What headers and exhaust do you guys reccomend for someone wishing to keep the Z06 stock mufflers and still pass emissions? Does changing to a x-pipe with high flow cats make a big enough difference to warrant the change? I guess to sum it all up, should you change the x-pipe when you add headers?

 

Hi titletaker,

There are gobs of threads on this topic...it's mucho popular-o.

If you install full-length (long tube) headers you will have to install after-market mid pipes...typically an x-over design. You will not be able to bolt up the stock mid pipe (with welded-in cats) to long tube headers without cutting an re-welding them.

Since you are replacing your stock mid pipes and the welded-in cats, you'll need new catalytic converters...unless you want to run w/o cats.

Emissions regs vary from state to state. Here in North Carolina, technically it's against regs to replace perfectly good catalytic converters with new ones. That may even be a federal reg...someone else on the forum may know for sure.

Anyway...mine were shot to hell so I replaced 'em with a set of high flow cats from Random Technologies.

The stock muffler and tailpipe sections will bolt directly to most aftermarket x-over mid pipes so you can retain them if you want.

I believe there are "shorty" headers that will bolt up to the stock mid pipes...but you will not realize the potential performance gains from full length headers.

I got everything I mentioned here from LG Motorsports and I'm very happy with it. There are many others companies that make great headers as well.

Oh...make sure you maximize the power potential of your investment with a good dyno tune. IMO it worth every penny.

Have fun and let us know what you do.

-Jay

 

basically what Jay said

there are many brands you can choose from. I went with Dynatech Supermaxx long tube headers from Tbyrne just because there was a group purchase (seems like every major brand is within the same horsepower/price/quality range) and everyone will probably tell you theirs is the best.

in CA, long tube headers are illegal, but whatever, doesn't stop anybody since you can find shops that will still pass you (ooops, jk? ) I don't know about other states

Also, you will need to replace the midpipe with long tubes (as previously said by Jay)....sounds better with a catted X anyway, and you do get a small amount of gains with the high flow cats and tune

 

Thanks guys. I'm sure most brands are pretty comparable. Hope to get some over the winter. I already got a vararam b2, but haven't installed it yet. Want to get a stock time at the track, weather permitting, and do the headers, exhaust, vararam and a tune over the winter and see where my car is at with those few mods.