Full system vs cat back - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ImBrokeAF · 06-16-2018, 07:04 PM

I am trying to decide if the additional cost for headers with hi flow cats is worth it on an other wise stock LSA (has CAI). I want the car to sound meaner but I am wondering if I will see significant performance difference if I do just a cat back exhaust vs a full system

shibbs · 06-16-2018, 07:20 PM

There's little to no power to be had from a catback.

The stock cats are what cause the biggest exhaust restriction and limit power.

Yes, long tubes are DEFINITELY worth it. Do headers and a tune first, then worry about the catback if you still want louder.

Crash76 · 06-17-2018, 12:11 PM

LT Headers and or pipes or cats to a stock NPP system rocks

ImBrokeAF · 06-17-2018, 01:34 PM

thanks for the input guys. I had not considered just doing the headers with high flow cats and leave the rest of the system stock.

RobZL1 · 06-17-2018, 03:29 PM

That's a popular setup on here. You can get good quality headers for a great price for these cars, too. Stainless Power (by Stainless Works), Texas Speed, Dynatech, and Speed Engineering. Given your forum handle, the Speed Engineering setup has good reviews for 300 bucks.

ZO6 Bryan · 06-17-2018, 10:41 PM

Kooks headers and cats with stock cat back

ZO6 Bryan · 06-17-2018, 10:42 PM

And idle

chevyboy82 · 06-18-2018, 09:35 AM

If you add Headers with high flow cats it will not make a sound difference, I thought the same thing on my 2014 2SS I added Long tube headers and kooks green Cats so that it could handle boost no sound difference and then I added a full exhaust. Now the car sounds great.

d454brisson · 06-18-2018, 09:50 AM

I have the kooks headers no cats and stock system flaps open, its significantly diff than stock and I wouldnt want any other sound. I am running the rough idle cam which makes it even choppier.

Reichler · 06-18-2018, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyboy82

If you add Headers with high flow cats it will not make a sound difference, I thought the same thing on my 2014 2SS I added Long tube headers and kooks green Cats so that it could handle boost no sound difference and then I added a full exhaust. Now the car sounds great.

You must not have the NPP catback then, because the NPP is significantly louder with headers and either catless or high flow catted midpipes.

shibbs · 06-18-2018, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reichler

You must not have the NPP catback then, because the NPP is significantly louder with headers and either catless or high flow catted midpipes.

NPP or not, headers help exhaust sound like crazy. Non-NPP:

RobZL1 · 06-18-2018, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reichler

You must not have the NPP catback then, because the NPP is significantly louder with headers and either catless or high flow catted midpipes.

I agree. It's pretty loud. See videos below. In the first video notice the windows are closed until the final blast.

ZO6 Bryan · 06-20-2018, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyboy82

If you add Headers with high flow cats it will not make a sound difference, I thought the same thing on my 2014 2SS I added Long tube headers and kooks green Cats so that it could handle boost no sound difference and then I added a full exhaust. Now the car sounds great.

ZL1's have the NPP exhaust, you don't.

ZO6 Bryan · 06-20-2018, 10:53 PM

What it'll sound like to everyone else.

06-16-2018, 07:04 PM	#1
ImBrokeAF Drives: 2013 ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 33	Full system vs cat back I am trying to decide if the additional cost for headers with hi flow cats is worth it on an other wise stock LSA (has CAI). I want the car to sound meaner but I am wondering if I will see significant performance difference if I do just a cat back exhaust vs a full system

06-17-2018, 03:29 PM	#5
RobZL1 fo'shizZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ATL Posts: 1,281	That's a popular setup on here. You can get good quality headers for a great price for these cars, too. Stainless Power (by Stainless Works), Texas Speed, Dynatech, and Speed Engineering. Given your forum handle, the Speed Engineering setup has good reviews for 300 bucks. __________________ 2017 ZL1 M6 Black \| Maggie 2650 // 103TB // Big Gulp Past Rides- 2014 ZL1 M6 Red Hot \| Tons of mods 2004 CTS-V M6 Silver \| Many mods 1995 Corvette M6 Torch Red \| A few more mods 1992 Camaro M5 White \| A few mods

06-17-2018, 12:11 PM	#3
Crash76 Team 913 Drives: '14 ZL1, '15 Jeep GC, ‘22 Ram 2500 Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA, Central CA Posts: 1,119	LT Headers and or pipes or cats to a stock NPP system rocks

06-17-2018, 01:34 PM	#4
ImBrokeAF Drives: 2013 ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2018 Location: Michigan Posts: 33	thanks for the input guys. I had not considered just doing the headers with high flow cats and leave the rest of the system stock.

06-18-2018, 09:35 AM	#8
chevyboy82 Drives: 2014 SS Camaro Kooks Headers, Corsa Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Houston Posts: 21	If you add Headers with high flow cats it will not make a sound difference, I thought the same thing on my 2014 2SS I added Long tube headers and kooks green Cats so that it could handle boost no sound difference and then I added a full exhaust. Now the car sounds great.

06-18-2018, 09:50 AM	#9
d454brisson Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Baltimore MD Posts: 345	I have the kooks headers no cats and stock system flaps open, its significantly diff than stock and I wouldnt want any other sound. I am running the rough idle cam which makes it even choppier.