Best 3" catback? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jmann356 · 06-23-2017, 02:14 PM

Pretty much what the title says. What's the best sounding 3" catback with long tubes and no cats. Looking for a slightly deeper tone. I know it'll be raspy with no cats but just seeing what everyone runs or recommends. I currently have a resonated x pipe and no mufflers and its too quiet for my taste.

GONIF · 06-23-2017, 03:15 PM

Best is relative . L99 AFM , ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT auto cars are different than Ls3 and can sound funky with some systems . Most 3 inch systems will have some drone at 1700 to 2200 rpms ( that's about 75mph in 6th gear ) . I have the MBRP 3 inch system on mine and I like the low bellow. IMHO you need to check out the sound in person to get just the sound you want ,your taste's be different than mine. Be careful with how loud you want it , it my get on your nerves in the long run.

Avenging Orange · 06-23-2017, 04:36 PM

If you know it will be raspy without cats....how can you expect it to have a deeper sound?

Jmann356 · 06-23-2017, 05:09 PM

Deeper than just straight pipes. I had it with no cats, resonator, or mufflers when I first put the headers on. I liked how loud it was just a bit too raspy. The magnaflow x pipe cut down the rasp but also made it too quiet imo

G701LE · 06-23-2017, 05:15 PM

I have what you have (LT's and x pipe). Sounded BADASS, at first. Now kinda annoying (getting old). I think the SW Retro is the best sounding. But sound is so subjective. Just wish I could find something CHEAP! lol

Gunmetal Speedster · 06-23-2017, 07:15 PM

I have longtubes, no cats, and the SW retro catback. Sounds plenty deep and not that raspy to me

cabbe · 06-23-2017, 09:17 PM

I also have the SW Retro. I love it!

Dmpsix · 06-24-2017, 12:19 AM

A really deep tone is going to be something like the Flowmaster American Thunder.

Bo White · 06-24-2017, 12:42 AM

OBX catback is hard to beat.

TRC-SS · 06-24-2017, 07:16 AM

If you want deep then Its the Retro Chambered Catback....Corsa exhaust sounds insane with headers but its a tin-ier raspy sound but a lot like that.

I have the Retro 3" kit with a blower and Cam and it sounds great but i really want to switch to Corsa to bring out the Cam in the exhaust better....maybe someday!!

NewDivide · 06-24-2017, 07:29 AM

I too have the SW retro CB, but w/ ARH headers. Sounds very deep and it's got punch when you get on it. Best part tho is no drone w/ that set up.

Avenging Orange · 06-24-2017, 08:05 AM

There is no 'best.' It's what sounds good to YOU.

The 'best' advice I can offer you is to read, listen and learn. I'll start with lesson #1:
Exhaust starts at the front.

Dega Man · 06-24-2017, 11:06 AM

I've listen to several different exhaust on SS Camaros and ZL1's. As many have said it is going to come down to your ear. However you put emphasis on a deep mellow tone which most all ears can discern between deep and raspy. The best deep mellow tones 3 inch that I've personally heard with long tube headers, X Pipe, No cats are LG Super Pro, ARH Pure Thunder, Borla S-Type All made from 304 Stainless. Then the Magna Flow also have a deep mellow tone but made from 409 Stainless. All of these are straight thru design which will not be restrictive.

bayarea408 · 06-24-2017, 12:40 PM

what ever headers and X pipe you want attached to some Corsa's, with Corsa's you pay for that tuned sound.

06-23-2017, 03:15 PM	#2
GONIF Drives: 73 VETTE ,, 05 2500hd diesel,14 1LE Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: The Left lane PHOENIX AZ Posts: 2,626	Best is relative . L99 AFM , ACTIVE FUEL MANAGEMENT auto cars are different than Ls3 and can sound funky with some systems . Most 3 inch systems will have some drone at 1700 to 2200 rpms ( that's about 75mph in 6th gear ) . I have the MBRP 3 inch system on mine and I like the low bellow. IMHO you need to check out the sound in person to get just the sound you want ,your taste's be different than mine. Be careful with how loud you want it , it my get on your nerves in the long run. __________________ OLD GUY FLYING FAST AND LOW

06-23-2017, 04:36 PM	#3
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	If you know it will be raspy without cats....how can you expect it to have a deeper sound? __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

06-23-2017, 05:15 PM	#5
G701LE Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 IBM silver stipes Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: K.C. Kansas Posts: 1,329 View My Garage	I have what you have (LT's and x pipe). Sounded BADASS, at first. Now kinda annoying (getting old). I think the SW Retro is the best sounding. But sound is so subjective. Just wish I could find something CHEAP! lol __________________ 2010 Imperial Blue w/ Silver stripes 2SS/RS L99 Mods = Not enough....

06-23-2017, 07:15 PM	#6
Gunmetal Speedster Drives: Savitar; The 500rwhp N/A Monster! Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 2,914 View My Garage	I have longtubes, no cats, and the SW retro catback. Sounds plenty deep and not that raspy to me __________________ **SOLD504HP/433**TQ \| Night Fury cammed • Cold Air Inductions intake • Bo White ported TB • Speed Engineering 1 7/8 longtubes • NPP catback • QTP low profile cutouts • Powerbond 25% UDP • 3.73 gears • JRE scoop • ZL1 grille • R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors • built/tuned by Weapon X Motorsports Instagram \| YouTube \| Build Thread

06-24-2017, 12:42 AM	#9
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	OBX catback is hard to beat. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

06-23-2017, 02:14 PM	#1
Jmann356 Drives: White 2013 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tulsa Posts: 27	Best 3" catback? Pretty much what the title says. What's the best sounding 3" catback with long tubes and no cats. Looking for a slightly deeper tone. I know it'll be raspy with no cats but just seeing what everyone runs or recommends. I currently have a resonated x pipe and no mufflers and its too quiet for my taste.

06-23-2017, 05:09 PM	#4
Jmann356 Drives: White 2013 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tulsa Posts: 27	Deeper than just straight pipes. I had it with no cats, resonator, or mufflers when I first put the headers on. I liked how loud it was just a bit too raspy. The magnaflow x pipe cut down the rasp but also made it too quiet imo

06-23-2017, 09:17 PM	#7
cabbe Drives: 2014 2ss 1le Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: los angeles Posts: 1,074	I also have the SW Retro. I love it!

06-24-2017, 12:19 AM	#8
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	A really deep tone is going to be something like the Flowmaster American Thunder.

06-24-2017, 07:16 AM	#10
TRC-SS 700RWHP-650TQ Drives: 2011 Forged LS3 Supercharged/Cammed Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Shrewsbury Massachusetts Posts: 5,269 View My Garage	If you want deep then Its the Retro Chambered Catback....Corsa exhaust sounds insane with headers but its a tin-ier raspy sound but a lot like that. I have the Retro 3" kit with a blower and Cam and it sounds great but i really want to switch to Corsa to bring out the Cam in the exhaust better....maybe someday!! __________________ View Build HERE>>>>>MY 2011 2SS/RS JOURNAL

06-24-2017, 07:29 AM	#11
NewDivide NewDivide Drives: SW '13 1SS/RS & '12 Honda CRV Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South East, Mass Posts: 921 View My Garage	I too have the SW retro CB, but w/ ARH headers. Sounds very deep and it's got punch when you get on it. Best part tho is no drone w/ that set up. __________________

06-24-2017, 08:05 AM	#12
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	There is no 'best.' It's what sounds good to YOU. The 'best' advice I can offer you is to read, listen and learn. I'll start with lesson #1: Exhaust starts at the front. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

06-24-2017, 11:06 AM	#13
Dega Man Drives: ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Talladega Posts: 631	I've listen to several different exhaust on SS Camaros and ZL1's. As many have said it is going to come down to your ear. However you put emphasis on a deep mellow tone which most all ears can discern between deep and raspy. The best deep mellow tones 3 inch that I've personally heard with long tube headers, X Pipe, No cats are LG Super Pro, ARH Pure Thunder, Borla S-Type All made from 304 Stainless. Then the Magna Flow also have a deep mellow tone but made from 409 Stainless. All of these are straight thru design which will not be restrictive. Last edited by Dega Man; 06-24-2017 at 11:49 AM.

06-24-2017, 12:40 PM	#14
bayarea408 Drives: T Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 803	what ever headers and X pipe you want attached to some Corsa's, with Corsa's you pay for that tuned sound.