I know there have been many posts about the different brands of exhausts, dual vs. single, high flow converters, dual opening rear valances, no studs available, blown gaskets and the like. Fact is, there have been enough discussions that I'm quite confused! I would like to replace my headers and go with an exhaust with dual outlets. If the installation is any simpler, I would replace everything in between. Is there any one supporting vendor that sells the entire setup? Is there a recommended configuration that would go together without to much cutting and welding? I noted one selling a Carbon Fiber rear filler. Does this need to be painted or can it go on as is? Once I get this mod completed, I will do a retune of the ECU.
__________________ 2006, Vin#3231 Ordered 4/15 - Born 10/14 - Delivered 11/15 - My butt in the driver's seat 11/17
Cool with Ebony Leather - TRADED IN
Location: The avatar shows my motivation to work .... Work takes place in Houston, Republic of Texas .... Motivation takes place in CA, NV, UT, CO and similar locations.
Well, obviously it's not really necessary that the same vendor provide the dual-exit rear valence, right? So you can choose from ArchieV8, KappaSphere, or the stock GXP rear valence.
If you get the shorty exhaust header from ClearImage (actually a mid-length), you can leave your stock converter on or go with their hi-flow. They also have a dual-exit Magnaflow exhaust. So there you go, the whole system (except rear valence) from one vendor.
Personally, I prefer the ClearImage long-tube exhaust header, gives more low-end torque. That requires their hi-flow cat, so if you're changing the converter anyway, you could go that way.
You'll be happy with their quality and first-class service!
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Her name is MariSOL
VIN 6Y101319, delivered 10/15/05. 72,541 miles.
I know there have been many posts about the different brands of exhausts, dual vs. single, high flow converters, dual opening rear valances, no studs available, blown gaskets and the like. Fact is, there have been enough discussions that I'm quite confused! I would like to replace my headers and go with an exhaust with dual outlets. If the installation is any simpler, I would replace everything in between. Is there any one supporting vendor that sells the entire setup? Is there a recommended configuration that would go together without to much cutting and welding? I noted one selling a Carbon Fiber rear filler. Does this need to be painted or can it go on as is? Once I get this mod completed, I will do a retune of the ECU.
Hey PubliusE...
Jeff from SOLO Performance/ZORO Muffler here....Saw your post and wanted to forward this thread...SOLO Performance has just become a supporting vendor and our website should be up in one or two days www.solo-performance.com. In brief we have been developing a rear center dual exhaust over the last 6 months. We have designed product specific to the Solstice. A lot of hard work and engineering has gone into the development of this exhaust system. We are very proud of the outcome. It has an unmatched sweet "smooooth sound" and great looks. Parts to the kit,
super high flow cat converter, polished stainless steel dual exhaust, rear valence. Solo's kits are available now. For further information visit our web site (soon) or p.m. us. We look forward to speaking with you and answering any questions you might have. Thanks.
JGene posted....
Just got back from the dealership. OMG the sound! The exhaust with the shorty header is easily +10db more than the factory exhaust. My dealership couldn't reinstall the factory heat shield so I don't know if that makes any kind of difference.
I've only driven it about 7 miles and it feels much more zippy. Why am I not out driving right now? The big Christmas program at my church is tomorrow and I have to be at the rehearsal in one hour. Timing, eh?
Anyways, the sound...the sound. When the tech first drove it out of the spot up to the cashier's office, all the guys at the service department came to look at it. I flipped on the bi-xenon projectors for a little extra show (yeah, I'm a show off).
When I started it up, one of the sales reps came running at full speed towards my car from across the parking lot shouting "LS2, LS2!!". I guess you could say it sounds a bit like one because it definitely has a thunderous roar. It doesn't have that sing-song throaty growl of a SBC but it does have a beautiful warble. The best way I can describe it is like a Subaru WRX but without quite as pronounced exhaust notes.
I'll see if I can post pictures and audio soon but I have the church function to go to tonight. The cost for the full install? About $658 Was it worth it? Absolutely!!
Edit: One thing I forgot to say is that the service manager called me as soon as they were done. He said they've installed a lot of exhausts there throughout the years for many many cars. However, the one I put on my car today is one of the finest put together exhaust systems they'd ever done. Bravo Solo Performance!
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SolScuba, this is what JGene had installed for $658.00
That price is for the installation of all these components. Dual Center Exhaust & Fascia continued
__________________ Aggressive GXP at $25,995.00 shipping of $600, Manual Transmission.
Options:
Air, $960; Chrome Wheels, $545; PCQ, Premium Package (Leather), $525; Radio, 6-Disc with MP3, $495; Monsoon, $395; Premium Acoustic Headliner, $150; and Sport Metallic Pedals, $115; all totals $29,180.00. No XM/OnStar and NO Spoiler. MODS (RKSport/Magnaflow dual exit exhaust system, K&N filter, Ventureshield.
First 1000. Aggressive with everything, NO XM/OnStar. SOLD
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The actual cost of the exhaust install is probably $100-200 depending on your local dealer/exhaust installer. My price was expensive since I had a lot of other stuff done at the same time. Nonetheless, you can find some videos of my car driving around with sound in the link below.
How hard would the install be?? I have a friend that says he can do all of this in 6 hours tops and charge 50 an hour. He is a certified mechanic too. I also can do this myself most likely. Is there anything special though that I need know before going for this??
Jeff from SOLO Performance/ZORO Muffler here....Saw your post and wanted to forward this thread...SOLO Performance has just become a supporting vendor and our website should be up in one or two days www.solo-performance.com. In brief we have been developing a rear center dual exhaust over the last 6 months.
Sounds nice. But I have to be honest with you, I never liked the look of the center exhaust. Personally, I prefer dual exhaust exiting on the left and right rear of the car.
__________________ 2006, Vin#3231 Ordered 4/15 - Born 10/14 - Delivered 11/15 - My butt in the driver's seat 11/17
Cool with Ebony Leather - TRADED IN
How hard would the install be?? I have a friend that says he can do all of this in 6 hours tops and charge 50 an hour. He is a certified mechanic too. I also can do this myself most likely. Is there anything special though that I need know before going for this??
WOW, where do you people take your cars too ? There is a local shop that will weld on a axle back for $80-$100, depending how big of a axle back you want/need. Now just think of it this way. The thing is a full BOLT ON set up. So to me it shouldn't cost more then $80. Also this is canadian money to.
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Performance Auto and Sound
Compression Performance
My dealership never gave me a full itemized lists of the labor but I would imagine that the exhaust by itself is fairly cheap. You can save some dollars by fitting on the rear fascia yourself but you need to pull it off before you go to the exhaust installer. Personally, I went with the one place whom I know who would be open on the weekends just in case something went awry. Plus that was the only place I know that would do the exhaust plus the fascia. I knew a few other places that could do an exhaust but that's all they did.
Anybody watch the videos?
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So high, so low, so many things to know.
VIN 8694 delivered on February 3rd, 2006. Two years later and I'm still enjoying it just as much as the day I took delivery.
DDM Stage II and Spec 2+ clutch/flywheel finally installed :)
Sounds nice. But I have to be honest with you, I never liked the look of the center exhaust. Personally, I prefer dual exhaust exiting on the left and right rear of the car.
I just had my new exhaust installed. It is the RKSport Dual Catback system with MagnaFlow Muffler and tips. I also purchased the GXP rear valence which was a snap to install. The exhaust looks great and sounds even better. I am quite pleased with this mod. So now do I do the headers or the retune next?
__________________ 2006, Vin#3231 Ordered 4/15 - Born 10/14 - Delivered 11/15 - My butt in the driver's seat 11/17
Cool with Ebony Leather - TRADED IN
I'm kinda on the fence about the exhaust. Do I really need to go catback or can I just install a decent Borla muffler for the same performance and sound?
I'm kinda on the fence about the exhaust. Do I really need to go catback or can I just install a decent Borla muffler for the same performance and sound?
If you get up underneath and look at the pipe that is there you will not be on the fence any longer ...
__________________ #118042 11/18/06 GXP Mean Darkside loaded wo On-Star
MODS: ED IC Pipes, Dejon IC, Magnaflow Catback
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