hey everyone i'm relatively new to the LS1 world, i used to have a 3.4L camaro and have moved on...I have some questions about modding, because i wanna do it right...The first mod i want to do is exhaust and i've been looking around a lot of places and im leaning towards SLP's LM...i dont wanna start a war over what is better here but im just wondering if i put LM on and then later decide to put some long tubes on and pull the cats if the sound of the exhuast will change...if anyone thinks that LM is a piece of Sh** let me know becuase i wanna do the best things i can for my ride...and a side note i've noticed that loud mouth is relatively cheaper than other catbacks...sorry if it seems like a dumb question

 

Welcome to the LS1 world. These motors really love to breathe, so you're starting off in the right direction.

Personally, I would go with a "Dynomouth" setup. It's even cheaper. Do a search here and you'll find a lot of info. It's a Dynomax bullit muffler in the I-Pipe, then a fabricated y-pipe in place of the factory muffler, going out to the tips. I really love the way it sounds.

Take the money you saved by doing a Dynomouth vs. a LM, and go buy an airbox lid. You'll spend around $100 for one, and they are all about the same. As long as you're doing that, stick a Holley PowerShot filter in there. $35 and never needs replacing ... only cleaning.

Another thing to consider would be a good set of sub-frame connectors and a STB. That will make your car corner like it's on rails.

Those are the basic mods that everyone does. After that, it's up to you.

Head to www.InstallUniversity.com for some great reading and ideas of what you can do.

 

I have the LM/LT/ORY setup- dont go for that...please! I've had it on my car for about 6 months and it's driving me CRAZY! Too loud, too much rasp, and waaaay too much drone on the highway.

When I get some more cash saved, I'll be replacing it with GMMG (but that's $700).

Dynomouth is a good suggestion-not nearly as lound and raspy. Hooker also sounds good, but is a lil on the restrictive side.

 

TS&P lid
Free Ram Air
Hooker, Magnaflow, or True Duals
Headers

That should get you going. I had the LM and loved it. I loved it with headers except for the rasp. I did not htink it was to loud (6-speed helps), or drone to much. Over 3000 rpms it was very loud. If you don't have to worry about emissions to much get true duals with Dynomax bullets, the sound is perfect. I posted s pic in a thread on duals in this section.

 

I have the loudmouth with stock manifolds and cats and it isnt bad but when you want to leave late at night or early in the morning......its pretty loud and poppy......I am switching it to two on the left........I have an 1998 ls1.......Everyone says the hooker catback sounds good with headers.....the only thing is it is not stainless steel.........Also magnaflow..........it is stainless steel........check them out........they sound pretty good......go over to ls1.com to check them out.......

 

Well, I went with the Borla Exhaust. I love the way it sounds on my 99 SS...and the fact that it's adjustable. Basically, it's a 3" system that gives you the option of opening or closing the right side of the exhaust (which by passes the muffler). It's made out of stainless steel, so it'll last. It flows great given it's not a true dual setup. So, if you're not planning on going with the ture dual setup when you get headers, I say go Borla. I've got a sound clip on my SSite (below) along with a picture of the setup in the "current mods" section if ya wanna take a look.

 

As for other mods, I'd say start working your way from the intake assembly to the throttle body. The SuperSucker Ram Air is awesome...feeding into a high-flow filter (K&N / Holley)...Hi-flo lid (SLP, Whisper, MTI)...Mass Air Flow Sensor (Granatelli)...into a smooth Bellow (ls1motorsports' bellow is angled for a better fit). I like the Granatelli MAF since it's made out of strong plastic to reduce heat and can come w/ cold air tuning that richens up the fuel curve a little, but you'll pay a little more. Most of this stuff can be found at www.ls1motorsports.com , www.ls1speed.com or www.thunderracing.com . Sometimes you can find packages (thunder racing) where you can get a filter, lid, hypertech and thermostat for $565 w/ free shipping. Hope this gives you a few ideas...

 

My first mod on the Z was FTRA and lid,then the Magnaflow exhaust. I like Borlas sound but it is pretty loud,but if you like loud then the DM seems to be the better LM solution"I hear/read"
Magnaflow rocks IMO,a lot louder outside then what it seems from the inside if you know what I mean?

My latest mod was replacing the front sway bar with a Suspension Techniques 35mm solid bar,what a difference lots less roll rides pretty flat and mucho responsive and stable. I highly recommend that bar,it whoops the BMR 32mm by far

Happy moddin,congrats on the new ride

 

Hey thanks guys for all your input...I'm on something of a budget right now so i think Borla is a little out of my league right now i see it for 500-700 and I just can't drop that much...I'm gonna look into magnaflow and Dynomouth...also, how much did the guys who ran true duals pay for the entire setup??

 

If you want to do something with the exhaust do it right. START with long tube headers. I'd recommend the Jet Hots. The car is quiet until you get on it. Do you go to parties or bars? Nothing attracts a cop attention more than loud cars. If you feel you need more flow after the headers and don't mind the attention then get a cat back.
Get a airlid. They're all basically the same. I like my SLP for the finish.
Also get the Super Sucker Ram Air. It appears to be the best cold air induction kit out there.

 

Duals will run about $400. I would research this exhaust more, its not for everyone.

 

As far as true duals go...would it change the ground clearance at all...and how loud, am I looking at here...like too loud for street use...or only when you get on it? Thanks again

 

I got the LM first and then went straight for 410 gears. After that I got the predator and then the stealth lid. As far as the LM goes. I have stock cats and manifolds and the sound is amazing!!! I used to have a 94 Z A4 stalled out with a rebuilt tranny,etc and I also had the LM on that. I loved it as well!!! Good Luck and again welcome to the amazing LS1 world LS1!!!!!

 

Welcome to the LS1 World... On the exhaust, I agree if you are deciding on a LM or DM route, I recommend the DM as well, since it is a little quieter and NO Rasp at all.. If you are not going to pull the cats and keep stock Manifolds, then go with a 12 " Bullet, if you are going to ditch the cat and get LT headers (which you will need an ORY pipe) then get an 18" Bullet... I remember there was a post from someone that had LT Headers, ORY Pipe and 18" Bullet DM exhaust and all I have to say is DAMN .

If you are not going to go with DM or LM, then I would recommend Magnaflow since, that system not only sounds great but looks great as well...

Charlie

 

Do NOT do LTs, no cats and the LM! Trust me on this as I am trying to quiet my car down. If you keep the cats, it will sound great...