The Perfect Exhaust Combination?

[KaiPL]

I’ve been waiting and watching for a while, considering aftermarket exhaust options. I’ve read dozens of posts on this board and the Viper Alley board, checked out various manufacturer sites, and done a bit of reading.

My goal is a modest horsepower increase. I will be happy with a 30 horsepower gain. If I can get more, then so much the better. If I can save some weight by eliminating the factory cross-over system, then that is good too.

I think that I am finally coming to some conclusions.

Currently, the front runners are:

Headers:
Bellanger headers or B&B headers. Both Bellanger and BB seem to be well liked. Price on both seems comparable. I’m currently leaning toward the Bellanger headers.

Cats:
I know next to nothing about cats. I just know that my car will need to pass emissions inspection. I’m leaning toward a pair of 3 inch in/out Metal Honeycomb Substrate Cats sold by Jon at Parts rack. As I said, I know nothing about cats. This preference is simply based on the fact that they are the most expensive and Jon claims that they are “the best.”
If they provide better flow and will still allow me to pass emissions, then I’m willing to pay extra.

Cat-back:
I want to have my cake and eat it too. I want unrestricted flow, but I don’t want truly obnoxious noise. I want to be able to carry on a conversation in my car during normal driving without having to yell. I don’t mind noise when the car is being driven hard, but just cruising around I don’t want to be too loud. I need to remain in the good graces of my neighbors and the local sheriff.
So . . . I’m looking at Corsa’s cat-back systems. Folks seem to say that their cat back exhaust tends to have less “cruising” noise than others. Certainly, their website makes these claims, and hopefully it isn’t a bunch of BS. I’d love to go with their new “Track” exhaust, and eliminate the heat and weight of the cross over system. As long as the noise sounds like an aggressive street car and not a full on track car, and as long as the real volume doesn’t kick in while I’m just cruising around, the Corsa system sounds like my answer.

Anyone have any insight here? Anyone feel the need to step in and keep me from making a multi-thousand dollar decision that I’m going to regret later?

Thanks

Kai

 

[Hans Christian]

Kai,

That is amazing - You and I are at the exact same exhaust stage. Like you I have for the past 3-4 months been gathering info on the different setups out there.

I am leaning toward almost the same setup as you are contemplating above i.e.

Belanger headers + CATs (as per yours I am similarly ignorant on the CAT subject) + Corsa track exaust with the elimination of the crossover.

I am however leaving my final decision to after VOI as I am hoping to hear varoius setups during the festivities.

 

[Dash Riprock]

That is the direction I am leaning. As long as the sound is not too much different, I won't have to explain anything to the wife.

Dash

 

[Skip White]

I will be going with headers myself eventually.

Here is what you may want to do, put the B&B's on or whatever header you choose, then eliminate all four cats, but go back with the Random Tech's as the primaries, in the same location as the secondary cats were, as that is the only place you can put them. You will have to relocate the 02 sensors, and that's easy. The primary cat is in a loacation that you have to do it this way. As for what goes in the side, I would then go with 3 inch pipe, and you won't be able to use the Bullet 3 inch inlet mufflers as the case on them is to big in diameter, but there are smaller diameter ones out there. I think it's ridiculous to pay $800-$900 for the side kit, when the muffler shop can make it up for you, plus the $70-$90 each for a very good 3 inch muffler, is 100% as good. As for stainless being the choice of pipe, it serves no better purpose than aluminized pipe, other than lasting longer. The reagular pipe will last longer than most of us will be alive, plus I've heard it said many times that it remains much cooler than stainles, something to consider on the choice of headers, as Belanger headers are not stainless. I'd go with a 22 inch muffler at least if you are not into the sound thing to much. You will love this setup. I think my cheap setup sounds good now, I would say this would sound much better because of the headers, and full 3 inch pipe work. This has to be good for at least 30 HP and many other benifits. Don't go back with four cat's, the car will pass emisions any where with the two Random Tech's. They are very compact in size, and will fit right where the sec's were originally. You will have to have a shop that can make that one bend in the pipe that comes out the side. I would not really want the convoluted style bend that muffler shops often use. As for tips, you can buy them from several vendors out there.

Wish someone made headers for a realistic price. Seems like a lot of money for a few pounds of pipe. I could see it if they were custom making one set of them.

Skip

ps, Dash R. the sound will be very different with this setup, but not in a bad way. I've had several people that in there sixties, and my dad, who is in his seventies, say it sounds great, and wouldn't have it no other way.

 

[CTViper]

SKIP--- How much do you want to do my Car (04 Viper)I 'm shipping it to texas in Sept anyways.

 

[Skip White]

Chuck give me a call, at 817-625-6910

Skip W.

 

[Viper X]

Hi Kai,

I too am in the same process, but a bit farther along. I chose the Corsa Track (3-inch) for my "cat back" and elimitated the rear cross over pipes. The amount of heat removed from behind the seats is substantial. The sills are much cooler too. Prior to this mod, when starting cold, the water would drip from the side pipe, now it sprays (much less restrictive). As for sound, it is pretty good at cruise, you can talk and hear the radio quite well with the windows down, so their is something to Corsa's claims of "relective sound cancellation". At WOT or driving aggressively, they come alive and sound a bit louder, but in a good way. They are also a bit deeper than stock at idle.

As for headers and cats, I am going with the B & B "step headers". These start at 1 /5/8 and go up to 1 3/4 inches and are long tube design, i.e. they merge into a farily large collector. The folks at West Coast Viper like this newer design and highly recommend these headers and cats. These West Coast guys are pretty serious about their work and their racing / performance street products. They also recommneded using only two "high flow" cats instead of four, the same two you are looking at, I believe. They have told me that this set-up will pass emissions tests, even here in Krazy Kalifornia.

Good luck with your efforts and let me / us know how your search progresses.

Dan

 

[04 THE HARD WAY]

Has anyone had any experience with any of theses mufflers? They are "Ultra Light Weight". The weight is not really the issue... It seams, Burns will make you any muffler you want... I.D, O.D, length.

They probably could also ship them with a (professionally) welded front and rear pipe w/90 tip.

The only concerns I have is if they are TOO loud. And if by the time you buy two customs (left and right) you could almost buy 1/2 a corsa track system.

http://www.burnsstainless.com/UltraliteMuffler/ultralitemuffler.html

 

[BillD]

I had the corsa track system istalled. The guy who did it removed the secondary catalyic convertors. He wasn't easily able to fit 3 inch high flow convertors on in front of the mufflers, so we deleted them. My goal was to decrease heat and to get a sound with more pop in it.. The car does seem a bit cooler and it is loud. The first time I fired it up in the garage with my wife standing next to it she jumped. Now she covers her ears. I am more conscious of the neighbors, but I think it sounds good.. I do not notice the annoying drone I have had in the past with two different Borla systems. My Track system is a lot rougher and louder especially at low rpm and on start up. With acceleration the roughness evens out and it sounds great. Deceleration has plenty of pop and backfire (probably aided by convertor deletion). I like it a lot

 

[Skip White]

Good going on the exhaust upgrade. Your car is now the way it should have been. Removing those sec. cats was the idea thing to do.

The sound will become less to you as your ears adjust to it.

Skip White