American Racing Headers- would a cat back exhaust be a waste?

[Kiteboarder85]

Titles explains my question. Will I be wasting my money getting a cat-back system with my American Racing headers? Would an axle back be a better cheaper choice? I'm unsure if the cat-back will give the performer it would without headers?

Please assist if you're experienced with this topic. I'm wanting to install exhaust within 10 days so I need to decide today!

[nyrfan]

No waste at all. I have ARH with a Corsa cat back and love it. Nice sound and idle and screams at WOT.

Here are some videos:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306272

[Apex Motorsports]

Not at all. If you leave the stock components in the middle you will have resonators messing with the sound. Plus the install would be easier.

[JDP Sales]

You will not gain much power from the catback regardless if you have the headers or not. So really, the only reason you would be changing the catback would be for sound.

If you can find an axleback that you like the sound of, go for it. But personally I think a full 3" system is the way to go for sound. I suggest looking into the Magnaflow 3" comp series and the Stainless Works Retro chambered catback.

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions or pricing.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

[Mwalterhouse]

Without question, when I installed my headers cat back exhaust was part of the package. Very little benefit to headers with axle back exhaust.

[Johnny@MTI]

Originally Posted by Sales@JDP

You will not gain much power from the catback regardless if you have the headers or not. So really, the only reason you would be changing the catback would be for sound.

If you can find an axleback that you like the sound of, go for it. But personally I think a full 3" system is the way to go for sound. I suggest looking into the Magnaflow 3" comp series and the Stainless Works Retro chambered catback.

Feel free to call, PM or email me anytime with questions or pricing.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007

We found the same thing. The stock manifold, oem cats, and oem x pipe hold back allot of power. change out the mufflers for the sound.

[Kiteboarder85]

Originally Posted by nyrfan

No waste at all. I have ARH with a Corsa cat back and love it. Nice sound and idle and screams at WOT.

Here are some videos:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306272

Thanks for the videos! Great sound for sure. I commented and asked some questons on your link above. Be sure to get back with me. Thank you sir!

[bigssc]

headers and a cat-back are like peanut butter and jelly. you cannot go wrong.

[nyrfan]

Originally Posted by Kiteboarder85

Thanks for the videos! Great sound for sure. I commented and asked some questons on your link above. Be sure to get back with me. Thank you sir!

Thanks and I replied to your questions.

[Josh @ Spartan LSX]

Originally Posted by Kiteboarder85

Titles explains my question. Will I be wasting my money getting a cat-back system with my American Racing headers? Would an axle back be a better cheaper choice? I'm unsure if the cat-back will give the performer it would without headers?

Please assist if you're experienced with this topic. I'm wanting to install exhaust within 10 days so I need to decide today!

I'll give you my answer based on our own experiences.

On this particular car...

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread...referrerid=183

We did pulls through the stock SS catback, and through dual cutouts mounted directly after the midpipes. The catback lost a mere 1HP/1TQ vs dual cutouts.

If you are looking for a different sound, are in excess of 550-600rwhp which maxes out the pipe diameter, that would be the only reason to justify the expense of a catback for the SS cars. I realize everyone has a different sound preference and there are other catbacks that might sound better than others. But from a pure performance stand point, I think the money is better spent in other areas.

And FWIW, I'm not discounting any particular vendors product. There are some great sounding catbacks out there. However, from the hard data we've collected on a few 5th Gens, it's my personal hands on experience that you will see a very small (if any) power increase over the stock catback.

[Kiteboarder85]

Originally Posted by Josh @ Spartan LSX

I'll give you my answer based on our own experiences.

On this particular car...

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread...referrerid=183

We did pulls through the stock SS catback, and through dual cutouts mounted directly after the midpipes. The catback lost a mere 1HP/1TQ vs dual cutouts.

If you are looking for a different sound, are in excess of 550-600rwhp which maxes out the pipe diameter, that would be the only reason to justify the expense of a catback for the SS cars. I realize everyone has a different sound preference and there are other catbacks that might sound better than others. But from a pure performance stand point, I think the money is better spent in other areas.

And FWIW, I'm not discounting any particular vendors product. There are some great sounding catbacks out there. However, from the hard data we've collected on a few 5th Gens, it's my personal hands on experience that you will see a very small (if any) power increase over the stock catback.

Thank you. So to sum it up you would recommend that I keep my stock catbacks and "if" I wanted some more music out the back to go with an axle back? I really appreciate your experienced thoughts.

[Josh @ Spartan LSX]

Originally Posted by Kiteboarder85

Thank you. So to sum it up you would recommend that I keep my stock catbacks and "if" I wanted some more music out the back to go with an axle back? I really appreciate your experienced thoughts.

Correct.

Unless you want a different tone or the car is making a whole bunch of power, there is no other reason to change the axle back on an SS car.

I personally think the stock SS catback sounds killer with a set of LT headers and no cats.

[Kiteboarder85]

Originally Posted by Josh @ Spartan LSX

Correct.

Unless you want a different tone or the car is making a whole bunch of power, there is no other reason to change the axle back on an SS car.

I personally think the stock SS catback sounds killer with a set of LT headers and no cats.

Exactly what I wanted to hear. Do you have any pref on which LT Headers? I've heard plenty of great things about American Racing Headers, but I'm also not educated on the other vendors out there.

Also, my plan for the spring is LT Headers, and a Maggie SC. I don't think i'll be pushing or wanting to be pushing more than 550rwhp. Do you think my stock Cats will be sufficient?

[JDP Sales]

Originally Posted by Kiteboarder85

Exactly what I wanted to hear. Do you have any pref on which LT Headers? I've heard plenty of great things about American Racing Headers, but I'm also not educated on the other vendors out there.

Also, my plan for the spring is LT Headers, and a Maggie SC. I don't think i'll be pushing or wanting to be pushing more than 550rwhp. Do you think my stock Cats will be sufficient?

You cannot use your stock cats with LT headers. The pic below will show you why.


As for what brand to choose, ARH, KOOKS, Pfadt and Stainless Works would be what I recommend. But KOOKS would be the best value IMO.

Best regards,

Tyler
888-308-6007