[Sara/AWE]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

I am impatiently waiting on that CT5-V Blackwing system. If it's not released soon, I may have to go with Corsa which wasn't my first choice, but it's been available for quite some time.

Trust me I wish it was out already too, but like I said before, the valve behavior was vastly different than we were anticipating so it required more testing and prototyping of the system.

The development team won't rush for me or anyone else so some projects take a few weeks and some take several months to a year of testing. When it comes down to it, the end result is worth it.

We will be posting in the Cadillac forums when we are about to release, or you can sign up to be notified directly via email here.

[Sara/AWE]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

Last email I got from David said:

"Just heard back from AWE and I wanted to share with you that we are making big steps to getting this exhaust system into full production!"

So who knows.....maybe the sponsors on here aren't communicating with Dave?




And just to add, this statement alone just shows how AWE isn't paying attention to the Camaro community. This is always their response whenever a valved version is brought up. EVERYONE feels the Touring Edition is too loud after adding headers.

Chalking it up to miscommunication between our sales team and OP, I don't believe our team made it clear enough to him that we are not developing the system at this time, I think they were more excited by his custom build (they sold him part of a CT4-V system) and enjoyed talking with him about it and its potential.

I read and respond to all of the comments so yes I have been reading that folks want more than the Touring, but we have not had a way to quantify that until we made the new product request form. I try to plug it as much as I can to ensure everyone gets counted, because to get things done we need backing to justify the R&D cost of a new system design, which I am sure anyone in manufacturing understands.

To clarify my comment that you highlighted as it seems the point was missed, I was curious if a track specifically told OP that his Touring was too loud and if they set parameters for his car as that is not something I have seen specifically with our Camaro Touring system. Asking for more info so I can understand the full picture if/when they ask what exactly is needed out of another system I have a good answer for them.

[Smokin19]

Originally Posted by Sara/AWE

Chalking it up to miscommunication between our sales team and OP, I don't believe our team made it clear enough to him that we are not developing the system at this time, I think they were more excited by his custom build (they sold him part of a CT4-V system) and enjoyed talking with him about it and its potential.

I read and respond to all of the comments so yes I have been reading that folks want more than the Touring, but we have not had a way to quantify that until we made the new product request form. I try to plug it as much as I can to ensure everyone gets counted, because to get things done we need backing to justify the R&D cost of a new system design, which I am sure anyone in manufacturing understands.

To clarify my comment that you highlighted as it seems the point was missed, I was curious if a track specifically told OP that his Touring was too loud and if they set parameters for his car as that is not something I have seen specifically with our Camaro Touring system. Asking for more info so I can understand the full picture if/when they ask what exactly is needed out of another system I have a good answer for them.

I am posting a link of my camaro with your Touring axle back mufflers. They sound great at ildle and I really liked hearing the chop of the cam. Unfortunately when out on the road they were extremely loud. I double sound insulated the entire back of the car and it was still too loud. Ended up removing and going back to the stock muffler. The issue is with build high HP Camaros and headers it is too loud, hence wanting NPP. Thank you for taking the time to listen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5-SbXr...u.be#searching

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

Originally Posted by Sara/AWE

Hey David,

That was precisely why I wanted to jump in as I saw there was a miscommunication between one of our sales team (John) and yourself about whether we are in R&D on a new Camaro system.

Every project, even ones that seem "easy" or straightforward need to be fully vetted, tested, and put through our R&D process internally at our headquarters. We don't skip steps so we can be proud of what we produce here, but that does mean these things take time and have to go through the proper channels.

What I also want to be clear about is that I am not saying we are *never* coming out with another option, but the facts of the situation is that we are not in R&D on a new system for Camaro and it is not on the list at this current moment in time. Being able to show interest from actual members of the community (yourselves) through the new product request form is the fastest/easiest way to change that, but we will need to show significant interest to get a project approved.

Not discounting the great setup you custom made from our components, it is certainly impressive, just trying to be clear about what is going on so we can be transparent with the community.

I am sure you already know our Touring edition has 180 tech resonators to cancel drone, but your comments about volume I did want to dive deeper. Have tracks told you that even the Touring Edition is too loud for competiton? Does anyone feel the Touring Edition is too loud and are looking for another option with less volume?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Z OH 6 View Post
I am impatiently waiting on that CT5-V Blackwing system. If it's not released soon, I may have to go with Corsa which wasn't my first choice, but it's been available for quite some time.

Trust me I wish it was out already too, but like I said before, the valve behavior was vastly different than we were anticipating so it required more testing and prototyping of the system.

To clarify my comment that you highlighted as it seems the point was missed, I was curious if a track specifically told OP that his Touring was too loud and if they set parameters for his car as that is not something I have seen specifically with our Camaro Touring system. Asking for more info so I can understand the full picture if/when they ask what exactly is needed out of another system I have a good answer for them.

-Sara

Hey Everyone!!!

My apologies for not chiming in all week since before Turkey Day... had food coma and then lost several friends in Florida this weekend due to a boating accident. I've had no desire to be online with people using comments to flame wars and texts from people who have no connection to the incident, "hey... did you hear?" by others not truly in our circle. Being online is not been on my list of spending time relaxing with my better-half.

I will say it has been nice driving my ZLE on a 1600+mile RoadTrip with zero driving fatigue a day after pulling it out of the trailer post-track weekend at Road Atlanta, swapping the wheels for street tires and spinning the front strut mounts for street camber FTW! Best MPGs were yesterday in I-95N traffic from Palatka, Florida to Tybee Island Gawja at 24.4mpg!!

So allow me to address what seems to be the elephant in the thread. I have never said this system was a done deal, asked for someone to buy it nor inferred that it was ready or in any stage of such. I have maintained that I have developed under the guidance of to my understanding, a Salesman who has been there for quite a while and knows how the Sausage is Made as I just got off the phone with him moments before logging in to type this response. I have said to many people, I am building it on my dime, bought all the parts, realized the high quality of the AWE components and even in my videos shared the link so people can request it to be considered, not as a guarantee of it actually happening. I am essentially doing the "proof of concept" on my dime, sharing the results so you will know where this influx of requests are originating from and THEY ARE VALID!

As for the AWE Touring system... its still too loud. When you have a 2" primary Header with a merging 3" collector and no kitties, she gonna be loud (use a Forrest Gump Voice)! The 180-tech resonators are simply a single perforated tube which allows flow and expansion in both directions... the 180-tech system does not merge the two exhaust banks to further cancel sub/supersonic wavelengths of sound before they reach a megaphone of an exhaust tip. SO... does AWE make a 3"-ID 4"-OD tip..???

I can and have been offering since June-ish... to do all the hard work by prototyping your parts on my car. I have offered to deliver my car and leave it with your R&D team over the next few months while I focus on our Yacht build, since I will not be able to go track much in Jan/Feb. The CT4 & CT5 use the exact same spring loaded valve actuators as do all the performance Cadillac products. These Caddy valve actuators are far more robust than the ZL1 offering. The AWE Caddy-Valves use a much larger 3"-ID butterfly with a truly badass shaft support bearing and it is by far one of the nicest welded components for an exhaust system I have seen. KUDOS to AWE! As you can see by the attached photos to this thread, the GMParts Online for this actuator is nearly half the price of the junk ZL1 part, partly due to the fact of Cadillacs are still in production. This actuator requires a stainless spring that is also offered on every Hellcat, and sold on Amazon. The best part... my kit that I built from the CT4 components came with the extension harnesses to make it Plug-N-Play. And it plays NICE!!

There are several tracks that I LOVE to visit and the issues with going to Barber Motorsports Park or AMP, Road Atlanta (My Home Track) and even CMP nearby my house at a 45min drive all have noise limits on Sundays. When spending $2-3K per trackday weekend in travel, entry fees and insurance... losing a session or two really cuts into the value that has now been offset by the merging of the exhaust system in the Switchpath crossflow muffler. Even my OEM NPP suitcase was too loud at some tracks with the system I have.

My hope is that we can all work together as I have four ZLEs at my shop, each one needs this AWE Switchpath system Axle-Back in a kit.

And Sara... THANKS for being a part of such a great company!!

[ZL1_1LE]

Originally Posted by Patriot Motorsports USA

I have never said this system was a done deal, asked for someone to buy it nor inferred that it was ready or in any stage of such.

Umm what? Your email said:

"AWE and I wanted to share with you that we are making big steps to getting this exhaust system into full production!"



Just my .02 but coming from a sponsor advertising, I'd suggest not implying such things via email that aren't true, especially when it comes to a valved AWE system that AWE doesn't know anyone wants lol....

Either way I've done my part and signed up with every email address I own on their "request form"

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

Umm what? Your email said:

"AWE and I wanted to share with you that we are making big steps to getting this exhaust system into full production!"



Just my .02 but coming from a sponsor advertising, I'd suggest not implying such things via email that aren't true, especially when it comes to a valved AWE system that AWE doesn't know anyone wants lol....

Either way I've done my part and signed up with every email address I own on their "request form"

I would reflect the same sentiment from the contact that I have been talking with and spoke with again BEFORE typing out the previous post. Great steps have been made... I was also sharing the enthusiasm from stated source that this was looking very positive. As the TITLE OF THE THREAD says... "I prototyped an AWE Switchpath Exhaust on my ZLE!" and I did such as an individual not a site sponsor.

• The first STEP was to see if it was feasible and the existing parts would fit without much modification to the existing setup.
  
• The next step was ordering the parts and paying for them.
  
• Installation
  
• Documentation and sending the photos of the modifications to AWE to make this system fit.
  
• Street & Track Testing
  
• Public feedback through emails and their linked portal.

So yes... GREAT STEPS have been made and I am feeling optimistic as I have the right to be. It sounds insane and yet makes virtually zero sound in the car while cruising comfortably on the freeway and around town.

I also find it interesting there are 3-4 AWE Accounts on this platform, two of which advertise products without paying the vendor fee.

Sara questioned the validity of my interaction with AWE's most senior product specialist who has been with the company for 20-years when only a year ago she stated not being "in sales." That's fine, but I proactively sent her a DM sharing my position upon discovering someone from AWE offering product support for the first time in months after I have shared several posts/threads on the subject.

Every time I work on my car, I am losing money that could be made by finishing one of the several ZLEs in my shop or building the custom parts I sell to others. Building my AWE component system was for my benefit and I did so because my continued conversations with John lead me to believe this company CARES about the Camaro Community. In our conversation from yesterday, I still believe and have faith through everyone's input... they will see the desire to make this happen. Only those who want this system can make it happen now. I did my part.

[ZL1_1LE]

They tend to only show up around "black Friday" sales as well as "4th of July".....then of course someone chimes in about wanting a valved system, they tell us to fill out the form......then they disappear for another year.

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

They tend to only show up around "black Friday" sales as well as "4th of July".....then of course someone chimes in about wanting a valved system, they tell us to fill out the form......then they disappear for another year.

I guess that would make sense to me as I started to investigate their systems over the summer, saw the quality in the parts and figured the width of the CT4/5 outlets were the same as the ZL1... something there had to work. I made several calls to salesmen there and was told the person I had to talk to is the one I am communicating with now.

This process has taken months, not weeks or days... approvals had to be made just so I could buy their parts individually, so I could make it work as the CT4/5 is longer than the ZL1. Once I had the parts, I had to source the actuators, make changes to the mid-pipe to the axle-back and all this while also getting customer vehicles done and two trips to Thailand for our yacht that just floated for the first time this week and is being shipped here to the States now.

I am not in the exhaust-system making business and have no desire to do so, as the parts I already manufacture take up a considerable amount of time. Each SCHX takes 4-5 hours to cut, fit, weld & test before it gets boxed up to ship or install on a car in the shop... but its worth it when on track! I love making things and problem solving mechanical stuff... doesn't matter if its a car, boat or aircraft.

At our last track day at Road Atlanta, I met Todd Golebiewski from Michigan, with his ZLE. He has experienced numerous setbacks with overheating, loss of power and it has cost him quite a frustration as he has traveled all over the USA for different track days. Todd joined us in our paddock area, allowed me to install our expansion tank right there, and he continued to track his car pushing for a new personal best without any further issues with his car. Its small wins like this, and possibly getting an exhaust system we all can enjoy so our cars can be approved on tracks where noise limits are enforced... or we just don't want that cop rolling up on us to give it a second look because of the sound.

"A rising tide raises all ships!"

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

I know I cannot help myself... this system sounds so amazing!! This video simply doesn't share how quiet it can be or magical the sound!!!

https://youtube.com/shorts/s3wTyrMFq...Jy5raUTo2tgotL

[Tay]

Would it be possible to use the Cadillac valves (85120344) with the OEM system or the Corsa NPP?

[Patriot Motorsports USA]

Originally Posted by Tay

Would it be possible to use the Cadillac valves (85120344) with the OEM system or the Corsa NPP?

Not with the OEM as they are much smaller... and I think the Corsa uses the OEM actuators with their smaller valves.

I am guessing you could buy the valves from AWE...

[Sara/AWE]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

They tend to only show up around "black Friday" sales as well as "4th of July".....then of course someone chimes in about wanting a valved system, they tell us to fill out the form......then they disappear for another year.

We jump in wherever we feel it is relevant or we can help/answer questions, etc. Our goal is not to spam the forum but post if/when we can add to the convo, or provide assistance. If you want/need us to jump in feel free to summon one of us with a tag!

Originally Posted by Patriot Motorsports USA

I also find it interesting there are 3-4 AWE Accounts on this platform, two of which advertise products without paying the vendor fee.

Sara questioned the validity of my interaction with AWE's most senior product specialist who has been with the company for 20-years when only a year ago she stated not being "in sales." That's fine, but I proactively sent her a DM sharing my position upon discovering someone from AWE offering product support for the first time in months after I have shared several posts/threads on the subject.

Every time I work on my car, I am losing money that could be made by finishing one of the several ZLEs in my shop or building the custom parts I sell to others. Building my AWE component system was for my benefit and I did so because my continued conversations with John lead me to believe this company CARES about the Camaro Community. In our conversation from yesterday, I still believe and have faith through everyone's input... they will see the desire to make this happen. Only those who want this system can make it happen now. I did my part.

Patriot, just when I thought we were friends

For transparency, we have 3 profiles on all forums which we pay monthly to sponsor. Myself, our Creative Director Josh (who still works here 11 years later but has since passed his forum responsibilities on to me), and Christian who is our newest hire and will be taking over the majority of the forum responsibilities in the future.

To clarify, I never questioned the validity of your interaction with John, I wanted to clear things up as there was an obvious miscommunication going on. John is a very knowledgeable enthusiast on our sales team, but is not on the engineering/development team so he would not have any sway over whether a product gets made, which was the point I was trying to convey. It is my opinion that in the excitement of your build communications got ahead of the process that we have to follow is all.

And as far as myself, I am not in Sales, far from it in fact! Although I get the confusion as my title is also Sr. Performance Specialist I am part of the marketing and video team (the driving footage you see on our YouTube is me), I help with technical questions on here and social media, and I handle all of our sponsorships.

But back to the important stuff! Whether you see me or Christian commenting in threads or not - we see them and we hear what you are saying. For all of those who filled out the form I am very appreciative. That way I have something to back up my opinion and recommendations when we review or discuss the Camaro market. And for those who added details on volume with the addition of headers etc is another great data point that I will be sure gets into the conversation internally as well.

I know it is easy/trendy to vilify brands, but at least in our industry we are just fellow gearheads on the other end of the keyboard, and for me I am doing my job because I love it but also so I can afford to take my car to the track, which I think we can all get behind.

[clj94104]

Originally Posted by ZL1_1LE

Umm what? Your email said:

"AWE and I wanted to share with you that we are making big steps to getting this exhaust system into full production!"



Just my .02 but coming from a sponsor advertising, I'd suggest not implying such things via email that aren't true, especially when it comes to a valved AWE system that AWE doesn't know anyone wants lol....

Either way I've done my part and signed up with every email address I own on their "request form"

Oh they’re aware we want a valved exhaust system. Not sure what’s taking so long. I love their products, I own their cat back Touring. I chose it even without the valves. I really miss being able to make it quiet down, even a little bit. They really have to get with the program.

[zapp]

Originally Posted by Patriot Motorsports USA

..

While AWE is still figuring out development and producing this at scale - Can you offer your custom build for sale?
How much would that kit be?

Could you share a photo of how you connected the CT4 muffler to your Midpipe?
Which Midpipe are you using?

Would appreciate your info - maybe I'll just have an exhaust shop connect the CT4 AWE muffler with my Corsa midpipe - done.