[douglas2742]

Does anybody have a Gen 6 with the factory performance exhaust? And how sound wise does it compare to the dual mode exhaust? Thanks.

[jdasnt3]

I can't answer for the 6th gen to 6th gen, but I can for the 5th to 6th. My 5th gen LS3 was outfitted with the GMPerformance "Offroad" axle back. It sounded deep and ominous, but had terrible drone from 70ish to 77MPH. I hated driving the car on the interstate because of it, but around town it was great!

Now I have a 6th gen with NPP (dual mode) and wouldn't touch it. The sound is definitely V8 and powerful, but with a tuned sport sound that gives it an exotic tone at WOT.

I know this isn't the comparison you were asking for, but the NPP was very well designed.

[Alpha1BC]

Having heard all 3, the factory performance exhaust is kind of in between the open and closed dual mode exhaust, but closer to the open dual mode. Closed dual mode is pretty quiet all the time, while both the performance and open dual mode exhausts are fairly loud. The performance exhaust is slightly quieter, but is a more refined note without the harshness that can come from the open dual mode. The open dual mode has a lot more pops/cracks that are muffled out by the performance exhaust.

The performance exhaust is really just a re-branded Borla axle-back, but comes with a custom ANC (active noise cancellation) tune to help get rid of drone and keeps the factory warranty. Borla doesn't with any of that but doesn't cost as much.

I personally went the route of getting the factory base exhaust and doing a straight pipe cat-back after I got it. Cost maybe $100 more than the NPP option, but I knew I wanted to go aftermarket with the exhaust sometime either way. My car isn't quiet by any means, but I like the sound better than what you can get from the factory systems due to having an h-pipe.

[douglas2742]

Great info, thanks!

[douglas2742]

Yes, I drove the NPP and actually like tuned sport/exotic tone. I think I'll go that route from the factory, can always do something aftermarket later. So now I'm set with my order: factory suspension lowering kit (I'm after looks, not track performance so no magnetic suspension), 10"/11" Z28 Replica wheels from Phastek, Goodrich all seasons, Recaro seats, black 1SS. Thanks for the info.

[jdasnt3]

Originally Posted by douglas2742

Yes, I drove the NPP and actually like tuned sport/exotic tone. I think I'll go that route from the factory, can always do something aftermarket later. So now I'm set with my order: factory suspension lowering kit (I'm after looks, not track performance so no magnetic suspension), 10"/11" Z28 Replica wheels from Phastek, Goodrich all seasons, Recaro seats, black 1SS. Thanks for the info.

You're going to love it! A8 or M6 transmission?

[douglas2742]

A8 like you. A long time manual guy, but now at 75 with a weak left leg and a bad right shoulder I simply enjoy the paddles. I rarely drive in auto mode (my current car is a DSG modified GTI) except when wanting max acceleration where the auto mode outperforms clutch manuals and paddle shifting autos.

[beneath-the-surface]

not mine....

https://youtu.be/ZXpFhb7VmDI

https://youtu.be/N9yVe2mGucA

[Alpha1BC]

Originally Posted by douglas2742

Yes, I drove the NPP and actually like tuned sport/exotic tone. I think I'll go that route from the factory, can always do something aftermarket later. So now I'm set with my order: factory suspension lowering kit (I'm after looks, not track performance so no magnetic suspension), 10"/11" Z28 Replica wheels from Phastek, Goodrich all seasons, Recaro seats, black 1SS. Thanks for the info.

Nice! Hope you enjoy it!