jlashley2001ss

I don't want to go Longtube headers route(keep the stock look..just preference) and have thought about doing LS7 Z06 exhaust manifolds/cats/H-pipe. I already have the GCA (Borla) that was installed by previous owner. Would going Z06 exhaust past H-pipe bolt to my GCA exhaust? Just FYI, my car is a 2006 C6 Automatic.

What kind of RWHP would I gain?

TIA

Nick_D

Are you just doing exhaust as mods and that's it? As for installing Z06 exhaust manifolds and catts I believe you could get as much as 8 RWHP and it should be a direct bolt on.

jlashley2001ss

I've already installed an Airaid CAI, and will get a tune soon. I'm thinking of waiting on a tune if I decide to do the exhaust mentioned above.

1fastbob

Some claim 20 whp with the Z06 Manifolds, cats, H-pipe and mufflers on an LS2 versus the stock system. I am pretty sure this includes a tune. The Z06 is a 3" system where your LS2 is a 2 1/2" system. The Z06 mufflers neck down to 2 1/2" near where they connect to the H-pipe so your mufflers won't fit unless someone makes a couple of adapters.

I have the full Z06 system on my 2006 Coupe M/T and it seems to have a few more horses, but I do NOT have a tune. It is a fairly easy install. Also it drones like hell with the exhaust butterflys open at 70 mph (1500 rpm). I will soon make it so I can open and close the butterflys and the drone will be gone.

DSOMC6

The gains are so small it's really not worth the money and/or effort.

1fastbob

It's way less money than headers and the cats and 02 sensors appear similar to stock. Might pass a smog inspection where headers probably will not. I think it is well worth the money.

Jim_H

I did this as my first mod and picked up about 20hp with a tune. Now I'm at 450rwhp by adding an intake, cam, ported heads and a Fast 102, still have the Z06 system. It's a great mod and worth it if your state has a visual inspection.

haljensen

If your Borla is for a C6 it will not bolt to a Z06 H pipe, different diameters.

jlashley2001ss

If I had a exhaust shop install the z06 manifolds, cats, and have them fab a X-Pipe, would this improve the exhaust sound?

HOXXOH

It's a good mod that even most dealer techs won't realize isn't factory direct.

Simply reduce the back portion of the H-pipe to 2.5" and mate to your current Borla. You can untape some of the wiring harness to get extra length for the O2 sensors. No extensions required.

Expect 10-12 hp with no other changes. Add another 10-15 if you include a dyno tune. Put in an easily accessable bung prior to the cats for a wideband sensor, so your tuner can get you more hp.

peter pan

I put on a full ZR1 exhaust and Chuck Cow tune I lowered my 1/4 time by a full 1/2 second

jlashley2001ss

How will this setup sound?

Never-Enough

You can also get a catted aftermarket header & midpipe setup to pass inspection.

Jim_H

Not so easy in California

Vicious Vettes

The reason a ZO6 comes with 3" exhaust is because it makes 100 more h.p. than a regular vette! The reason a base vette comes with 2&1/2 is because 3 is 2 much, so much it can actually slow your vette down! Anyone that's claiming there car got faster its only because of the tune.

HOXXOH

I documented by timeslips, not a dyno. I referenced dyno numbers as the estimate of the power difference needed to reduce my ET. I never change a tune after a mod without a track session in between. The car hasn't been on a dyno in 3 years, but the tune has been tweaked quite often.

While it's true the Z06 needed 3" pipes, the LS3 needed better flowing manifolds and cats when you start modding other items. I suggest reducing the 3" pipe to 2.5" near the back of the H-pipe, because the gasses have cooled quite a bit by that point and the reduction allows the velocity to be more closely maintained. The Z06 doesn't reduce size until entering the muffler, because of the higher volume created by the extra 51 cubic inches and a higher red-line.