2002 WS6 T/A Exhaust questions

[TransAmerican]

I have a 2002 WS6. Currently it just has a flowmaster muffler, nothing else extra on the exhaust. I want to get a more robust sound than what just the flowies can give me. Now im not big into modding. I prefer to keep cars fairly stock and just upgrade basic wear and tear type items like shocks and exhaust only when they finally need the replacing.

My question is, just what would be a good route to try and do this fairly simple and not a major overhaul. I have been tinkering with the idea of electronic cutouts. They seem cheap for the amount of effect considering its only $100-$200 for the y-pipe and valve system. And even better yet, since I live in CA, the option to open and close at will, will keep me legal. But the info I find on boards about them is very sparse.

Anyone have suggestions on these electronic cutouts? Or other angles of attack to let my car breath mean? I'm willing to go as far as the smog laws of CA will allow. I'm sure the exhaust cutout is not to legal here. But I dont care about that since its an "on/off" device that will still get me out the door with a good smog test.

Thanks for any advice.

[Dave M]

You can get a very nice stainless steel SLP exhaust in the area of $400. That's be a cat-back which would include you intermediate pipe and tailpipes rather than just the muffler. SLP sells several kinds so you can get one that fits your sound needs and smog laws.

[TransAmerican]

To go with the SLP setup I'm assuming its an entire kit, inculding an SLP muffler? I would hate to replace the Flowmasters already. They are only a year old.

[Dave M]

yes, it would be everything. Flowmasters tend to get low ratings around here because they're aluminum rather than stainless steel and will rust quickly, and a lot of people don't like their sound. I have nothing against flowmaster sound, but I prefer the SLP sound much more, especially their 2-on-the-left exhaust. Plus, being stainless steel, it will last forever. If you're really set on using the flowmaster, you might be able to find someone selling a used exhaust that would save you some money, then just use the pipes you need, or call up flowmaster and see if they could sell you just the pipes and not the muffler.

[toddwirges]

I would be a little careful with your change, unless you have heard exactly the same setup on an LS1 car.

LS1's sound alot different than the LT1's. You can get the volume, but the tone is much different. So you may go out and dump a bunch of money and not get the sound you are looking for.

If what you want is a real, deep, throaty exhaust note like a classic 5.0/Flowmaster combo; I have yet to hear that out of an LS1. Personally I have a LM2, and while I like it, it isn't the same as a classic deep V8 sound.

I'd suggest just unbolting your intermediate pipe and seeing what you think of the sound in that state.

Oh, and FYI, I had a flowmaster muffler welded into my 93's factory exhaust. I painted every spring with flat black hi temp paint, and it took 7 years to rust out with Indiana/Michigan winters.

I've known others that have lost flowmasters in less than 2 years. If you keep it, paint it.

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

I would really recommend against a cut-out. I'm not at all a fan of the way those sound - especially on LS1s. It's a completely raw, unrefined sound that quite frankly makes as many ugly noises as it does cool ones.

I would also recommend against Flowmasters, lol... I guess they sound decent, but they're the only major aftermarket exhaust system that I know of which is actually more restrictive than stock; read: less horsepower.

If you want a deep growl that still sounds good, and keeps a clean, crisp tone to it, don't go with a cut-out. Unfortunately, I don't think you are really going to be able to accomplish your goals without headers - which would probably not fly in Kalifornia. Have you heard what a Borla or Corsa catback sounds like on an LS1? Deep at idle, but loud and crisp at WOT...

have a listen... http://www.corsaperf.com/cfflash.html

[Ouija]

I believe Calirofnia laws only allow you to go as big as Shorties. I don't think you are allowed Mids or Long Tubes.

If you want a cut out, you can buy one for about $35, the electric cutouts are $70-135, and you need to pay someone to cut your I-Pipe and weld the cutout in. Most shops around here charge $20 to do it.

Out there some places might not want to do it, but if you explain that you are installing the electric cutout so you can open it for off road use only they will probably do it.

I'd reccomend that if you put a cutout in, you place it in the I-Pipe towards the rear of the car. There's a bend that goes over the axle that's a perfect place to put it. Make sure you don't compromise clearance with the cutout!

Like someone else stated, pull off your I-Pipe and see if you like the sound before spending the cash. If you like that sound then go with the cutout.

I personally have Long Tube FLP Headers with dual cutouts in the Y-Pipe. Open them up when I want it loud as s***. When they are closed it routes the exhaust through my Hooker Cat-back.

IMO:

The Hooker is the best sounding Cat-back
SLP is overpriced
Loudmouth is obnoxious (uses a resonator so it will be loder than a cutout)

2¢

[Steel2686]

I'll give another vote for the SLP Loudmouth. It sounds very deep at idle, and at WOT.... Look out. Very nice. SLP also makes the Loudmouth II. It has a toned down sound compared to the original LM. It uses a bullet muffler instead of a resonator. Both are interchangable as they are just bolt-ons. That is another plus for the SLP. Installation should only take about two hours total. It's a real nice system for the price.

My '02

[DetroitLT1]

What i dont understand is how a 3 inch pipe cat back from flowmaster matted with a 80's series can be more restrictive than stock. Everyone seems to knock flowmaster, i gutted my cat and run a full flowmaster cat-back system. Never heard a complaint on sound. How is that more restictive than stock? Is that in the muffler that it is restrictive? There is no way the 3 inch pipe is restrictive. Should i change out my muffler for a more freely flowing one,which brand is best, and how much power could i gain?

[toddwirges]

It's been proven with controlled dyno runs that the flowmaster cat back can make LS1's lose power. Now, you may well never notice the 10hp in regular driving, but if performance is your goal, flowmaster isn't the way to go.

If you happen to run flows in a true dual / xover, then maybe the result would be different. But off the shelf wise, flowmaster's system is bad for performance.

Far as SLP being overpriced, I picked up my LM2 for less than $330 bottom line including shipping and taxes, and it's stainless. Hooker may sound good but it's not stainless. Maybe not an issue for Texans, but up here in Michigan I have to worry about it, so the stainless aspect is a major plus, well worth the extra $50-100.

Generally speaking the hooker does get good blessings for both sound and performance. It's just not stainless.

It's also generally agreed if you are looking at no cats + headers, LM1 is not the way to go. That situation is the main reason the LM2 came to be.

What i dont understand is how a 3 inch pipe cat back from flowmaster matted with a 80's series can be more restrictive than stock. Everyone seems to knock flowmaster, i gutted my cat and run a full flowmaster cat-back system. Never heard a complaint on sound. How is that more restictive than stock? Is that in the muffler that it is restrictive? There is no way the 3 inch pipe is restrictive. Should i change out my muffler for a more freely flowing one,which brand is best, and how much power could i gain?

[Jay 02 TA ws6]

What i dont understand is how a 3 inch pipe cat back from flowmaster matted with a 80's series can be more restrictive than stock. Everyone seems to knock flowmaster, i gutted my cat and run a full flowmaster cat-back system. Never heard a complaint on sound. How is that more restictive than stock? Is that in the muffler that it is restrictive? There is no way the 3 inch pipe is restrictive. Should i change out my muffler for a more freely flowing one,which brand is best, and how much power could i gain?

Gutting a cat is another big no-no. You should stick a pipe down the middle of the gutted cat... right now you've got a hollow metal box in the middle of a pipe - causing all sorts of irregular flow for the scavenging exhaust. It might be a little less restrictive than stock, but you'd be far better off inserting a straight pipe through the cat, or removing it all together.

As far as a better muffler goes, do a search for exhaust systems. SLP, Corsa, and Borla are all highly recommended by board members (I prefer Corsa).

[Z Ya Later]

I'll give another vote to the Loud Mouth or LM2 systems.

When I had mine welded up, my exhaust shop said exactly this:

"Man, that thing sounds like a 60's machine!"

My tranny shop"

"Man, I cannot get over how nice your Camaro sounds."

Granted, the LS1 will sound different than my LT1, but I think you'll be quite happy with how she growls with one of those systems.

[Steel2686]

I'll give another vote to the Loud Mouth or LM2 systems.

When I had mine welded up, my exhaust shop said exactly this:

"Man, that thing sounds like a 60's machine!"

My tranny shop"

"Man, I cannot get over how nice your Camaro sounds."

Granted, the LS1 will sound different than my LT1, but I think you'll be quite happy with how she growls with one of those systems.

Believe him.... I actually bought mine on Steve's recommendation. I have an LS1 and it sounds awesome.

Best compliment I've had on it so far was from my Cousin this past weekend. I got on it and let the tach carry to 5 grand. He said "Holy #@&%!! This thing sounds like a cigarette boat!!! I thought that was pretty cool.

[95TransAm]

I'll give another vote to the Loud Mouth or LM2 systems.

When I had mine welded up, my exhaust shop said exactly this:

"Man, that thing sounds like a 60's machine!"

My tranny shop"

"Man, I cannot get over how nice your Camaro sounds."

Granted, the LS1 will sound different than my LT1, but I think you'll be quite happy with how she growls with one of those systems.

I concur I too have gotten some compliments here and there.

It seems like the only ones who haven't liked my exhaust thus far were the alarms of other cars....

[casey02ws6]

Believe him.... I actually bought mine on Steve's recommendation. I have an LS1 and it sounds awesome.

Best compliment I've had on it so far was from my Cousin this past weekend. I got on it and let the tach carry to 5 grand. He said "Holy #@&%!! This thing sounds like a cigarette boat!!! I thought that was pretty cool.

Step up to cam and long tubes - you'll never look back!!