Z06 exhaust manifold vs stock '01
06-22-2007, 10:58 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Member Since: Feb 2003
Location: Parker CO
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Z06 exhaust manifold vs stock '01
I have read a few places that the Z06 exhaust manifold flowed better than shorty headers. Is this true? I have been looking at B&B shorty headers (I know I know LT's are better....etc...etc) but want to keep emissions etc legal and not hassle with cats etc. I can get a set of Z06 manifolds for significantly less than B&B's but want to get as much gain as possible (while staying with shorties). Any info on the differences would be great. Thanks!
06-22-2007, 11:35 PM
#2
Race Director
Member Since: Oct 2002
Location: Gone
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes
on
15 Posts
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
ALL 2001/later C5's used the same exhaust manifolds.
Sure, you can buy and install the Z06 parts...but you will be putting the identical parts on that you just took off.
Sure, you can buy and install the Z06 parts...but you will be putting the identical parts on that you just took off.
06-23-2007, 12:03 AM
#3
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,084
Received 8,926 Likes
on
5,332 Posts
06-24-2007, 08:31 PM
#6
Drifting
06-24-2007, 09:07 PM
#7
Race Director
If you could pick up the Z06 manifolds for really cheap or free, you could do some improvements on them while you leave your oem manifolds in place.
You can clean up the exterior of the oem cast iron manifolds with some patience and a variety of sanding discs and/or grinder.
You could have a process called "Extrude Hone" done to the inside of the of the manifolds prior to the coating application. This would smooth and remove some rough casting material. You'd expect to spend approximately $350 to do both processes. That's getting close to the price of a nice used set of shorty headers. There are some shorty headers that are CARB approved, even in CA.
You could have a ceramic metallic coating like JET HOT or HPC applied inside and outside for appearance and reduce under hood temperatures. This would allow you to remove the oem metal heat shields as well.
You'd still have the weight of the cast iron manifolds over tubing headers.
You can clean up the exterior of the oem cast iron manifolds with some patience and a variety of sanding discs and/or grinder.
You could have a process called "Extrude Hone" done to the inside of the of the manifolds prior to the coating application. This would smooth and remove some rough casting material. You'd expect to spend approximately $350 to do both processes. That's getting close to the price of a nice used set of shorty headers. There are some shorty headers that are CARB approved, even in CA.
You could have a ceramic metallic coating like JET HOT or HPC applied inside and outside for appearance and reduce under hood temperatures. This would allow you to remove the oem metal heat shields as well.
You'd still have the weight of the cast iron manifolds over tubing headers.
06-25-2007, 11:25 AM
#8
Le Mans Master
If you could pick up the Z06 manifolds for really cheap or free, you could do some improvements on them while you leave your oem manifolds in place.
You can clean up the exterior of the oem cast iron manifolds with some patience and a variety of sanding discs and/or grinder.
You could have a process called "Extrude Hone" done to the inside of the of the manifolds prior to the coating application. This would smooth and remove some rough casting material. You'd expect to spend approximately $350 to do both processes. That's getting close to the price of a nice used set of shorty headers. There are some shorty headers that are CARB approved, even in CA.
You could have a ceramic metallic coating like JET HOT or HPC applied inside and outside for appearance and reduce under hood temperatures. This would allow you to remove the oem metal heat shields as well.
You'd still have the weight of the cast iron manifolds over tubing headers.
You can clean up the exterior of the oem cast iron manifolds with some patience and a variety of sanding discs and/or grinder.
You could have a process called "Extrude Hone" done to the inside of the of the manifolds prior to the coating application. This would smooth and remove some rough casting material. You'd expect to spend approximately $350 to do both processes. That's getting close to the price of a nice used set of shorty headers. There are some shorty headers that are CARB approved, even in CA.
You could have a ceramic metallic coating like JET HOT or HPC applied inside and outside for appearance and reduce under hood temperatures. This would allow you to remove the oem metal heat shields as well.
You'd still have the weight of the cast iron manifolds over tubing headers.
06-25-2007, 08:56 PM
#9
Drifting
06-26-2007, 07:05 AM
#10
Drifting
I bought a targa from a local guy who installed Z06 manifolds on his car, he was happy and made a few extra HP (I wouldn't expect more than 4-5). He then went to LT's and was even happier; it's all part of the mod progression...
06-26-2007, 11:40 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
I switched to Z06 manifolds on my 2000.
Just looking at them, you KNOW they gotta flow better - and I got them dirt-cheap.
I was told by a VERY reputable tuner in Dallas that the switch would yield approx 6-7 HP.
Unfortunately, I did not dyno before doing some other mods, so I have no idea of the performance increase, if any.
However, I noticed a definite improvement in the exhaust note through my TI mufflers.
But, there are plenty of negatives:
Yes, the cast manifolds can be had very inexpensively, but they won't
just bolt right up to a '97-'99.
1. On the '97-'99 the h-pipe (cat pipe) won't fit the cast manifolds, so you will need to exchange that pipe for a 2000 or a Z06 H-pipe.
The std '01-'04 H-pipe will fit also, but has 4 cats - not desirable.
2. The right-side AIR pipe won't fit. Some guys cut it and splice in a piece of heater hose. But the correct way is to buy a new AIR pipe for $55, then remove the intake manifold to install it - ARRRRRG.
3. The oil dipstick won't bolt up, so to do it right, you must buy a new dipstick and tube.
So, in the long run, installing Z06 manifiolds on a '97-'99 is a pretty big project, and may cost more than used BB shorties that were designed to bolt right in.
Cheers,
DG
Just looking at them, you KNOW they gotta flow better - and I got them dirt-cheap.
I was told by a VERY reputable tuner in Dallas that the switch would yield approx 6-7 HP.
Unfortunately, I did not dyno before doing some other mods, so I have no idea of the performance increase, if any.
However, I noticed a definite improvement in the exhaust note through my TI mufflers.
But, there are plenty of negatives:
Yes, the cast manifolds can be had very inexpensively, but they won't
just bolt right up to a '97-'99.
1. On the '97-'99 the h-pipe (cat pipe) won't fit the cast manifolds, so you will need to exchange that pipe for a 2000 or a Z06 H-pipe.
The std '01-'04 H-pipe will fit also, but has 4 cats - not desirable.
2. The right-side AIR pipe won't fit. Some guys cut it and splice in a piece of heater hose. But the correct way is to buy a new AIR pipe for $55, then remove the intake manifold to install it - ARRRRRG.
3. The oil dipstick won't bolt up, so to do it right, you must buy a new dipstick and tube.
So, in the long run, installing Z06 manifiolds on a '97-'99 is a pretty big project, and may cost more than used BB shorties that were designed to bolt right in.
Cheers,
DG
07-25-2007, 12:18 AM
#13
Drifting
Does anyone know if the C6 Z06 exhaust manifold will work on a C5? The reason I ask, is that a colleage at work performed the CFD analysis at GM for the C6 Z06 and he said GM spent a fortune optimizing the flow through the manifolds...Apparently, at this time they were at approx 480hp and wanted to hit the magic 500hp. The manifold design gave them the extra 20hp..If it would fit, I'd think it would flow pretty well for a C5..Any thoughts?
07-25-2007, 03:27 AM
#14
Race Director
Member Since: Aug 2006
Location: Are you fat because you're lazy or lazy because you're fat? San Jose, CA
Posts: 13,542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
There are tons of people running LTs in CA and if they can pass the sniffer then the visual is often pretty easy to get around. You are in Collorado. Don't both with anything else other than a set of LTs. It's not worth the time/labor.
07-30-2007, 05:20 PM
#15
Safety Car
07-30-2007, 05:23 PM
#17
Safety Car
