Exhaust question - New Camaro owner

[NM34DUNN]

Sorry men I'm sure this has been asked 100 times. I just purchased 2011 SS/RS convertible automatic. Has the resonator or can delete (straight pipe) back to the stock exhaust. Sounds ok, but looking to purchase a used CAT back Borla S Type exhaust off 2012 SS auto convert (so everything should fit fine). Question/concern: Reading about this "Drone" noise. Is this very likely this will happen and do I then need to install "J" exhaust (or something like that) that I read about? Looks like I can install the Borla myself, but is the "J" exhaust an add-on and does this need to be cut and welded into the Borla exhaust (meaning I need to take to a shop)? Sorry....I'm sure I'm not using the right names on this stuff, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about. Thanks for any tips or experience you've had with this. Oh....I'm also adding a cold air intake as well. Will that make any difference with the exhaust (the Borla I want to add and the Drone noise I'm reading about)?

[Avenging Orange]

You know, for all the money you spend on changing the sound via cat back, then having to spend more to fix the drone........you could buy a set of headers, get a tune...and get better performance and sound from the stock exhaust. Plus, no drone!

[tarik1985]

Originally Posted by NM34DUNN

Sorry men I'm sure this has been asked 100 times. I just purchased 2011 SS/RS convertible automatic. Has the resonator or can delete (straight pipe) back to the stock exhaust. Sounds ok, but looking to purchase a used CAT back Borla S Type exhaust off 2012 SS auto convert (so everything should fit fine). Question/concern: Reading about this "Drone" noise. Is this very likely this will happen and do I then need to install "J" exhaust (or something like that) that I read about? Looks like I can install the Borla myself, but is the "J" exhaust an add-on and does this need to be cut and welded into the Borla exhaust (meaning I need to take to a shop)? Sorry....I'm sure I'm not using the right names on this stuff, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about. Thanks for any tips or experience you've had with this. Oh....I'm also adding a cold air intake as well. Will that make any difference with the exhaust (the Borla I want to add and the Drone noise I'm reading about)?

I have the borla atak cat back and the drone is very little. Not sure about the same type.

[2010abmss]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

You know, for all the money you spend on changing the sound via cat back, then having to spend more to fix the drone........you could buy a set of headers, get a tune...and get better performance and sound from the stock exhaust. Plus, no drone!

Agreed!

[tarik1985]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

You know, for all the money you spend on changing the sound via cat back, then having to spend more to fix the drone........you could buy a set of headers, get a tune...and get better performance and sound from the stock exhaust. Plus, no drone!

Careful though headers will make the car loud specially if you add an after market exhaust.

[Spartan01]

"Welcome to the party, pal."
-John McClane

[justjoshin]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

You know, for all the money you spend on changing the sound via cat back, then having to spend more to fix the drone........you could buy a set of headers, get a tune...and get better performance and sound from the stock exhaust. Plus, no drone!

Just did headers w/ hi flows, intake, & tune. It did improve the sound, especially at WOT, but it is still pretty quiet. I would like a little more sound out of it at idle & cruising speeds.

[Avenging Orange]

Originally Posted by tarik1985

Careful though headers will make the car loud specially if you add an after market exhaust.

Thats my point. Most catbacks make the car louder. With headers and stock exhaust it gets a bit louder minus drone. I see so many start with a catback, then later add headers and find out its too loud.

[Pro Stock John]

Headers will actually give you an increase in power, that catback won't add anything.

[RJT-SS]

Originally Posted by NM34DUNN

Sorry men I'm sure this has been asked 100 times. I just purchased 2011 SS/RS convertible automatic. Has the resonator or can delete (straight pipe) back to the stock exhaust. Sounds ok, but looking to purchase a used CAT back Borla S Type exhaust off 2012 SS auto convert (so everything should fit fine). Question/concern: Reading about this "Drone" noise. Is this very likely this will happen and do I then need to install "J" exhaust (or something like that) that I read about? Looks like I can install the Borla myself, but is the "J" exhaust an add-on and does this need to be cut and welded into the Borla exhaust (meaning I need to take to a shop)? Sorry....I'm sure I'm not using the right names on this stuff, but hopefully you know what I'm talking about. Thanks for any tips or experience you've had with this. Oh....I'm also adding a cold air intake as well. Will that make any difference with the exhaust (the Borla I want to add and the Drone noise I'm reading about)?

The stock exhaust on an auto, due to the AFM, is designed to kill the drone. Specifically, the resonator combined with the J-chamber in the muffler is what keeps the drone away. When the stock system is removed, the AFM makes the drone much more noticeable. However, drone is much like exhaust sounds; each person hears it differently. Many people get a tune and have the AFM removed as part of that and that greatly reduces drone. Whether or not you tune out the AFM, you have a few options:

1. Buy an exhaust system with J-pipes included (Solo).
2. Buy J-pipes from Solo and have a local exhaust shop weld them on your system.
3. Have your exhaust shop fabricate a set of J-pipes and weld them in your system.

If you choose the second or third option, make sure you are comfortable with the skills of your exhaust shop.

Keep in mind that you do not "need" J-pipes. It really all depends on how much drone bothers you.

Your cold air intake will slightly effect the exhaust sound but will not contribute to drone.

[Indydriver]

Originally Posted by justjoshin

Just did headers w/ hi flows, intake, & tune. It did improve the sound, especially at WOT, but it is still pretty quiet. I would like a little more sound out of it at idle & cruising speeds.

I'm glad to read your description as this is exactly the result I desire. I have an appt 5/20 for ARH w/HFC into OE catback w/NPP + tune.

[RolltideSS]

I have the borla stype on mine, I wouldn't recommend it. It drones crazy loud at highway speeds. I had j pipes put on and that helps but this won't be the final exhaust that's on the car. Take a look at solo or one of the other "drone free" exhausts

[NM34DUNN]

If I get a tune to get rid of the AFM - doesn't that void my warranty?

[RJT-SS]

That's a long and somewhat complicated answer. The simplest answer is; it depends. It depends on whether the dealer can prove that the mod caused whatever problem you are trying to get fixed under warranty. If you have a good relationship with your dealer or, if the dealer is used to working on modded cars, it's usually not a problem. On the other hand, there are many dealers that just say "warranty voided" and won't work with you.

Look up Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act on this site or the web if you want to get into it in more detail.