It's so great to be back in one after 8 months of hell driving a SUV.....anyway I'm looking for a catback that sounds good (not loud) and for a decent price. I've been reading threads and have learned that LS1 sounds a lot different than the LT1 according to a lot of people. So whats your guys opinions on this. I'd say my limit is around $350.


I never thought I'd say this but LS1's rock.

 

I just got the SLP Loudmouth. I love the way it sounds. I have heard people say that it is loud but I don't think it is that loud. stealthperf.com has it onsale for 309.00 shipped. It was real easy to put on took about 45 minutes.

 

Can't beat Loudmouth's price & quality.I am getting mine in about a month.Everyone i know who has it has had no problems.

 

What about hooker? Is it even available for LS1's?

 

Well, I have heard clips of the dynomouth and they sound great and are around your price range. I went with the GMMG and think its the best sound for the LS1 IMHO. But do a couple searches and you make a decision. Good luck with your choice, its not the easiest but go with what YOU like.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I did a search on exhaust and I have no clue on what to go with. Guess its just buy one and deal with it.

 

You are asolutely right about the LS1 sounding completely different than the LT1. The LS1 is much more soft spoken. It is harder to get an agressive note from this engine... Loud is easy but they tend to sound like *** if you don't do it just right.
Also, the muffler is where the power loss is at behind the cats. You can do just a muffler and get the same sound and power as the same manufacturer's cat-back. The stock pipes are 2.75" mandrel bent stainless, the .25" larger pipe you get with most systems does little for a mild to moderate LS1. Complete systems are a waste IMO.
I have a Dynomouth, it ran me $140 INSTALLED.
Clip in sig. More info on page 2 of my site.
Dave

 

congratulations on your ls1!

I've heard borla (expensive), gmmg, corsa etc are good.
flowmaster...which I have has been criticized by some who say it doesn't really add power.
mine came with my '98z when i got it used, so I don't know if it helps or not...it is loud. when i start the car at parking lots it gets attention

 

Listen to ratio411's sound/video clip, thats where i heard it sounding the best for dynomouth. I had the GMMG on the way before i heard this clip, but even though I spent a lot more on the GMMG i am still satisfied. I may have gone with the dynomouth if heard it sooner. But the decision is yours. for the money you're looking to spend go Dynomouth if yo ucan afford more go GMMG, or replicate GMMG with Sweet thunder's mufflers an dcustom piping! there is a new post about doing this.

 

If you are looking for mostly the sound with a little bit of better flow then I would look into Flowmasters. I have them on my car and I love the way they sound. Not to loud, no real droning sound on the highway, but if you hit the gas people will notice. But I have heard contrary to the name, Flowmasters do not flow as well as most other aftermarkets exhausts.

 

Ok...so what I am hearing is that it is a waste of time to get a catback system..right? So if you just go with a muffler what kind of HP gains am I looking at? God so many options so little knowledge.

 

I have the Hooker exhaust. Sounds like what you want is the Hooker, definately not the Loudmouth (hence the name) or the Dynomouth. Both are loud IMO. Check out this video of the Hooker exhaust. You can sometimes find it for under $300 (less shipping). I found mine in the classifieds for $150. If you are looking for ET numbers only, go with a cutout. Buying a catback system is not really for performance, but the sound.

 

Another vote here for the Hooker. Good sound, good performance, great price. Quiet rumble at idle, decent roar at WOT...
good luck,
Shane

 

I pulled 318 rwhp & 334 rwtq on a 98 (less stock hp than other yrs) with just a lid (paper filter), Dynomouth, and a couple free mods that mean nothing to a dyno. As long as the muffler outflows the cats you will be fine... even the sorry flowing Flowmaster 80 series (350 cfm) can outflow the cats with just the muffler on stock exhaust.
Dave

Edit: My position is... get a muffler only and use the money you save to get a lid and good filter. Don't forget the free mods either, they don't show up on a dyno but they do in real world driving.

 

If you want power,cut out will give you the most.Loud mouth will probably give you most from a cat back.Friend dynoed 12 hp w/ LoudMouth.Dynomouth is same as LM but cheaper with no tips.They are very loud,but I liked the ones I heard.If you want a quieter noise and afew xtra horses(5-7),go Hooker.