How to get that wonderful exhaust sound ??

Smarty · 2010-03-18T03:11:16+00:00

I upgraded from a C5 Corvette convertible to a new C6 convertible, andfind the improvements to be mostly positive, but with one majorexception.The exhaust sound of my prior convertible had a wonderful mellow, gutsysound, very much like what you would expect from a sports car.The newer C6 is way less audible, and has no rumble or other noticeablesonic qualities. It actually sounds very much like most of the sedanson the road.I am not looking for a loud, obnoxious, "look at me" type of noisegenerator, but I really do miss the mellow and full bodied soundquality of the older C5 factory exhaust.What if any options do I have? Is a 3rd party exhaust / muffler a hugemistake? Is it very pricey? And am I just asking for trouble withemissions, reliability, etc?I am unlikely to make any drastic or expensive changes, but I am justcurious to know what might be possible.Thanks in advance to any / all responders.Smarty

Mar 18, 2010 26 Replies

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Dad 16 years ago

My '61 had it all over the '57, and the '63 just about soured me on Corvettes for ever. The '92 didn't help revive the love for them that much either. Although I like to drive the '72 I'll take the '64 over it every time. Got to go to South Carolina for my Granddaughters birthday mid month and will make a one stop 600 mile trip in the C6, lazy mans car. Drove a few big blocks and never got into them, always liked the quick winding more agile feeling small blocks.

What did you think of Mac's '67 video?

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Dad 16 years ago

Must have bought them both used and the '98 had already had an exhaust change. So you won't have that fuse to pull on the '06, that didn't happen until '08. You're stuck with and axle back exhaust change to get it to sound good. Be careful what you buy and from whom you buy them the year and transmission can be an issue.

I found a site that showed how to open up the muffles and get the sound you would like by removing a baffle but it requires MIG welder and a bit of work. Been tempted to try it on the set I have hanging in my shop and then sell the CORSA.

I'd forget about drilling holes in the muffler, I think you'd be courting problems.

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Clams Canino 16 years ago

Where? I'm in Anderson......

-W

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Dad 16 years ago

Gray Court, south of Greenville about 15 miles. Ever been to the BMW museum by Greer? Great place and will leave you wanting to go out on

385 and speed. Trip will be a bit longer this time as I-40 is still closed at the NC/TN line, been down about 5 months.

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Smarty 16 years ago

Thanks Dad. I am going to leave it as is. As you suggest, the drilling approach is not a good one. The 2006 was purchased new and the 1998 C5 was indeed purchased used. I guess I never realized that it had aftermarket exhaust components, but it sure sounded much nicer than this newer C6.

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Dad 16 years ago

OK, I'm going to back off this statement and direct you to this thread, go to post 127, page 7, or there abouts. Note also that the access hole is closed after the 3/4 hole is drilled.

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mod and you can go smaller on the holes in the pipe and enlarge them until you like the sound and avoid the dreaded drone by getting it to big. You can also add a bar stock plug to the cover and plug one side of the cross hole to quiet it down if you need to. Later in the thread there is another well photographed mod on the car documented. Cost is in the $10 or less range.

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