[Z06] x-pipe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,155
Likes: 56
From: Escondido CA
had a local muffler shop where i live-install-he makes his own..+ install $150 ..it was worth it..i think ones from the magazines and vette places are way overpriced..check with a local shop that does vette cat back installs and they may help you .ed hanson here in san diego was great.. 
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
I'm having one installed next week on my 04. There are a few out there. After looking at a few, I went with a Bassani X. Look closely at some where you can actually see an X shaped chamber where a mixing effect takes place. Some others look almost like two pipes welded together. I've heard recommendations for Magnaflow and Bassani. Let me know which you choose. Are you doing exhaust as well?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
Bassanni makes two options, the "off-road" that eliminates the cats and replaces the front half of the pipe, and the "on-road" version that replaces the back half. If you go with the off-road you will need O2 simms or have them deprogrammed.
I have the off-road and love it. The sound improvement alone was worth it. Picked up 10+ to the wheels.
I have the off-road and love it. The sound improvement alone was worth it. Picked up 10+ to the wheels.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: san jose california
I want to get the off-road x-pipe, if I happen to headers later will the x-pipe work or I need a different one, that bassani sounds like a good one is that straight bolt-on any welding involve I want a bolt-on so that wen I need to smog my car all I have to do is unbolt and bolt back on
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 884
Likes: 1
From: McKinney TX
With all the header kits I've seen so far the stock H-pipe is eliminated as the kits include everything from the engine to the cat-back.
I bought mine used, cheap. What sucks now is the gains going to headers will be minimal, and for over $1000 it's hard to swallow for ~5 rwhp.
I bought mine used, cheap. What sucks now is the gains going to headers will be minimal, and for over $1000 it's hard to swallow for ~5 rwhp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 0
From: I'm not quite middle aged and I only own one gold chain! San Jose CA
Bassani makes the some of the finest exhaust systems out there and as far as I am concerned, their X pipe is the best design going. I had one on another car as well as an entire catback and I loved it. It is one of the most quality pieces I've seen on a car. If you look at the pictures of the various X pipes out there you can see a clear difference in how the X chamber is built on the Bassani. It is not much if any more expensive than the other manufacturers cost and I reccomend it highly.
You can see several examples of the X pipes that are on the market on the Corvette Garage website and they are also a good source for this sort of thing. There prices are usually very competitive as well, but there are other good places to buy them as well.
Hope this helps!
You can see several examples of the X pipes that are on the market on the Corvette Garage website and they are also a good source for this sort of thing. There prices are usually very competitive as well, but there are other good places to buy them as well.
Hope this helps!
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 18,484
Likes: 1
From: Everyday you must choose between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret. Fredericktown, OH
Look into Dr. Gas. I beleive they were the first to develop the x-pipe technology - or at least first to bring it to market.
I bought one on 2000 or so for the Nova I used to bracket race. I went from open headers and no air cleaner to a full 3" Flowmaster exhaust with a Dr. Gas and an air cleaner. One week to the next, the air was 200' worse and the car picked up .1 and 2 MPH.
The concept has nothing to do with "mixing". The idea is that in the standard firing order on a V8, you ultimately get 2 cylinders from the same bank firing in sequence. That creates added back pressure on one side. The x-pipe if done well allows for a balance of that pressure. Even more, once the motor is running and the sequence is happening very fast, the odd side's gases are still in the system and being evacuated, this creating a true scavenging effect - helping PULL the exhuast from the motor.
I think there are a lot of x-pipes that work, but as I understand, there is a bit of science to getting the siamesed section to be the proper size as to maximixe scavenging and not actually create more back pressure.
I bought one on 2000 or so for the Nova I used to bracket race. I went from open headers and no air cleaner to a full 3" Flowmaster exhaust with a Dr. Gas and an air cleaner. One week to the next, the air was 200' worse and the car picked up .1 and 2 MPH.
The concept has nothing to do with "mixing". The idea is that in the standard firing order on a V8, you ultimately get 2 cylinders from the same bank firing in sequence. That creates added back pressure on one side. The x-pipe if done well allows for a balance of that pressure. Even more, once the motor is running and the sequence is happening very fast, the odd side's gases are still in the system and being evacuated, this creating a true scavenging effect - helping PULL the exhuast from the motor.
I think there are a lot of x-pipes that work, but as I understand, there is a bit of science to getting the siamesed section to be the proper size as to maximixe scavenging and not actually create more back pressure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
I had a Dr Gas on my 65 mustang that had a 5.0 and LT's on it and the sound was unbelievable. Best exhaust sound outside of pure race cars I have heard. They are not overly pricey and having talked to them about welding one up for my 01 z06 it is a bit of a custom piece due to the narrowness of the overall "X" underneath our cars.
Otherwise the Bassani seems like the most quality piece out there for the cash.
Fej
Otherwise the Bassani seems like the most quality piece out there for the cash.
Fej
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 445
Likes: 0
From: san jose california
thanx everybody for your info. I think I'm going to go with bassani I've searched around and it seems that thats the only bolt-on off road x-pipe, and I need a bolt-on for when I have to take it to get it smog. I think bassani is the ticket. thanx again for your info.