SS 1le Axleback / Catback need help deciding

Coded4SS · 02-24-2020, 04:10 PM

Hey Gents,
2020 SS 1le (so its Manual)
I want either a Axleback first then later catback pieces, or a catback.
"voiding" warranty is a no go right now. Once i hit 20k miles or so ill consider tune and e85. But thats probably 2-3 years out.

Conditions: No drone, loud, sounds good, makes mothers hold their children, can use NPP valve to sound close to stock level.

My options so far I think::

Borla S-type Axle back: expensive. Had S-types on my mustang. sounded good, but always kinda wanted more.

Borla ATAK Axle back: expensive.

Hookers Blackheart axleback: Does it drone? Drawbacks? Anyone that has this can expand on it?

Question: I live in california. If i want a catback, what can i order that will bolt up without removing a Cat?

avalonandl · 02-24-2020, 04:19 PM

In Ca. only those with CARB approval.

enzia35 · 02-24-2020, 04:36 PM

Catback literally means you're not messing with the cats. Go with the ATAK. I absolutely love mine. But just get the axleback. I wish I had skipped the mid pipes, would have saved about $600.

Coded4SS · 02-24-2020, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enzia35

Catback literally means you're not messing with the cats. Go with the ATAK. I absolutely love mine. But just get the axleback. I wish I had skipped the mid pipes, would have saved about $600.

ya i know its redundant, but i see "removed secondary cats" a lot so idk just clearing my own confusion i guess lol
Is your exhaust loud as hell? another reason why i liked the Hooker is the sound, and i think it removes those flat spots near the axle where the borla dosnt.

enzia35 · 02-24-2020, 05:06 PM

The flat spots have been tested to have NO effect on flow. It's quite loud, and I love it so much.

https://youtu.be/sEqktJRy97g

KuroOkami · 02-24-2020, 05:57 PM

Coded4SS:
I think the choice can be boiled down easy enough to:
You can probably find a sound you like with either setup, so do you want performance gains or just change in sound?
Axle-back will do nothing for performance, sound only fix.
Cat-back system may achieve small gains, but may require a tune to see them.
The other differences are in the price and install. Axle-backs are also cheaper and easier to install.

z28pat · 02-24-2020, 07:02 PM

Borla is the only option that keeps NPP and doesn’t drone as far as I know but it’s expensive.
I’m on the same boat but I think I’m gonna wait and do headers instead. It keeps the npp and will gain horsepower, but requires a tune/voids warranty

HyperBlue2017 · 02-25-2020, 10:04 AM

I went with the Flowmaster American Thunder Axle-Back Exhaust System #817746 for 2016-2018 Camaro SS 6.2L V8.. have them sitting in the garage waiting to go on after I get my car back from getting the windows tinted...along with a RotoFab CAI..

New_image · 02-25-2020, 10:39 AM

I went AFE Power NPP axleback ($1060). It sounded the best with just secondary cat delete. Now with headers and an X the sound got a tiny bit raspy and has a little drone at 1500 rpm. But I still aint complaining.

ssmofo · 02-25-2020, 11:06 AM

I am biased and old, I put the s-type on and all I can say it it sounds awesome, it is not overbearingly loud but has deepened as it has aged, sounds totally awesome, no drone at speed , but when you put the pedal to the floor you know it's there.

kropscamaro16 · 02-25-2020, 11:40 AM

afe power here with longtubes also sounds great!

https://afepower.com/afe-power-49-34...exhaust-system

Abubaca · 02-25-2020, 01:16 PM

I recently installed the AWE touring axleback and couldn't be happier. It of course does NOT retain the NPP function, but I swear it still has a larger swing from mild to wild than the NPP. I'll admit a cold start will snap at ya, and it's pretty loud, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive through my neighborhood in the early AM. VERY manageable volume. ....then of course, the more you rev it, the louder it gets.

I feel like a catback is an overly expensive middle ground between an axleback and stepping up to full header system. JM2C.

Clearly_Canadian · 02-25-2020, 02:42 PM

I have the S-type due to the fact I live in close quarters and leave for work at 4:30AM. On start up, it is initially loud with the "start up crack of thunder" but calms down to a mellow tone after 30 seconds in tour. Flick'er in sport and she resonates noticeably deeper. I find it to be a great balance. However, If I didn't park in a valley of bedroom windows, I would have gone ATTK.

Coded4SS · 02-25-2020, 03:49 PM

Some good info here appreciate all the feedback before i drop 1k

. I heard the borla atak axle back is barely louder then the stock npp. I do like the sound of hookers but i think you guys are right there will.be drone with anything but borla

02-24-2020, 04:10 PM	#1
Coded4SS Drives: 2020 1SS 1le Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: SO CAL Posts: 440	SS 1le Axleback / Catback need help deciding Hey Gents, 2020 SS 1le (so its Manual) I want either a Axleback first then later catback pieces, or a catback. "voiding" warranty is a no go right now. Once i hit 20k miles or so ill consider tune and e85. But thats probably 2-3 years out. Conditions: No drone, loud, sounds good, makes mothers hold their children, can use NPP valve to sound close to stock level. My options so far I think:: Borla S-type Axle back: expensive. Had S-types on my mustang. sounded good, but always kinda wanted more. Borla ATAK Axle back: expensive. Hookers Blackheart axleback: Does it drone? Drawbacks? Anyone that has this can expand on it? Question: I live in california. If i want a catback, what can i order that will bolt up without removing a Cat?

02-24-2020, 04:19 PM	#2
avalonandl Drives: 2019 ZL-1 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Troy, MI & Naples, FL Posts: 2,019	In Ca. only those with CARB approval. __________________ 2019 ZL-1 Acquired 4/23/21 at 6300 miles. Riverside Blue, A10, PDR. Traded in 2017 2SS with 6M and 32k miles. Continental Extreme Contact Sports. Now has 10,000 miles... 2012 Yukon XL Denali w/ 6.2 AWD

02-24-2020, 04:36 PM	#3
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	Catback literally means you're not messing with the cats. Go with the ATAK. I absolutely love mine. But just get the axleback. I wish I had skipped the mid pipes, would have saved about $600. __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata

02-24-2020, 05:06 PM	#5
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	The flat spots have been tested to have NO effect on flow. It's quite loud, and I love it so much. https://youtu.be/sEqktJRy97g __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata Last edited by enzia35; 02-24-2020 at 06:45 PM.

02-24-2020, 05:57 PM	#6
KuroOkami Drives: 2020 Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 133	Coded4SS: I think the choice can be boiled down easy enough to: You can probably find a sound you like with either setup, so do you want performance gains or just change in sound? Axle-back will do nothing for performance, sound only fix. Cat-back system may achieve small gains, but may require a tune to see them. The other differences are in the price and install. Axle-backs are also cheaper and easier to install. __________________ __________________ 2020 2SS 1LE Riverside Blue w/PDR 1100 - 02/02/20 \| 2000 - 02/10/20 3100 - 02/13/20 TPW 3/02/20 (Yeah right) 3300 - 02/14/20 \| 3400 - 02/17/20 3800 - 03/10/20 ('Bout friggin time) 03/20/20 still just sitting there 9000 - 04/20/20 Covid sucks :( 5000 - 07/03/20 \| 6000 - 07/05/20

02-24-2020, 07:02 PM	#7
z28pat Drives: 2002 z28, 2018 2ss 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Parrish, Florida Posts: 835	Borla is the only option that keeps NPP and doesn’t drone as far as I know but it’s expensive. I’m on the same boat but I think I’m gonna wait and do headers instead. It keeps the npp and will gain horsepower, but requires a tune/voids warranty

02-25-2020, 10:04 AM	#8
HyperBlue2017 Drives: 2018 Camaro Hyper Blue 2SS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 20	I went with the Flowmaster American Thunder Axle-Back Exhaust System #817746 for 2016-2018 Camaro SS 6.2L V8.. have them sitting in the garage waiting to go on after I get my car back from getting the windows tinted...along with a RotoFab CAI..

02-25-2020, 10:39 AM	#9
New_image Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Washington Posts: 35	I went AFE Power NPP axleback ($1060). It sounded the best with just secondary cat delete. Now with headers and an X the sound got a tiny bit raspy and has a little drone at 1500 rpm. But I still aint complaining.

02-25-2020, 11:06 AM	#10
ssmofo Drives: Chevy Camaro Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Dallas Posts: 420	I am biased and old, I put the s-type on and all I can say it it sounds awesome, it is not overbearingly loud but has deepened as it has aged, sounds totally awesome, no drone at speed , but when you put the pedal to the floor you know it's there.

02-25-2020, 11:40 AM	#11
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,817	afe power here with longtubes also sounds great! https://afepower.com/afe-power-49-34...exhaust-system __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

02-25-2020, 01:16 PM	#12
Abubaca Drives: 2016 SS Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Jamestown NC Posts: 450	I recently installed the AWE touring axleback and couldn't be happier. It of course does NOT retain the NPP function, but I swear it still has a larger swing from mild to wild than the NPP. I'll admit a cold start will snap at ya, and it's pretty loud, but I wouldn't hesitate to drive through my neighborhood in the early AM. VERY manageable volume. ....then of course, the more you rev it, the louder it gets. I feel like a catback is an overly expensive middle ground between an axleback and stepping up to full header system. JM2C.

02-25-2020, 02:42 PM	#13
Clearly_Canadian Drives: 2017 2SS Camaro Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: British Columbia Posts: 366	I have the S-type due to the fact I live in close quarters and leave for work at 4:30AM. On start up, it is initially loud with the "start up crack of thunder" but calms down to a mellow tone after 30 seconds in tour. Flick'er in sport and she resonates noticeably deeper. I find it to be a great balance. However, If I didn't park in a valley of bedroom windows, I would have gone ATTK. __________________ 2017 Camaro 2SS, K&N Air, Borla S-Type, Cat Delete, 1LE replicas, Hotchkis Swaybars, Eibach Springs. ALL BMR arms, end links, chassis braces and cradle lockout. Hurst shifter.

02-25-2020, 03:49 PM	#14
Coded4SS Drives: 2020 1SS 1le Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: SO CAL Posts: 440	Some good info here appreciate all the feedback before i drop 1k . I heard the borla atak axle back is barely louder then the stock npp. I do like the sound of hookers but i think you guys are right there will.be drone with anything but borla

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