I just picked up an 03 Z w 12,524 miles on it two weeks ago. This is my first vette, and I'm coming out of a mildly modded '00 SS. My question is, which flows better, the stock Z06 titanium exhaust or the borla stinger? Right now I'm keeping the Z stock, but I've been checking out that stinger. The video clips on ls1 sounds has an '03 Z stock, then with stingers, then LT's/high flow cats/X pipe and stinger and it sounded wicked. I like how the stock Z exhaust sounds (exotic). I'm coming out of a rumbling LS1 SS with LT's/catted Y/SLP Loudmouth and that thing sounded beastly loud, throaty and mean. I'm not quite sure if I'm ready to change from the nice mellow tone of the Z06 Ti exhaust. How would the Z06 Ti exhaust flow with LT's and catted X pipe vs LT's, catted X, and stinger? Any big difference? Also how do you think the rwhp gain would differ? Sorry so long, I'm new to the vette world and trying to catch up.

 

Ok comin-thunder
There are gains to be had if you do longtubes, aprox 20-25 if you do a tune when you install them, as far as exhaust go, there is only a few hp's to be had from switching from Ti's to Borlas, but you will gain some weight in the switch. If you want it really loud go with the borlas.

IMO you should do the long tubes first then if its not loud enough do the borlas.

Good luck

 

I switched from the Ti to Borla quad (oval) stingers. I have not dyno'd before and after, but I definitely feel that the rwhp gain is very minimal.

I will say that the Stinger system is actually quite light...you go from big ol muffler cans on the Ti, to much smaller cans with the Borla. Just feeling the weight of the two systems - I felt the Borla might actually be lighter....but at least close to a wash weight-wise.

Jeff

 

I think everyone will agree that an exhaust system will not gain much power over the stock Ti exhaust - it's mainly for sound purposed - for as long as you're stock, or close to stock.

It's the long-tube headers are what will give you some real gains!

I'm also looking at switching to Stingers, but my first priority is tires.

 

I've had both options, and more. This is perfect advice.

 

I just added long tubes and kept my stock Ti's ........man the car sounds GREAT now!

 

I went one step further and put in cut-out's

 

Halltech worked with Borla on the development of the Stinger exhaust, and actually named the system after our Stinger intake. Alex Borla liked the name, but Banks Engineering did not, and asked that it not be advertised as a Stinger exhaust since they already had that name.

The Stingers made 10 RWHP over the stock titanium exhaust, but weigh more, so some of the power to weight advantage is lost to some additional fat.

We took them off and lost the 10 RWHP gain. Personally, I think they are too loud for the street, and love the stock titanium exhaust.

We sell them for forum members:

www.CorvetteC5.com

Jim Hall

 

my ride is an 02 Z06 i have the halltech stinger intake, and borla stinger quad round exhaust.

Car sounds like hell... and it gets even more crazy if you start doing headers, cam..etc..

Power increase? don't know for sure, but i notice that I am hitting the rev limiter like crazy these days, car feels much more responsive, but no dyno numbers.

I also had the plugs replaced with the new OEM irridium, and magnecore wires, that helped a lot.

i have some sound clips, audio quality is not that great since this was done with a digital camera, and not with a digital camcorder.

http://gamarco.com/z06/video/

 

I am running Dynatech LTs and their X with HF cats into the Borla. These are road race vids, but you can get an idea...it is kinda nasty....but its good nasty IMO.

Car is under the knife right now with a D1 Stage 2 kit, alcohol injection, fully upgraded fuel system and a new Ram twin disc clutch, should sound a little nastier then.. .and that's where you take full advantage of freer flowing exhaust.


http://videos.streetfire.net/video/A...69753365C0.htm



http://videos.streetfire.net/video/6...81E86D1997.htm

 

I did a number of track sessions over the last 3 years with my 03Z and the Tis got louder. The mechanics at the dealership asked if I had changed exhaust systems since the car was so much louder than other Zs they work on.
Bill

 

Jim, thank you for supplying us with vehicles early on to develop this exhaust system. We will always have a warm spot in our hearts for you for lending us your Vette.

Although we've been through this before (July of 2002 to be exact), we tend to forget things in our old age so allow me to reiterate the facts of the origin of the name "stinger" relating specifically to exhaust.

For those of us too young to remember, this name can be traced back to a company called EMPI who manufactured aftermarket exhaust in the 1960's (http://www.empius.com). They made an exhaust which exited vertically from the rear of a VW bug and looked like the stinger from a scorpion. Thus the name "Stinger" (Get it? A bug, a stinger...). This exhaust is one of the most common performance exhaust options for old VW's.

Jim, you might remember that just about every drag-racing VW had a "Stinger" exhaust back in the 60's. It was basically a straight tube with no sound dampening whatsoever, very loud (like the Borla sport application for C5's is).

As you can see, the name "Stinger" pertaining to exhaust products is older than Borla, Halltech, Banks or even myself for that matter. So, for anyone else beside EMPI to claim they came up with the name is taking credit for something they don't deserve.

Most importantly, Borla has never and will never use the name "Stinger" relating to our Corvette exhaust. This was a nickname/pet name given to our sport exhaust by members of this forum. We call it "Sport" or "S-Type".

Weights -

Stock C5 exhaust weighs 47 lbs

Borla #140017 (nicknamed "stinger") for C5 weighs 31 lbs.

Only the C5 Z06 came with a titanium exhaust which weighs 28 lbs.

 

Thanks David, I agree with you on the name. Once the name hit the forums and the internet, it was in granite.

I remember Jay Drake sending our car and another out on the little drag strip in front of Borla for a demo 1/4 mile test.

Those were the fun times.

 

where did you put the cut-outs, cause I've asked shops on cut-outs for my 02 and they tell me that there are problems with clearance, I was actually thinking of doing electric cut-outs

 

I would like to see pictures of the cutouts

 

 

If you want to go loud go with the Bulets. I have stock z exhaust. I like the sound but I want long tubes hi flo cats and x pipe. If at that time I dont like the sound on go the bullets!

 

Sorry for the delay in posting a reply

Here you go, You will love the sound at WOT, it sounds like a Nascar



As you can see I had to add extentions, because I cracked my leaf




Mike

 

The performance gains of going to Stingers from the stock Ti system is negligible at best. Even if you pick up a few ponies, the Stingers weigh more, so it may offset any gains. The main reason why people go with Stingers is because they want something louder than stock.

I personally don't like the Stingers. Way too much resonance for my tastes. I was in a few Stinger cars and it gave me a headache. I also don't like the tone. People say that it's deep, but I find it kind of hooty and resonant sounding. Kind of a fake exaggeration of the true exhaust sound.

.02¢

 

Thanks to Jim Hall and David Borla for answering in this thread. Where else can you get a public answer from the manufacturer?