hearders and L99 Drone Question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JPOOLE · 04-22-2011, 10:30 PM

Hi, I am trying to decide between an auto and manual trans Camaro. Looking to trade off my CTS-V and I am really ready to go with an automatic trans. I will have to have LT headers and do not want any drone. So, what are the combos using Kooks or ARH LT's that don't drone, even in what ever that 4 cylinder mode thing is. Talking about headers & cats going all the way to stock mufflers or aftermarke cat-back starting after the headers and cats.
Thanks! and I have been searching....

1Camaro2SS · 04-22-2011, 11:23 PM

1st of all why trade the CTS-V? Thats a sweet and fast ride. My setup starts to drone at 60mph and gets worse as speed increases above 60. It started to drone when I added the headers. So you can rule this one out. I personally don't mind it, its a weekend car and I don't drive it on the highway much.

Revo1 · 04-22-2011, 11:41 PM

Tune! AFM gone, no drone worries. You're welcome

lewylew · 04-22-2011, 11:58 PM

"CORSA" no drone this subject has been discussed dozens of times.

brantley847 · 04-23-2011, 06:30 AM

Corsa has no drone as a basic catback set up, however, I don't know how that works with headers..

If you are getting headers, you will have to tune out AFM. It is tough with just a catback, but damn unbearable with headers.

If you are willing to drop the warranty and tune out AFM (like I am and most all L99 users have done) then you will not have many issues. The drone is not any worse in the automatic than the manual. AFM is the sound you don't want to hear, but once that is gone it makes no difference that I have noticed... if you want the automatic for personal preference don't let anyone talk you out of it.

I went with Kooks LTs, CAI, and Borla S type exhaust...couldn't be happier, very mild drone at highway cruising but not at all unbearable... again LS3 drivers with this set up will have the same issue.

lewylew · 04-23-2011, 12:40 PM

headers and a maggie no drone

SGOS252382 · 04-23-2011, 01:24 PM

There's two types of drones people tend to describe with the L99 A6.

1. The normal drone associated with certain exhaust setups. The more aggressive setups tend to have more drone around 1800 - 2000 rpms or so at cruise speeds. This is a constant humming type sound.
2. The drone associated with AFM/DOD. This type drone/noise becomes noticeable with louder more aggressive exhaust setups. It also comes on around 1600-2000 rpms or so as you get on and off the gas to maintain cruise speed. You'll hear an annoying sound when the engine transfers from
V8 to V4 and back to V8 mode. I like to describe it as 4 cylinder with fart pipe type sound (very un-muscle car like).

The best remedy is a tune. Turning off the DOD/AFM leaves the engine in V8 mode and you don't get the AFM/DOD drone/noise. You can still get the regular drone associated with some exhausts, but you won't get the annoying V4 sounds.

Snake Slayer · 04-23-2011, 04:49 PM

Long Tube headers no cats with magnaflow street series with a tune no drone no
resonance!

Kinetic Kev HWSE 2013 · 04-23-2011, 04:57 PM

I have Kooks LT's and MBRP cat=back system and I have no drone on my L99

myold88 · 04-24-2011, 06:28 AM

I added Solo J-Pipe axle backs to my A6. The car is otherwise stock but NO droan plus I get to keep my power train warranty.

Duke · 04-24-2011, 11:00 AM

I have BFE headers with cats and Borla ATAK axlebacks. I kept the big resonator that's stock for the L99. No drone. I also had AFM tuned out except for 5th and 6th gear since I do a lot of highway driving. The only noticeable AFM sound I get is when it goes from 4 to 8 cylinders. Its like a downshift, very brief. My part of Texas is very flat so it only goes to 8 cylinders when heading up an overpass.

My L99 dynoed at 371 rwhp, I am very happy with it.

slickmetal · 04-24-2011, 01:35 PM

Also, take into consideration when you get long tube headers, you basically remove the stock flex pipes that are on the top of the mid-pipes that bolt to the stock exhaust manifolds...Now, these alone situate the exhaust "shake", which becomes noticeable, loud, annoying and feels like something is going fall off from the underneath w/ LT headers...now if you plan to keep your AFM with a Lt headers setup, I would grab some flex pipes to mount right before hi-flo cats or right after the headers bolt to straight mids. I did several tests and removing/eliminating certain pieces to come to my own conclusion

brantley847 · 04-24-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slickmetal

Also, take into consideration when you get long tube headers, you basically remove the stock flex pipes that are on the top of the mid-pipes that bolt to the stock exhaust manifolds...Now, these alone situate the exhaust "shake", which becomes noticeable, loud, annoying and feels like something is going fall off from the underneath w/ LT headers...now if you plan to keep your AFM with a Lt headers setup, I would grab some flex pipes to mount right before hi-flo cats or right after the headers bolt to straight mids. I did several tests and removing/eliminating certain pieces to come to my own conclusion

Sorry...a bit of a newbie...

What noise are you hearing when you remove the stock flex pipes that is annoying? I am tuning out AFM, so I am not sure if this would still be an issue?

Josh@ARH · 04-24-2011, 09:23 PM

I personally have experience with Corsa not droning. Its loud when you get on it but cruising it is almost silent inside the car.

04-22-2011, 10:30 PM	#1
JPOOLE Drives: 2005 Cadillac CTS-V LS6 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1	hearders and L99 Drone Question Hi, I am trying to decide between an auto and manual trans Camaro. Looking to trade off my CTS-V and I am really ready to go with an automatic trans. I will have to have LT headers and do not want any drone. So, what are the combos using Kooks or ARH LT's that don't drone, even in what ever that 4 cylinder mode thing is. Talking about headers & cats going all the way to stock mufflers or aftermarke cat-back starting after the headers and cats. Thanks! and I have been searching....

04-22-2011, 11:23 PM	#2
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	1st of all why trade the CTS-V? Thats a sweet and fast ride. My setup starts to drone at 60mph and gets worse as speed increases above 60. It started to drone when I added the headers. So you can rule this one out. I personally don't mind it, its a weekend car and I don't drive it on the highway much. __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

04-22-2011, 11:41 PM	#3
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	Tune! AFM gone, no drone worries. You're welcome __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

04-22-2011, 11:58 PM	#4
lewylew Drives: 2010 ZL550& 2021 C8 Z51 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Near Philadelphia Posts: 1,577 View My Garage	"CORSA" no drone this subject has been discussed dozens of times. __________________

04-23-2011, 06:30 AM	#5
brantley847 v It bites. Drives: 2011 IBM 2SS/RS Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 3,585	Corsa has no drone as a basic catback set up, however, I don't know how that works with headers.. If you are getting headers, you will have to tune out AFM. It is tough with just a catback, but damn unbearable with headers. If you are willing to drop the warranty and tune out AFM (like I am and most all L99 users have done) then you will not have many issues. The drone is not any worse in the automatic than the manual. AFM is the sound you don't want to hear, but once that is gone it makes no difference that I have noticed... if you want the automatic for personal preference don't let anyone talk you out of it. I went with Kooks LTs, CAI, and Borla S type exhaust...couldn't be happier, very mild drone at highway cruising but not at all unbearable... again LS3 drivers with this set up will have the same issue. __________________ 2011 2SS/RS Performance: 439 RWHP: 226/236 Comp Cam, Kooks 1-7/8, CAInc, Borla S type, Vmax TB, Rx Catch Can, Trans cooler, SLP 160 termo, Melling high volume, Eibach Springs/Sways 1" drop, Whiteline complete bushing kit.

04-23-2011, 12:40 PM	#6
lewylew Drives: 2010 ZL550& 2021 C8 Z51 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Near Philadelphia Posts: 1,577 View My Garage	headers and a maggie no drone __________________

04-23-2011, 01:24 PM	#7
SGOS252382 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: S.W. Florida Posts: 6,294	There's two types of drones people tend to describe with the L99 A6. 1. The normal drone associated with certain exhaust setups. The more aggressive setups tend to have more drone around 1800 - 2000 rpms or so at cruise speeds. This is a constant humming type sound. 2. The drone associated with AFM/DOD. This type drone/noise becomes noticeable with louder more aggressive exhaust setups. It also comes on around 1600-2000 rpms or so as you get on and off the gas to maintain cruise speed. You'll hear an annoying sound when the engine transfers from V8 to V4 and back to V8 mode. I like to describe it as 4 cylinder with fart pipe type sound (very un-muscle car like). The best remedy is a tune. Turning off the DOD/AFM leaves the engine in V8 mode and you don't get the AFM/DOD drone/noise. You can still get the regular drone associated with some exhausts, but you won't get the annoying V4 sounds.

04-23-2011, 04:49 PM	#8
Snake Slayer Drives: Awaiting 2014 C7 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 902	Long Tube headers no cats with magnaflow street series with a tune no drone no resonance! __________________ Awaiting 2014 C7

04-23-2011, 04:57 PM	#9
Kinetic Kev HWSE 2013 Drives: 2013 Hot Wheels Special Edition Join Date: May 2009 Location: Auburn,Mass Posts: 1,333 View My Garage	I have Kooks LT's and MBRP cat=back system and I have no drone on my L99

04-24-2011, 06:28 AM	#10
myold88 Drives: SUMMIT WHITE 2SS/RS CAMARO Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 2018: Lakewood Ranch, Fl. Posts: 8,113 View My Garage	I added Solo J-Pipe axle backs to my A6. The car is otherwise stock but NO droan plus I get to keep my power train warranty. __________________

04-24-2011, 11:00 AM	#11
Duke Drives: 2010 Red SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lake Jackson, TX Posts: 476	I have BFE headers with cats and Borla ATAK axlebacks. I kept the big resonator that's stock for the L99. No drone. I also had AFM tuned out except for 5th and 6th gear since I do a lot of highway driving. The only noticeable AFM sound I get is when it goes from 4 to 8 cylinders. Its like a downshift, very brief. My part of Texas is very flat so it only goes to 8 cylinders when heading up an overpass. My L99 dynoed at 371 rwhp, I am very happy with it. Last edited by Duke; 04-25-2011 at 06:54 AM. Reason: dyslexia attack - wishful thinking on hp

04-24-2011, 01:35 PM	#12
slickmetal Drives: 2013 Black ZL1 A6 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: AZ Posts: 491 View My Garage	Also, take into consideration when you get long tube headers, you basically remove the stock flex pipes that are on the top of the mid-pipes that bolt to the stock exhaust manifolds...Now, these alone situate the exhaust "shake", which becomes noticeable, loud, annoying and feels like something is going fall off from the underneath w/ LT headers...now if you plan to keep your AFM with a Lt headers setup, I would grab some flex pipes to mount right before hi-flo cats or right after the headers bolt to straight mids. I did several tests and removing/eliminating certain pieces to come to my own conclusion __________________ - 2013 Black ZL1 - A6 - Lingenfelter/Cordes Stage 2.5 packages E85 - FORE Fuel System - Kooks LTHs - Magnaflow Cans - Rotofab CAI/Big Gulp/Coolant Tank - Savini 3pc Forged - Underhood Dress Up (ACC & Drake & Moroso) - Hurst Shifter Kit - Custom Audio w/ JL Audio Sub/Amp/Stealthbox - Hand Polished Brace - Oracle Ghost Sidemarkers - LEDs everywhere - 624/617 on E85 & 545/548 on 91 (Sept 2015) - 693rwhp (Dec 15)

04-24-2011, 09:23 PM	#14
Josh@ARH Drives: 2013 Corvette GS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 123	I personally have experience with Corsa not droning. Its loud when you get on it but cruising it is almost silent inside the car.