I have an 02 Z28 that is mostly stock. I am thinking of installing a new muffler vs. the expense of a whole new exhaust kit. Is this a good idea? I do not want the loud, obnoxious sound that most mufflers make...just suttle (espically while idling). I want something just a bit "meaner" a "throaty". Any suggestions? Right now I am looking at the traditional mufflers, i.e. Flowmaster, Magnaflow, Dynomax, Hooker, etc.

Thanks

 

I would do the whole catback where you have the benefits of the bigger, better flowing tubing.

 

definately look at magnaflow, seems to be what your looking for
ls1sounds.com

 

My flowmaster was quiet. And still had a good tone to it.

 

Buy a Magnaflow catback. It's not that expensive, and the performance improvement is better than just mufflers.

If you decide that it really is too much money and you really just want mufflers, Magnaflow and Dynomax are both good options for relatively low cost.

 

I have a Hooker Aerochamber and I like it, my cutout is open 99% of the time so when I have to close it to keep my sanity on a long highway trip she still has a nice growl.

 

Like the others say, Look at a Magnaflow cat-back.

 

I'd go with a Hooker 'cause they're relatively quiet at idle, but sound good at WOT and they're pretty cheap for a catback exhaust.

 

maybe not the best flowing, but is the cheapest .. and in my opinion, the best sound for an LT1.

 

i have a 94 camaro z28 lt1 i wanted to have a pipe from the cat all the way back and split in to. i hear some cars need back pressure is this true will i see a increase in speed i think my muffler holdin me back.\

 

From the factory, your car's exhaust works like this:

1. cast iron manifolds collect exhaust from the engine and combine the exhausts from the four cylinders on each side together into a 2.5" pipe.

2. A y-pipe connects to the end of each manifold and joins together. Your catalytic converter is on the joined end of the Y pipe.

3. A 2.5" pipe goes from there, down the middle of the car, over the axle, and to the muffler.

4. Two tailpipes come out from each side of the muffler.

One of the most common performance upgrades that people do to LT1 and LS1 Camaros (and tons of other cars, too) is to replace #3 and #4 (together called a "cat-back exhaust") with 3" pipe and a better-flowing, better-sounding muffler.

I've never seen anyone replace the pipe and not the muffler. On the other hand, people who replace the muffler only are generally too cheap for their own good. Sometimes those people care about sound and not performance.

A cat-back exhaust from Magnaflow (one of the best and most popular around here) can usually be had in the $300-350 range. Here's one on eBay for a good price that will fit any LT1 F-body).

Some cars don't run well without enough backpressure. This is not an issue with an LT1.

With a performance exhaust like the Magnaflow, you will see a slight improvement in performance, and a huge improvement in sound. You should also see a very small improvement in fuel economy.

 

I just got done running a sale on the Magnaflow for $318.99
But I'm willing to do that sale again if someone wants me to.