Thinking about new mufflers for the V. On this car, the install requires cutting the exhaust. I understand that a sleeve can be placed in case I want to go back to stock. There is only one catback available for this car and I don't like the sound so much. The mufflers DO sound pretty good. Of course, it's early in the run for the car and products are still being developed.

Is any of this inherently harmful to the car? Or am I just being overly nervous about someone cutting on my brand new car? I'm sure some of you have had this done.

Thanks!

 

Naw, not that much of a big deal, as long as there would be enough material to weld the old exhaust back on if you so desire.

I do understand the nervousness though.....plus, who knows how long that model will be in production....

 

Your car (and you) should be fine.

 

Besides the ECU re-flash can you even make any real performance gains? I'm going to assume you mainly want to change your exhaust note.

 

Why not just wait for a cat-back you DO like?

That way you don't have to cut it.

I dunno, maybe I'm crazy or something

 

2 considerations:
1) Will the modifications do what you want? If you are looking for more power, I'd want to make sure that there are appropriate decreases in backpressure to which the ECU can adjust or for which the ECU can be remapped or flashed.
Backpressure issues aren't a concern if you're looking for a better exhaust note regardless of effect on performance.
2) The change will void certain emissions control warranties-- IDK how far upstream the dealers will void the warranty if you do a mod-- i.e. I'd want to know if one would still be covered for an ECU reflash or ECU failure due to a new cat-back system before doing it (IDK what the ECU failure rate is, if any, on the CTS or -V, FWIW).

 

Thanks for the replies, guys, and for bringing me back to reality. I think I'm going to hold off on a change. I'm satisfied with the sound of the stock mufflers other than a bit of drone at certain engine speeds, but (like on the RL) was interested in and curious about experimenting with the sound a bit to see what I'd like. I think GM hit the spot as far as exhaust sound. That's why I'm so nervous about a permanent cut in my exhaust system.

As far as performance gains, This model already has headers, smaller boost pulleys, ECU tune available to it and someone's already got their car to over 600 whp (stock automatic is 480-490 to the wheels).

The mufflers are simply that--a muffler swap--and the claimed gain is 14-16 whp. a) wow, that's a lot for a muffler and b) I wouldn't feel that on this car with 556 hp at the crank.

I'm off this weekend, so I'll record some exhaust sounds for you all. I'm planning on a dyno this weekend, so should be easy.

 

Magnaflow has some sound bytes from an 05 that sound good. I wouldn't have a problem if it were me and you have a good shop around. Who cares if the exhaust has a sleeve if you ever go back to stock as long as it works.

http://www.magnaflow.com/04sound/04american.asp

Cool stuff here, but you probably already know!

http://www.d3cadillac.com/vehicles-CTS-08.php

 

There wont be any negative effects other than if he doesnt like the sound. You wont hurt the ECU or void warranty for a set of mufflers. Being the car it is a bet there would be gains from it, and i would definitely look into a ECU reflash to up the power.

 

it can be rewelded

 

Actually, I was thinking of something more drastic than just mufflers or tips when writing of the emissions warranty concerns- by skimming OP...

I would get different mufflers only if Magnaflow or the manufacturer has actually tested them to make sure they didn't restrict the -V's output.

 

why not just pull the stock one in it's entirety and have an exhaust shop fab up a custom cat back? The extra length of stainless should not add much more cost to the setup.

 

you'll be fine..i've been debating this for YEARS w/ my GTO but I am not really in to loud obnoxious exhausts, and keep convincing myself the GTO's stock exhaust is fine esp. since it really doesn't create any performance and guys are running stock exhaust with 700-800 HP.

Is Corsa close to developing something? What mufflers are you thinking?

 

Wait for a Magnaflow ftw

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbk5kgHUFkI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOl-ztofEOo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TubrKfZFo10

 

Too loud for a luxury family sedan IMO...The revs are fine, but the idle is too damn loud. The CTS-V is no corvette afterall, even if it has the same engine.

 

on 90% of the cars i work on you need to cut the mufflers off and reuse the mid section. there really isnt that much of a power gain by changing the connecting pipes since most of them at 2.5"+ compared to the acuras at 2.25.

the kinda exhaust you are referring to is an axel back. there is nothing wrong with that. i just did an axel back exhaust on a maserati last week. it should come with clips that are ~1.5" wide, and the muffler piping should have a slightly bigger or smaller diameter so the pipes and slide into each other

 

That Corsa exhaust is obnoxious

 

Fixed


Seriously that sounds vicious! But I can understand why some might not like it.
I would honestly wait bob, I'm sure a company is going to come along with an exhaust you like.

 

The longer I think about it, the more I like the stock exhaust. It sounds wimpy in those videos, but let me tell you, it sounds AGGRESSIVE in person and on the road. It's already loud enough to make people move over on the freeway when they hear me coming, not kidding.

 

^ Yup buddy of mine has a stock V sounds aggressive.