C3 peformance exhaust
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Well the noise is going to come from which type of muffler you put and the pipe diameter. For your 406ci you are between 2 1/2" and 3" pipes but I would go with 3 in" mandrel bent pipes. You might want to add more power at later date and you won't have to do it twice.
If the car does not see rain or you are not in a salty place aluminized steel will suffice. And you will save a considerable amount of money. Always get you exhaust system done by a shop that does performance exhaust. The C3's frame and body get tweeked over the years and really need a custom fit exhaust for your specific C3.
The mufflers will keep it quiet or noisy, Magnaflow will give you a mid level good sounding muffler> The universal muffler they sell come in different sizes and shapes and to keep the noise down you want to get a longer muffler in 16"+ range. They will sound good and are not obnoxious. Another thing is they come unfinished and polished. I always buy the unfinished ones because they are less expensive and spray paint them black.
If the car does not see rain or you are not in a salty place aluminized steel will suffice. And you will save a considerable amount of money. Always get you exhaust system done by a shop that does performance exhaust. The C3's frame and body get tweeked over the years and really need a custom fit exhaust for your specific C3.
The mufflers will keep it quiet or noisy, Magnaflow will give you a mid level good sounding muffler> The universal muffler they sell come in different sizes and shapes and to keep the noise down you want to get a longer muffler in 16"+ range. They will sound good and are not obnoxious. Another thing is they come unfinished and polished. I always buy the unfinished ones because they are less expensive and spray paint them black.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
What may be quieter on a more stockish car will be louder when you make more power fwiw
more air in/out=more noise
Your best bet is to hit a cruise night or regional GTG see in person if you even like XX brand at all. Even then every car will sound a little different
more air in/out=more noise
Your best bet is to hit a cruise night or regional GTG see in person if you even like XX brand at all. Even then every car will sound a little different
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Check out Corvette Central's exhaust kits. Good kits for a fair price imo.
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...&searchtype=50
http://www.parts123.com/corvettecent...&searchtype=50
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
You have to be choking that 450hp engine with rams horn manifolds, pipes and mufflers. To realize the potential of that engine, I'd go stainless headers, true duals, x-pipe... wait, what that other fella posted (corvette underside exhaust picture) would fit the bill nicely. 
I have a warmed over 350 and even WITH my full dual exhaust (with h-pipe), I may be producing 275-300hp at the rear wheels. My limitation is the displacement and compression/flow of the milder DART heads.
I have a warmed over 350 and even WITH my full dual exhaust (with h-pipe), I may be producing 275-300hp at the rear wheels. My limitation is the displacement and compression/flow of the milder DART heads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
Long tube headers. 2 1/2" system. I personally don't like the "X" pipe sound for the corvette, It does however reduce or eliminate drone. Would rather have an "H" pipe if I wanted the exhaust pipe to share the exhaust pulses.
Mostly I prefer the old school sound of two separate pipes though.
Mostly I prefer the old school sound of two separate pipes though.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
I have ceramic coated Dynomax headers 2.5 pipe with Flowmaster 2 chamber exhaust (40's) I also have an H pipe installed as well to balance things out. With my performance upgrades it sounds VERY Nice. Deep throaty sound
Last edited by Alwyn678; May 30, 2016 at 05:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 109
Likes: 6
From: Hessen
Finally I got my Magnaflow mufflers on my Corvette.
Corvette Central Magnaflow mufflers did not fit very well to the "original pipes" from "Corvette America"... However, now that they are mounted... this is the perfect sound for me... deep, solid but smooth V8 rumble... as it should be (from my point of view). It could not be better... in other words... it is perfect! The sound is quite present at low speed and during acceleration but in cruising mode it is quite quite... so perfect for long distance driving.
Finally... i could not be more happy!
Cheers...
René
P. S.: Hope, everybody finds the perfect Corvette sound as i did!
Corvette Central Magnaflow mufflers did not fit very well to the "original pipes" from "Corvette America"... However, now that they are mounted... this is the perfect sound for me... deep, solid but smooth V8 rumble... as it should be (from my point of view). It could not be better... in other words... it is perfect! The sound is quite present at low speed and during acceleration but in cruising mode it is quite quite... so perfect for long distance driving.
Finally... i could not be more happy!
Cheers...
René
P. S.: Hope, everybody finds the perfect Corvette sound as i did!