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Oldsmobile Aurora: Modifications
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I'm sure you can buy them separately and have an exhaust shop fit them on somehow. The piping is 2.5 inch and then splits of course. The stock pipe out of the muffler is 2 inch or maybe smaller. Be aware that the stock tips are very different from what I have because the outlet from the stock muffler "goose-necks" toward the middle of the car. That may make it more difficult to attach the Corsa tips - just a guess/thought.
Check it out at www.corsaperf.com
I don't know why they just don't market the system for the Aurora. They'd just have to change the Y pipe and change the installation directions - maybe that's all.
They look great. I don't know if Corsa would sell the tips separately, and even if they did it would be almost blasphemy to have them without the rest of it!
My '95 has been such an enjoyable car that I've decided to spend some money on her and keep her for a while. I'm off the road now and instead of the 45K miles I put on her in the first 15 months I owned her, I'm more like 1200 / month now. Even so, with nearly 100K on her, I'm a little hesitant to spend the bucks for the Corsa.
Now for the fun stuff. I've pretty well decided to install dynamax super turbo mufflers, do some intake work (the Garnes Airbox and K&N), and the Henri Suspension Upgrades (Konis, '98 front swaybar) and have her painted. She's also due for a new set of shoes, and if I still have enough $$ the wife will let me part with, possibly some wheels??!!? (I hear they make great stocking stuffers!)
But to do ALL THAT and still have the old carbon-encrusted exhaust tips just doesn't seem right. So I'm on the lookout for decent tips that will fit in the cut outs. So far, with the exception of yours, it looks like the chrome tips from a 2002 might be best. Any ideas?
Larry...
BTW, for those of you on the great white north, it's going up to 79 degrees today in Clearwater. Sun roof open and windows down!!
You can get the tips and go to the muffler place and discuss it with them. If for some reason it won't work (I think it will work though) I'm pretty sure you can return them as long as they have not been messed with. Basically, the exhaust guys will test fit everything first. They should.
You could also get the Corsa mufflers and the tips.
Hey - don't forget the RSM throttle body work. I think it really helps and is not too expensive if you send back your original. The shipping charges are bad though - Canada.
Also, look in the intake duct. You can pull that liner out and file the edge off, sand it, wash it, and slip it back in. $0 and an hour of work. It has to reduce turbulence a little. Just make sure it's clean and smooth when you are done. If you just remove it, you will still have a bump/notch in front of the MAF.
Good luck.
Corsa went on this last weekend and I'm loving it! Sounds SOOO GOOD! I'm not sure I'll ever record the sound Crozier, don't have any equipment for that. It does sound almost exactly like the sound clip on Corsa's site. http://www.corsaperf.com/flashcadillac.htm Idle sounds the same, Revs sound little different (maybe just in the car, outside could sound that way) Sound clips 3 & 4 sound just like it. Whaaaaaaaaa! It's amazing how it sounds. Corsa's sound cancelation works. When crusing along, I can barely hear it at all, I here more Northstar growl than Corsa grunt, But when you step on it, the exhaust noise comes to life! Even
at high way cruising (tested up to 100mph), still very quite. It behavies nicely around
town too. Little bit of throttle and you remember it's there! Whaaaaaaa!!!!
Performance you ask? More of it. Pulls much harder now. Think it gained even a little bit in the low end too, but the higher rpms take full advantage and it's noticeable. My girlfriend agrees. She still thinks it's an old man's car. I just laugh, and reminder her it's luxury performance, and I'll race your Honda Love any day. Anyways, traction active light came on MANY times this weekend. Now I can be cruising along 15-20mph and punch it and it will chirp the Dunlops. More tourque steer is noticeable too.
Very happy with the system. I look forward to just turning the key everytime. Actually I have remote start and I love standing behind and listen to it start up. Sounds so tough. My only complaint is how the shop installed the tips. Just a bit low. Went there this morning to schedule a tip adjustment, they just need to lift the whole backend up an inch or so. Very happy with the looks though, after Wensday, things will be perfect!
So Garnes, you realize that we have one of the only 3 Classic Aurora's modified with Corsa in the Country. Gotta love it. Won't be seeing another like it on the road.
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA(shift)WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA(shift)WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
Centercaps cheap can be found a www.AAArims.com This was were I got my replated chromes from. I called them up and ordered 2. Caps are brand new and cost $15 each. I figure might as well order two, plan on keeping my aurora around a while, shipping was 7. So Henry I know how you feel now, looks so sad with cap missing. I think the Corsa cheer'ed my baby up a little, hopefull my caps arrive today.
CORSA ROCKS!!!
You have to have someone else rev it for you while you stand behind it. It's the best. Also, have someone just drive off while you are outside. Sad thing is, I don't think you hear enough in the car. Bottom line, that system is tops for the Aurora. I know what you mean about starting the car. I love just turning the key. I always want my car to sound like that.
Yep - totally quiet on the highway. Amazing.
So, did they have to mess with the tips at all? Or just the Y? My guys said they bent the piping on the tips but I cannot see it at all. Maybe it's hidden behind the clamp. I suspect that if they took a tad more out of the Y they would not have had to do it.
Did the install photos help?
Corsa should really figure out the Y, adjust their installation instructions and market it for the Aurora. It's so close as-is.
Just let me know if none can be found. It's a must.
The photos look good. I didn't show the installer, I just let them go at it. Pretty solid in there, tried to push it around to see if it moves/sways. It didn't. Adjusting might take a while, unfortunatly I have to wait. Oh well, the price you pay for performance and the love of cars.
I mean just look at it, the never of this guy,
Spring time will be here before you know it Bob. Do you read the caddy board at gmforums?
Everyone, there's a post about the CTS and RSM racing. They teamed up will some caddy dealer in Canda and are selling performance packages. Right now it's just stage 1 up-grade but they plan on going to stage 3 which includes a supercharger. Pretty cool. I see RSM updated their site some, but not too much. Check out the front strut tower brace, what weird shape.
More info at http://discussions.gmforums.com/showthread.php?s=d4b1dffb63f5364cd585b691dacab1aa&threadid=29008
You know, it's not that loud in the car. The car muffles it a lot. The cruise is 98% stock quiet too. I really wonder how "different" that Seville system sounds on the new Aurora compared to the classic - from the perspective of the driver.
Taylor - did your guys have to mess with the tips at all? Just the Y? What are the details on the installation?
Taylor, I checked out the RSM site. They still list the TB as working for the new Aurora and Northstar even though it doesn't. Also, that CTS front strut bar doesn't seem to be there in the picture. That weird curvy thing is just the rubber molding for where the hood meets that plastic at the bottom of the windshield. It isn't a brace.
Greg, I had to post up this picture because it looks so cool with the Corsa and the 17" wheels visible...
RJS - I remember them saying it had a different sound for the new Aurora, but I can't imagine it's bad. My point is that because it's so quiet at cruise, it's a moot point. Quiet is quiet. And inside the car you (unfortunately) don't get to enjoy that COOL sound you hear on the web site anyway. It's true. The car is well insulated and you hear the deepest part of the rumble, but it's never overpowering. I wish I heard more in the car under heavy throttle.
If you have somebody rev it for you as you stand behind the car, it's impressive. It's like "Wow, I had no idea it sounded that cool". Even with the door open, if you are behind the wheel, you don't get to enjoy the full sound.
I'd call Jim at Corsa and ask for the number of the local Olds dealer and ask who to talk to. They did a 2001 for them. When I visited Corsa, I remember driving past an Olds dealer. Jim gave me a neighbor friend to call for reference on the STS.
I'm afraid that settled it for me. I can't justify $1000+ for an exhaust for a 8 year old car w/ 100K miles.
...back to dynamax...
So you ONLY get another 87,000 to 120,000 miles on the car with the Corsa. Live with it.
Unfortunately, I have neither. Although I am still about to sink between $2000 to $3000 in her, mostly cosmetic (complete paint job, - maybe wheels), maintenance (full set of tires) and suspension (the Henri Upgrades)- in addition to the exhaust / intake mods.
BTW, I've already found a '98 swaybar, but I can't find any Koni shocks for the car. Even Koni says they don't make one for the Aurora. Which ones did you use? Can you give me the part number?
-- A freezing day today in central Florida... 62 degrees and drizzle..
I'm very courious to hear an STS for comparsion, same as 01+ aurora's with corsa. Rjs I don't think the problem with the new Aurora with the Corsa was interior resonance problem, I recall the exterior noise didn't sound right, the "tuned" sound was altered some, by having a different size flange at the exhaust manifold. Try to track that owner down that did it already and hear what he says. Jim Jr. should help you out with that.
Install info, I didn't really ask what had to be done to make it fit. Went back for a tip adjustment and they pulled me into the shop to see. Both are dead straight now. But comparing Greg's pics with my car, his are still higher in the cut out. They showed me the way the exhaust hangers sit and they would have to bend the tip itself to raise it any more. Is this what you meant before. I said leave it for now, maybe I'll come back. I Don't think it looks bad though, just little lower. I'll try to get some pics soon, you guys can see what I mean.
CTS-strut tower brace is very weird shaped rjs. It's polished alloy, goes under the intake, not the tradition over, it goes down and under. Pretty big. I bet the way it sits in there against the sides is a stronger brace.
http://webhome.idirect.com/%7Ersm1/ctsengine.jpg
seth042280-Autobaun package can be added on. I asked last time at the dealer. If my trannt goes can you put in 3.71? Not a problem the service guy told me, just gears(new tranny) and re-program with different VIN # off an Autobaun Aurora.
larryfl-Interesting to hear you say that Jim Browning said NO. He told garnes and my-self that he would sell us the 3-mufflers and the Y-pipe back for $650. Ask him again. He's wierd about Aurora's, actually it's putting his product on anyother that It wasn't designed for. He wan't us to know that he dosen't want to be responsable for any miss-haps. He'll sell it than. I''ve been meaning to write him a letter telling him it's on and I love it. I'll do that tonight.
I just rolled over 90K today actually. I plan on keeping my 96 for a while. under 1k left on aftermarket warrenty that dished out easly over 4,500, probably more, don't want to be a big liar with the #, STACK of recipts comes with the next owner of this baby. I treat her good, she makes the aftermarket people pay to fix her. Going to be getting another 3year-36K for $1700 w/ $0 deductable. This is through the Finance guy at the Caddy dealer I've recently been taking it to for service. Very nice there, "Anything else that your warrenty company will pay for, Sir?" Last time in, I noticed that when I picked it up that they tightened up my steering colum/wheel. Used to have a little play in there. Mechnic must of pulled it in and noticed. Wasn't on the bill.
Enough said, I like my Aurora and plan on keeping it around, It will be nice to not have a car payment in a year. First for me, I'm young.
I'm waiting until spring for the Corsa. You can't convince me not to...
One of my tips angles up tad more than the other. It's very slight though. It's tough to get everything 100% on something like this. They both measure the same from the opening, but one is just a tad different. Maybe they did bend it in the vertical. Anyway, if they bend the tips in the vertical, beware that you will notice any difference in one tip vs. the other. The angle matters.
STS - the one I rode in at Corsa was louder than the Aurora. That's why I hesitated. It wasn't way louder, but just a tad more.
Larryfl - I'm sorry to hear Jim's stance. Taylor is right. Before, he certainly was willing to sell us any part of the system. I don't know what their problem is.
RJS - can't hurt to wait. Somehow I don't think they will do it though. I'd call that Olds dealer for a first hand impression.
Koni says they don't make one and I'm at a dead end.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Tire rack would be the place to get them. Autozone wants 82.50 each.
You should also know that the factory alarm was available as a dealer option. So if you really want a factory alram it is still probably available.
Henri
I've not been on the interstate yet, so I can't speak for what they will sound like at highway cruising, but I've put over 100 miles a day on the car just around town - half with the stereo off, which is highly unusual! It's not loud and there is no annoying resonating, just a great tone.
My installer found a set of rolled stainless tips that are identical to the 2002 Chromed Aurora tips. They look great. I didn't do anything to the Y-pipe, or anything else other than the mufflers and tips. Total installed cost was just under $300.
I haven't heard an Aurora w/ the Corsa system so I can't compare; although, from the difference in price I'd expect it to sound better. But for me, this is exactly what I was looking for.
I pray everyone has a Merry Christmas and drive safe.
Larry
I've thought about putting a very mild set of Flowmasters on my 95. I just can't justify $1200 for a new exhaust on an 8 year old car.
Maybe I'll look into the Dynamax now too.
Any way you can make a sound file of it? I'd love to hear it. If you can, I can post it on my website for all to hear....
I'd be glad to do it... I just don't know how.
BTW, mine's also a '95 and I am right with you on justifing the expense.
I was thinking Flowmasters also until I went to Caddyinfo.com and read the entries on exhaust mods. Seems that everyone who put Flowmasters on remarked about how loud it was. A few even switched to the dynamax's and were much happier. That's what convinced me and I'm a believer now.
Post some pictures! The tips sound like they would look great. For $300, you can't go wrong with what you did. If it looks good, sounds good and adds more power, that's the best $300 mod there is. I hear you about 1,200 or 1,300 on an older car. Mine only has 38k on it now and is a 98, so I plan to keep it for another 4 years and maybe a lot more.
People put new exhausts on muscle cars all the time.
And these cars are from the 60's and 70's. Your Aurora is still a new born baby compared to the muscle cars.
The powertrain on these things is suppose to be bullit proof.
You'll need:
- A decent recorder like a boom box with a tape and an output
- a sound card in your PC. (if you've got a Mac, I can't help
- a cable to connect the output of the boombox to the line-in jack on
- Sound recording software -- Windows sound recorder is included with
The procedure:jack.
you....)
your computer.
Windows, but is very bare bones.
- Record the sound of your car with the boombox. A separate
- Once you have the sound recorded the way you like it, play the sound
- Save the file to your PC.
If you like how it came out, you can send it to me and I can post it so everyone can hear it.microphone will probably work better than the built-in mic.
back to your computer using the cable to connect them. (Briefly, using
Windows sound recorder, click "record" on the PC, hit play on the
boombox, wait for the sound to complete, hit stop on the PC, then hit stop
on the boombox.)
(jcam@adelphia.net) I can also do some minor sound editing if you want me to.
Of course, if you DO have a digital sound recorder and can get the sound off that and into an email, it is much easier!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
I've also put a custom exhaust on a '72 Torino with a 351 Cleveland motor. But again that was a "reasonable" amount of money ($400 IIRC). It just seems silly to me to put a $1200 exhaust into a $6000 car that seems to be depreciating at 50% per year. I LOVE my Aurora, but I just don't see myself driving it for another 5 years -- for all it's fun-to-drive-qualities, it IS a daily driver and expensive enough to maintain as it is.
I walked out of my mom's house today. Her front door is below street level so I was looking up at the car parked on the street. My thought was how dam nice the car looked. That is was the best looking car on the block. I purchased my 95 in 1997. My 5 year "love affair" with the car has lasted longer than some of my personal relationships. (LOL)
I plan on keeping the car until . . . .
Therefore, the exhaust investment is a good idea for me. My only worry is that once my warranty expires next year the real expense of maintaining the car will hit me. At that point it would probably be a good idea for me to make the Aurora a weekend/special ocassion car, as opposed to a daily driver.
How can anyone willingly give up hearing the sound of that engine under hard acceleration? Add the sound of the Corsa exhaust and you better keep a paper towel handy in case you have to wipe anything up.
Merry Christmas Aurorians!!
Henri
I am also looking to change the rear deck speakers to Kappa 6”X9”. This should be a direct replacement for the stock ones from what I understand.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Again welcome to the board, there's some horror stories here, but we all Love these cars when there running right! lol Nothing serious for me, but little repairs are EXPENSIVE on these cars, a $1700 dollar aftermarket warrenty will pay for itself easily. Mine's up in about 300 miles at 91426. sigh, Up by the end of the week, sigh. So going to invest in that $1700 for 3yr/36K was qouted to me at the caddy dealer I've been taking it to. Can buy one if the car is under 100K.
Henry-I'm with you. I love my Classic and plan on keeping her around for couple more years, that's why I invested in my $1350 Corsa exhaust system. It's amazing how the car responds and sounds now. With the intake, bored TB and Corsa, my 96 has a new agressive character, love the passing power, I understand what nne3jxc's means when his Probe transformed now.
I'm in Hard Core Love again with my Aurora and I'm getting her some gifts for our three wonderful years of driving pleasure. I'm going to get her some nice Cadmium plated cross-drilled rotors and pads from KVR as a gift. I think she'll like them! Than it's time to up grade the 800wattAURORA's stereo setup. First upgrade the front sound-stage with some 3-way components and move the 2ways to the back, this will make all full range speakers Boston's Pro line, than Might get two more amps and become the 1,600wattAURORA, that sounds pretty good to me. Some might think I'm crazy for having a +3G stereo in my car, and now dump another 2G's, my girlfriend thinks I'm nuts. I guess I am, but that's ok.
My momma always told me,"that's why there's Chocolate and Vanilla son, to each his own."
Did I mention I love my car? if that isn't a little obvioius, huh? Another Auto obssesd 21 year old.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/800wattaurora
I'm planning on re-doing my page soon, it needs a little work don't ya think.
And can't forget to say Happy Holidays to everyone and may everyone find peace and harmoney with the car gods in the new year.
Taylor
Just a thought.
The more I've driven the car, the more I love the sound. I'll take a few pictures of it this week for posting.
nne3jxc - thanks for the tips on the sound file. Sounds like a great use of my new camcorder (Christmas present). I'll fiddle with that and putting the audio on the computer this week as well. Maybe I can email to whole lot to you and you can help me get them posted.
Hope everyone had a nice holiday. Drive safely if you're out tonight.
Larry
You are asking about the opening in the water crossover. This is the EGR passage coming from the EGR valve. Both this and the fact that the watercrossover is connected to the TB contributes to reduced performance, particularly in summer.
There is nothing you can do about the EGR, that's a legal requirement unfortunately.
Have you looked further in the TB/water crossover 80mm bore? Have you looked into using the older water crossover style?