My wife says my car isn't loud enough, so... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

tm123 · 06-02-2013, 09:54 PM

I've been looking at upgrading the exhaust in my A6 SS. I don't know much about this, but from what I've read on this forum, adding a cat back exhaust will improve the tone, but not do much for power. If this is true, it seems like a waste to me. If I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather buy long tube headers, high flow cats, and leave the stock exhaust in place. My questions are:

1) Will the power increase be less than if I replaced the whole exhaust?
2) Will the exhaust tone improve even though the stock exhaust is being used?

As I said, I don't know much about this so if these are stupid questions, sorry. Thanks.

mikeyg36 · 06-02-2013, 10:01 PM

If you are getting headers, you might as well get a full exhaust such as the SW retro chambered catback with SW headers. If not, just get a muffler delete and headers. Stock mufflers suck either way.

litle88 · 06-02-2013, 10:01 PM

Long tubes to stock system is fine. You might like it but you can get an axleback if you want to change the sounds even better.

Muscle SS · 06-02-2013, 10:03 PM

you will need a tune if you get LT headers, and from what i hear, you will want a tune if you do any exhaust upgrades just because of AFM

flyer08 · 06-02-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

If you are getting headers, you might as well get a full exhaust such as the SW retro chambered catback with SW headers. If not, just get a muffler delete and headers. Stock mufflers suck either way.

+1

OHIOSS · 06-02-2013, 10:20 PM

Have you ever considered exhaust cutouts? In my opinion it's the best of both worlds, you can leave them closed and the car will sound factory, open them up 50% and it sounds like a good low rumble, open them all the way to get the true sound of the engine.

Russ

GMTool · 06-02-2013, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muscle SS

you will need a tune if you get LT headers, and from what i hear, you will want a tune if you do any exhaust upgrades just because of AFM

Yes this

. Plan on tuning your car.

BubbaSS · 06-02-2013, 10:31 PM

Headers make the biggest difference for added power in your exhaust. All upgrades that free up flow downstream from the headers will benefit more because of the headers. With these cars once you free up exhaust flow you will see some power loss low in the band and power increase at high rpms. A tune fixes that.

tm123 · 06-02-2013, 10:42 PM

Ok thanks. I gathered I would need a tune (again based on what I've read on this forum), which leads to my next question. Where would I get this done, and what can I expect to pay? I'm not planning on installing the headers myself, so could the shop do the tune for me as well? In general this whole "tuning" thing is a mystery to me, and probably not something I want to tackle myself. I have no problem losing the AFM, and if the tune helps with power, I'm all for it.

mikeyg36 · 06-02-2013, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm123

Ok thanks. I gathered I would need a tune (again based on what I've read on this forum), which leads to my next question. Where would I get this done, and what can I expect to pay? I'm not planning on installing the headers myself, so could the shop do the tune for me as well? In general this whole "tuning" thing is a mystery to me, and probably not something I want to tackle myself. I have no problem losing the AFM, and if the tune helps with power, I'm all for it.

First, installing headers is incredibly easy to do yourself. Second, for a remote tune you buy a hand held tuner such as a Diablo intune or HP tuner, and then contact a tuner such as Matt@FSP or Phil at Tampa Tuning. You tell them your mods, and they will create the tune for you. Then just upload the tune to your car and you're done! I know if you buy a tuner from Matt he will give you the tune for free.

BubbaSS · 06-02-2013, 10:50 PM

Mikeyg36 is right, but my opinion is that the best way to tune your car is to find a good performance shop close to you and have them put your car on the dyno and tune it. Where are you located?

mikeyg36 · 06-02-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaSS

The best way to tune your car is to find a good performance shop close to you and have them put your car on the dyno and tune it. Where are you located?

This is true, but it's more expensive, and isn't really worth it for just headers.

trw427ss · 06-02-2013, 10:53 PM

My wife said the same thing when we got my Camaro. So this is what I did. 2013 Camaro Stainless Power no cats and stock L99 exhaust. She loves it now!

BubbaSS · 06-02-2013, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

This is true, but it's more expensive, and isn't really worth it for just headers.

Lol...guess we are typing at the same time...I tried to amend my post before you saw it

You are right though, might not be worth paying the extra $$ if you are planning future engine mods

06-02-2013, 09:54 PM	#1
tm123 Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 15 View My Garage	My wife says my car isn't loud enough, so... I've been looking at upgrading the exhaust in my A6 SS. I don't know much about this, but from what I've read on this forum, adding a cat back exhaust will improve the tone, but not do much for power. If this is true, it seems like a waste to me. If I'm going to spend the money, I'd rather buy long tube headers, high flow cats, and leave the stock exhaust in place. My questions are: 1) Will the power increase be less than if I replaced the whole exhaust? 2) Will the exhaust tone improve even though the stock exhaust is being used? As I said, I don't know much about this so if these are stupid questions, sorry. Thanks.

06-02-2013, 10:01 PM	#3
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Long tubes to stock system is fine. You might like it but you can get an axleback if you want to change the sounds even better. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

06-02-2013, 10:03 PM	#4
Muscle SS All blackkk Drives: 2010 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albany, NY Posts: 871	you will need a tune if you get LT headers, and from what i hear, you will want a tune if you do any exhaust upgrades just because of AFM __________________ Drivin it like I stole it.

06-02-2013, 10:31 PM	#8
BubbaSS WHAT RED LIGHT?! Drives: 2011 Black Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	Headers make the biggest difference for added power in your exhaust. All upgrades that free up flow downstream from the headers will benefit more because of the headers. With these cars once you free up exhaust flow you will see some power loss low in the band and power increase at high rpms. A tune fixes that. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS M6 BLACK - VARARAM NO TUNE INTAKE, MODDED AND PORTED TB, PORTED INTAKE MANIFOLD, VITESSE THROTTLE CONTROLLER, DOUG THORLEY LT'S, CATLESS, X-PIPE, 25" STAINLESS WORKS RETRO CHAMBERED MUFFLERS, CUSTOM 2.5" MANDREL BENT EXHAUST, RICHMOND 4.10 GEARS, CUSTOM CAM (231/242 @ 114LSA), MUSTANG DYNO TUNED BY TORQ, 20% CERAMIC TINTS, EIBACH PROKIT SPRINGS 1" DROP, HAWK PERFORMANCE CERAMIC BRAKES, NITTO INVO TIRES, HYDROCARBON TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BEZELS BY EMBLEMPROS, METRA DASH KIT, JVC KW-AV71BT, PHOENIX GOLD iAMP GM1, PASSPORT QI45 - 450 RWHP 415 RWTQ

06-02-2013, 10:50 PM	#11
BubbaSS WHAT RED LIGHT?! Drives: 2011 Black Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,115	Mikeyg36 is right, but my opinion is that the best way to tune your car is to find a good performance shop close to you and have them put your car on the dyno and tune it. Where are you located? __________________ 2011 2SS/RS M6 BLACK - VARARAM NO TUNE INTAKE, MODDED AND PORTED TB, PORTED INTAKE MANIFOLD, VITESSE THROTTLE CONTROLLER, DOUG THORLEY LT'S, CATLESS, X-PIPE, 25" STAINLESS WORKS RETRO CHAMBERED MUFFLERS, CUSTOM 2.5" MANDREL BENT EXHAUST, RICHMOND 4.10 GEARS, CUSTOM CAM (231/242 @ 114LSA), MUSTANG DYNO TUNED BY TORQ, 20% CERAMIC TINTS, EIBACH PROKIT SPRINGS 1" DROP, HAWK PERFORMANCE CERAMIC BRAKES, NITTO INVO TIRES, HYDROCARBON TAIL LIGHT AND FOG LIGHT BEZELS BY EMBLEMPROS, METRA DASH KIT, JVC KW-AV71BT, PHOENIX GOLD iAMP GM1, PASSPORT QI45 - 450 RWHP 415 RWTQ

06-02-2013, 10:01 PM	#2
mikeyg36 Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NY Posts: 6,731	If you are getting headers, you might as well get a full exhaust such as the SW retro chambered catback with SW headers. If not, just get a muffler delete and headers. Stock mufflers suck either way.

06-02-2013, 10:20 PM	#6
OHIOSS Russ Drives: Yukon Denali, Charger, CamaroSS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,811	Have you ever considered exhaust cutouts? In my opinion it's the best of both worlds, you can leave them closed and the car will sound factory, open them up 50% and it sounds like a good low rumble, open them all the way to get the true sound of the engine. Russ

06-02-2013, 10:42 PM	#9
tm123 Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2013 Location: Leesburg, VA Posts: 15 View My Garage	Ok thanks. I gathered I would need a tune (again based on what I've read on this forum), which leads to my next question. Where would I get this done, and what can I expect to pay? I'm not planning on installing the headers myself, so could the shop do the tune for me as well? In general this whole "tuning" thing is a mystery to me, and probably not something I want to tackle myself. I have no problem losing the AFM, and if the tune helps with power, I'm all for it.