New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech - Best sounding/performing exhaust for the $

I have a stock 01 TA (regular hood, not ws6) with the exception of a SLP bullet muffler. It's an immaculate car, perfect condition with only 57k miles. It runs really great and is so fun to drive with the 6 speed stick! The only thing I feel it needs is something to do the sound of the exhaust some justice. I've heard of cut outs, dumps and open headers. I dont have the money to buy new headers, cams, or to have all new exhaust layouts done with a new config like true duals etc. What could I have done to the factory exhaust to give it a good aggressive sound to match it's great performance? PS - forgive me but i'm not totally clear on what is done with "open headers" is that literally just cutting the exhaust system away from the headers? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Open headers are cool for about 5 minutes... After that only little kids and red necks like it. The tone/quality is ass... It is just LOUD and nothing else.

If you want something a little on the loud sound and don't plan on full exhaust look into the SLP loudmouth... Something a little more tame with good tone/quality would be magnaflow. You can pick up both used at a good price, both stainless as well.

Borlamouth :judge:

http://youtu.be/uf_85Rh6zmg

The loudmouth is light, free flowing, and well ... louuuuuudd. Sounds even better w / long tubes / ory :devil:

for the $ a cutout is best and they sound good on a stock exhaust.

Open headers are cool for about 5 minutes... After that only little kids and red necks like it. The tone/quality is ass... It is just LOUD and nothing else.

If you want something a little on the loud sound and don't plan on full exhaust look into the SLP loudmouth... Something a little more tame with good tone/quality would be magnaflow. You can pick up both used at a good price, both stainless as well.


I agree.


Open headers is extremely loud and it just sounds like garbage. I got a headache from open headers just driving it to the muffler shop 4 miles away.

I like my Hooker Aerochamber.

open headers is garbage....at low cruising rpm it sounds just like the Sanford and son truck going down the road....and at WOT it sounds ungodly loud....and your backpressure is gone and tq suffers. i personally took my slp bullet off and threw on a dynomax and i will never go back. i love it. it really made it nice once i put on headers....just grab a set of hookers for like 400 dollars and put them on over a weekend and you will be stunned at how much better it will sound. ill attatch a clip of the open header sound i mentioned as well as my sound....the video does not do it justice. this was with my old ls1 motor. the tone with dynomax is deeper and just as loud. more muscular to me. my friends love it. when the headers were on is when it changed alot.

just the dynomax muffler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXfi8MtqiVA

the same with headers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWczHF4f7sw

flyby vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKnvDruC0zA


the shitty sound of open headers (not mine)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw9sQ0HQc8o

Best sounding is subjective, its like saying "whats the best color". Good exhaust systems for their price are SLP LM and Magnaflow. I would stay away from flowmasters system (seems to be restrictive on these cars) and hooker (I've heard of people saying the quality of the systems hasn't been great since they changed the plant they make them). Although there are a lot of other good systems out their but there just a little more pricey (Corsica, GMMG, etc)

x2 I started my car with open headers, and would not want to dive it that way.

I agree.


Open headers is extremely loud and it just sounds like garbage. I got a headache from open headers just driving it to the muffler shop 4 miles away.

I like my Hooker Aerochamber.

sepsis, hows the hooker working out for you? I am really leaning towards it for my setup. If I remember correctly you are running the edelbrock LT's and ORY as well right? Most of the people that have it seet to like it and say there is little to no rasp. I remember watching your video when you first got it, and now that you have had it for a while your input would be great, thanks!

Loudmouth 1 sounds great on a stock car, i loved mine but after mods it goes to crap, but that will sound great on your car if your just looking to do a catback

One more vote for the hooker :thumb:

You could also do a dumped bullet before the axle, just cut off your catback put a magnaflow bullet on

x2 I started my car with open headers, and would not want to dive it that way.



sepsis, hows the hooker working out for you? I am really leaning towards it for my setup. If I remember correctly you are running the edelbrock LT's and ORY as well right? Most of the people that have it seet to like it and say there is little to no rasp. I remember watching your video when you first got it, and now that you have had it for a while your input would be great, thanks!


You're correct. Edelbrock stepped headers and catless TSP ORY. I like it a lot. It's got a good sound and no rasp. It's pretty loud at WOT, but very tame at warm idle and cruising speed.

Here's a little vid I made of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLxzveK35SU

Not trying to hi jack but what about tips? What are you guys running?

Corsa clones if you run tips, no other choice IMO.

Corsa clones if you run tips, no other choice IMO.

Yeah those look nice in the trans am but what about the camaro? Don't they look a little out of place?

Yeah those look nice in the trans am but what about the camaro? Don't they look a little out of place?

They look excellent on either IMO... For a Camaro I prefer dumped anyway.

The Maganflow single tips don't look bad on the Camaro either though.

IMO the only real choices if you're on any kind of budget is the Magnaflow or SLP LM 1 or 2. Both can be found under 400 bucks, shipped, and both are stainless.

I've heard the Hooker, and it sounds good, but I can't see buying a non-stainless exhaust. For just a few bucks over the Hooker you could get one of the stainless ones.

If you're just replacing the muffler, then I'd consider the Hooker.

I think the best of both worlds would be the Magnaflow with an e-cutout. That way you get the quietness of the MF when you need it, and the loud fun of the open e-cutout when you wantthat.

I plan on installing that combo soon, it's sitting on thefloor in my spare bedroom right now. Cops here can be picky aobut the noise, hence the Magnaflow, but then I have the cutout for scaring pedestrians :devil:

X2^ just installed my e-cutout on the I pipe of the exhuast right before it goes over the axle. It sounds awesome Specialy at WOT. When I get around my aparments I just shut it off. I paid $180 for it and had it installed and wired in for $150 so just depends what you want. Here's the link to the group buy from one of sponsers which is by far the cheapest I could find them with a 4yr warranty.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/sponsor-group-purchases/1376443-multiple-group-purchase-thread-2-a.html

Oh and it doesn't sound as shity as open headers (at least not like the video above).

another vote for hooker!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6JU3xakjRA

Well after watching your guy's videos I am confident with going for the hooker. It seems to sound great with LT's and a ORY! However for the OP, many people say that the hooker is pretty quiet with stock manifolds and cats.
Thanks for the videos guys!

And what's the diffrance between the catback an just having the muffler welded in with tips of your choice?

And what's the diffrance between the catback an just having the muffler welded in with tips of your choice?

Probably not much at all, at least on a mostly stock car.

And what's the diffrance between the catback an just having the muffler welded in with tips of your choice?

Aftermarket is a full 3" vs the stock system is 2.75. The hooker is quiet with every setup I have ever heard.

Aftermarket is a full 3" vs the stock system is 2.75. The hooker is quiet with every setup I have ever heard.

Might want to get those ears checked out ;) I can barely have a conversation with a passenger right next me, and I don't even bother answering my phone any more.

Might want to get those ears checked out ;) I can barely have a conversation with a passenger right next me, and I don't even bother answering my phone any more.

hey im use to the loudmouth with long tubes so pretty much everything else seems tame to me :lol:

On a stock car, the LM1 sounds good. On a modded car, Magnaflow works well. If price was no object, I would get a GMMG.

My '99 is bone-stock too. After reading feedback on these forums, I'm gonna go with LM1. I liked the sound after watching some youtube videos.

On a stock car, the LM1 sounds good. On a modded car, Magnaflow works well. If price was no object, I would get a GMMG.

Lm1 isnt loud at all on a stock car.

Might want to get those ears checked out ;) I can barely have a conversation with a passenger right next me, and I don't even bother answering my phone any more.



It's pretty loud when accelerating, but at cruising speeds it's not bad at all.

hey im use to the loudmouth with long tubes so pretty much everything else seems tame to me :lol:

:cool:
Copy that

You could also do a dumped bullet before the axle, just cut off your catback put a magnaflow bullet on
Your suggestion would require the least amount of work to the existing set up I have (I think) Do you know if dumps take away torque & back pressure to a significant extent as someone else mentioned? I live in a state without emmissions testing so I can experiment with some different ideas.

Thanks for the clips everyone - the consensus seems to be to forget running the headers open. Plus I have realized my car sounds better than I thought after letting someone else drive it (that rarely goes down lol) Thanks everyone, I'm off to get some $ quotes!

IMO the only real choices if you're on any kind of budget is the Magnaflow or SLP LM 1 or 2. Both can be found under 400 bucks, shipped, and both are stainless.

I've heard the Hooker, and it sounds good, but I can't see buying a non-stainless exhaust. For just a few bucks over the Hooker you could get one of the stainless ones.

If you're just replacing the muffler, then I'd consider the Hooker.

I think the best of both worlds would be the Magnaflow with an e-cutout. That way you get the quietness of the MF when you need it, and the loud fun of the open e-cutout when you wantthat.

I plan on installing that combo soon, it's sitting on thefloor in my spare bedroom right now. Cops here can be picky aobut the noise, hence the Magnaflow, but then I have the cutout for scaring pedestrians :devil:




My Aerochamber is aluminized steel.

My Aerochamber is aluminized steel.

Yeah. My point exactly....it's not stainless. It'll rot out eventually unless you live in a dry climate.

Yeah. My point exactly....it's not stainless. It'll rot out eventually unless you live in a dry climate.


I'm in FL. It'll probably last last longer than the car, and if it doesn't, it's not too expensive anyways.

love my magnaflow. nice and quiet when at idle or while cruising but opens up at WOT

I'm in FL. It'll probably last last longer than the car, and if it doesn't, it's not too expensive anyways.

That's true. Here in New England, aluminized steel might last 3 years, as opposed to maybe 2 years for regular steel.

I'd do just the muffler, since it's only like 80 bucks, but I wouldn't do the whole catback - 350ish for aluminized steel vs. 380ish for stainless - it's a no-brainer for me.

Yea, all that salt and snow on the roads is a killer. I used to live in Detroit, so I know all about it.

I have the SLP Loudmouth 2 on mine, fits nicely and sounds great. My buddys Trans Am has stock manifolds and cats, gives it a good tone and deep. I have BBK long tubes and off road Y pipe going into that SLP loudmouth 2 and its awesome. Its tame while driving normal, small amount of drone. So whether you drive a stock car or modified it sounds very unique and youll love piping the fellow mustangs on the road!

love my magnaflow. nice and quiet when at idle or while cruising but opens up at WOT

Yup!!! I just installed mine today. I first started it up and thought ok, a litle louder than stock, sounds good, deeper.

Then I put it in gear and headed up the driveway...I could definitely tell the difference, I could hear it more than the stock exhaust and it had a nice deep tone to it. Then I hit got on it a bit pulling out of the driveway, and I had an eargasm! Much louder than stock, but not obnoxiously so. It's a got a great deep tone to go with the volume, but once you get up to cruising speed the noise disappears. Cruising at 70 on the highway, it sounded just like stock.

I like it alot...my car finally sounds like a V8!

I currently have a SLP bullet with stainless tips, stock y pipe and cats, stock headers. What would be the result of just having the cats removed? Would it make much difference in sound and performance? My guess is the car would breathe a little better, pick up a little power, but how much impact on sound with the slp and Y? Thx

X2^ just installed my e-cutout on the I pipe of the exhuast right before it goes over the axle. It sounds awesome Specialy at WOT. When I get around my aparments I just shut it off. I paid $180 for it and had it installed and wired in for $150 so just depends what you want. Here's the link to the group buy from one of sponsers which is by far the cheapest I could find them with a 4yr warranty.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/sponsor-group-purchases/1376443-multiple-group-purchase-thread-2-a.html

Oh and it doesn't sound as shity as open headers (at least not like the video above).
That's ideal.....i'd like a set up like that, especially at that cost - very reasonable. Thx!

i had the issue when i first got my 98 with not alot of money and wanting a good sound. i picked up a ory from a friend that went l/t's and didnt have the need for it. and got a slp lm2 from ws6store for 375. i loved it but nothing beats the sound of longtubes. i would get a slp then save up get a set of l/t's

i have the 1 3/4 ceramic hooker lt,tsp catted y thats gutted,and a hooker cb,i always get compliments on how it sounds!!no rasp,not overly loud,i think its a perfect setup for the money and sound.

Do you know if dumps take away torque & back pressure to a significant extent as someone else mentioned?

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg92/TommyLS1/warf.gif

This gets really old and I wish everyone would just listen to this and believe it, for it is the truth: BACKPRESSURE IS NEVER GOOD FOR POWER PRODUCTION/PERFORMANCE! IT IS NOT YOUR FRIEND! REDUCING BACKPRESSURE DOES NOT HURT TORQUE! IT ONLY INCREASES HORSEPOWER AND TORQUE!

Got it? Good. :cheers:

One more vote for the hooker :thumb:

I am with you on this one.

I love my Hooker! Sounds only slightly louder that stock at idle and cruising. Screams pretty good at full throttle. Not overly loud. I guess I am getting old. When I am just cruising around I don't like the loud drone you get with most systems. I also love that there is virtually no rasp at all with the Hooker system.

Loudmouth 1 sounds great on a stock car, i loved mine but after mods it goes to crap, but that will sound great on your car if your just looking to do a catback

I like mine, imo its fine on any modded car IF you have cats...

I was really impressed with the BBK longtubes and Ypipe i installed on my car. along with a moroso spiral muffler it has a nice low rumble at idle and screams at WOT. the muffler ran me about 50 bucks and the headers and y pipe were 350. best fitting headers i have installed yet

I love the Magnaflow. No drone at all on the highway.

If price isnt a concern get you a gmmg aka madhammer system.I love mine and it sounds deep and aggressive.

another vote for hooker!!!

http www youtube com watch?v=Q6JU3xakjRA

^
:hail:

That sounds awesome, I had Hooker Aerochambers on my 96 LT1 Caprice with Tri-Y headers-- sounded great.

Yea, all that salt and snow on the roads is a killer. I used to live in Detroit, so I know all about it.

:huh: who the hell drives there car in the winter?! don't mean to sound like a dick but you really need a beater for winter if your driving your body in the snow.


i have lt's pry with the loud mouth 2 with heads and cam, and i liked it before but now i hate the loud mouth WAY to much rasp now. i'll be selling it this winter. think for the price i'm just going to do duals with turndowns.