I picked-up my Titanium Z06 exhaust from my welder, Tim, this evening. He used 1.5" x 0.030" thickness tube to do the "Ti-Mod". The pipe bypasses the muffler and exits to the inside tips. The welds are beautiful, very clean and the fitting is awesome.

I have no clue how to post pictures, so if a kind soul would offer to help, I'd very much appreciate it. I snapped a few pics after I took them home.

I'm not able to mount the exhaust until Friday, so I can't comment about the sound yet. I am going to wrap the "over-the-axle" pipes to cut down on heat transfer to the cabin/tranny/diff.

Should anyone be interested in the "Ti-Mod", PM me and I'd be glad to pass Tim's number to you. He is a great guy and I am very impressed with his "perfectionist" approach.

Hopefully, I'll get some pics up with some help...

Be good,
Tom

 

Looking forward to the pics and "sound review"!

I'd be happy to host a few pictures for you if you want to e-mail them to me.

steve.theodore@gmail.com

 

Thanks Steve, sending email now.

-Tom

test...

 

Pictures are now available here...looks terrific!

http://www.suprahardtopregistry.com/Z06/Ti_Exhaust/

 

Thanks, Steve.

Next pic:
Exhaust with my son, Achilles...

 

This frustrates me because I have BEGGED and pleaded with local people to do this simple mod for me and I CANT find anyone that will do it!!!

RRRR!

 

It was not easy, as it took a few months to find a guy who was willing to put in the time to learn/tweak/experiment with the Ti. Tim is a welder by trade and has experience with aluminum and stainless. Many say Ti is like stainless, just need more Argon. This seemed to be the case.

I'd try to find a local guy who can do stainless and ask him is he's up for a challenge. If not, you could always ship it.

Be good,
Tom

 

Tom thanks for all your help, I might do this mod this winter.

 

Well, I wrapped the "over the axle" pipes with exhaust wrap...the copper/fiberglass stuff...it actually looks pretty cool. This should help with heat being transferred to the diff/cabin.

I need to bring my son to a birthday party tomorrow after work, so it'll probably be Saturday until I mount them up....

I can't wait until I hear how it sounds...

-Tom

 

It's on the Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'll test a little later so more to come...
-TK

 

Congrats.. ..looks like your welder did a great job...

 

 

Schweet! That guys an artiste!

 

OK...took the car out for a while to see how it sounds.

Short story...I'm very happy.
Longer story...
At start-up, you hear another bit of sound...an additional "rip" that isn't there when stock. At idle, there is also an additional burble but not loud, it's soft and subtle but you know something is different.
Pulling away from a stop is where you start to hear a difference. Between idle and 3000rpm, there's additional sound...a little louder, an additional higher-pitched bark is present - but again, not loud...but more there.
Over 3000rpm, the sound rises more...quite linear. Even at full honk, I didn't think it was too loud and I doubt anyone else will either. I was expecting more, but I'm very satisfied with it. Any louder than that and it may be too much.

On the parkway, at cruise, it sounds almost exactly like stock...but theres just a bit more sound...just a bit. There's no noticeable drone, which I'm very happy about.

There is additional popping and cracking on deceleration, though..which leads me to believe that flow is indeed improved.

Keep in mind, the exhaust may be a bit louder than I think...and here's why...
I have a maggie and when the revs climb, it overpowers the exhaust. I do hear more exhaust now so I know it is louder. Reving in the driveway, when the maggie doesn't whine, it is similar to the Corsa exhaust I had on my CTS-V...same high-pitched growl but a little less volume.

My friend, who has a good idea of how my exhaust sounds from behind is going to follow me tomorrow. I should be able to get a good idea of how it sounds from his perspective. Perhaps we'll switch cars and then I can hear it from outside.

All in all, I'm very happy with the mod. With two 1.5inch pipes bypassing the mufflers, there's additional flow. I've kept my lightweight titanium exhaust and added some much needed sound. Overall, I spent $425 for the mod, including tubing/welding wire and my welder's time. I could have done an aftermarket exhaust, there are many that are quite good, and I'm sure I'd love it...but there's something about having a modded-Ti, there aren't many around and it's still light...lighter than the Borla Stinger IIRC.

I'll see how it sounds tomorrow, personally from outside the car. If I'm able to find someone who has a digital video-cam, I'll take a few clips for you to hear.

Be good,
Tom

 

Excellent write-up, Tom. We talked about this a few months ago, if I remember correctly..

Is the rest of your system stock? Do you have an x-pipe? I eagerly await some sound clips.

Mark

 

The exhaust prior to mod was...
TPIS headers, stock H-pipe, stock cats. I may need to put on an x-pipe for the popping/burbling on deceleration, although it does sound nasty...

Yes, the sound clips...perhaps I can do it on my phone...
-Tom

 

Two systems later and I may just try this on mine if I can find a decent welder. Would you mind breaking down the $425? Does that include the labor to remove/install the system? Also, where did you find the 1 1/2" TI pipe? Got vid?

 

u got ur 4 year old kid doing "The Shocker"!!! lmao now that is priceless!!!

 

Tom, excellent write-up. I just did the same thing with my Corsa Touring and now, there is no more back pressure for the S/C and the car responds much better. You described the sound perfectly. Tonight someone who has a GTO with LS2 and Corsa heard my car Z with bypass and he said that's the best sound around. He going to do his tomorrow.

I think there is a lot more benefit than just the sound. The mufflers are chambered and create back pressure on S/C cars and car chocks. I know this for fact over 5000 RPM, now any extra air that can't go thru the muffler does not back up to engine and goes thru the bypass.

I like to hear an audio while you're driving and another car recording with the same speed you're going!

Wise choice!

 

Good question, here's the breakdown:
-2 feet of grade 2 Ti tubing (1.5" x .035 thickness) = $100...two feet is overkill, but if something wen't wrong I wanted to have extra.
-100 feet of Ti welding rod (smallest measure of purchase= .25lb)= $25
-$300 for Tim's time and skill as a welder
-remove/install system= $30 lift rental from local shop

The tubing was purchased from Tico Titanium...I dealt with Tim.
http://ticotitaniuminc.thomasnet.com...ktoname=&pane=

My welder recommended going to a thicker tubing, as the .035" wall tubing was very difficult to notch...too thin. I think they have .06" tubing, it'd be easier to cut.

---Finding a welder who would do this was not easy. Most people are not willing to experiment with titanium. Based on quite a bit of research and reading, Ti is much like stainless steel but requires more argon shielding. If you can find a welder who is familiar with stainless steel and he'd be willing to up the argon on the torch and backfill the exhaust, then you'll be fine....it is not required to place the exhaust in a "chamber"- we are not building surgical implants or nuclear reactors.

Be good,
Tom