Exhaust, Cat-back vs Axle-back? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Witchdoctor92 · 08-06-2011, 10:16 PM

Where is the advantage to the cat-back system? Seems like the Axle back is a 90% solution. Everything up to that is a strait pipe unless you are replacing cats and headers too(I am not) Also does anyone know what size the stock system is? I am trying to marrow my choices down.

IROCanSS · 08-06-2011, 10:20 PM

Auto or manual? It matters.

The stock system is 2.5" on both

The stock system is really free flowing so you arent going to pick up many of any HP/TQ with a cat back over an axel back.

The main advantage of the cat back is three-fold really.

1. most are 3"
2. you get an X pipe instead of an H pipe (OEM)
3. you get rid of the resonators.

Now, if its an auto and you get rid of the huge can resonator... when the AFM kicks in and it goes to 4 cyliner mode, a lot of people say it sounds bad. I have never heard it so I dont know.

If all you want is a little more sound, the axel back will do...

Sunlover · 08-06-2011, 10:22 PM

Go to the Exhaust & Bolt On section in the Technical section and you'll see lots of information on the pro's and con's of axle back versus cat back...and more.

IROCanSS · 08-06-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunlover

Go to the Exhaust & Bolt On section in the Technical section and you'll see lots of information on the pro's and con's of axle back versus cat back...and more.

ya... or this.

Kahdir · 08-06-2011, 10:31 PM

Axle-back for sound and savings... only drawback, be it a small one, you'll have to cut your OE exhaust.

Like jrhaus76 stated above, some Cat-backs are larger diameter and give you an x-pipe... more of a bolt on set-up for almost twice the price of an Axel-back

I went with a Corsa Cat-back...

IROCanSS · 08-06-2011, 10:38 PM

That was a cool video! I like how you stayed in it and got a little sideways! Sounds really good!

I have a video of my FlowMaster but it wont really do much good becasue its with the LT headers which the OP said he isnt doing.

Kahdir · 08-06-2011, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaus76

That was a cool video! I like how you stayed in it and got a little sideways! Sounds really good!

I have a video of my FlowMaster but it wont really do much good becasue its with the LT headers which the OP said he isnt doing.

Thanks, was trying avoid leaving burnout marks where I work

Witchdoctor92 · 08-06-2011, 10:49 PM

Thanks for the info. Headers will happen, but probably a year or two down the road. I am looking at either Flowmaster AT or possibly Cherry Bomb. Sounds like a Cat-Back is the way to go.

E.T. · 08-06-2011, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahdir

Axle-back for sound and savings... only drawback, be it a small one, you'll have to cut your OE exhaust.

Like jrhaus76 stated above, some Cat-backs are larger diameter and give you an x-pipe... more of a bolt on set-up for almost twice the price of an Axel-back

I went with a Corsa Cat-back...

Holy hell, that sounds good

I've got the Corsa on my 6, and obviously, it's not quite the same, but it has a nice sound. They make a nice system

IROCanSS · 08-06-2011, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Witchdoctor92

Thanks for the info. Headers will happen, but probably a year or two down the road. I am looking at either Flowmaster AT or possibly Cherry Bomb. Sounds like a Cat-Back is the way to go.

Here is FlowMaster AT with the cutouts closed then open... its a crappy iphone video though.

Here is a dyno video:

and a walk aboud of both cars with FlowMaster

:

All videos are with 1-7/8 LT headers and FlowMaster AT cat back.

Kahdir · 08-07-2011, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrhaus76

Here is FlowMaster AT with the cutouts closed then open... its a crappy iphone video though.

Here is a dyno video:

and a walk aboud of both cars with FlowMaster

:

All videos are with 1-7/8 LT headers and FlowMaster AT cat back.

That is a great sounding combo

John Deere Boy · 08-07-2011, 08:18 AM

An axle-back or muffler delete can never be as loud as a full cat-back system. I've got the Solo Performance Axle-back (a muffler delete with j-pipes) and it is by no means obnoxiously loud. I can leave at 1am without feeling like i'm gonna wake up the neighbors. It's also drone free!

I heard jrhaus's car in person and it's much louder than mine.

SS_Matt · 08-07-2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kahdir

Axle-back for sound and savings... only drawback, be it a small one, you'll have to cut your OE exhaust.

Like jrhaus76 stated above, some Cat-backs are larger diameter and give you an x-pipe... more of a bolt on set-up for almost twice the price of an Axel-back

I went with a Corsa Cat-back...

Ahem, cost please? My SS is on order and I'm hoping to have exhaust ready and waiting for it when it comes home.

Kahdir · 08-07-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Matt

Ahem, cost please? My SS is on order and I'm hoping to have exhaust ready and waiting for it when it comes home.

I bought mine direct from Corsa (I work for an aftermarket part distributor), but I'm sure there are vendors on here that can get you a great price

08-06-2011, 10:16 PM	#1
Witchdoctor92 Drives: 2012 1SS Black with white rally str Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 611	Exhaust, Cat-back vs Axle-back? Where is the advantage to the cat-back system? Seems like the Axle back is a 90% solution. Everything up to that is a strait pipe unless you are replacing cats and headers too(I am not) Also does anyone know what size the stock system is? I am trying to marrow my choices down.

08-06-2011, 10:31 PM	#5
Kahdir Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: PA Posts: 2,178 View My Garage	Axle-back for sound and savings... only drawback, be it a small one, you'll have to cut your OE exhaust. Like jrhaus76 stated above, some Cat-backs are larger diameter and give you an x-pipe... more of a bolt on set-up for almost twice the price of an Axel-back I went with a Corsa Cat-back... __________________ SEPA5.COM – South East Pennsylvania Camaro Owners

08-07-2011, 08:18 AM	#12
John Deere Boy I bleed green Drives: '11 2SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Centerville, Indiana Posts: 462 View My Garage	An axle-back or muffler delete can never be as loud as a full cat-back system. I've got the Solo Performance Axle-back (a muffler delete with j-pipes) and it is by no means obnoxiously loud. I can leave at 1am without feeling like i'm gonna wake up the neighbors. It's also drone free! I heard jrhaus's car in person and it's much louder than mine. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS LS3. Delivered 4/18/11. Solo Axle-back with J-pipes and quads, 35% tint, Yellow trim kit, Showstopper sidemarkers, babied garage queen. 2006 Silverado 3500 6.0, 1993 Pontiac Bonneville SSE

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08-06-2011, 10:20 PM	#2
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	Auto or manual? It matters. The stock system is 2.5" on both The stock system is really free flowing so you arent going to pick up many of any HP/TQ with a cat back over an axel back. The main advantage of the cat back is three-fold really. 1. most are 3" 2. you get an X pipe instead of an H pipe (OEM) 3. you get rid of the resonators. Now, if its an auto and you get rid of the huge can resonator... when the AFM kicks in and it goes to 4 cyliner mode, a lot of people say it sounds bad. I have never heard it so I dont know. If all you want is a little more sound, the axel back will do...

08-06-2011, 10:22 PM	#3
Sunlover Drives: 2011 Camaro 1LT/RS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: FL Posts: 137	Go to the Exhaust & Bolt On section in the Technical section and you'll see lots of information on the pro's and con's of axle back versus cat back...and more.

08-06-2011, 10:38 PM	#6
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	That was a cool video! I like how you stayed in it and got a little sideways! Sounds really good! I have a video of my FlowMaster but it wont really do much good becasue its with the LT headers which the OP said he isnt doing.

08-06-2011, 10:49 PM	#8
Witchdoctor92 Drives: 2012 1SS Black with white rally str Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 611	Thanks for the info. Headers will happen, but probably a year or two down the road. I am looking at either Flowmaster AT or possibly Cherry Bomb. Sounds like a Cat-Back is the way to go.