Unless you're trying to pass a visual inspection. But the OP lives in Kansas, and I'm guessing they don't have those there, so just go aftermarket. 
[Z06] whos using ls7 manifolds?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Los Angeles
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Arma Ks
well its more of a budget thing than emission thing. its either ls7 manifolds over stock or nothing. its big head/cam and is choked up.
what is it thats so hard fitting? i've read where it fit nice and i know they make power. c6z guys only gain 4-10rwhp with headers and ls3 guys are making 20+hp with stock engines and ls7 manifolds.
just needing some advice before i try fitting them
what is it thats so hard fitting? i've read where it fit nice and i know they make power. c6z guys only gain 4-10rwhp with headers and ls3 guys are making 20+hp with stock engines and ls7 manifolds.
just needing some advice before i try fitting them
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Arma Ks
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Springhill FL
I considered this swap as I wanted to keep my vette quieter this time around. Only reason I didnt do it was someone local listed a set of LTs cheap.
It seems to me they should be at least as good if not better than a set of shorties. Flows better than stock and should give you some breathing ability if you have a mild to moderate heads/cam setup. I mean they come on a car with well over 400RW and I'm sure there are many running bolt ons and cam through them on the Ls7 who are perfectly happy.
Make sure to let us know how you like them
It seems to me they should be at least as good if not better than a set of shorties. Flows better than stock and should give you some breathing ability if you have a mild to moderate heads/cam setup. I mean they come on a car with well over 400RW and I'm sure there are many running bolt ons and cam through them on the Ls7 who are perfectly happy.
Make sure to let us know how you like them
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 115
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From: Metro Detroit
I use the LS7 manifolds and cats in my C5 and I'm very happy with them. Sound and Power improved noticeably when I put them on.
They are basically a bolt on mod, The only modification needs to be done to the H-Pipe to create the transition from the 3" tubing to the 2.5" tubing from the original H-Pipe.
Definitely cheaper than LTs and they look still like stock.
They are basically a bolt on mod, The only modification needs to be done to the H-Pipe to create the transition from the 3" tubing to the 2.5" tubing from the original H-Pipe.
Definitely cheaper than LTs and they look still like stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Woodinville WA
They support a 450+rwhp factory car so they'd be a good step up over stock C5 if running a cam and you're budget limited or emissions concerned. I've never heard of anyone comming anywhere near close to that on a C5 with stock C5 mani's without a power adder.
I think doing a full 3" conversion might be neccessary to get the gains you're looking for, as a step from the 3" outlet on the LS7 mani's to the 2.5" system on the C5 might create turbulance and cancel some of the potential gains.
I think doing a full 3" conversion might be neccessary to get the gains you're looking for, as a step from the 3" outlet on the LS7 mani's to the 2.5" system on the C5 might create turbulance and cancel some of the potential gains.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Honolulu HI
If the LS7 manifolds are all that's in your budget...so be it. Just DO NOT expect them to give you the same results as LT's. I think that's the point everyone is trying to make. You'll get about the same performance gains as a good set of shorties...~10 rwhp.
Thread Starter
Drifting
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From: Arma Ks
They are better than shorties. But aren't as good as long tubes. I agree. But I'd bet they get me more than 10hp. Ls2 and ls3 guys are getting 20+ hp stock. Ls7 guys get around 20hp with headers and tune. Majority of it being in the tune. Theyre $200. Cheapest long tube is $625 for obx. I don't thunk I can go wrong.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Honolulu HI
Not based on any results I've seen from those with an LS6. They're not going to flow any better than shorties, and they weigh at least twice as much as shorties. I believe they actually weigh more than the LS6 manifolds, but don't quote me on that.
In fact; if you look back a few years in C6Z threads, you'll see that Callaway used to manufacture shorties to replace the LS7 manifolds. They discontinued those because the cost was around $1200 per pair (maybe more) and according to Callaway themselves; they were only worth 5 or 6 rwhp. They didn't feel good charging that much for a product that only produced marginal results, so they discontinued the product. Shorties obviously out performed the factory LS7 manifolds...just not enough to warrant going through the expensive CARB EO process that Callaway usually does with their products.
You're kidding yourself if you think they're better than a well engineered set of shorties. I'm not telling you it isn't a worthwhile mod...just don't expect earth-shattering results. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed. It's your car; if you want to do it...go for it.
In fact; if you look back a few years in C6Z threads, you'll see that Callaway used to manufacture shorties to replace the LS7 manifolds. They discontinued those because the cost was around $1200 per pair (maybe more) and according to Callaway themselves; they were only worth 5 or 6 rwhp. They didn't feel good charging that much for a product that only produced marginal results, so they discontinued the product. Shorties obviously out performed the factory LS7 manifolds...just not enough to warrant going through the expensive CARB EO process that Callaway usually does with their products.
You're kidding yourself if you think they're better than a well engineered set of shorties. I'm not telling you it isn't a worthwhile mod...just don't expect earth-shattering results. Otherwise, you'll be disappointed. It's your car; if you want to do it...go for it.
Last edited by MTPZ06; Jun 19, 2011 at 03:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Arma Ks
I've seen too many positive results on them. Even a Guy compare with longtubes that was close. The ls7 has 3" piping too and GM spent a lot of money engineering them. That's how they got 505hp from the ls7. They were short of their goal so they worked on the manifolds to reach goal. I think Its worth a try. I'll keep yas posted.