Heard the best sounding VE SS ute

[Francis knight0]

Hi guy's. Hi guy's, I've done a search and I could not find something that helped me out.

I heard the best sounding VE SS ute today. I was what I would say is one up from stock.

It was just deeper and warmer then the factory exhaust. Not that much louder and not tinny like I have heard so many. Some have also sounded glugy not deep and warm.

SO, whats the thoughts on getting that note. Is there a brand or product someone might be able to tell me to look for?

Also anyone know any good exhaust shops on the Gold Coast.

If there are any links you can direct me to that have sound clips please let me know.

Thanks all.

[mustanger]

There are a few here Australian LS1 and Holden Forums (http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=87607)

[Wonky]

Brad and Mal at Mr Muffler (sponsor) up there seem to have a very good reputation on here, so I'd recommend going and seeing them.

[AussieTone]

Hi guy's. Hi guy's, I've done a search and I could not find something that helped me out.

I heard the best sounding VE SS ute today. I was what I would say is one up from stock.

It was just deeper and warmer then the factory exhaust. Not that much louder and not tinny like I have heard so many. Some have also sounded glugy not deep and warm.

SO, whats the thoughts on getting that note. Is there a brand or product someone might be able to tell me to look for?

Also anyone know any good exhaust shops on the Gold Coast.

If there are any links you can direct me to that have sound clips please let me know.

Thanks all.

Maybe if you describe the Ute the owner may be a member on here.

I have an F1 from Mal at Mr Mufflers at Sumner Park. I had an interesting comment yesterday by the service tech at Holden who serviced my MY09 VE SS Aut Ute. He has his own VE SSV manual and being a tech at Holden drives a lot of VE's with aftermarket exhausts during the course of doing his test drives. He took mine for a blat down the freeway as well as suburban streets and when he got back he commented on how that is the first aftermarket exhaust on a VE he has driven that had no drone at all.

I'd go for a drive from the coast and see Mal in Brissie or ring him at least about the F1. There is also heaps of info about the system on the forum in it's own thread
Cheers
Tony

[ls2maloo]

If your interested in hearing the F1 system first hand on the goldy,i'll be flying home from work tomorrow from adelaide,ute has xforce headers,ballistic cats,russo otr and F1 system so let me know if your keen,cause i might have a few spare hrs on the weekend.
Cheers

[Francis knight0]

Hi guy's thanks for the info.

Thank also for the offer to hear your ute mate. I'll let you know how today goes that will decide if my weekend is Free.


The ute I heard was a red VE SS, with white NSW plates driving along Ashmore Rd Thurs night about 5.30pm.

If anyone knows that one ask them what system they had cause it was just the perfect mix of tone and volume. Not much louder than factory stock but heaps deeper and warmer with a slight burble when he backed off.

Also guy's what sort of money are we talking to get a system like that?


Maybe if you describe the Ute the owner may be a member on here.

I have an F1 from Mal at Mr Mufflers at Sumner Park. I had an interesting comment yesterday by the service tech at Holden who serviced my MY09 VE SS Aut Ute. He has his own VE SSV manual and being a tech at Holden drives a lot of VE's with aftermarket exhausts during the course of doing his test drives. He took mine for a blat down the freeway as well as suburban streets and when he got back he commented on how that is the first aftermarket exhaust on a VE he has driven that had no drone at all.

I'd go for a drive from the coast and see Mal in Brissie or ring him at least about the F1. There is also heaps of info about the system on the forum in it's own thread
Cheers
Tony

How much did yours cost mate?

[ls2maloo]

Cost varies between who you go to but mine cost roughly $3400 exhaust only..Brad and Mal fitted it all up and would highly recommend going up the h'way if your serious about a new system.
Had a few utes fitted up on the coast at southport exhaust and 1 at a shop opposite movieworld,won't name the place but wouldn't go back there...just poor welding and got stiched up on the high flow cats,2 different types from the same brand,was suppose to get the dearer ones but without me knowing till a year later found out i got the cheaper ones.
Goodluck with it all.
Cheers

[warrick]

i also have a f1 system from mr muffler.do yourself a favor & get one!the absolute best sounding exhaust i have ever had.i just keep finding excuses to go for a drive.everyone who has heard it loves it.even my f##d mates.
cheers
warrick

[smokey777]

ya im pretty well after what the OP is after a very deep & muffled sounding exhaust for the ute.

[Francis knight0]

This might be a silly question but has anyone tried just removing the two hot dog style resonators in the stock SS system?

Does that just open up a little more tone?

[aedeau]

This might be a silly question but has anyone tried just removing the two hot dog style resonators in the stock SS system?

Does that just open up a little more tone?

I wanted to get my mid section chopped out and replaced with an x-pipe and and straight pipe. Went and talked to a reputable exhaust place here in Brissie and they advised against that, as it would probably make bugger all difference to sound and power. The comment that the guy made about those hot dog resonators was that they're straight through and don't impede flow and make piratically no difference to sound.

His advice was that cats are the most restrictive component of a stock exhaust and are most likely to make the biggest difference after rear mufflers.

[Lorne Mauer]

If the sound was deeper but not much louder then perhaps he/she has just done extractors and high flow cats. By all accounts this gives any other cat-back exhaust a deeper, tougher sound so no reason why it wouldn't do the same on an otherwise stock system.
Cheers LM.

[chillicatqld]

I have heard of crew just replacing the rear resonators and getting the sound you are describing.
I am thinking of just doing that to my Sportwagon when I get it. Miami Mufflers (Christine Ave, Miami) are who I have been talking to about this.

[aedeau]

I have heard of crew just replacing the rear resonators and getting the sound you are describing.
I am thinking of just doing that to my Sportwagon when I get it. Miami Mufflers (Christine Ave, Miami) are who I have been talking to about this.

rear resonators? are these the hot dog resonators after the large crossover muffler or you mean rear mufflers/axle backs?

[Francis knight0]

I have heard of crew just replacing the rear resonators and getting the sound you are describing.
I am thinking of just doing that to my Sportwagon when I get it. Miami Mufflers (Christine Ave, Miami) are who I have been talking to about this.


Hi mate, I was just about to ask if anyone has done this.

I'd love to hear one before I go chopping and changing and I'd much rather spend a few hundred to a few thousand.

See I love the factory tone, and I’m not chasing power or better flow, I just want it a little little bit louder that’s all.

[aedeau]

I’m not chasing power or better flow, I just want it a little little bit louder that’s all.

me too. I ended up just swapping the rear mufflers for some xforce ones.

This is what it sounds like:
YouTube - VE HSV Clubsport R8 - Xforce muffler on stock exhaust system (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-mbir4WJsU)
YouTube - VE Clubsport - Xforce muffler drive off (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmSVUYVhjLY)

[Francis knight0]

THATS THE SOUND!!!!!

Thats excatly what I want.

Tell me what excatly do I ask for?

[aedeau]

THATS THE SOUND!!!!!

Thats excatly what I want.

Tell me what excatly do I ask for?

x-force straight through mufflers with 2.5" inlet. Stock pipe is 2.25" but 2.5" bolts on fine. Everything else is stock.

[Francis knight0]

Thanks heaps mate.

Did you get them yourself and fit or where did you take it to get done?

Also do your ones look like the oval shape mufflers or small round hot dog style?

Hi guy's,

Well it seems I cant find anyone willing to sell me rear X-flow muffers.

So I'm going to have to look at other brands. I can get a Cobra set for under $800 with all the extra bit's inc chrome tips, but they did not sound as deep as the X-flow.

All the exhaust shops want to sell me a whole system but I'm not chasing power or flow. I just want a hair line more tone.

It looks like you can bolt them up your self if you want so I just need to find someone thats selling them or ones that are just as good for the same sort of money.

Sorry X-Force not X flow.

[smokey777]

THATS THE SOUND!!!!!

Thats excatly what I want.

Tell me what excatly do I ask for?

gotta agree, but ill chuck some extractors on too

[chillicatqld]

mate seriously... talk to Ian at Miami Mufflers. He has something to do with the manufacture of Cobra.

[Francis knight0]

Ok so I"ve been told that I can get a set called Rage that are much the same as X-force. $240 each.

Should I do it?

[ebbett21]

Ok so I"ve been told that I can get a set called Rage that are much the same as X-force. $240 each.

Should I do it?

Rage are NZ made and they sell alot of 3'' single bigbores in NZ for LS1 s there systems are deep sounding and throaty, similar sound to diffillipo.

[aedeau]

Thanks heaps mate.

Did you get them yourself and fit or where did you take it to get done?

Also do your ones look like the oval shape mufflers or small round hot dog style?

Hi guy's,

Well it seems I cant find anyone willing to sell me rear X-flow muffers.

So I'm going to have to look at other brands. I can get a Cobra set for under $800 with all the extra bit's inc chrome tips, but they did not sound as deep as the X-flow.

All the exhaust shops want to sell me a whole system but I'm not chasing power or flow. I just want a hair line more tone.

It looks like you can bolt them up your self if you want so I just need to find someone thats selling them or ones that are just as good for the same sort of money.

Sorry X-Force not X flow.

I got the workshop to install them for me while I waited. I'll pm the the name of the place as they aren't a forum sponsor :1peek:

cost me $500 for both of them.

They're round tips, not the oval type like the walkinshaw ones. This is what the tips look like:
http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6207/31012009.jpg

[Francis knight0]

Thanks mate. Once you PM them I"ll ring them.

I dont know what to do know. I would rather get what you have because I know they sound great, but if the guy's that did yours cant get me a set of rears only then I might have to go Rage and hope that there is not much difference.

[aedeau]

Thanks mate. Once you PM them I"ll ring them.

I dont know what to do know. I would rather get what you have because I know they sound great, but if the guy's that did yours cant get me a set of rears only then I might have to go Rage and hope that there is not much difference.

PM'd you the details of a couple of good places in brissie. Yeh not sure about the rage ones, never heard of them. But if they're straight through, they should sound about the same. However, in saying that, you shouldn't have too many problems locating x-force stuff as it's pretty common?

[Francis knight0]

Hi guy's they are on and sound great! Thanks to all that helped.

It's what I would say is one of the best sounding V8 tones around.

[AussieTone]

Hi guy's they are on and sound great! Thanks to all that helped.

It's what I would say is one of the best sounding V8 tones around.

So what did you end up fitting and what sort of cost. Any chance of a sound file and do you get any drone at all

Cheers

Tony

[Francis knight0]

Hi mate. No drone at all, it's only a hair line louder in the car, I would even say not louder just a fraction deeper, but outside you really get a big difference. It's not that it's much louder it’s just deeper and more tone rich. It's really got a nice warm V8 burble and when you put your foot down you really hear it roar in a warm V8 way. No Drone, no crackle, no bark. Just what I would say is a really nice warm sound.

I ended up getting the exact part I need from eBay, they were X-force tail pipes and straight though mufflers as a kit ready to go. Only problem is that they don’t sell just the back section separate anymore, so you need to buy the cat back system, however I know HM headers sell them as a separate part and I would assume they are much the same. Not sure on price as I struggled trying to get someone to sell them to me, but I know that a brand called Rage have them for $250 each and you can fit them yourself it’s that easy.

I honestly would not even bother looking to change anything else now. I’ve done the chasing the best flow and chasing the extra HP and I’ve been down the road of Cat’s, headers and mufflers after mufflers, even playing around with x-pipes and H pipes on my other cars, but now I more happy with what I have done here for so much less then everything else and it’s so much simpler then all the other systems I have had. I’m sure there will be people that want the whole lot and will chase more volume but for what I was looking for it has give me everything I want and I cant say enough about how happy I am with it.

In regards to sound files, I’ll try and do one, but it is excatly like the second one posted by aedeau. (And a big thank you again to him for his help, I would still be chasing parts and getting told I need a cat back system if he had not told me what he had. Stick to your guns and go the rear pipes if that sound is what your after.)

Let us know how you go.

[XUV]

post a pic or 2 of what you did .

[EddieVE06]

Sorry maybe I missed it but is the car auto or manual?

Would like to try a rear pair on a calais but dont want the drone thing either.

[Francis knight0]

Manual mate. I would be really supprised if it did drone however I know of a guy that has heard mine and he has an auto and is about to fit these also so I can let you know how he goes.

[EddieVE06]

Manual mate. I would be really supprised if it did drone however I know of a guy that has heard mine and he has an auto and is about to fit these also so I can let you know how he goes.

Thanks, that would be great.

[red hot 270kw]

x-force straight through mufflers with 2.5" inlet. Stock pipe is 2.25" but 2.5" bolts on fine. Everything else is stock.

Hi Aedeau,I noticed you fitted the xforce mufflers to your clubsport,after hearing that sound would it sound any different on a VE SS is the exaust set up much different between the two models,if you cant answer this question maybe some one else can.should thank the camera lady was that your Mum standing out in the middle of the night bless her.

[Wonky]

Hi Aedeau,I noticed you fitted the xforce mufflers to your clubsport,after hearing that sound would it sound any different on a VE SS is the exaust set up much different between the two models,if you cant answer this question maybe some one else can.should thank the camera lady was that your Mum standing out in the middle of the night bless her.

The catback parts are basically the same, the only difference is the HSV has HSV headers which will possibly give it a bit more of a throaty sound but possibly make no real difference.

[aedeau]

Hi Aedeau,I noticed you fitted the xforce mufflers to your clubsport,after hearing that sound would it sound any different on a VE SS is the exaust set up much different between the two models,if you cant answer this question maybe some one else can.should thank the camera lady was that your Mum standing out in the middle of the night bless her.

umm... yeh not too sure. As wonky said, there could be a slight difference with the sound due to different headers, but it should sound pretty much the same i would have though.

PS: camera lady was the misses :)

[Matty5700]

Cobra exhausts were mentioned and I have them fitted to my VE SS-V from the cat back. They sound quite good but they do tend to get real droney around 110-120kmh which really annoys me on long highway trips. Apart from that I dont mind the sound.

[Francis knight0]

Hi guy's my SS sounds just like that R8. I had the same thought, but if you have a SS and like his tone, then be safe knowing it will sound just like it. No drone, if anything just a faint hum on crusing that you can just hear, its not a drone, its just a warm faint hum.

I personaly did not like the sound of the Cobra systems, they sounded a little glug gulg gulg type thing where the xforce has a deep warm booming type sound. Just my thoughts though.

For the money and end reresult you cant beet just the tail pipe replacments from Xforce. I would be really interested to see how the HM ones go though as I have a but of a soft spot for factory fit quality items.

[05guy]

Mate give MR MUFFLER a try for the F1 system. I've got one it has got no drone at any rpm or any speed . You can put the window up at 110 kph and not hear it inside the car. I would recomend it to anyone that is in need of an exhaust talk to MAL or BRAD first.

[bags_b1]

Mate,

I just had my Ute fitted with a KPM Auto 3" Premium exhaust a few months ago. Best decision I ever made.

[Wonky]

Mate,

I just had my Ute fitted with a KPM Auto 3" Premium exhaust a few months ago. Best decision I ever made.

+1 :goodjob: Expensive yes but look and sound awesome!! :bow:

[Francis knight0]

Hi all, sorry to bring this thread back to life, but out of interest just wondering if anyone here would have a factory Center Muffler from a VE SS ute? (not sure if the sedan is the same) they would be willing to sell.

I'm on the Gold Coast if someone has one near by or is willing to post.

Many thanks.

Francis.

[Francis knight0]

Does anyone know what the center muffler on a VE SS is like?

I got a feeling it's a straight though style but has someone taken notice when they took one off?

[Podge]

+1 :goodjob: Expensive yes but look and sound awesome!! :bow:

+2, fitted these on Tuesday (stock headers and cats for now), loving it so far aside from the burning smell

i think i heard the best sounding VE SS on tuesday when i had no mufflers on :eyes:

[aedeau]

Does anyone know what the center muffler on a VE SS is like?

I got a feeling it's a straight though style but has someone taken notice when they took one off?

Yeh apparently it's straight through with perforated core.

I'm getting my mid muffler and hot dog resonators cut out next sat, so maybe I'll post some vids when it's done :)

[Francis knight0]

Thanks mate, thats a big help! I had though that was the case but was not sure.

[moconn20]

I just got a quote on a set of rear xforce mufflers, $375 for mild steel from a wholesaler here in newcastle.

The only thing is he thinks just getting the mufflers might be a problem because they wont line up with the stock pipes at the front of the muffler. did you guys have any problems with this?

Also, did you get stainless or mild steel mufflers?
Whats the difference other than price?

[Francis knight0]

HI mate, I got mild steel and from memoey best exhausts was the cheapest place on line. The line up ok, not 100%. I bit of a shove and push and then they line of to the factory flange's. The only issue is the rear tips sit a little uneven which bugs me, but I just love the sound, the best mod I have ever done.

[Wonky]

+2, fitted these on Tuesday (stock headers and cats for now), loving it so far aside from the burning smell

The burning smell will soon go and as it carbons up the sound will probably get louder and deeper. :yup: Just wait till you add extractors and hi flow cats (if you do). :drool:

[aedeau]

Nah, no fitment issues for me. I've got 2.5" x-force rear mufflers on the stock 2.25" pipes

[moconn20]

HI mate, I got mild steel and from memoey best exhausts was the cheapest place on line. The line up ok, not 100%. I bit of a shove and push and then they line of to the factory flange's. The only issue is the rear tips sit a little uneven which bugs me, but I just love the sound, the best mod I have ever done.

Any chance of a vid or sound file?

[Francis knight0]

Ill see what I can do, but it is just like this one

YouTube- VE Clubsport - Xforce muffler drive off

[aedeau]

I got rid of my mid muffler and resonators and replaced it with straight pipe. I kept the xforce rear mufflers and it sounds like this

YouTube- HSV VE Clubsport R8 Custom Exhaust

[Wonky]

Ill see what I can do, but it is just like this one

Does make it sound much more meaty - good value for a pretty cheap mod!! :goodjob:

---------- Post added at 01:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------


I got rid of my mid muffler and resonators and replaced it with straight pipe. I kept the xforce rear mufflers and it sounds like this

Sounds good till you back off - I'm one of those who doesn't like all the popping and farting........

---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------

Hopefully blackbettyhsv will respond in this thread soon as he just replaced the DF 2.5" system on his VE R8 with a second hand KPM 3" and was rapt!!

[Francis knight0]

That does sound really good.

Also does it drone?

[aedeau]

Does make it sound much more meaty - good value for a pretty cheap mod!! :goodjob:

---------- Post added at 01:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------



Sounds good till you back off - I'm one of those who doesn't like all the popping and farting........[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------

Yeah, the popping can be a bit annoying, but if I ever get a tune, I should be able to fix that.

[QUOTE=Francis knight0;1628805]That does sound really good.

Also does it drone?

funny thing is, no drone at all. I had more in cabin resonance with the mid pipes in tact. I'm really happy with the $100 mod :) I was contemplating straight pipe rear mufflers as well, but that would be stupidly loud :1peek:

---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------


Does make it sound much more meaty - good value for a pretty cheap mod!! :goodjob:

---------- Post added at 01:14 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:12 AM ----------



Sounds good till you back off - I'm one of those who doesn't like all the popping and farting........[COLOR="Silver"]

---------- Post added at 01:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:14 AM ----------

Yeah, the popping can be a bit annoying, but if I ever get a tune, I should be able to fix that.

[QUOTE=Francis knight0;1628805]That does sound really good.

Also does it drone?

funny thing is, no drone at all. I had more in cabin resonance with the mid pipes in tact. I'm really happy with the $100 mod :) I was contemplating straight pipe rear mufflers as well, but that would be stupidly loud :1peek:

[Bozza_12]

Mr Muffler did my system on my VE SV6 ute. It has quad exhausts and sounds awesome. Normal driving around town, under 3k revs it doesn't make much noise, but give it some, you would be surprised its a V6, which I have surprised alot of ppl.

Just my input

[lyle]

ive got pacemaker 4 into 1 extractors, pacemaker metal cats and twin 2.5 pipes with no mufflers/balance/merge pipes, and yep it is ridiculously loud, can control the popping and farting with a light bit of throttle here and there and knowing when to hit the clutch, i got it tested for shits n giggles and it idled at 97 db

[iloveholden]

ive got pacemaker 4 into 1 extractors, pacemaker metal cats and twin 2.5 pipes with no mufflers/balance/merge pipes, and yep it is ridiculously loud, can control the popping and farting with a light bit of throttle here and there and knowing when to hit the clutch, i got it tested for shits n giggles and it idled at 97 db

haha isnt the legal limit at 4grand like 90 or 92 db?

[nthnbeachesguy]

ive got pacemaker 4 into 1 extractors, pacemaker metal cats and twin 2.5 pipes with no mufflers/balance/merge pipes, and yep it is ridiculously loud, can control the popping and farting with a light bit of throttle here and there and knowing when to hit the clutch, i got it tested for shits n giggles and it idled at 97 db

I've got the Xforce stainless stepped headers into 3"high flow cats and then dual 3" with no centre mufflers only rear straight thru reso's. I have no idea what the DB level would be, I find it's fairly quiet at idle but apparently the neighbours windows rattle when I coast out of the drive in the morning. It does pop and fart a little when cold but if your careful with the throttle and clutch application you can minimise it to almost nothing. At full noise the car sounds like something at bathurst, touch wood no issues with the po po so far. Even got pulled over by hwy patrol to check the clearance under the car, passed that and he never mentioned noise, maybe I passed the attitude test.

[brennan]

my VZ (6ltr) has pacemaker 4-1's, 2.5" cats an twin 3" stainless xforce with the rear muffler - always get comments saying its the best sounding LS v8 they have heard.
its is pretty deep and has a nice purr... although up in the revs definatly louder than stock.... haha