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I keep going back and forth whether to upgrade my 2022 C8 exhaust. I currently have the GM “Performance Exhaust” which doesn’t sound too bad but when I hear aftermarket exhausts I smile but then I hear the cost of an aftermarket exhaust is $4,000 plus installation. Some I hear cost over $8,000 just for the upgraded exhaust!
The two things in favor of my current exhaust is I can put it in stealth mode when entering my neighborhood the other is it’s already paid for.
So are aftermarket exhausts a must have? If so, what are the best and loudest exhaust options out there? Cost would also be very helpful.
A must have? Absolutely not.
Am I glad I parted ways with $4,700 in cash? Well...I don't regret it
I have the GM Borla version and find it to be nicely balanced with my headers + cats. I wouldn't want louder, but definitely know its back there. I think it looks good too. For someone with stock headers/cats, I'd suggest either the Corsa or the Borla S. There's actually a really nice Lingenfelter/Corsa system at a pretty good price in the classifieds here, and it seems fairly common for Borlas to pop up as well as cars go back to stock for trade-in.
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Personally, I can't see paying the money to make the car louder. But, I totally understand those that like the louder, more aggressive sound. I use my car more as a tourer, so the exhaust note is perfect. For those aggressive, track drivers, I could definitely see needing to upgrade. Just not an upgrade I would spend money on for the way I drive my car.
Good luck with your decision though
I feel the same way, I was not going to spend that kind of money to make my car louder but I found the MBRP system and it sound’s amazing it has that deep sound and it was only 1200 shipped but you will need a pair of simulators that you can get on eBay or paragon for under 100 and I must say it looks pretty good too with the carbon fiber tips so for around 1300 plus install you can get the sound you looking for reasonably priced
Things to consider when purchasing an aftermarket exhaust system for the C8, and their importance to you (each one includes an associated cost when it comes to the aftermarket systems):
I’m not sure if making a motor (that just sounds OK) louder will make it sound better. There are a lot of loud cars that don’t sound that good, and there are some loud cars that sound great.
old small blocks ‘sound’ better, old big blocks sound waaaay better, the LT2 sounds ok. Sometimes more is not better.
as for me, I’ll just wait to make a decision even though I know the stock performance exhaust in any mode is too quiet unless the car is being beat on.
Are there any options for increasing the sound without replacing the NPP exhaust and black tips I already paid for when I bought the car? Like the OP, I want more sound in Sport/Track, but do not want to spend $5-6K for it. I also prefer to have the option of leaving it quiet when cruising with my wife.
On my 2018 Shelby GT350 with active exhaust, I swapped out the somewhat restricted factory X-Pipe for a Corsa Double Helix, which made my car sound exactly like a GT350R with the exhaust opened up all the way. The total installed cost was less than $1K.
Are there any options for increasing the sound without replacing the NPP exhaust and black tips I already paid for when I bought the car? Like the OP, I want more sound in Sport/Track, but do not want to spend $5-6K for it. I also prefer to have the option of leaving it quiet when cruising with my wife.
On my 2018 Shelby GT350 with active exhaust, I swapped out the somewhat restricted factory X-Pipe for a Corsa Double Helix, which made my car sound exactly like a GT350R with the exhaust opened up all the way. The total installed cost was less than $1K.
If you already have NPP you have the best possible exhaust for your car.
That's your opinion, but I couldn't disagree more. Put a Paragon Track system on my car as soon as I got it and the difference was night and day. Best mod I've done to my C8...and I've done quite a few.
If you already have NPP you have the best possible exhaust for your car.
While I like the cold starts in My Mode/Track exhaust and the sound when accelerating hard, the rest of the time it is not quite loud enough. I agree it is the best exhaust from the factory.
I had high flow cats on my Gen 2 GTS Viper, but they were mainly to cool down the impossibly hot side sills. They also provided some pretty cool pops and burbling on deceleration…
I had high flow cats on my Gen 2 GTS Viper, but they were mainly to cool down the impossibly hot side sills. They also provided some pretty cool pops and burbling on deceleration…
That's your opinion, but I couldn't disagree more. Put a Paragon Track system on my car as soon as I got it and the difference was night and day. Best mod I've done to my C8...and I've done quite a few.
I keep going back and forth whether to upgrade my 2022 C8 exhaust. I currently have the GM “Performance Exhaust” which doesn’t sound too bad but when I hear aftermarket exhausts I smile but then I hear the cost of an aftermarket exhaust is $4,000 plus installation. Some I hear cost over $8,000 just for the upgraded exhaust!
The two things in favor of my current exhaust is I can put it in stealth mode when entering my neighborhood the other is it’s already paid for.
So are aftermarket exhausts a must have? If so, what are the best and loudest exhaust options out there? Cost would also be very helpful.
I got Borla Attak installed at Carlisle (free install) by Borla this year so only had to pay for system - maybe like $3,700 (whatever MSRP is) ? I have to find my receipt but that was the ball park (again included free install). Round tips (look better imo), black tips (again look better imo), and could keep all NPP functionality
couldn’t be happier and wish I did it sooner. It’s incredible and the next vette I get (last C8 model year) or C9 (provided still has an engine) will be getting their atak system day 1.
not sure where you are, but I’m in Nj and happy to meet and let you hear it if you’re anywhere nearby
Last edited by One Vettey Boi; 10-30-2023 at 07:50 PM.
I had stock Z51 performance exhaust. I installed Paragon Track Exhaust. Sounds great and is only $2k. With simulators comes out to $2,300. Simulators are so you dont get CEL.
By far the best investment to make your car sound louder is the vert, if you don't already have it. I never drive without the top down, unless we get caught in an unexpected rain storm, and the car is loud enough with the performance exhaust. I agree with those that say just making something sound louder does not always mean that its better. Plenty of C8's in the local club with performance exhausts. Just not that impressed. Louder? Definitely. Better? I don't think so.
I just ordered, and received my LeMans Edition Track with NO NPP valves, CENTER Exhaust. https://lemansedition.com
I wanted MORE sound and excitement than my Z51 NPP exhaust has provided for the past 3 years, so I decided to make the change. Besides getting more sound, I get a different look..... CENTER EXIT.
Just posted today a reply on another thread with pics....... I am reply # 20.....
I had stock Z51 performance exhaust. I installed Paragon Track Exhaust. Sounds great and is only $2k. With simulators comes out to $2,300. Simulators are so you dont get CEL.
The Paragon Track Exhaust sounds amazing! And the price is surprisingly affordable and far less than I thought an aftermarket exhaust could be! The other challenge would be to find a competent installer that has done a few C8 exhaust installations. Do Chevrolet Dealers install aftermarket exhausts?
10-30-2023, 03:30 PM
Are Aftermarket Exhausts Worth the High Cost?
