDivine76 · 07-24-2018, 12:08 PM

I'm definitely looking for more of the deeper "throaty" sound. I don't mind loud as long as it sounds good. I don't daily drive the car and leave the exhaust in track all the time anyway...that said, I agree with the observations above about the sound of the stock exhaust.

Jhunsberger · 07-24-2018, 12:14 PM

Although I do not have a ZL1, I do have a Whipple on my SS. the forced induction makes a difference with the exhaust sound. I deleted all my cats with everything stock, and like Jimabe mentions, it sounded awful, I hated it. So I did the Borla ATAK axle back with NPP (11925), mid & x pipe (60606) and swapped in their resonator (60608) in the mid pipe area. I am super pleased with it now, no drone, normal cruising you can barely hear it, moderate acceleration it growls pretty good, and it still screams pretty loud when you stand on it. https://youtu.be/l_QUOHdkb4k

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 07-24-2018, 01:02 PM

I run Corsa Xtreme 14784BLK with a Borla X Pipe 60606 that ditches the factory X pipe, crushed rear, and secondary cats. I love the setup. Cruises like stock, and I mean like stock. Zero drone. Very mellow below 3500 RPM or 50% throttle. You can literally control the volume with your foot and it's CRAZY predictable. Keep the throttle inputs mild and nobody would know. Put your foot past 50% and it opens up super predictably and SCREAMS. I love the setup. Deep growl at start up, pissed off roar at WOT, stock cruising. Amazing build quality and ease of installation too.

If I didn't go with Corsa, my next recommendation would definitely be a complete Borla system.

mdmoore23 · 07-24-2018, 01:53 PM

For you guys looking for a deeper, non tinny, raspy sound, the Kooks axleback delivers just that. I'm 100% satisfied. No npp, no problem. Borla and Corsa will not give the sound you want if you're looking for a deep growl. Be warned, with the deeper systems you will also have to tolerate some level of drone. It's worth it to me though. Check out my start up. Use earphones or bluetooth speaker to get the full effect.

https://youtu.be/LM8Rkb9na8k

EDFHOBBIES · 07-24-2018, 02:06 PM

1 car with headers and stock suitcase the other with headers and Borla ATAK.. neither have cats..

The borla is quieter in 6 gear just cruising it doesn't matter 1800 2200 or 3000 rpm if your not on the pedal more than 1/4 the borla is very nice and quiet in the cabin.. but, once you lay in to it, its extremely loud, cold starts are very loud.. but all can be changed with the valves if its not your cup of tea. But that doesn't mean the car behind you doesn't hear ya cuz when I follow my wife its loud! but inside you would never notice it really..

Stock w headers....I notice going up to Cfest at 2100 rpms about 81 mphs in 6th I had a vibration noise.. I thought it might be the tires so I kept up the speed and put in the clutch and it went away.. I also kicked the cruise up to 85 in the same gear and went to 5th at 81 the noise went away.. so not sure if its the headers orthe stock setup from the off road pipes back. I know it was very bothersome..

I know on the borla setup No weird stuff ever.. I'm holding out for the Carbon tips Borla Atak for the ZL1 vs making a SS fit..

I helped a friend install the Corsa we ran it with no muffles at all that sounded pretty good actually very similar to the Corsa he has just not as deep.. He later put on the Borla Xpipe and did a video of it with phastek the Blue Zl1 1LE..

I like the Corsa to just seemed like a lot for Axle back and no valves..

I have had 2 good friends complain of drone maybe something similar to what I'm experiencing with headers and stock muffler on their Complete Stainless Works setup.. but that was when the Zl1 1st came out maybe its fixed now.. I know its not as loud as the Corsa and Borla they complained about that to..

Flow master at idle sounds like boat exhaust bobbing up and down out of water to me just my opinion they seem ok wide open though..

I can't see how Borla sounds to exotic.. nothing will sound exotic with such long rods and big stroke in our motors that rev to 6500.

your right it seemed like the SS w blower amplified my ATAK system lol..

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 07-24-2018, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdmoore23

For you guys looking for a deeper, non tinny, raspy sound, the Kooks axleback delivers just that. I'm 100% satisfied. No npp, no problem. Borla and Corsa will not give the sound you want if you're looking for a deep growl. Be warned, with the deeper systems you will also have to tolerate some level of drone. It's worth it to me though. Check out my start up. Use earphones or bluetooth speaker to get the full effect.

https://youtu.be/LM8Rkb9na8k

I've been around LS/LT builds for a long time and know a lot of people and never knew anybody that took off an exhaust system because they didn't like it. Until now. I've seen 2 people take off the Kooks axle back. Just wayyyy too annoying, untuned, droney, and deep. Not trying to bash your setup because it sounds good I'm sure but just a fair warning. The people with the complete Kooks Headers/Mid Pipe/Axle Back setup seem to hate how it ends up sounding and put a Borla Axle back on.

Running it as just an axle back may be a different story...There seems to be zero R&D and work in the Kooks axle back, looks like just a pair of canisters welded onto some pipe with some tips...

EDFHOBBIES · 07-24-2018, 02:16 PM

FYI the phastek company car sounds very good with the MBRP and headers heard it last week before we went to cfest w them.. I think everyone will be quite surprised they have carbon tips in the works to.. its definitely something to check out and not pass over.. talk to Ricardo on FB Messenger tell him I sent ya..just say yellow bees lol

1LE Red Dragon · 07-24-2018, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDFHOBBIES

FYI the phastek company car sounds very good with the MBRP and headers heard it last week before we went to cfest w them.. I think everyone will be quite surprised they have carbon tips in the works to.. its definitely something to check out and not pass over.. talk to Ricardo on FB Messenger tell him I sent ya..just say yellow bees lol

MBRP has carbon fiber tips in the works???

mdmoore23 · 07-24-2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

I've been around LS/LT builds for a long time and know a lot of people and never knew anybody that took off an exhaust system because they didn't like it. Until now. I've seen 2 people take off the Kooks axle back. Just wayyyy too annoying, untuned, droney, and deep. Not trying to bash your setup because it sounds good I'm sure but just a fair warning. The people with the complete Kooks Headers/Mid Pipe/Axle Back setup seem to hate how it ends up sounding and put a Borla Axle back on.

Running it as just an axle back may be a different story...There seems to be zero R&D and work in the Kooks axle back, looks like just a pair of canisters welded onto some pipe with some tips...

I dont doubt that it would be an ear full paired with a cat delete, but all I have is the axleback. And it sounds better than any of the other stuff I've heard except maybe the GTHaus system, but that seems to be a unicorn. I simply just hate raspy, tinny exhaust notes, and Corsa AMD Borla have those attributes. Kooks absolutely does not in axleback only form. It doesn't matter to me how much R&D went into it because in my opinion it sounds better. So the fact that tuning went into the others and they can't tune out the rasp doesn't say a lot. Deep exhausts on LS/LT motors are gonna have some drone. That's just a part of the game. The Kooks axleback only is in no way excessive to my ears, but it seems a lot of people are exhaust note sensitive, so it's kinda subjective.

Stealth7 · 07-24-2018, 03:58 PM

Looking just for Exhaust for my A10 ZL1 just like OP.

My preference is NO Headers, NO Tune and NO delete of primary CATS so I can pass CA Smog and avoid exhaust smell in the cabin.

I understand that Corsa is working on a mid-X Pipe like the Borla. Not sure on mufflers with valves like Borla.

How do some of you like the following:

1. Deletion Secondary CATS/resonators;

2. Use of Borla Mid X-Pipe; and

3. Use of Corsa Axle Back or Borla Axle Back Mufflers?

Specifically looking for No CEL, better sound, no drone, some power and of course excellent sound.

Thanks, and hopefully OP is in somewhat the same situation so this will also be helpful to him.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 07-24-2018, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealth7

Looking just for Exhaust for my A10 ZL1 just like OP.

My preference is NO Headers, NO Tune and NO delete of primary CATS so I can pass CA Smog and avoid exhaust smell in the cabin.

I understand that Corsa is working on a mid-X Pipe like the Borla. Not sure on mufflers with valves like Borla.

How do some of you like the following:

1. Deletion Secondary CATS/resonators;

2. Use of Borla Mid X-Pipe; and

3. Use of Corsa Axle Back or Borla Axle Back Mufflers?

Specifically looking for No CEL, better sound, no drone, some power and of course excellent sound.

Thanks, and hopefully OP is in somewhat the same situation so this will also be helpful to him.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528893

1) Corsa doesn't make valved exhausts. Never have, and I'm going to go ahead and say, never will.
2) Very little HP to be gained with cat-backs and axle backs.
3) No CEL if secondary cats are deleted properly with an X Pipe (60606 Borla) or an exhaust shop with proper welds. They're unmonitored.
4) If no Drone is your goal, DO NOT use anything other than Corsa. Possibly Borla. I don't trust anybody else.
5) I run the Corsa Axle back, love it.
6) I also run the Borla X Pipe 60606 and love it paired with the Corsa.
7) Anything that's not a complete secondary cat-delete cat-back like my setup, is going to require you to cut the factory exhaust up.

07-24-2018, 09:18 AM	#1
BDivine76 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA Posts: 144 View My Garage	ZL1 Exhaust Recommendations I'm looking for some input from people who have made changes to their exhaust. From days past I like the sound of Flowmaster exhaust, but they don't seem to be popular these days. I've seen comments about Corsa and Borla on the thread and I would like to know some of the pros/cons of each from other owners. Any thoughts/input is welcome.

07-24-2018, 10:43 AM	#2
Intimidator Drives: 69 GTO, 05 GTO, 2018 Silver ZL1 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Springfield, OH Posts: 847	I'll get crucified for this, but who cares. I am old school and cannot stand the Exotic sounding exhausts...so for me that eliminated Borla, Corsa, and pretty much all the other exhausts on the market. Luckily I waited for Flowmaster to put out their Outlaw line in a NPP option axle back. One of my buddies got his first and with headers it sounds wonderful...ahhh, Deep Bass! I didn't spend a day in it, but he says there is no noticeable drone(??), even if there is you can switch to a mellower sound if needed...I prefer to have my brain bleed when just cruising, so I'll probably just pull fuse 51 again until I'm going on a long trip. My build is waiting on the Coated Kooks headers to arrive, then all the cats will be taken off, and an X and everything else will be installed. Hopefully in another week or so! Attached Images

07-24-2018, 12:14 PM	#5
Jhunsberger Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS M6 (SOLD) Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: 19518 Posts: 402	Although I do not have a ZL1, I do have a Whipple on my SS. the forced induction makes a difference with the exhaust sound. I deleted all my cats with everything stock, and like Jimabe mentions, it sounded awful, I hated it. So I did the Borla ATAK axle back with NPP (11925), mid & x pipe (60606) and swapped in their resonator (60608) in the mid pipe area. I am super pleased with it now, no drone, normal cruising you can barely hear it, moderate acceleration it growls pretty good, and it still screams pretty loud when you stand on it. https://youtu.be/l_QUOHdkb4k __________________ 2017 1SS M6 Hyper Blue Metallic NPP, MMR 228 Z/28 replica wheels, Front: 20 x 9, Rear 20 x 11 Stock: 416hp/427tq, 12.21 @ 116.80 Modified 02/2019: Whipple SC w/ 3.500 pulley, LT4 fueling, NW 103 TB, Roto-Fab Big Gulp, Kooks 2" jet coated, full Borla ATAK exhaust, DSS axles, Gforce driveshaft. Tuned by EFX Tuning 688hp/632tq Best 1/4 to date: 10.705 @ 131.92

07-24-2018, 02:06 PM	#8
EDFHOBBIES Dyno Show Queen LOL Drives: 16 SS & 17 ZL1 Both Yellow Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 4,354 View My Garage	1 car with headers and stock suitcase the other with headers and Borla ATAK.. neither have cats.. The borla is quieter in 6 gear just cruising it doesn't matter 1800 2200 or 3000 rpm if your not on the pedal more than 1/4 the borla is very nice and quiet in the cabin.. but, once you lay in to it, its extremely loud, cold starts are very loud.. but all can be changed with the valves if its not your cup of tea. But that doesn't mean the car behind you doesn't hear ya cuz when I follow my wife its loud! but inside you would never notice it really.. Stock w headers....I notice going up to Cfest at 2100 rpms about 81 mphs in 6th I had a vibration noise.. I thought it might be the tires so I kept up the speed and put in the clutch and it went away.. I also kicked the cruise up to 85 in the same gear and went to 5th at 81 the noise went away.. so not sure if its the headers orthe stock setup from the off road pipes back. I know it was very bothersome.. I know on the borla setup No weird stuff ever.. I'm holding out for the Carbon tips Borla Atak for the ZL1 vs making a SS fit.. I helped a friend install the Corsa we ran it with no muffles at all that sounded pretty good actually very similar to the Corsa he has just not as deep.. He later put on the Borla Xpipe and did a video of it with phastek the Blue Zl1 1LE.. I like the Corsa to just seemed like a lot for Axle back and no valves.. I have had 2 good friends complain of drone maybe something similar to what I'm experiencing with headers and stock muffler on their Complete Stainless Works setup.. but that was when the Zl1 1st came out maybe its fixed now.. I know its not as loud as the Corsa and Borla they complained about that to.. Flow master at idle sounds like boat exhaust bobbing up and down out of water to me just my opinion they seem ok wide open though.. I can't see how Borla sounds to exotic.. nothing will sound exotic with such long rods and big stroke in our motors that rev to 6500. your right it seemed like the SS w blower amplified my ATAK system lol.. __________________ Kong Ported 2650, Crawford Racing Port Injection, Weapon X 112mm Adapter, NW112mm TB, Livernois Ported LT4 Heads, Lingenfelter GT32 stealth cam, Haltech Elite, and Carbon by Trufiber

07-24-2018, 02:16 PM	#10
EDFHOBBIES Dyno Show Queen LOL Drives: 16 SS & 17 ZL1 Both Yellow Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 4,354 View My Garage	FYI the phastek company car sounds very good with the MBRP and headers heard it last week before we went to cfest w them.. I think everyone will be quite surprised they have carbon tips in the works to.. its definitely something to check out and not pass over.. talk to Ricardo on FB Messenger tell him I sent ya..just say yellow bees lol __________________ Kong Ported 2650, Crawford Racing Port Injection, Weapon X 112mm Adapter, NW112mm TB, Livernois Ported LT4 Heads, Lingenfelter GT32 stealth cam, Haltech Elite, and Carbon by Trufiber

07-24-2018, 12:01 PM	#3
Jimabe Drives: 2018 Red ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Spring grove IL Posts: 190	Obviously this is very subjective. Some love it loud, some not. My main driver was extra hp, so went Kooks long tubes, no cats, among the other bolt on mods. Originally kept the stock muffler but hated the sound. Blatty, tinny and loud when NPP open. I then went to a CORSA axle back (no NPP). Sound quality better than stock muffler but LOUD as hell. Too loud for me. Looking to knock down the sound some how...maybe hi-flow resonators. Maybe something else...just don't hate it enough to go back to manifolds, cats, stock setup. I would agree with INTIMIDATOR as well. The pitch from this car is high. Not the deep bass roar with "older" type engines/setups. Hardest part is that these cars are relatively new and there are fewer that tear into them and mod them right away so not many other cars local to hear the sound. Sound clips just don't capture it... So back to the system i have, it doesn't drone, is fairly quiet at highway speeds/low throttle, but anything above 3K rpm, it's extremely loud and high pitched. Don't love the sound but maybe i'd like the deeper tone of the Flowmaster?...would have to hear one before i switch again.

07-24-2018, 12:08 PM	#4
BDivine76 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CA Posts: 144 View My Garage	I'm definitely looking for more of the deeper "throaty" sound. I don't mind loud as long as it sounds good. I don't daily drive the car and leave the exhaust in track all the time anyway...that said, I agree with the observations above about the sound of the stock exhaust.

07-24-2018, 01:02 PM	#6
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	I run Corsa Xtreme 14784BLK with a Borla X Pipe 60606 that ditches the factory X pipe, crushed rear, and secondary cats. I love the setup. Cruises like stock, and I mean like stock. Zero drone. Very mellow below 3500 RPM or 50% throttle. You can literally control the volume with your foot and it's CRAZY predictable. Keep the throttle inputs mild and nobody would know. Put your foot past 50% and it opens up super predictably and SCREAMS. I love the setup. Deep growl at start up, pissed off roar at WOT, stock cruising. Amazing build quality and ease of installation too. If I didn't go with Corsa, my next recommendation would definitely be a complete Borla system.

07-24-2018, 01:53 PM	#7
mdmoore23 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Graniteville,SC Posts: 646	For you guys looking for a deeper, non tinny, raspy sound, the Kooks axleback delivers just that. I'm 100% satisfied. No npp, no problem. Borla and Corsa will not give the sound you want if you're looking for a deep growl. Be warned, with the deeper systems you will also have to tolerate some level of drone. It's worth it to me though. Check out my start up. Use earphones or bluetooth speaker to get the full effect. https://youtu.be/LM8Rkb9na8k

07-24-2018, 03:58 PM	#13
Stealth7 Drives: Gen V Viper GTS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 260	Looking just for Exhaust for my A10 ZL1 just like OP. My preference is NO Headers, NO Tune and NO delete of primary CATS so I can pass CA Smog and avoid exhaust smell in the cabin. I understand that Corsa is working on a mid-X Pipe like the Borla. Not sure on mufflers with valves like Borla. How do some of you like the following: 1. Deletion Secondary CATS/resonators; 2. Use of Borla Mid X-Pipe; and 3. Use of Corsa Axle Back or Borla Axle Back Mufflers? Specifically looking for No CEL, better sound, no drone, some power and of course excellent sound. Thanks, and hopefully OP is in somewhat the same situation so this will also be helpful to him.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password