I have been reading a lot and the question is:
What is the best exhaust for performance gain?

I DO NOT want an exhaust that sounds rude!
I want a nice rumble, not a window shattering, loud and obnoxious noise.

But I want the best combination of performance and sound.

So far I have a short list:

1. SLP
2. Flowmaster
3. Borla

Which is the best combination of performance and nice sound??

Last thing, what is a realistic HP gain you can expect from a cat back install.

THANKS

 

the answer is YES

you basically contradict yourself by wanting good sound, with great power.

and "the best sounding exhaust" is WAY too subjective

the worst flowing catback will gain you say 10hp at the wheels, the best probably 14hp.

so unless you want to split hairs, go with the sound and price you can afford.

that being said, out of your list, flowmaster probably has the most "classic" muscle car rumble. however it is heralded as the worst for flow (still better than stock).

borla is nice cause it is stainless and adjustable, so you can tune the sound/power to your liking.

SLP, i'm assuming you mean the loudmouth, is just plain loud and raspy. some like that, most don't.

personally i like the sounds of the Magnaflow or GMMG exhaust over the ones you listed.

 

oh yeah....granted these are on LS1 cars....you should get the idea

www.ls1sounds.com

 

You should also look into the Hooker Cat-Back system. I have it and im very happy with it. Not very loud, but just very deep with a nice tone to it.

 

Out of those options, I would choose the SLP. I assume you are referring to the SLP TOTL (Two on the left). It sounds very nice, is stainless, and flows well. Only problem is that you only have the exhaust exiting on one side in the rear.

Personally, I love the sound of the Hooker. Louder than stock, but not any louder than the Flowmaster or Borla and I think it sounds much better. It's stock quiet at cruising and only slightly louder than stock at idle. Once you step on it though, you get a beautiful deep rumble and tone as you accelerate. It flows great too. Only drawback is that it is not stainless, but then again, it's only $280.

Dan

 

Hookers are nice. lol

 

my flowmaster with no cat is rude...I love it, but probably not right for you.

 

I think I am going to go with the Hooker Cat back.

Just want a little more than stock, but don't want to wake up
the entire neighborhood at 7am.

Thanks much gang for the advice.

Tom

 

Magnaflow is hands down the best "bang for the buck". www.performance-curve.com ask for Scott. $300 shipped for a stainless system that sounds amazing! Quiet at idle but louder as you get on it. Perfect for you. I want a little louder.

 

I love my Borla. It's pricey, but it looks and sounds great!

 

another vote for the looks and sounds of the almighty BORLA

 

if you own a TA do not buy the 2OTL is just doesnt look right...you basically cant go wrong with any catback, Borla, Magnaflow, and Hooker all sound good in their own way....just hear each and decide

 

Borla sounds amazing even with the block-off plate in. I actually just bought the rear section Borla just because I wanted the note and looks but not the price of the full cat-back. Be warned though. At 2k RPMs while cruisin on the freeway the note becomes REALLY resonant and bugs some people.

 

if you want "rude" then go with duals. if you like the low rumble check out the Flowmaster, Magnaflow, GMMG or Hooker. if you want raspy (after long tubes) check out Borla, Corsa or Loudmouth.

 

i love my borla, and within the week will let you know how "raspy" it is behind some MAC midlengths. i've got a video of my borla, the flowmaster 80 series i had before it and i'm going to make more this weekend. if you are interested just pm me.

Edit i have some clips of hooker coming out of slp shorties too.