Cat back or axle back? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Craig B · 05-22-2013, 04:36 PM

I see lots of talk about cat back and axle back system. The big question, is there any power to gain from these systems? Is it just too make the car sound louder than stock? I see a lot of these systems out for the Camaro, but no one is claiming power increase. I would like to make mine louder, but not obnoxious. If there was an extra 10 hp to 15 hp from a cat back then it would be worth the extra $$$. Any thoughts??

Camper · 05-22-2013, 04:43 PM

the power gains to be had at simple bolt on level is hiflow cats or removal of cats. the 2.5 pipe size is fine and really isnt in need of upgrading until you start pushing real power.

Craig B · 05-22-2013, 04:46 PM

Sorry forgot to say, would like to keep it legal and under warranty. No headers or cat delete.

Avenging Orange · 05-22-2013, 05:00 PM

In that case, leave it stock. Nothing but headers will give you an hp increase. All the other stuff is just noise.

litle88 · 05-22-2013, 05:07 PM

Why? Keep the warranty! Lol

Craig B · 05-22-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

In that case, leave it stock. Nothing but headers will give you an hp increase. All the other stuff is just noise.

Looks like I will just do a axle back Flowmaster or Borla kit then.

RJT-SS · 05-22-2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Criag B

I see lots of talk about cat back and axle back system. The big question, is there any power to gain from these systems? Is it just too make the car sound louder than stock? I see a lot of these systems out for the Camaro, but no one is claiming power increase. I would like to make mine louder, but not obnoxious. If there was an extra 10 hp to 15 hp from a cat back then it would be worth the extra $$$. Any thoughts??

No power gain. A cat-back will give you a little more volume and different sound. An axle back will give just a different sound. The more of the stock system you get rid of, the more weight you will shed. It's not a ton, but it's some.

I strongly suggest that if you are even remotely considering long tube headers with cats, do that first. That is where you will get power gains plus it changes the sound and volume. Then you can find the exhaust you like. At that point, there are many options; you might like the sound as-is, you might want to try a muffler delete or, just an axle back - all very economical and reduces the risk of buying a system now that you want to sell later cause you don't like the sound after your header install. There are many examples of this all over this forum.

You may ultimately decide to get a catback but keep in mind that the stock h-pipe and resonator section flows just as well as aftermarket mid sections (front part of the catback). There is much debate about that but that's half the fun around here. Good luck!

Nightmare2012 · 05-23-2013, 11:22 AM

It won't void your warranty unless you tune it. Just a FYI.

omgitsmikeyC · 05-23-2013, 12:41 PM

Changing exhausts is like changing rims. Dealers accept it's not a stock option, but doesn't change anything but looks and sound. When you start removing cats and such or change emissions equip, then they care. Wise advice is to just keep a bolt on ready factory exhaust if you do change cats and such, throw them on before warranty work and remove after. Having a muffler shop weld on bolt up flanges is really cheap.

2012-2SS · 05-23-2013, 01:44 PM

Go with an axle back if you just want to know that your engine is running. I currently run the Pypes Pipe bomb axle back. It sounds great and I like the bigger tips. They are also one of the best priced options too. I bought mine somewhere around $250ish

omgitsmikeyC · 05-23-2013, 03:11 PM

I have a shop out here in Southlake, TX that offered to do a full cat back, including two cat delete, but leaving the front monitored ones, and muffler delete while giving me back my stock parts for about $600.

axis · 05-23-2013, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgitsmikeyC

I have a shop out here in Southlake, TX that offered to do a full cat back, including two cat delete, but leaving the front monitored ones, and muffler delete while giving me back my stock parts for about $600.

So they're going to cut out everything under your car, up to the front cats, then replace it with piping and only charge you $600? Sounds a little expensive to me, especially if it's pressbent piping.

RJT-SS · 05-23-2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omgitsmikeyC

I have a shop out here in Southlake, TX that offered to do a full cat back, including two cat delete, but leaving the front monitored ones, and muffler delete while giving me back my stock parts for about $600.

Huh? Not following the "....including two cat delete, but leaving the front monitored ones..." statement. Also, $600 sound awful cheap for parts and labor for doing cat back work.

ex ford guy · 05-24-2013, 01:17 PM

What's the name of the shop? I am in Flower Mound and looking for someone local & reasonably priced.

05-22-2013, 04:36 PM	#1
Craig B Drives: 2013 1LE Join Date: May 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 685	Cat back or axle back? I see lots of talk about cat back and axle back system. The big question, is there any power to gain from these systems? Is it just too make the car sound louder than stock? I see a lot of these systems out for the Camaro, but no one is claiming power increase. I would like to make mine louder, but not obnoxious. If there was an extra 10 hp to 15 hp from a cat back then it would be worth the extra $$$. Any thoughts??

05-22-2013, 05:00 PM	#4
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	In that case, leave it stock. Nothing but headers will give you an hp increase. All the other stuff is just noise. __________________ 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!!

05-22-2013, 05:07 PM	#5
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Why? Keep the warranty! Lol __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

05-23-2013, 12:41 PM	#9
omgitsmikeyC Drives: 2014 CTS-V- totalled/ 45TH ss- SOLD Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,096 View My Garage	Changing exhausts is like changing rims. Dealers accept it's not a stock option, but doesn't change anything but looks and sound. When you start removing cats and such or change emissions equip, then they care. Wise advice is to just keep a bolt on ready factory exhaust if you do change cats and such, throw them on before warranty work and remove after. Having a muffler shop weld on bolt up flanges is really cheap. __________________ 2014 CTS-V... with some go-fast bits coming

05-23-2013, 01:44 PM	#10
2012-2SS Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 678	Go with an axle back if you just want to know that your engine is running. I currently run the Pypes Pipe bomb axle back. It sounds great and I like the bigger tips. They are also one of the best priced options too. I bought mine somewhere around $250ish __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS, Hurst Short Throw, IdealG M/C, Pypes Pipe Bomb, LSR Cold Air Intake, LSR Toe Links/Lower Control Arms Clear Image headers, high flows, Slowhawk tune 1974 Chevy K10 Built 355, FAST EZ EFI, 5speed 2000 Chevy Tahoe LT 5.3L, Slowhawk tune

05-22-2013, 04:43 PM	#2
Camper Banned Drives: 10' 2SS LS3 M6 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Phoenix,AZ Posts: 1,370	the power gains to be had at simple bolt on level is hiflow cats or removal of cats. the 2.5 pipe size is fine and really isnt in need of upgrading until you start pushing real power.

05-22-2013, 04:46 PM	#3
Craig B Drives: 2013 1LE Join Date: May 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 685	Sorry forgot to say, would like to keep it legal and under warranty. No headers or cat delete.

05-23-2013, 11:22 AM	#8
Nightmare2012 come find out;) Drives: stockish 2012 camaro ss Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: speed county Posts: 2,166 View My Garage	It won't void your warranty unless you tune it. Just a FYI.

05-23-2013, 03:11 PM	#11
omgitsmikeyC Drives: 2014 CTS-V- totalled/ 45TH ss- SOLD Join Date: May 2013 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 1,096 View My Garage	I have a shop out here in Southlake, TX that offered to do a full cat back, including two cat delete, but leaving the front monitored ones, and muffler delete while giving me back my stock parts for about $600. __________________ 2014 CTS-V... with some go-fast bits coming

05-24-2013, 01:17 PM	#14
ex ford guy Drives: 2011 conv 2ss/rs Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Flower Mound, TX Posts: 21 View My Garage	What's the name of the shop? I am in Flower Mound and looking for someone local & reasonably priced.