Okay, so I've had the Bassani SS axle-backs for awhile now and I just can't decide whether I like them all that much. They just kind of sound drony to me. Almost dare I say it ricey, but very deep rice. I don't know if I am just being picky, but I have heard some LS1s and even some new edge mustangs rolling by and I have to admit I felt like they put me to shame. Now they probably all have headers (I am holding off on this until warranty is up), but I would like to change up my exhaust, in search of that perfect sound. There is something missing with these Bassani's, not quite sure what it is, the sound just seems kind of dull and droney, without a lot of rumbly depth to it. I have especially noticed this if I am in a car behind the car with the windows roll up. All you hear is this blah droney sound. I think at low RPMs these sound incredible, but when you get higher it just kind of loses it for me.
So...I am looking for other suggestions for exhaust. This is how I am feeling based on research.
SLPs/Mac = way too loud for me
Corsas/Regular Borlas = way too quiet, don't like the sound of the Corsas all that much
Magnaflow/Flowmasters = higher pitched? or so I have heard.
So, basically, I am looking for something AS loud or slightly quieter than the Bassanis, with the same or less amount of drone.
When I originally made the decision to go with Bassani, it had been between Borla and Bassani. I ultimately picked Bassani because from what I read it wasn't as loud and there wasn't as much drone. Is this really true? The Bassani has plenty of drone and it is plenty loud to me. Has anyone here had both of these systems on their car (with stock headers and mid-pipe) and can you give me a comparison of the relative loudness inside and outside the car?
I have also read about this IMCO exhaust. Is this as loud or almost as loud as the SLP? If so, that is a problem, but the sounds clips sounded nice.
What other options are there? My main question is, HOW MUCH LOUDER ARE BORLAS THAN BASSANI, AND HOW MUCH WORSE IS THE DRONE?
I'm not sure how you can say the Borla's are way to quiet. They (in my opinion) have that perfect rumble that is over the stock exhaust. I was between the regular Borla's and the S-types. I wasn't sure how much of a difference there was so I called Borla direct and asked them. They told me their regular catbacks were rated at 60% over stock exhaust, the S-types at 90%. That's a pretty major difference. Surprisingly I don't get much drone. Go to the Borla website and listen for yourself.
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2005 Black GT with Red upgrade interior, fully tinted, 18's with ASA/BBS 5 spoke studded wheels, Michelin Pilots, Borla S-Type catbacks, K&N FIPK cold air injection system.
Have you considered getting the Bassani X-pipe? I really like the drone, which I consider the frequency of the muffler. The stock H-pipe does not do the mufflers justice IMHO, it tends to make the sound a lot more puttery (sorry about the word) I think the x-pipe makes the sound more of a uniform roar than the h-pipes put-put-put......especially at higher speeds. IMHO
You may find that other muffllers will have the same sound with the H-pipe.. Maybe others can explain it more technically.
I've run SLP LMs with the stock manifolds & H, shorty headers/catted-x, and long tubes/catted-x. The LMs were great until I added the long tubes and then got way too loud. I now run Flowmaster ATs with the headers and catted-X (much less painful). I've been through two X's and can honestly say I still prefer the sound of an H. The pitch with an X just isn't quite right. I think a good aftermarket H is the way to go.
I also have high flow cats, x-pipe and bassani mufflers and everyone I come accross say "WOW" that sounds nice. Drone, what Drone? It sounds ballzy. I would like a much deeper sound but have no complaints. They specially sound better under a load. Hammering it off the line.
2005 Black on Gray Prem GT. 5 speed Trans, Pro-Kit lowering springs, Bassani exhaust, Steeda CAI, Diablosport Predator flash tune, Nitto 555 extreme 275/35/20 R 255/35/20 F. 20" 9 1/2 rear wheel, 20" 8 1/2 front wheel. Tinted windows, painted calipers. And much, much more to come.
I love my Bassani's, although there is some drone when cruising at around 65-70 MPH. I think they sound bad ass overall. Have you ever been behind your car while somone reved the engine for you? They sound f***ing ballsy as hell especially when in the higher RPM range.
sdwndr if all you have is axle backs you can forget about sounding like those new edge mustangs and certainly like anything that has an LS1 lurking under the hood.
They sound that way because they have more than just mufflers changed on the car.
The reason the rest of the S197 guys like their Bassani's is because they have more mods done to their cars, mainly after market H/X pipes. This will make a noticeable difference in sound. Headers on the other hand wont change the sound that much. (Unless they are long tubes.)
On the 5.0 a change of the stock cam will also change the exhaust note a lot, particularly at idle. (I dont know what the 05's+ have available or if its even financially worth it yet.)
On the 5.0 a change of the stock cam will also change the exhaust note a lot, particularly at idle. (I dont know what the 05's+ have available or if its even financially worth it yet.)
LT headers, midpipe and axleback all helped but it was the new cams that really made the difference.
how about JBA axel back? you can to throttlehouseracing.com and hear them. i just picked up my 07 GT monday and this will be my first mod. Although i think the stock mufflers sound good now.
Your car must sound great. I like the sound of the 4.6 when it has full exhaust and cams.
Thanks... Although I almost wish I had gone with a more agressive grind but I really didn't want to spend the xtra $ for new valve springs & retainers.
I have the Bassani cat back w/ xpipe and hi flo cats...and i get so many compliments!.. i think they sound awesome at WOT 5500 RPM!
Exactly what I wanted to say, except with a lot more eloquence. I think that anyone thinking of replacing the stock muffler with louder, meatier ones should consider replacing the H-pipe.
Bassanis may go - need exhaust suggestions 
