Motor is a stock 5.3 LS with torqstorm supercharger been up to 9psi but only 7psi with the new catback installed.

Original exhaust is AI cheap 304SS long tube headers, 3" going into dual 3" in 4" out flowmaster merge, 4" catback over axle with dual mufflers (hooker aerochamber in stock location and dynomax ultra SS with a turndown. 4" wasn't as loud as I expected (prob due to the dual mufflers) at idle but getting on it... it got louder lol. I wanted to run a more stock style exhaust as the car is only street driven now and with a newborn and getting older lol my tastes are changing. In order to run a stock exhaust I need to replace my sumped stock tank with a new stock tank and go back to intank pump. I swapped all that out and started fitting the exhaust.

FWIW the 4th gen catback will fit but it rests right on the PHB support and thus would make a ton of vibration noise. So I had to send that back to summit for their correct 82-92 catback. # SUM-680023.

Heres my review of the catback quality and install.

1.) 82-92 catback is of good quality, 16 gauge tubing and mandrel bends.
2.) I knew the Ubolt clamps came with so I ordered band clamps for a much better install/seal
3.) Getting the single over axle exhaust pipe over the axle was a major PITA! Had to remove the PHB, PHB support, and drop the rear axle all the way down to clear. Once in the fit is much better than the 4th gen over axle pipe. However the 4th gen isn't 1 peice so you can install it without removing everything which is a plus.
4.) Muffler is a chambered design, welds were good, inside construction looked like good quality with lots of baffling.
5.) Tail pipes fit right to the back bumper but does not come with tips but thats known.
6.) I dont run stock style Ypipe so it was easy to adapt to the 4: FM merge but cutting the end off. Ground clearance is good.
7.) For Tips I went with a 4th gen camaro CME center exhaust setup. This required having to extend the pass die tail pipe going into the muffler at least 3" to space the tail pipes apart to work with the bends and CME tips.
8.) Added 2 universal hangers so it would hold the tailpipes and tips up so no sagging.


Overall I started it up and sound is pretty good. Not very loud which is what I wanted but def louder than a stock setup i remember. Driving around town and on the highway with some 4600rpm 7psi blasts the exhaust sounds pretty good. No drone, no obnoxious and doesnt draw as much attention as my 4" exhaust. Didn't notice any loss in power even tho I'm down 2psi (leaking BOV). I'm very satisfied with the sound. I might do a muffler swap down the road just to test the dynomax ultra flow style as I really the sound on my truck.

I had to do some work to make it all fit so idk how this would intall on an all stock style car but It accomplished what I wanted. Hope this helps!

 

I've been eyeballing the same catback (should probably get the car running first though), so this is really helpful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

 

No problem. Make sure you add good clamps and exhaust tips to your overall cost. The muffler will prob break in a little and get a smidge louder if any but bc its a chambered muffler theirs no real break in.

 

Thanks for the advice. I've heard that U-clamps will bend the exhaust so I was planning to stay away from those. Mind if I ask the model of the clamps you're using?

I'm using Hooker 2055s and y-pipe and running a 3" cat, so I doubt it will be anywhere near as loud as your setup. But I'd be happy with something slightly louder than the stock exhaust!

 

borla cat back and don't look back you will love it the sound everything about it is perfect pricy but totally worth every penny

 

Sure, best clamps Ive ever used are torqtite style with the bolt/bar and nuts. Usually walker are the ones that carry them but you can tell by the pic what your getting. the Walker 3" lap joint clamps are WLK-33222 and 2.5" for the tailpipes are SUM-692250-1 which are actually walkers torqtite and not the standard bolt through led brick.

 

At $600+ lol. Even then I almost pulled the trigger on a used borla catback... but after seeing pics the bolt on 3bolt clamp for the 2nd tailpipe/cutout was so rusted that I said no thanks. Sure 90% of the system is SS but for that price why skimp on that part.

I do admit they sound good. The summit catback sounds pretty good too. now I could spend $100+on a borla muffler and have the same sound at less than 1/3 the price.

 

I've actually looked some borla stuff but I can't afford it at this point. And honestly it's a little too nice for what I'm working with.

I'd like to do a LS1/T56 swap in the future though, I'm keeping the borla catback in mind for that project!

 

Thanks for this! Always prefer to use something I know will work rather than trying to reinvent the wheel.

 

Here's a quick video of the sound with the CME tips.

 

Sounds great!

 

Any pictures of the undercarriage?

 

Pics of under car.




Back of car ground clearance



Middle FM merge



Front SS collectors on left. Tranny pan hangs 1/4-1/2" below exhaust



Rear tip shot



Muffler underside with CME tips

 

I just installed this catback system. Very pleased! High quality parts. It is just abit louder than I wanted. But hell I could get used to it!
Sorry for the sh*tty sound quality. Need to get a gopro. My son took the video. Good job!