Overwhelmed and "exhausted" by options

[Cheryls_Inferno_Conv]

Originally Posted by Top Off

Look at me lacking in the thread I started. It is not so much a sound as an actually tone that you feel. Normally comes into play when cruising around 1600-2000 rpm range and you are on the gas lightly. It makes it hard to talk to a person sitting next to you. I had done a muffler delete on my old car (G8) and the drone was horrible. I eventaully had Kooks LTH with Solo cats and catback. (NO drone at all) I had an MBRP exhaust on my v8 Dakota that droned, but no where near as bad. That truck was fine for long trips.

I have been trying to decide what to do to improve the sound of my car (2012 2SS Automatic Vert) so I have been blowing out my speakers by perusing this thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21289 and was intrigued by this post http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24815 but after reading the above post/comment, it answered my question if that would cause too much noise and drone in a convertible. (yes)

SO now I am back to being overwhelmed. There are so many options. Kooks, Flowmaster, Borla OH MY!!!
I know that I dont want to void my warranty (so no headers or tune). And I know that I want to add a CAI at the same time I do the exhaust.

Can anyone make this simple for me? I would like to emulate the beautiful sound that came out of the car I test drove...2SS with the upgraded performance exhaust.

[motorhead2011]

I know what you mean.I had the same problem.You also have to make sure you get exhaust that fits a vert well.I pulled the trigger and ordered the magnaflow comp cat back[15090].CAI and gonna go ahead and do a Jannetty tune to get rid of the afm.

[Bill813]

I have a Solo cat=back system with a RotoFab CAI. The sound was very good, no drone. I have since added ARH LT headers. Sound is fantastic. Suggest you start with Solo and CAI. Think about headers. I like them. Wife doesnt

[GnyaTek]

I am a big fan of the CAI intake. It gives great sound, but only when full throttle. At idle and at cruising speeds, there is no difference in sound from stock. This gives you sound on demand, but also the quiet at cruise speeds. It also gives one of the best overall performance gains across all RPMs without requiring a tune.

I do not yet have exhaust done, but from all that I have seen and heard, I plan to go with the Solo Mach X-C exhaust. From all that I have heard, the sound is great, but without the drone (with AFM) ... so you can keep warranty by not doing a tune.

Sounds to me like this combo might work well for ya. The CAI install is very simple, 20-30 minutes with only knowledge needed is the ability to use a socket wrench and a screw driver. I would strongly suggest doing it yourself instead of paying a bunch of money to have it installed. If going this route, can always install the CAI, see how ya like it, then install exhaust.

[pony]

If you're just looking for sound as well as cleaning up the trash cans from the back, I'm also a fan of Solo, and just have the axle back with the CAI inc intake. Here is a video link, and there is a set for sale in the classified section at a great price. Just gotta talk'm into shipping!

http://www.moderncamaro.com/forum/323171-post4.html

[zandron263]

Solo exhaust and CAI intake you will not be disappointed.

[thallman91]

So..for me..I took the "happy wife" approach. I'm 42...and am out of the "18 year old sound"...so didn't need to sound like a F14 Tomcat coming down the street. But I did want more sound than what was on stock. I added a Cold Air Intake (Roto Fab) and immediately noticed a little more sound and more pop on the accelerator (I also have an Auto (L99)). I then looked (tirelessly - my wife can confirm she was SICK of hearing sound clips). I really REALLY loved the deep sound of the Borla S Type. But...as I looked around at different sites/posts...I found the potential of the dreaded "DRONE". At around 1800 - 2000 RPM..you'll get a deep DRONE in the cabin that bothers many. I knew that my wife would be pissed...and thereby..it'd be a problem I'd need to fix. (Looking back - a Borla S type with added JPipes (purchased from SOLO and added by a muffler shop) might have solved the problem.)

Anyway...I found the SOLO's and listened to the specific clips. Here's the SOLO Cat Back clip->



and the SOLO Axle back here ->


After hearing these...I felt the sound of the Cat Back..along with my CAI was very close to the Borla and would give the "happy wife" syndrome. Always key. That's what I have on my ride now (2011 VR 2SS/RS Vert). I picked up some High Flow cats from a local guy that was selling them, but haven't put them on yet. I'm concerned it might be "too much" sound if I do. I guess I can always take them off if it is.

Another option..might be to add a CAI, SOLO High Flow cats...and keep the "garbage cans" that came standard on it. This would give it more rumble....and sound....and still give you the drone killer that's standard on the Camaro.

I know..A TON of options....but for me (and others)..I've been happy with the SOLO Cat Back, CAI sound!

Good luck...and listen until your ears bleed. Then just decide!
TnT

[Djr88]

So funny, struggling with the same decisions. Pretty sure that I will be going with the solo, now its either the cat-back or axle-back. I too have the auto, and dont plan on either tuning or headers, so leaning towards the axle-back. I wish I spent this much time on something else, seems all I do is listen to clips and do research. Any help would be greatly appreciated

[GnyaTek]

Axle back will give you sound, and that is pretty much it. If you are looking to add HP/performance as well, you would want the cat back. Both of them sound pretty good!

[codnaughty]

i have the MBRP cat-back and an airaid CAI, sounds great but i want it louder, any ideas???

[BLACKCAMARO2SS]

Originally Posted by zandron263

Solo exhaust and CAI intake you will not be disappointed.

This Solo cat back

[Steeler NY]

Solo cat back with CAI "sound on demand" NO Drone great sound!

[Bodih]

Originally Posted by Steeler NY

Solo cat back with CAI "sound on demand" NO Drone great sound!

^^^YES!^^^
Solo Mach-XC Cat-Back & Rotofab CAI. Perfect fit for the convertible, physically and audibly.

[He11bent]

I agree with only the CAI for my vert. I have the New Era 'OTR' intake. Really woke the car up and the change in sound surprised me! When you put your foot in it it roars, but you can also drive it 1000 miles on the interstate and enjoy the quiet ride. I'd recommend the CAI first, then you can always add the rest if its not enough.