Axle-Back vs. Cat-Back Exhaust - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

PSDSAINT · 03-03-2012, 10:24 AM

I have been listening to many AXLE-BACK VS. CAT-BACK systems on line from Flomaster, Magnaflow, Borla, SLP, Pypes, Corsa etc. I'm having a difficult time hearing the difference between the two , Axle back vs. Cat back! Any personal experience on this issue? Is it worth going with the Cat back for the extra bucks? Does the addition of an X-Pipe really make a difference? Any comments would be appreciated.

mcdoogle6969 · 03-03-2012, 10:34 AM

If you want to get LT headers down the road then Id just stick with a axle-back. I don't think paying 1000+ is worth a cat-back.

dekan513 · 03-03-2012, 10:37 AM

the resonated and no is the big difference as i have both , and i use a resonated x pipe with no resonated pipes and with headers there is a big diff in sound
if u want loud with headers axel back if u want it like a lil bit loud with headers resonated mid pipe sounds good as well

DesiSS · 03-03-2012, 10:53 AM

I installed Borla type s axle back, it was ok but is much better now that I added Borla X-pipe. Wish I had gotten cat-back at first.Street Side has great prices and service for Borla.

PSDSAINT · 03-03-2012, 10:56 AM

Thanks, thats exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. With the cat back there is no need to cut any pipes for instal. with the axle back there is some cutting involved.

1Camaro2SS · 03-03-2012, 10:59 AM

I have the Borla S catback with Kooks LT headers. Can't go wrong with this setup. My catback alone cost me $1200 shipped. Well worth it.

Ronn · 03-03-2012, 11:10 AM

Pros of a catback:
- no cutting during installation
- if installing LT and HF cats they bolt right up
- might get a deeper sound from one with 3 inch pipes
- maybe a 2-3hp increase if that
Cons:
- cost

Pros of an axle back:
- cost
- you can get the sound you're looking for
Cons:
- cutting is required
- more cutting if you're installing LT and HF cats

If ever you're planning on getting headers and cats, I would recommend a catback. As for the x pipe, people will argue that it makes a difference but typically they are a big benefit in high hp applications. You likely won't see a difference in a stock SS. Our cars already have an H pipe to balance exhaust pulses. Most catback systems have an x pipe or a variation of it.

JoshBobGuptaMarley · 03-03-2012, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSDSAINT

I have been listening to many AXLE-BACK VS. CAT-BACK systems on line from Flomaster, Magnaflow, Borla, SLP, Pypes, Corsa etc. I'm having a difficult time hearing the difference between the two , Axle back vs. Cat back! Any personal experience on this issue? Is it worth going with the Cat back for the extra bucks? Does the addition of an X-Pipe really make a difference? Any comments would be appreciated.

Do a muffler delete for 100$ and see how that works for you. Most systems only get louder.

PSDSAINT · 03-03-2012, 11:17 AM

I have no intention of going to headers. For Axel Back systems the cutting of my stock exhause isn't something that I don't want to do for resale purposes. The cat backs are just bolt on saving the stock exhaust for another day. I'm leaning toward the Cat Back which will cost an extra $300 or so!

Ronn · 03-03-2012, 11:22 AM

I posted up a review awhile back of my american thunder system. The thread has a few decent videos in it:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...wmaster+review

You might want to search around the exhaust section there are plenty of threads on this.

One-Bad-ZL1 · 03-03-2012, 06:15 PM

ffnva40 · 03-03-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSDSAINT

I have been listening to many AXLE-BACK VS. CAT-BACK systems on line from Flomaster, Magnaflow, Borla, SLP, Pypes, Corsa etc. I'm having a difficult time hearing the difference between the two , Axle back vs. Cat back! Any personal experience on this issue? Is it worth going with the Cat back for the extra bucks? Does the addition of an X-Pipe really make a difference? Any comments would be appreciated.

I am installing Solo MACH X-LLT Cat-back for 880.00 shipped. Ive heard nothing but great reviews and comments on them. As soon as they are on tomorrow I'l try (weather permitting) to make a sound video. From all the rese4arch I've done (and I've done a lot) this system is the best bang for your buck!

PSDSAINT · 03-04-2012, 04:25 PM

Thanks ffnva40, I'm headed to Youtube.com to check out the sound! I appreciate the tip!

03-03-2012, 10:24 AM	#1
PSDSAINT Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Black Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bristol, Rhode Island Posts: 37	Axle-Back vs. Cat-Back Exhaust I have been listening to many AXLE-BACK VS. CAT-BACK systems on line from Flomaster, Magnaflow, Borla, SLP, Pypes, Corsa etc. I'm having a difficult time hearing the difference between the two , Axle back vs. Cat back! Any personal experience on this issue? Is it worth going with the Cat back for the extra bucks? Does the addition of an X-Pipe really make a difference? Any comments would be appreciated.

03-03-2012, 10:34 AM	#2
mcdoogle6969 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS, 2008 Heritage 300C Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,911	If you want to get LT headers down the road then Id just stick with a axle-back. I don't think paying 1000+ is worth a cat-back. __________________ BUILD THREAD

03-03-2012, 10:37 AM	#3
dekan513 chevy pride Drives: 2ss/rs Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pikeville ky Posts: 2,141 View My Garage	the resonated and no is the big difference as i have both , and i use a resonated x pipe with no resonated pipes and with headers there is a big diff in sound if u want loud with headers axel back if u want it like a lil bit loud with headers resonated mid pipe sounds good as well __________________ check out ky speeds fb page https://www.facebook.com/kyspeed

03-03-2012, 10:53 AM	#4
DesiSS Drives: 11 RJT 2SS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: N. Attleboro MA Posts: 4	Borla I installed Borla type s axle back, it was ok but is much better now that I added Borla X-pipe. Wish I had gotten cat-back at first.Street Side has great prices and service for Borla.

03-03-2012, 10:59 AM	#6
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	I have the Borla S catback with Kooks LT headers. Can't go wrong with this setup. My catback alone cost me $1200 shipped. Well worth it. __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

03-03-2012, 10:56 AM	#5
PSDSAINT Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Black Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bristol, Rhode Island Posts: 37	Thanks, thats exactly the kind of feedback I'm looking for. With the cat back there is no need to cut any pipes for instal. with the axle back there is some cutting involved.

03-03-2012, 11:10 AM	#7
Ronn Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Ontario Posts: 1,181	Pros of a catback: - no cutting during installation - if installing LT and HF cats they bolt right up - might get a deeper sound from one with 3 inch pipes - maybe a 2-3hp increase if that Cons: - cost Pros of an axle back: - cost - you can get the sound you're looking for Cons: - cutting is required - more cutting if you're installing LT and HF cats If ever you're planning on getting headers and cats, I would recommend a catback. As for the x pipe, people will argue that it makes a difference but typically they are a big benefit in high hp applications. You likely won't see a difference in a stock SS. Our cars already have an H pipe to balance exhaust pulses. Most catback systems have an x pipe or a variation of it. __________________ 1SS / RS / M6 / IOM / Black rally stripes / Polished wheels It's a high school prom, it's a Springsteen song, it's a ride in a Chevrolet...

03-03-2012, 11:17 AM	#9
PSDSAINT Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Black Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bristol, Rhode Island Posts: 37	I have no intention of going to headers. For Axel Back systems the cutting of my stock exhause isn't something that I don't want to do for resale purposes. The cat backs are just bolt on saving the stock exhaust for another day. I'm leaning toward the Cat Back which will cost an extra $300 or so!

03-03-2012, 11:22 AM	#10
Ronn Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Northern Ontario Posts: 1,181	I posted up a review awhile back of my american thunder system. The thread has a few decent videos in it: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...wmaster+review You might want to search around the exhaust section there are plenty of threads on this. __________________ 1SS / RS / M6 / IOM / Black rally stripes / Polished wheels It's a high school prom, it's a Springsteen song, it's a ride in a Chevrolet...

03-03-2012, 06:15 PM	#11
One-Bad-ZL1 So easy to love Camaros Drives: 2013 ZL1 VR #3457 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Marlborough, CT Posts: 3,768 View My Garage	__________________

03-04-2012, 04:25 PM	#13
PSDSAINT Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Black Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Bristol, Rhode Island Posts: 37	Thanks ffnva40, I'm headed to Youtube.com to check out the sound! I appreciate the tip!

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