SLP's NEW GTO cat-back ~ PHOTOS ~ [Archive]

horsepower

04-20-2004, 12:48 PM

We finished our prototype cat-back exhaust system for the GTO. Here are the basics:

2.5" Stainless Steel (304 SS)
CNC mandrel bent tubes
True "X-Pipe" INCLUDED
Stainless Steel Torca Clamps (ie - band clamps with torca slot)
2 NEW MODULAR SLP power-flo stainless steel mufflers (4.5" round - these have perforated tube and sound deadening material inside - they are NOT wide open like our other resonators)
By 'modular', I mean the muffler is removable/interchangeable - we will offer TWO options; 1 - NEW SLP power-flo units shown, 2 - SLP's traditional 'open shotgun' unit for the ultimate system and sound
Dual tips - slash cut / double wall - polished stainless steel

Now - more importantly, this is just the prototype . Parts will not be ready for shipment until summer. We need to receive the raw materials and build the production systems, which will take some time. Please be patient as we hustle to bring these products to market - I can promise they are worth the wait

Best regards -
Brian

nikivee

04-20-2004, 01:26 PM

Sweet!!! What else is planned? Are you guys still going to offer a "Judge" model? :D 389HP, 421HP?

Adam4356

04-20-2004, 01:27 PM

Sweet. That looks like a great setup.

one question...... price estimate yet ?

FLORIT

04-20-2004, 01:35 PM

I take it those pipes would bolt (or weld?) onto the stock manifolds. I'm glad to see you've maintained the "single side exit" that I consider a defining feature of the '04 GTO. And, I'm just curious, but why is there a crimp in the left hand pipe, about a foot behind the muffler? Is that for exhaust not resonance or fitting purposes?

Adam4356

04-20-2004, 01:46 PM

Yeah, i noticed the crimp too . Hmmmm, :confused:

Blitzu

04-20-2004, 02:37 PM

Rocket

04-20-2004, 02:48 PM

I'm assuming that "CRIMP" is for Clearance reasons.
I hate that the stock system is full of those Crimps. I'd never buy an aftermarket set up that has crimps in it. Why not just put 2 inch pipes on it, because an exhaust ONLY flows as good as its SMALLEST piece.---The Crimp!

Other than that the exhaust looks awesome. I love the quality and even the tips!

Fix that crimp guys and this will sell like crazy. :cool:

BillyGoatGruff

04-20-2004, 02:59 PM

How about putting some real mufflers on that exhaust. Flowmaster went and did the same thing. They put a pair of hushpuppies on their exhaust. When will the manufactures wake up and talk to their customers not just build what they think everyone will like. Feedback from the consumer is the key.

RAZRS EDGE

04-20-2004, 04:55 PM

one question...... price estimate yet ?
Thats the one answer I'm afraid to see... :slap:

GTOdriver7

04-20-2004, 05:04 PM

Thats the one answer I'm afraid to see... :slap:

slp exhausts have always been very competitively priced. i would guess $500-700.

RUQWIKR

04-20-2004, 05:08 PM

Blitzu

04-20-2004, 05:31 PM

SLP pricing has always seemed alittle bit high, but they also give out proven products, and pretty top notch stuff.

This system doesn't look like it uses that much piping, and the mufflers don't look too special. The stainless steel is what will drive the price high, but that is what you pay for something that doesn't rust.

From seeing what other's have priced very similar exhaust systems at I would venture to guess no more than $400 to $450.

If it is $400 or less I would buy it.

Rocket

04-20-2004, 07:26 PM

I'm guessing its going to be $400 X 2. I'm not willing to pay anymore for a cat back than what it can be built for at a shop with a bender. Its simply Pipes and a muffler nothing special. But the stainless will shoot the price up. My GTO will Never be abused and put in the salt, and rarely ever see rain or dew, so stainless means nothing to me.

speed_demon_freak

04-20-2004, 09:11 PM

Nice I cant wait. But I want to see the price.

What about that system from stainless works?

mistermike

04-20-2004, 11:04 PM

Nice I cant wait. But I want to see the price.

What about that system from stainless works?
I saw the system from Stainless Works up close and personal. Very nice. These guys have a SOTA facility. Digitizer, laser cutter, etc. I love the smell of burning metal in the morning.

FLORIT

04-21-2004, 02:32 AM

For clearance and lower complexity (and weight), why not use a 3.5" merge after the 'x' into a single 3.5" muffler and outlet pipe? If considered too loud, do the same but after the dual 2.5" mufflers?

I prefer two outlet pipes exiting from the left rear of the vehicle, just as the stock exhaust does. As mentioned before, this is one of the defining features of the '04 GTO. The fact that it does NOT have split exhaust or a single pipe is a characteristic, in years to come, that will distinguish the '04 from its successors.

Rocket

04-21-2004, 05:16 AM

Yeah theres nothing like TRUE-Duals! I hate the wanna-be splitters that are on almost every car today! :rolleyes:

Tigger

04-21-2004, 05:47 AM

So for the novices on the board, can somebody explain what the cat-back is supposed to do? From the picture, the new pipes look a bit simpler than the stock exhaust system. They have a crossover that the stock setup doesn't have and they're also missing the bulges that are closer to the exhaust tips. I've never been sure whether those were the mufflers or the catalytic converters. How does this new setup sound compared to the stock exhaust? I've only had my GTO for a couple of days, but I really love the way it sounds now.

nikivee

04-21-2004, 06:06 AM

I love the sound of the stock exhaust system. Pontiac did a good job in trying to duplicate the sound of a traditional Pontiac engine. I believe installing anything else would then make it sound like any other F-body LS1.

BluGoatDvr

04-21-2004, 06:34 AM

I like it, what, if any, HP gains can be expected from this set up?

Rob

04-21-2004, 06:34 AM

Does this sound like a Loud Mouth or like the 2OTL or even the quad tipped exhaust that was on the F-Body's? I had the 2OTL on both the 96 WS6 and the 89 TTA. Great sounding exhaust. Nice and mellow at idle and cruise. Loud but not too loud at WOT. And non of that crappy crackling.

Just curious :)

gto_in_nc

04-21-2004, 06:49 AM

This may sound stupid, but I am actually afraid of losing the stock sound on this car... I love it. As far as I know they get most of that sound by not having a X-pipe. By creating a X-pipe will the car sound weaker like with the stock F-bodies??

Also what type of gains are expected.... including how much will it cost?

Doesn't sound stupid to me! In fact, I think the sound is a significant contributor to the character of this car. I'll go even further and say that I want to keep the mix of basso profundo and off-throttle crackle, even if it costs me a little power - in fact, I would prefer to keep the soundtrack the same but turn the volume down a notch rather than make the car louder. In my opinion, this car is intended (or should be intended) to target the 2004 M3 and CLK500 rather than the '69 Z-28 or '78 T/A or the NASCAR/NHRA crowd and as such should sound and drive in a very civilized manner. Just my $0.02...

Tigger

04-21-2004, 07:15 AM

Doesn't sound stupid to me! In fact, I think the sound is a significant contributor to the character of this car. I'll go even further and say that I want to keep the mix of basso profundo and off-throttle crackle, even if it costs me a little power - in fact, I would prefer to keep the soundtrack the same but turn the volume down a notch rather than make the car louder. In my opinion, this car is intended (or should be intended) to target the 2004 M3 and CLK500 rather than the '69 Z-28 or '78 T/A or the NASCAR/NHRA crowd and as such should sound and drive in a very civilized manner. Just my $0.02...I totally agree. I love the sound of the stock exhaust and doubt I will ever do anything to change it. That bass rumble is incredible. I also agree with possibly wanting to turn the volume down a notch. There's a kid around the corner that has a modified GT. His girlfriend lives in my cul-de-sac. Every night he drives over around 8 and drives home around 10:30. I don't know what he's done to his exhause, but it is loud! From anywhere in my house, even in the shower, I can hear him start his car, make the 15 second drive and turn his car off. I understand loving a car, but can't he walk? There are quite a few neighbors annoyed with "Mustang Boy". I'd rather not become "GTO Jerk".

gto_in_nc

04-21-2004, 07:41 AM

I totally agree. I love the sound of the stock exhaust and doubt I will ever do anything to change it. That bass rumble is incredible. I also agree with possibly wanting to turn the volume down a notch. There's a kid around the corner that has a modified GT. His girlfriend lives in my cul-de-sac. Every night he drives over around 8 and drives home around 10:30. I don't know what he's done to his exhause, but it is loud! From anywhere in my house, even in the shower, I can hear him start his car, make the 15 second drive and turn his car off. I understand loving a car, but can't he walk? There are quite a few neighbors annoyed with "Mustang Boy". I'd rather not become "GTO Jerk".

Note to aftermarket manufacturers: I believe you would have at least two quick sales of a bolt-in exhaust for the GTO that includes headers and reasonably decent flow while maintaining the character of the stock exhaust note but dropping the decibel level a bit. I've already had a few neighbors comment that they hear me coming and going and I don't really like that kind of recognition...

RAZRS EDGE

04-21-2004, 08:53 AM

I like it, what, if any, HP gains can be expected from this set up?
I'm hoping for somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20hp, but that may be pushing it. :sneaky:

RAZRS EDGE

04-21-2004, 08:57 AM

I've already had a few neighbors comment that they hear me coming and going and I don't really like that kind of recognition...
Thats when you step on the throttle even more, but I'm just a smart ass :D :drink:

gto_in_nc

04-21-2004, 10:25 AM

Did I mention that my wife has taught my 10-year-old son to tell me that I drive like a "show-off-y jerk"???

All the husbands in the neighborhood, however, have come by to check it out... ;)

mistermike

04-21-2004, 11:02 AM

Note to aftermarket manufacturers: I believe you would have at least two quick sales of a bolt-in exhaust for the GTO that includes headers and reasonably decent flow while maintaining the character of the stock exhaust note but dropping the decibel level a bit. I've already had a few neighbors comment that they hear me coming and going and I don't really like that kind of recognition...
Don't sweat it. You're legal in all 50 states. Supposedly GM engineers were overjoyed when they came in just under the 80 dB limit.

horsepower

04-21-2004, 11:19 AM

Guys (and gals if any are reading),

Thanks for all the feedback, comments and suggestions - customer input is critical to quality product development :)

Answers:

1 - Cost; too early to say exactly (I know this is not a good answer!), but we are crunching the numbers as we speak (type). I can assure you, our goal is to offer the best price (most attractive) possible - we want to be aggressive!

2 - Sound; this system development received more attention to sound quality than any other SLP system we've made....that is exactly why we have introduced 'modular' mufflers. The customer can decide. The traditional loudmouth (wide open) resonators are loud, but tasteful (thanks to 4 cats on the stock down pipes). The power-flo mufflers sound awesome - no BS. Definitely an improvement over the stock system, from a sound quality standpoint. Absolutely no resonance. Please keep in mind, sound is subjective, so each individual will have a different opinion.

3 – The minor crip; It was either give up ground clearance or crimp the pipe slightly. The minor crimp in the pipe has absolutely negligible impact on performance - giving up ground clearance is generally not desirable. The twin 2.5" pipes are plenty big enough and actually massive in comparison to the straw-sized stockers.

4 - Other products; we have so many in the works my head is spinning! As fast as we can finish them, we'll release them. As a taste, one of our development vehicles (X03) is already making 421 hp ;) ….stay tuned

Thanks again - Best regards

gto_in_nc

04-21-2004, 11:19 AM

mistermike

04-21-2004, 11:25 AM

4 - Other products; we have so many in the works my head is spinning! As fast as we can finish them, we'll release them. As a taste, one of our development vehicles (X03) is already making 421 hp ;)
Sounds terrific. I hope y'all come up with something using a Donaldson filter, so GM doesn't blame everything from blown gaskets to burned out headlights on the cotton-oil filters. :D

FLORIT

04-21-2004, 11:25 AM

I understand where you're coming from gto_in_nc. The STOCK exhaust is loud enough to get noticed. Adding after-market pipes and making it louder may be "overkill". On the other hand, I think most of us are looking more for the PERFORMANCE gain from a new exhaust than the noise factor.

Is it possible to gain HP with a new exhaust and yet keep the dB down, or does "noise" and "power" go hand in hand?

mistermike

04-21-2004, 11:28 AM

It's not the legality I'm worrying about (and "worrying" is really much too strong a word) as much as the propriety. I don't have a number 3 sticker on my back glass (or a number 8 or 6 or whatever (don't want to offend anyone, you know) and just because I happen to know how to get to Richard Petty's house doesn't mean I want to sound like I'm driving the General Lee, if you follow me.
I feel ya. I am temporarily parking my Goat in my ex sister-in-law's garage a couple of blocks away. I've become quite adept at feathering the gas and clutch to stay in stealth mode. ;)

gto_in_nc

04-21-2004, 11:58 AM

Well a 500 HP SL55 like the one I was next to at a light at lunchtime today didn't sound like a pro-street wanna-be. Apples and oranges, I know - but it makes the point...

Adam4356

04-21-2004, 12:46 PM

Maybe it's my age but i'm after the noise factor just as much as the performance gain. I like the presence of the exhaust and hearing the motor with the windows up just a little. I'm not talking open headers, just a little louder than stock.

THe performance gain will not be huge with the catback, so price is the big thing for me. I am considering the exhaust just for the increased volume and bad boy tone (of course the OE is damn good too)