Rate Your Exhaust

Denny McLain

Bought under drive pulley, Gen 3 intake, headers and exhaust from Stillen.

The under drive pulley was great. Headers OK quality, but a bitch to put on (would not recommend) ending up having to buy two new 02 sensors and two weeks for my hands to heal. The intake install was good but with a slight symmetry quality issue that you can't see, but the exhaust was a royal PITA.

Guess my biggest issue is the exhaust was not a true bolt on and did need quite a bit of tweaking that include cutting and rewelding to get it to fit properly. Not something your average person could do in their garage as the quality does seem to vary. Craps game, fits OK for some but a bitch for others. The slip joints with U-bolts is not what you would expect from a quality exhaust either.

My strong recommendation is to take the exhaust to a good shop where they are used to making them fit. They do it all the time, have the tools and it's no big whoop for them even though I had to take mine in twice and still will hear a few strange noises at times.

The next issue is instead of taking responsibility for the quality issues and offering solutions, Josh denied there was an issue and tried to blame me for the install as being the problem. This really rubbed me the wrong way and trust me.....this is not my first rodeo at hot rodding cars. Expect a few issues as they are always there, but also expect an honest answer and a little support.

Just got a spam Stillen e-mail this morning telling me I have two more days to get the super duper deal on Stillen exhausts. Sounds to me like they are pretty desperate to sell them as I'm not the only one whom had issues.

spearfish25

Let's hope my experience goes better than yours have. I have an experienced shop installing the exhaust on Saturday. If they have problems, then there are likely still design problems with the exhaust. I'll be eagle-eyeing everything as well!

Denny McLain

My bet is everything will go OK.

If I had known what I was getting into I'd have taken it immediately to a shop and not even bother trying to **** with it myself. There really is a difference between someone who does this everyday and someone who does it every 2-5 years.

Modshack

Mine's been absolutely fine. I upgraded the Cheezy "U" clamps with some T-Bolts though. No issues, no rubs, no fitment issues. Sound is perfect and I will not be going to HFC's or headers for that reason. Car runs like a beast and I'm coming from a modded '08 Corvette. Nothing else needed until I get tempted by a supercharger kit....

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spearfish25

Where did you get those T bolts? I wouldn't mind picking some up for the install Saturday just to improve things without going back later. Also, what size did you buy?

Denny McLain

Ended up ditching the U clamps and had the shop weld the slide tubes. The shop felt the same way. The guy said: "at least they could have included some nice bands instead of the chincy U clamps."

Also it's the high flow cats that really makes one loud. The first thing I did was the high flow cats that dynoed 12 hp addition, but honestly wasn't prepared for the difference in noise. Under 3500 rpm the stock system with cats pretty much sounds stock, over 3500 it's a real surprise in the difference in noise.

Modshack

T bolt clamps McMaster-Carr
Page 255...Shipping is usually only a day or 2...YOu want some to fit the 2.5" pipe.... YOu might be able to find them locally too (Napa etc)

__________________

Steal my car! (SOLD)...Now Porsche Cayman S
Oil Cooler DIY: Here!

spearfish25

Did you go with the 316 SS sized 2 5/16 - 2 5/8 (part 5204K12)?

OH DAMN! That place is about 20 minutes away from my house. I love it.