CT5-V Corsa cat-back exhaust installation tips & pointers, along with my thoughts/review (short video included)

[BlackwingSwanny23]

I wouldn't think it would lessen the value

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[Savethemanuals]

I have Nick's BW now and I must be getting old because the Corsa catback is too much noise for me. If there is someone in NorCal with OEM cat back that wants to work out a trade/sale please PM me. I have a truck and can take care of the transport.

Wish you were on the east coast!

 

[dtuna42]

This was one of the best How To write-ups I've seen yet!
Are the valve actuator's only opening one outlet on each side, or do they open valves in all 4 outlets?

 

[5VBW Nick]

This was one of the best How To write-ups I've seen yet!
Are the valve actuator's only opening one outlet on each side, or do they open valves in all 4 outlets?

Thank you There are only 2 valves, 2 of the pipes don't have them.

 

[Dishonor]

So was anyone able to clear it? I can't seem to relearn and clear the CEL on my Autel MK808.

 

[SdBeerManDave]

@5VBW Nick - thank you for the detailed notes. Installed the Corsa cat back on my 25 5BW today in about 2 1/2 hours. No issues, sounds great, no CEL

 

[Chawumba]

Recently installed the axle back Corsa Exhaust on my CT5BW, thought I'd add my 2 cents for anyone contemplating one of the corsa systems that may be reading this thread. Take it for what its worth, just trying to be helpful.

The good:
1) Installation was not terribly difficult, about as expected. If you follow the directions, you'll get the valve spring position correct and no CEL
2) Sound - quite a big difference, more presence of sound than I expected from watching videos. As others have said, you will now notice more difference between sound level settings in the various modes. If/when you want stock levels of quiet, program "my mode" to have sound at lowest level, at it will be much like stock exhaust was in its quiet settings, except perhaps the initial cold startup growl is a bit louder.

The not so good:
1) The system is heavy, the box for the axle back system was 60lbs. The tips weigh 1.5 lbs each, its like they didn't even try to keep weight down.
2) UGLY. The round tips don't look right in the the openings, and if you don't shorten the system a little bit as you go, the tips stick out too far and look cheap/silly. Making things worse, the "CORSA" printing is not removable and shows prominently - I would much prefer to not see that. And finally, the muffler sections sit a bit cockeye and hang just a bit lower than the stock setup - not a problem, but its noticable from behind the car, just looks kinda cheap. I ended up spraying mine with black super high temp paint, we'll see if it lasts.

So, to sum up, sound is pretty good I'll give it an A-, but appearance and weight are both bad, and I give it a D. They seem to have an option where you could reuse factory tips on the 4BW, but apparently not for the CT5BW. Too bad because fixing that and rotating the muffler cans to horizontal would help a great deal to make the system look less aftermarket/cheap. Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

 

[flipray]

Recently installed the axle back Corsa Exhaust on my CT5BW, thought I'd add my 2 cents for anyone contemplating one of the corsa systems that may be reading this thread. Take it for what its worth, just trying to be helpful.

The good:
1) Installation was not terribly difficult, about as expected. If you follow the directions, you'll get the valve spring position correct and no CEL
2) Sound - quite a big difference, more presence of sound than I expected from watching videos. As others have said, you will now notice more difference between sound level settings in the various modes. If/when you want stock levels of quiet, program "my mode" to have sound at lowest level, at it will be much like stock exhaust was in its quiet settings, except perhaps the initial cold startup growl is a bit louder.

The not so good:
1) The system is heavy, the box for the axle back system was 60lbs. The tips weigh 1.5 lbs each, its like they didn't even try to keep weight down.
2) UGLY. The round tips don't look right in the the openings, and if you don't shorten the system a little bit as you go, the tips stick out too far and look cheap/silly. Making things worse, the "CORSA" printing is not removable and shows prominently - I would much prefer to not see that. And finally, the muffler sections sit a bit cockeye and hang just a bit lower than the stock setup - not a problem, but its noticable from behind the car, just looks kinda cheap. I ended up spraying mine with black super high temp paint, we'll see if it lasts.

So, to sum up, sound is pretty good I'll give it an A-, but appearance and weight are both bad, and I give it a D. They seem to have an option where you could reuse factory tips on the 4BW, but apparently not for the CT5BW. Too bad because fixing that and rotating the muffler cans to horizontal would help a great deal to make the system look less aftermarket/cheap. Just my 2 cents, YMMV.

Tucking the tips in more makes them not stick out as a sore thumb as much. That’s the only beauty of the slip on connection, you can push them pretty far in. But, that means you’d have to play with aligning the 4 tips again and you know how much fun that is.

 

[flipray]

Also, when installing the valves in, if your clip falls off, test fitting it in first and flip the clip orientation 180°. One way will long the bolt holes for the screws more than the other. Think one reasoning people are having exhaust CEL is because of that. Or the clip fell off, stuck in the housing and not opening the valves.

 

[BigBrett]

Also, when installing the valves in, if your clip falls off, test fitting it in first and flip the clip orientation 180°. One way will long the bolt holes for the screws more than the other. Think one reasoning people are having exhaust CEL is because of that. Or the clip fell off, stuck in the housing and not opening the valves.

That is not true, i had CEL light soon as i started the car, Corsa claimed all kinds of stuff, none fixed it, then another member here said get a scanner and re learn the valves, that did not work!
So i called Corsa said send me return boxes and labels, this stuff is coming back, well then all of a sudden they had new muffler with different valve design, put them on and started car CEL light gone, codes in car gone, the codes were 3 different codes
all exhaust gas codes? so Corsa does know there could and is an issue with the valves and they have new ones available now

 

[1Evil55]

That is not true, i had CEL light soon as i started the car, Corsa claimed all kinds of stuff, none fixed it, then another member here said get a scanner and re learn the valves, that did not work!
So i called Corsa said send me return boxes and labels, this stuff is coming back, well then all of a sudden they had new muffler with different valve design, put them on and started car CEL light gone, codes in car gone, the codes were 3 different codes
all exhaust gas codes? so Corsa does know there could and is an issue with the valves and they have new ones available now

That's great customer service. The problem was noticed and rectified.

 

[BigBrett]

That's great customer service. The problem was noticed and rectified.

I would not say all that, they ran me around for over 2 months, try this try that. I can honestly thank Tapout tunning
Scott was really instrumental in getting it figured out and them to get me the correct parts.
It all worked out and that is the best result but is was not a fun experience. With Scanner etc. I have an extra $400.00 plus dollars out of my pocket and my time