Aftermarket exhaust question

John D

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I'm looking for some feedback about exhaust options. I'm pretty happy with the exhaust sound on my 2005. It has a nice rumble and burbles and pops when decelerating. what I would like is a cooler temperature in the car. If the car sounds a bit louder that's a bonus. From experience, have you noticed a difference in temperature with just a cat-back or would I need to replace the cats and headers as well? I don't want to get too loud (complaints from my wife). Any thoughts?
 

TexasViper35

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The two side exhausts are connected to one another via an H-Pipe that goes roughly through the center of the car under the cabin. If you upgrade to a Borla Cat Back exhaust the H-Pipe is deleted, and yes I did find a huge difference in cabin temperature with that, and the side skirts are now very cool to the touch in comparison to when I had the stock exhaust. Not sure about increased noise, I would say it’s pretty much the same as stock. No need to change anything else. There is an added HP gain with the Borlas but I can’t remember the number.
 
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John D

John D

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The two side exhausts are connected to one another via an H-Pipe that goes roughly through the center of the car under the cabin. If you upgrade to a Borla Cat Back exhaust the H-Pipe is deleted, and yes I did find a huge difference in cabin temperature with that, and the side skirts are now very cool to the touch in comparison to when I had the stock exhaust. Not sure about increased noise, I would say it’s pretty much the same as stock. No need to change anything else. There is an added HP gain with the Borlas but I can’t remember the number.

Thanks for the info!
 

MoparMap

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Can't comment on the temperature difference as my car had Borlas when I bought it, but can say that they sound great. To my ears at least they have a lower pitched rumble and roar compared to the other aftermarket exhaust I've heard. Corsas just sound to raspy and **** to me.
 

TexasViper35

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What does a change to the Borla exhaust system typically cost and where is it done? Chrysler dealer?

Their website shows $1199 factory direct. It comes with installation instructions, also viewable on their website. It looks like a simple task if you are mechanically inclined and have the time. I was not either of those things back then so I took it to my Viper tech at the dealership and had him install them. I paid IIRC about $400 labor, but that was 12-13 years ago, perhaps expect to pay $500 - $700 today.
 

MoparMap

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Back in the day Mopar offered two different "OEM aftermarket" exhausts for the Viper, a street version (2.5") and a race version (3"). My understanding is the street version is basically the Borla exhaust, just without the shiny tips. That being said, I believe it is actually cheaper than getting it from Borla. The race version only costs ~$700, I think the street version used to be more like $400 if I remember right, but could be way off there and it might not even be available anymore. Could be worth a search though.
 

lyonmt

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The MOPAR exhaust is no longer offered in two versions as far as I know. There is just this one I think.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MEM4HJ...olid=2HTKNQZZ3OTE4&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I live in Florida, so I removed the crossover pipes underneath and put Gen 4 tips on. The car did get a bit louder and conversation can sometimes be a lil difficult.

As far as the heat, the stock exhaust seems to get hotter with the gen 4 tips. Also the tips tend to get loose. If you decide to go that route, it is highly recommended to get the tips spot welded. I didn't at first ( i didn't know) and my tips got loose and melted my clear bra and inner wheel fender a little.
 

hlieber50

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When my factory driver's side header cracked I replaced my exhaust system with a high performance Belanger system that included headers & cats, using the original side exhaust pipes. Their kit does not use the crossover that the factory exhaust has. That cooled the interior a lot, so much more enjoyable during the summer. Noise level was increased some. At the end of last summer I installed the Corsa Cat Back portion of the exhaust. That added another level of increased sound. The Belanger System & the Corsa exhaust made my Viper (2005 SRT-10) more responsive when the gas pedal is pushed.
 
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John D

John D

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When my factory driver's side header cracked I replaced my exhaust system with a high performance Belanger system that included headers & cats, using the original side exhaust pipes. Their kit does not use the crossover that the factory exhaust has. That cooled the interior a lot, so much more enjoyable during the summer. Noise level was increased some. At the end of last summer I installed the Corsa Cat Back portion of the exhaust. That added another level of increased sound. The Belanger System & the Corsa exhaust made my Viper (2005 SRT-10) more responsive when the gas pedal is pushed.

Thanks for the info. Now that it has gotten a little warmer I'm finding myself much more interested in cooling down the exhaust.
 

sssikvipe

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I went with the Belanger cat backs, no cross over, stock headers. Purchased from Jon B. Very pleased with the sounds, and very little heat issue in the cabin. As for the sills, I recommend some type of heat deflector.
 
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John D

John D

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When my factory driver's side header cracked I replaced my exhaust system with a high performance Belanger system that included headers & cats, using the original side exhaust pipes. Their kit does not use the crossover that the factory exhaust has. That cooled the interior a lot, so much more enjoyable during the summer. Noise level was increased some. At the end of last summer I installed the Corsa Cat Back portion of the exhaust. That added another level of increased sound. The Belanger System & the Corsa exhaust made my Viper (2005 SRT-10) more responsive when the gas pedal is pushed.

Did you have to do anything to the car when you added the headers and cats? I just ordered the Belanger system and I believe it should just bolt on however I have also heard people say it would need a tune as well. Did yours just bolt on or did it get anything else done as well? Also, did you take off the factory heat shields or leave them on?
 

MoparMap

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I already had an aftermarket tune on my car when I went from just a catback to headers and a catback and I never got it retuned until my recent rebuild. If you're on a bone stock tune though there is always the chance you might have some issues with check engine lights and O2 sensors, but that's the main thing I can think of. The factory headers are basically shorties. They look just like tube headers, they aren't cast iron manifolds like most stock exhaust. I had to trim the bottom of my heat shields to make them fit, but I kept as much as I could as I thought it would be better to have them than not. Any protection helps under the hood.
 

Kevin M Melisz

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John D, I did a full Belanger system on my 08 in the fall. Everything else on my car is stock, and I kept the stock tune. I have 1000 miles on it since the installation and don't have a CEL.

If you have any other questions about the installation, feel free to reach out to me directly.

716-713-4261
 
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John D

John D

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John D, I did a full Belanger system on my 08 in the fall. Everything else on my car is stock, and I kept the stock tune. I have 1000 miles on it since the installation and don't have a CEL.

If you have any other questions about the installation, feel free to reach out to me directly.

716-713-4261
Thanks for the feedback. Did you find a big difference in how loud it is? And, did you go for the 2.5 or 3"?
 

Kevin M Melisz

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I went with the 2.5" not 3", after speaking with Lou Belanger, 2.5" actually gives you better performance and a better sound. Yes 3" is louder but at cruising speeds it will be a loud drone and can be obnoxious. With the 2.5" it gives a louder sounds especially at higher RPMS but at cruising speed you can have a conversation. My wife and I will take the car to dinner and she doesn't find it that loud unless I am really on it.

Again reach out with any other questions. 716-713-4261 or [email protected]
 

malcoll

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So I am looking at a new exhaust... planning on high flow cats, sounds like the Borla is deep tone, not too raspy and does NOT drone... is that accurate from those who have Borla?
 

MoparMap

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I think drone is a relative term. The low tone of the Borla does tend to fill the cabin a little more, but with cats I think it takes some of the edge off. When from just the Borla catback on factory cats to a full header system with no cats and the same Borla mufflers it was definitely more "drone-y", but also just flat out louder. I drove my car 13 hours home though with the original setup on it and didn't mind, but everyone is different. The low tone of the Viper just really carries the noise a long way and through stuff, but that's one of the things I really like about it as well.
 

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Borla, High Flow Cats from Partsrack. I adore the sound of the car. I LOVE it at idle, and while driving. Yesterday, constant grin as I turned up ZZ Top to hear it over the exhaust. Constant grin. A guy on my Prowleronline site advised me to go this route with the 3:55 gears. Could not be happier.
 
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