OK.. Need some opinions.. Cat back or Axel back? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Soundplus · 02-02-2012, 08:14 PM

OK I am about to put my car in the shop for Kooks Stepped headers , High flo cats. 160 T stat A tune and a vararam if they get the new one out in time. BUT I am stuck on the exhaust. I am going to go with a Borla Touring set-up but I am not sure if I should go with the Axel back or the Cat Back. the only difference is X pipe and a the cost.

So My question to you oh wise and knowledgeable Camaro 5 population. is what are the pro's and cons of these 2. and which should I get?

Thanks

kmcd · 02-02-2012, 08:20 PM

Go with the x-pipe/cat-back system. It'll be much better than the OEM resonator(s), especially if you have the L99 (can't tell from your info).

Juiced1 · 02-02-2012, 08:24 PM

If you're planning on going with headers I'd recommend a full catback. Why run a stock mid pipe connected to headers and aftermarket mufflers. Just seems a little weird but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world.

Soundplus · 02-02-2012, 09:20 PM

I have a LS3.

MarylandSpeed · 02-02-2012, 09:32 PM

On a manual you are fine with an axle back..the sound will be similar to a catback. On an automatic I always recommend a catback because the center resonator kills a lot of sound.

LED Crazy · 02-02-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarylandSpeed

On a manual you are fine with an axle back..the sound will be similar to a catback. On an automatic I always recommend a catback because the center resonator kills a lot of sound.

What about AFM? Wouldn't it sound terrible with out resonators?

MoCamaro20 · 02-02-2012, 10:23 PM

what about if he does axel back and gets the x pipe ? wouldnt it be cheaper and the same as a catback?

stros · 02-02-2012, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LED KING

What about AFM? Wouldn't it sound terrible with out resonators?

Not if you go with a Solo Mach XL w/J pipes catback exhaust - the J pipes and their x pipe muffler design do a very nice job handling AFM. I can't tell AFM is even turning on with their catback.

I may be wrong, but I also think a catback will have less popping noises than the axle back too. At least I have zero popping with my L99 and the Solo so far.

Note that I did just get it installed this morning FWIW

SM0KE · 02-02-2012, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LED KING

What about AFM? Wouldn't it sound terrible with out resonators?

Thats where JRE comes in

Quote:

Originally Posted by stros

I may be wrong, but I also think a catback will have less popping noises than the axle back too.

I have a Borla Catback on my L99. I get a little popping on startup and thats pretty much it. I wish I could get popping on decel.

Soundplus · 02-03-2012, 06:00 AM

Ok what are the pro's and con's from the factory mid pipes to the X pipe to the J pipe?

Russell James · 02-03-2012, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soundplus

Ok what are the pro's and con's from the factory mid pipes to the X pipe to the J pipe?

An X will change the sound slightly. H being more traditional muscle car V8 sound. An X still sounds real good, just a bit different from the H. An X supposedly scavenges a bit better at high rpm. Maybe a slight increase in peak hp. But in reality, a properly placed H (like the OEM H) works perfectly. They did their homework on where to put the factory crossover H in this system. You can't go wrong with either of those crossover designs when properly placed in the system.

J pipes are needed if the system drones. The key there is don't buy a system that drones.

If it were me, with your LT's and hf cats, I'd go with Kooks Street Sleeper catback. The 2 1/2 sizing and decent size mufflers should keep the drone to a minimum. Or a Corsa or Solo catback.

I'd put the number one priority at --- researching which will be the most drone free. Any set up that drones will be miserable to live with. Tons of systems sound great at 6000 rpm. Only a couple sound nice at 70 mph in 6th gear.

Another option is just leaving the factory catback. Get high flows that connect to the stock catback. It will sound great and drone free. Can always buy a catback later.

Skip the 160 T stat also. Not needed.

kmcd · 02-03-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LED KING

What about AFM? Wouldn't it sound terrible with out resonators?

Yes it would. That's just one of the many reasons AFM has no place on a muscle car.

Disable it.

LED Crazy · 02-03-2012, 08:00 PM

I thought so. Perhaps some exhausts take away that ugly sound when AFM is involved. I want the Outlaw, but idk how friendly it'll be to my AFM

SSGUNNER · 02-03-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LED KING

I thought so. Perhaps some exhausts take away that ugly sound when AFM is involved. I want the Outlaw, but idk how friendly it'll be to my AFM

Me too. Debating between that and AT just dony know which one.

02-02-2012, 08:14 PM	#1
Soundplus Drives: 2012 Silver Ice SS2 RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 152	OK.. Need some opinions.. Cat back or Axel back? OK I am about to put my car in the shop for Kooks Stepped headers , High flo cats. 160 T stat A tune and a vararam if they get the new one out in time. BUT I am stuck on the exhaust. I am going to go with a Borla Touring set-up but I am not sure if I should go with the Axel back or the Cat Back. the only difference is X pipe and a the cost. So My question to you oh wise and knowledgeable Camaro 5 population. is what are the pro's and cons of these 2. and which should I get? Thanks

02-02-2012, 08:20 PM	#2
kmcd 1,425 hp / supercharged Drives: (2010 2SS/L99) (1999 Corvette) Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,104	Go with the x-pipe/cat-back system. It'll be much better than the OEM resonator(s), especially if you have the L99 (can't tell from your info). __________________ "If it's too loud...well, you know the rest."

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02-02-2012, 08:24 PM	#3
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,663	If you're planning on going with headers I'd recommend a full catback. Why run a stock mid pipe connected to headers and aftermarket mufflers. Just seems a little weird but I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world.

02-02-2012, 09:20 PM	#4
Soundplus Drives: 2012 Silver Ice SS2 RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 152	I have a LS3.

02-02-2012, 09:32 PM	#5
MarylandSpeed Account Suspended Drives: 2012 ZL1 & 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,378	On a manual you are fine with an axle back..the sound will be similar to a catback. On an automatic I always recommend a catback because the center resonator kills a lot of sound.

02-02-2012, 10:23 PM	#7
MoCamaro20 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS RS L99 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: West chester OH Posts: 424	what about if he does axel back and gets the x pipe ? wouldnt it be cheaper and the same as a catback?

02-03-2012, 06:00 AM	#10
Soundplus Drives: 2012 Silver Ice SS2 RS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 152	Ok what are the pro's and con's from the factory mid pipes to the X pipe to the J pipe?

02-03-2012, 08:00 PM	#13
LED Crazy okcamaros.com Drives: 2016 SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok Posts: 1,753 View My Garage	I thought so. Perhaps some exhausts take away that ugly sound when AFM is involved. I want the Outlaw, but idk how friendly it'll be to my AFM