I have been debating with a friend who owns a 2002 Trans Am. He has claimed that catback systems on the LS1 that although sounding better, would not enhance the HP/Torque above the stock system, and this could be supported by diagnostic readings. This is not for all cars, just the '99 to 2002 V8 Camaro's and Trans Ams' and howthey are built.

I'm interested in the what the members here opinion is on this.

 

i could be wrong, but i think the hp gain is like 5 hp

 

Only improvement over the stock system would be mandrel bent pipes for a smoother exhaust flow and that is going to be a small gain.

 

I looked up the dyno page for an *unnamed catback system (not here to debunk a good dealer of exhaust systems) for my 94 LT1 and the website has a chart showing a 13hp and 17 lb-ft. gain. I'll agree that's pretty close to correct having the same system on my car.

The same chart was used for a 2002 SS LS1 but this chart also listed numbers on the side showing increased HP/Torque with the catback at a higher RPM :

catback HP 322.6 @ 3900 RPM
OEM HP 308.8 @ 3700 RPM
catback Torque 338.4 @ 3100 RPM
OEM Torque 320.7 @ 3000 RPM

Why not all the same RPM?

On a side note, my opinion is it seems more realistic the stated "catback" numbers look more realistic to a stock LS1. But that's just my opinion.

 

a-baWHA?

who is recording hp at <4k rpm?

 

Wow, they have some really weird peak numbers in there...

Either way, a cat-back system is mostly about visual and sound. It will get you some stock HP, but usually not as much as the manufactures claim.

 

exactly