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111 Posts
05 Sounds Pretty Good
I have never driven a 03 or 04, but my 05 6-speed sounds pretty good... with the top up!!! I couldn’t stand the sound of my 2003 Corvette... too quite... I had to replace the exhaust! The SSR, however, will stay stock.Devil said:
Which sounds Best?
However, here is where I believe the difference is... the "combined" sounds of the engine (5.3 L) and the exhaust on the 03's and 04's are a slightly deeper, richer and throatier sounding. (my personal perception)
It is my understanding that the 03 & 04 exhaust sounds reached the "highest" allowable noise levels in 49 out of 50 states. I can't remember which state it was, either New Hampshire or Connecticut, where the muffler sounds exceeded their state noise limits. Now add to that issue, some SSR owners where expressing their displeasure with some annoying/ resonating sounds that seemed to show up in the cockpit throughout the range of 1500-1700 RPMs.
So here is where some of my own thoughts come into play on this topic; GM may have redesigned the muffler system to minimize or try to eliminate some of the resonating sounds that seemed to occurr in some of the 03s & 04s cockpits and also may have have lowered, tweaked or adjusted the noise levels to be able to meet all of the 50 States "noise" requirements. *Add to that the different engine sounds of the new 6.0L makes and the newer exhaust ... combine to make the 05s sound slightly different.*
Ps. I am sure there will be other varing opinions on this great debate; which year SSRs sounds better 03-04's or 05s?
SSR owners please... share your thoughts! :flag
Diggs said:
I have a 04 & driven briefly a 05 & both were automatics. I agree with Diggs the sound is different. "Perception" is the key here. If the average person where to listen to or drive a 05 and or a 03-04 they would certainly say both have great sounds!!!Bill Bogert said:
However, here is where I believe the difference is... the "combined" sounds of the engine (5.3 L) and the exhaust on the 03's and 04's are a slightly deeper, richer and throatier sounding. (my personal perception)
It is my understanding that the 03 & 04 exhaust sounds reached the "highest" allowable noise levels in 49 out of 50 states. I can't remember which state it was, either New Hampshire or Connecticut, where the muffler sounds exceeded their state noise limits. Now add to that issue, some SSR owners where expressing their displeasure with some annoying/ resonating sounds that seemed to show up in the cockpit throughout the range of 1500-1700 RPMs.
So here is where some of my own thoughts come into play on this topic; GM may have redesigned the muffler system to minimize or try to eliminate some of the resonating sounds that seemed to occurr in some of the 03s & 04s cockpits and also may have have lowered, tweaked or adjusted the noise levels to be able to meet all of the 50 States "noise" requirements. *Add to that the different engine sounds of the new 6.0L makes and the newer exhaust ... combine to make the 05s sound slightly different.*
Ps. I am sure there will be other varing opinions on this great debate; which year SSRs sounds better 03-04's or 05s?
SSR owners please... share your thoughts! :flag
Joined
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102 Posts
'05 exhaust note
Bob Tripolsky of GM Communications this summer told me that the exhaust system on the '05 was totally reworked for the 6.0 liter LS2 and because of complaints of exhaust resonance through the firewall at 1500-1800 rpm. I experienced this myself when driving an '04 demonstrator which was on my gripe list to Bob for advice on going for the '05. My '05 has definitely had the exhaust resonance problem solved and sounds a little less throaty but still sounds like a hot rod! Cleavermodels
Bob Tripolsky of GM Communications this summer told me that the exhaust system on the '05 was totally reworked for the 6.0 liter LS2 and because of complaints of exhaust resonance through the firewall at 1500-1800 rpm. I experienced this myself when driving an '04 demonstrator which was on my gripe list to Bob for advice on going for the '05. My '05 has definitely had the exhaust resonance problem solved and sounds a little less throaty but still sounds like a hot rod! Cleavermodels
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550 Posts
We designed the original SSR to sound as good as a Camaro SS. I believe that we exceeded our expectations and actually sound better than the SS. We had to have specific exhaust tips for Colorado and Nevada because of their noise regulations. These tips reduced some high frequency noise and enabled us to meet the requirements.
All of the small block performance systems at the time, including the Corvette, had a 1500 rpm boom. We judged that we didn't like this boom, but that it was commercial because of the other vehicles.
The '05 engine required a new exhaust in order to meet noise regulations and backpressure requirements. We got rid of the 1500 rpm period, but the bass notes are not quite as good as the '03 system. I still think it sound great, even though it is slightly different than '03. I have an '03 and get universal positive comments on the exhaust noise. I find that I usually drive through the 1500 period and do not notice it.
All of the small block performance systems at the time, including the Corvette, had a 1500 rpm boom. We judged that we didn't like this boom, but that it was commercial because of the other vehicles.
The '05 engine required a new exhaust in order to meet noise regulations and backpressure requirements. We got rid of the 1500 rpm period, but the bass notes are not quite as good as the '03 system. I still think it sound great, even though it is slightly different than '03. I have an '03 and get universal positive comments on the exhaust noise. I find that I usually drive through the 1500 period and do not notice it.
Clarification!
Even though the 05 sounds may have changed a little bit I have to agree with freezer that they both still sound AWESOME!:thumbs
Thank you to freezer for bringing us back on track and clarifying once and for all why the 03 & 04s sound slightly louder and or throatier than the 05s do.freezer said:
Even though the 05 sounds may have changed a little bit I have to agree with freezer that they both still sound AWESOME!:thumbs
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4,126 Posts
Sure am glad FREEZER is still checking in - kinda like the old E.F.Hutton commercial - EVERYONE listens....
Sweet sounds indeed!
Just a short comment... when I was at the Dream Cruise last summer I did hear Tom / SSRcobra's exhaust and it sure did sound sweet. However, for my SSR I prefer the orginal beautiful sounds of the stock exhaust system. One major problem was that I constaintly wanted to go from 0 to the speed limit fast... so I could hear those sweet sounds! Varooooooooooom
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Yes, I agree with houtex once again...houtex said:
Just a short comment... when I was at the Dream Cruise last summer I did hear Tom / SSRcobra's exhaust and it sure did sound sweet. However, for my SSR I prefer the orginal beautiful sounds of the stock exhaust system. One major problem was that I constaintly wanted to go from 0 to the speed limit fast... so I could hear those sweet sounds! Varooooooooooom
03 exhaust
I opted for the louder is better system.I had my local exhaust shop install the short (16") stainless Magnaflow muffler.Since the inlet pipe was only 2.5",we made a new 3" unit.The muffler crosses over internallyand exits with two 2.5" outlets .We cut off and reused the original stainless tips,making uo new 2.5" tubes in between.
This really freed up the engine and gained much better throttle response and low end torque.The soud is awsome but not agressive enough to cause problems with the neighbors.
Craig
I opted for the louder is better system.I had my local exhaust shop install the short (16") stainless Magnaflow muffler.Since the inlet pipe was only 2.5",we made a new 3" unit.The muffler crosses over internallyand exits with two 2.5" outlets .We cut off and reused the original stainless tips,making uo new 2.5" tubes in between.
This really freed up the engine and gained much better throttle response and low end torque.The soud is awsome but not agressive enough to cause problems with the neighbors.
Craig
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