Exhaust help needed - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Hitter11 · 03-11-2010, 12:30 PM

So, I have done endless searches on this topic and have not really been able to find an answer to my exhaust questions.

The last vehicle I had the exhaust modified for was my 2004 VW R32 (V6). It seemed to be a bit more simple to find what I wanted for the type of gains I was looking for (ie High-Flow Cat and Catback were perfect for low-end torque gains). For that specific vehicle headers were pointless for the amount of gain vs the amount of money needed to be spent.

Here is my predicament... I have the LS3 Camaro and am looking for low-end torque gains and a deeper, throatier sound (but I don't want raspy). I know I need to look into the different companies for the sound I am looking for but my question is what type parts should I be looking at for a low-end torque gain?

The reason I ask is because there seems to be so many options (ie headers, high-flow cat, catback, axle back, x-pipe, etc) and I am not sure what the benefits are for each of these. I'm not very techy so when I have found the data on these I'm not sure how to understand them.

I've also noticed many people on the forums have many different combinations, which ends up confusing me more.

In short: What combination of exhaust components will give me what I'm looking for with the best gains and without bankrupting me?

Thanks in advance! I know my lack of knowledge on the topic can be a bit annoying.

2010SSRSM6 · 03-11-2010, 01:00 PM

Do you have emmissions laws that you need to follow? What kind of budget are you trying to keep? Any mod's already done? What kind of low end torque are you trying to get?

StrangeMan · 03-11-2010, 01:05 PM

People here have found that no exhaust is going to give you any noticable performance gains, only sound. The long tube headers will give you HP/TQ.

Iwantone2 · 03-11-2010, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangeMan

People here have found that no exhaust is going to give you any noticable performance gains, only sound. The long tube headers will give you HP/TQ.

+1 if it's an LS3

g-townmach · 03-11-2010, 01:44 PM

If what you're after is low end torque, you need to do gears first.

Longtubes and tune will give you more low end. Catback will be little to no gain or even a loss.

hokiedee · 03-11-2010, 03:26 PM

I just did a Magnaflow Axle back #16582 $360 and a Tru Resonated X Pipe $79, #11386. I am not sure if there are any gains, but the sound and tone are great. The X Pipe replace your H Pipe and controls decel popping.

Roger Ramjet · 03-11-2010, 03:38 PM

The least expensive route is cut the mufflers off and install a pair of short glass pack mufflers (4 x 8 in). That will get you the deep mellow sound you asked for.

However, that will not produce any low RPM torque increase. To increase torque, the H pipe must go. Cut the H out and replace with straight pipe.

DO NOT USE A X-PIPE! That will produce a high RPM torque gain.

A tune will net a bigger torque gain below 3000 RPM than the exhaust mods.

Hitter11 · 03-11-2010, 04:14 PM

I'm not exactly sure of Illinois' emission laws but I know they are much more lax compared to California for example.

In terms of the gain, it doesn't have to be extreme just a bit more than it is when the car is stock. The increase I am looking for would be in the 2000-3000 rpm range (but the gain from the exhaust would suffice I would assume). I forgot to mention this before but I am planning on doing the combination, whatever that will be, all at the same time. So if that turns out to be headers and a catback, a high-flow cat and a catback, or all three I will be doing them together. I just don't want to do something that isn't going to give me what I am looking for. So, if the high-flow cat (for example) isn't going to help with the sound I want or the increase I want then I won't spend the money on it. (hopefully what I am saying makes sense... sorry if it isn't)

Right now my car is stock but I am looking to do a CAI and then an ECU flash once I have the exhaust installed.

Thanks for the input so far!

chevyss · 03-11-2010, 04:28 PM

I beg to differ about the performance improvement after install of headers. There was a great difference on before and after. Then it really came alive with the CAI kit. Big difference.

Roger Ramjet · 03-11-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitter11

The increase I am looking for would be in the 2000-3000 rpm range (but the gain from the exhaust would suffice I would assume).

The ECM program limits torque below 3000 RPM. Because of that I would expect no noticeable gain from exhaust and/or CAI Below 3000 without a tune - above that without a tune, YES.

The tune alone will produce the torque increase you are looking for.

Hitter11 · 03-11-2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger Ramjet

The ECM program limits torque below 3000 RPM. Because of that I would expect no noticeable gain from exhaust and/or CAI Below 3000 without a tune - above that without a tune, YES.

The tune alone will produce the torque increase you are looking for.

Cool... how much does a tune generally cost? And when the car is tuned what is the focus?

ULTRAZLS1 · 03-11-2010, 08:52 PM

It will give you some more power and eliminate the torque management that reduces power to something like 30% when you bang into the next gear.

But remember. Tune=voided warranty.

Hitter11 · 03-11-2010, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ULTRAZLS1

It will give you some more power and eliminate the torque management that reduces power to something like 30% when you bang into the next gear.

But remember. Tune=voided warranty.

Ahh...not so much a fan of that option.

03-11-2010, 01:00 PM	#2
2010SSRSM6 Drives: My wife crazy with my C5 usage. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DFW Posts: 6,558 View My Garage	Do you have emmissions laws that you need to follow? What kind of budget are you trying to keep? Any mod's already done? What kind of low end torque are you trying to get? __________________ UNDER CONSTRUCTION......again......

03-11-2010, 01:05 PM	#3
StrangeMan Drives: 2SS SIM/Blk Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Frankfort KY Posts: 292	People here have found that no exhaust is going to give you any noticable performance gains, only sound. The long tube headers will give you HP/TQ. __________________

03-11-2010, 01:44 PM	#5
g-townmach I FARTED Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: cen-tex Posts: 870	If what you're after is low end torque, you need to do gears first. Longtubes and tune will give you more low end. Catback will be little to no gain or even a loss. __________________

03-11-2010, 03:38 PM	#7
Roger Ramjet Motor Head Drives: CTS-V Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: So MD Posts: 494	The least expensive route is cut the mufflers off and install a pair of short glass pack mufflers (4 x 8 in). That will get you the deep mellow sound you asked for. However, that will not produce any low RPM torque increase. To increase torque, the H pipe must go. Cut the H out and replace with straight pipe. DO NOT USE A X-PIPE! That will produce a high RPM torque gain. A tune will net a bigger torque gain below 3000 RPM than the exhaust mods. __________________ History Camaro's: 83, 93, 95, 98, & 10.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY Noweeds exhaust diverter installation	CanadianCamaro	Camaro DIY & HOW-TO instructions & discussions	42	08-15-2016 11:11 AM
axle back vs catback exhaust	kozzmo49	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	43	03-28-2012 09:27 AM
Wife says new exhaust needed!	mrray13	Camaro V6 LLT Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	44	03-13-2010 10:48 PM
V-6 Camaro needed for a custom exhaust fitting	2010SSRSM6	USA - California	1	08-05-2009 10:13 PM
(UPDATED) Stainless Works exhaust and header systems!! (Tag's SS w/ HP #'s)	Milk 1027	Camaro V8 LS3 / L99 Engine, Exhaust, and Bolt-Ons	162	07-09-2009 06:39 AM

03-11-2010, 12:30 PM	#1
Hitter11 Drives: 2010 Black Chevrolet 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 66	Exhaust help needed So, I have done endless searches on this topic and have not really been able to find an answer to my exhaust questions. The last vehicle I had the exhaust modified for was my 2004 VW R32 (V6). It seemed to be a bit more simple to find what I wanted for the type of gains I was looking for (ie High-Flow Cat and Catback were perfect for low-end torque gains). For that specific vehicle headers were pointless for the amount of gain vs the amount of money needed to be spent. Here is my predicament... I have the LS3 Camaro and am looking for low-end torque gains and a deeper, throatier sound (but I don't want raspy). I know I need to look into the different companies for the sound I am looking for but my question is what type parts should I be looking at for a low-end torque gain? The reason I ask is because there seems to be so many options (ie headers, high-flow cat, catback, axle back, x-pipe, etc) and I am not sure what the benefits are for each of these. I'm not very techy so when I have found the data on these I'm not sure how to understand them. I've also noticed many people on the forums have many different combinations, which ends up confusing me more. In short: What combination of exhaust components will give me what I'm looking for with the best gains and without bankrupting me? Thanks in advance! I know my lack of knowledge on the topic can be a bit annoying.

03-11-2010, 03:26 PM	#6
hokiedee Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS manual silver w/blk Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Centreville, Va Posts: 45	I just did a Magnaflow Axle back #16582 $360 and a Tru Resonated X Pipe $79, #11386. I am not sure if there are any gains, but the sound and tone are great. The X Pipe replace your H Pipe and controls decel popping.

03-11-2010, 04:14 PM	#8
Hitter11 Drives: 2010 Black Chevrolet 2SS/RS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 66	I'm not exactly sure of Illinois' emission laws but I know they are much more lax compared to California for example. In terms of the gain, it doesn't have to be extreme just a bit more than it is when the car is stock. The increase I am looking for would be in the 2000-3000 rpm range (but the gain from the exhaust would suffice I would assume). I forgot to mention this before but I am planning on doing the combination, whatever that will be, all at the same time. So if that turns out to be headers and a catback, a high-flow cat and a catback, or all three I will be doing them together. I just don't want to do something that isn't going to give me what I am looking for. So, if the high-flow cat (for example) isn't going to help with the sound I want or the increase I want then I won't spend the money on it. (hopefully what I am saying makes sense... sorry if it isn't) Right now my car is stock but I am looking to do a CAI and then an ECU flash once I have the exhaust installed. Thanks for the input so far!

03-11-2010, 04:28 PM	#9
chevyss SS/RS Drives: 2010 SS/RS IOM w/blk stripes A6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 816 View My Garage	I beg to differ about the performance improvement after install of headers. There was a great difference on before and after. Then it really came alive with the CAI kit. Big difference.

03-11-2010, 08:52 PM	#12
ULTRAZLS1 Drives: 14 Silverado LTZ Z71, 16 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 4,407	It will give you some more power and eliminate the torque management that reduces power to something like 30% when you bang into the next gear. But remember. Tune=voided warranty.