Chevrolet Camaro 2010-2015: Exhaust Reviews and How-to
The Camaro's V8 really wakes up with "breathing" mods, like an exhaust. If you want a bit more power, and a wicked sound, an exhaust is the way to go.
This article applies to the Chevrolet Camaro (2010-2015).
The exhaust system on your Camaro does more than just expel fumes and gasses. The wrong exhaust can make your Camaro sound like a Matchbox toy, or the right one can make people stop dead in their tracks. How to pick the right one for your car can be a tall order. There are several factors to look at when deciding on what pipes to put on your car. Besides sound, you will also need to look at price, warranty, any hp gains and whether or not it's a bolt-on system for easy installation. With so many considerations to juggle, how can you make a good decision? Read on to learn about several of the most common exhaust systems on the market today to help make your buying decision a little easier.
Table of Contents
How to Replace Your Exhaust
Materials Needed
- Ratchet and socket set
- Flat head screwdriver
- Hacksaw (if necessary)
- Hydraulic floor jack and jack stands
Step 1 – Lift your Camaro
Use a hydraulic floor jack to lift your Camaro and place on jack stands. Be sure to use the recommended and approved jacking points as well as stand locations. Never work under your Camaro using only a floor jack for support.
(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Car - LS1Tech.com)
Step 2 – Remove crossmembers and loosen exhaust brackets
There are two crossmembers or support bars that need to come off first before we can start on the exhaust. Remove both of these and set aside. Loosen each of the brackets or mounting clamps for the exhaust pipe from the cats and all the way back to the tail pipe. Remove the other support bars that will be in the way when you drop the exhaust.
Figure 2. Remove the two crossmembers. 
Figure 3. Loosen the exhaust brackets on both side between the cats and the tail pipes.
Step 3 – Drop the exhaust
If you are replacing the entire exhaust system from head to tail, then the fastest method is to put a jack stand or something under the exhaust for support and cut it away from the cats at the resonator pipe as close to flush with the cats as possible. Drop the entire system, but be careful with the tail pipes at the bumper. You may want to loosen or even remove the bumper. While this sounds painful, it really is the quickest way to get the old system out.
Of course, if you are only installing a cat-back system, a mid-pipe or otherwise just a single component, just remove the area you need to swap out. Your other option is to remove the exhaust piece by piece, from the tail pipes and the muffler to the mid-pipe and the cats and the fore pipe to the manifold. This takes longer, but it may be a bit easier to manage, especially if you don't have a helper assisting you.
Figure 4. Cutting the resonator pipe as close to flush with the cat as possible. 
Figure 5. Removing the entire system in one fell swoop. 
Figure 6. Removing the tail pipes through the rear bumper can be challenging.
Step 4 – Replace the exhaust system
Hopefully your replacement system is plug and play or as close to an OEM fitment as possible. Starting with the front, add the resonator pipes back on first at the cats. You may need to use a sleeve to ensure a good seal, otherwise insert the resonator pipe into the cat, but hand-tighten the clamps and leave them be for the moment. Add the mid-pipes and then the tail pipes. Make sure that you are only hand-tightening all the joined and jointed pieces until the entire system is in place and ready to go. Carefully place the tail pipes back through the bumper cover and connect to the muffler as well as mid-pipe section. Once you are in place and adjusted for the perfect fit, tighten all your brackets and reconnect the removed dampers to their hangers. Replace all the crossmembers that were removed. Fire her up and listen to that new, mean sound!
Figure 7. Place the new resonator pips into the cats. 
Figure 8. Replace the mid-pipe section. 
Figure 9. Install the tail pipe and mufflers. Reinstall the hangers into the rubber dampers.
Featured Video: Maganflow Exhaust Install on Camaro SS
Exhaust System Reviews
Video clips can't do justice to in-person sound. Unfortunately, it is difficult, if not impossible, to find examples of Camaros with each individual exhaust installed if you are interested in the sound aspect of new pipes. While videos are nice to help narrow down your choices, you might be able to find a club near you and likely you'll find someone with the same setup you are looking for. An exhaust isn't the cheapest mod, so you'll want to make your decision carefully. Here are reviews for some of the more popular exhaust systems to help make your decision that much easier.
Corsa |
Borla |
Hooker |
Granatelli | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Price |
$1,650 | $1,225 | $950 | $1,100 |
Pipe Diameter |
3" |
2.5" |
2.5" |
3" |
Finish |
Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
True Dual (Y/N) |
N | Y | Y | Y |
Fitment |
100% | 95% (May not work with OEM ground effects) | 100% | 100% |
Sound |
Deep and softer | Deep (classic musle) | Loud | Low |
Best Value: Hooker
Corsa
Price – $1,650
Pipe Diameter – 3"
Finish – Stainless Steel
True Dual – No
Fitment – 100%
Sound – Deep and soft
Corsa comes through with a high quality exhaust system that is perfect for the highway cruiser. The resonance canceling system maintains a nice quiet ride while cruising, but can certainly wake you up when you get on it. While these aren't a true dual system, Corsa uses a 3" diameter crossover pipe while not reducing performance. Corsa offers a limited lifetime warranty so you can spend your cash in confidence. Recommended for anyone looking for an upgrade over OEM who doesn't mind not having true duals and enjoys a nice quiet cruise.
Related Video: 2010 Camaro SS w/ Corsa Exhaust
Borla
Price – $1,225
Pipe Diameter – 2.5"
Finish – Stainless Steel
True Dual – Yes
Fitment – 95%
Sound – Deep and loud
Borla comes through with possibly the most impressive pipes you can get if you want to rollback to the era of the big block muscle cars, James Dean and road racing. This exhaust system is truly amazing if a loud, mean grumble is what you are looking for. While it will set you back a good deal of coin, you can relax a little knowing that you are covered for a million miles under the manufacturer's standard warranty. Recommended if you don't mind spending the money to get that classic muscle car rumble.
Related Video: 2011 Camaro SS with Borla Exhaust
Hooker
Price – $800
Piping Diameter – 2.5"
Finish – Stainless Steel
True Duals – Yes
Fitment – 100%
Sound – Loud (off-road use only)
Hooker knows loud. Hooker also knows how to squeak out the last drop of horsepower possible and has delivered a nice set of pipes perfect for the trackster. These true duals are also truly affordable for the Camaro owner who races down the track every weekend. Recommended for those who own a track car only and want a truly impressive power gain with a real dual exhaust system.
Related Video: 5th Gen Camaro Hooker Blackheart Exhaust
Granatelli
Price – $1,100
Pipe Diameter – 3"
Finish – Stainless Steel
True Dual – Yes
Fitment – 100%
Sound – Low (no drone)
Granatelli pipes offer great high performance power output with a low roar and nearly no drone. These pipes are perfect for the boulevard cruising and long distance cross-country touring. They give the power output you are looking for without waking everyone in your neighborhood. This is also a true bolt-on OEM replacement that will take about an hour. Recommended if you want a nice high performance system without the obnoxious noise from the neighbor everyone despises.
Related Video: Sound Byte Granatelli Exhaust
Related Discussions
- Pypes Axle Back, Sound Great, Melted Bumper - LS1Tech.com
- Camaro Exhaust Sale - LS1Tech.com
- Hooker Blackheart Exhaust System - LS1Tech.com
- Love My Borla Exhaust Note I've Always Been Looking for - LS1Tech.com
- Borla Atak Versus S-Type - LS1Tech.com
