What exhaust system???

[TFord]

well Ive saved up some cash and now Im planning on buying an exhaust system...but I reall cant decide on which one to get??? Unfortunately I don't know anyone with these bolt-ons personally.

Do I go the cheap route and go with the Pacesetter headers, and catted Y-pipe for about $700

Im kinda favoring the American Racing System for $1,300

The SLP system is also a fav for $1,350

Ive heard good things about Kooks/QTP, but I'll have to but these piece by piece.

[Camaro68]

My unc had SLP on his 2000 Camaro. I liked that sound out of it over the rest. Well its probley cause i heard that one first and then the rest but
that one is my favorite.

[blaSSt]

I recommend you go to http://www.ls1sounds.com/ many many combinations.

My car can be heard here: blaSSt

[Moose]

Personally, I'm very happy with my set-up (see sig.).

It sounds great IMO, and looks good too. Make sure and have a good, reputable shop install whatever system you choose. I was fortuante in finding a very good place, and have not had one squeak, rattle, leak, etc., since it was installed.

Good luck with your decision.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by TFord

well Ive saved up some cash and now Im planning on buying an exhaust system...but I reall cant decide on which one to get??? Unfortunately I don't know anyone with these bolt-ons personally.

I'll offer my experiences/opinions on what I can and let you know what it what:

Do I go the cheap route and go with the Pacesetter headers, and catted Y-pipe for about $700

I've heard good things about this set-up. The price is good and so is the quality. I have NOT had either product or installed either product but know several people who have had both/either and were pleased. Their power results were pretty much on par with everything else out there.

Im kinda favoring the American Racing System for $1,300

Ok - haven't owned them and haven't installed them, but these would be the first I go to if I were to ever need LTs again. Stainless steel will last longer than the car, high velocity merge collectors (HVMCs)will make a little more power than regular collectors, fit has been very good from posts I've read from other websites, and very good customer support. American Racing Headers (ARH) seem sto be coming up fast and building a great customer base and offer the ability to taylor your set-up to your specific car. They seem to have a great Y-pipe with merge collector too. I'd definately keep these in mind.

The SLP system is also a fav for $1,350

If this is for the updated system, I think these are going to be great too. I've neither installed/owned these or the older style, but understand the older style were pretty time consuming to install and clearance, on some cars, was tight, particularly on lowered cars. The power gains weren't as much as advertised, but still on par with other LT designs out there. Stainless steel construction made them good and coating a plus. The collectors on many of the cars I've seen with this system always rusted but it was only cosmetic. I've read a great article in GMHTP with the latest updated design and the car made great power and it seemed like the install went as easy as an LT install could go. I'd keep this in consideration for sure.

Ive heard good things about Kooks/QTP, but I'll have to but these piece by piece.

I've not had Kooks nor installed them, but have seen many and talked to owners of them and they seem to be as good as other. Just like ARH, they have lots of size options, are stainless, and you can obtain similar high velocity merge collectors too. It's my understanding although this style collector makes a little more power that regular collectors, that to truly get all the benefits of this style, primary size and length have to be optimized for that application. I'm personally a believer that HVMCs make more power than regular collectors. The Y-pipe fits good but I don't think it's great. The ARH Y-pipe is better, IMHO.

I've had two sets of QTPs myself (a standard collector set and their HVMC style) and installed another set on my brother's old '02. My standard set fit like a glove, didn't leak, nor did I have ANY clearance problems. They made great power (about 354/365 RWHP/RWTQ) and the Y-pipe, although aluminized steel, had a great Flowmaster merge collector, but took a lot of work to fit. I later replaced them with QTP HVMCs and made another 12/7 RWHP/RWTQ but noticed some small collector leaks. They don't effect performance or the computer because my tuner tuned input from the 02 sensors out. Actually, you don't even hear them. I reused my Y-pipe, but swapped the converters and redesigned a problem area for better clearance. Stainless steel and polished construction made these babies look beautiful and they'll last a long time.

IMVHO - consider how long you're keeping the car. If you're only keeping it for a few years, and don't get a lot of salt around you, go with coated steel LTs. I know the coating will flake off the collectors somewhat soon, but I doubt you'd have a problem with the steel for several years. If you are keeping the car a while, and even live in an area that gets a lot of salt, go stainless. You're going to get flaking with just about any coated header, especially around the collectors, but if the primaries are stainless, the rust will just be on the surface and not degrad the steel. I prefer the look of uncoated steel headers, but coated ones won't discolor, hardly at all, and pop out really nice when you open the hood. You'll spend a little more, but I think you'll get a longer lasting product, in the end.

Good luck on your decision. I really don't think you can go wrong in any of the choices you're looking at. You'll get pretty much the same power from any of these

[CamaroSpike23]

first off. do you have emissions testing?

if no, check out www.herronperformance.com

Ceramic coated pacesetter longtubes with ORY for ~$500.00 shipped. tell shon Greg Norris sent you.

Im running Hooker Super Comp LT's on my car and I love them. one of the best things about them is that the #1 cyl exhaust primary is a slip fit so you dont have to unbolt your steering rack, just install the main header body then install the primary seperate.

also running a magnaflow catback with a 3" cutout in front of the rear axle.



quick little clips of my exhaust. this is with stock manifolds & y-pipe, gutted cat, Magnaflow cat-back & manual "cutout"

View My Video

if you watch closely the camera shakes from the earth trembling at my exhaust. lol



another round away from the house so im not bothering the neighbors

View My Video



this is with hooker super comp longtubes, 3" ORY, magnaflow catback. ive got a cutout, but didnt feel like unbolting it for the vids.



from a distance... im still runnin rich... as you'll see in the next vid


View My Video

flame throwin. i like to cook the rice...lol


and granted, mine is on an LT1 and not an LS1 so it will sound a little different. plus all catbacks will change tone over time as they get seasoned.

[classicz68]

I have a SLP Loudmouth on my 98 and flowmaster on my 87Iroc the loudmouth blows the flowmaster away. If you want a head turner and a free flowing exhaust, SLP all the way.

[CamaroSpike23]

flowmaster catbacks suck on 4th gens.

[daddyseth1]

Originally Posted by blaSSt

I recommend you go to http://www.ls1sounds.com/ many many combinations.

My car can be heard here: blaSSt

I have a new favorite site now. Thanks

[Lumina SS]

i go for the slp they sound so cool if not the slp then the americane racing