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Exhaust upgrade question???

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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:04 PM
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Default Exhaust upgrade question???

I know us noobies keep asking the same boring questions but this one I am stumped on. I have been searching the forum and have not seen the answer. I have a 2001 C5 Vert with 43k, mainly stock. I am about to do some mods as follows:
Long Tube Headers 1 3/4 (Have to run air in NC for inspection)
Full pipes to include X pipe(catted) and Catback
Vararam with Power duct
Tune
8.5mm Wires and Plugs (was leaning towards the iridium but not sure if over kill)
160 Stat
Catch Can

Now for the question: If my future mods include Cam and New Heads is it best to go 3" for all pipes or am I better off to stick with 2.5" for the Catback system? I don't race and its not a daily driver. I mainly cruise around town and work every once in a while. Just want a few more ponies and sound like a man!
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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:21 PM
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The bigger the better 3 inch front to back !!!!
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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:49 PM
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for what you will be doing and no future plans for a bigger motor the 2.5" will be fine. as for cat back choices depending on how loud you want to be the stock ti's off of a Z are a great choice, especially with a cam. and you can find them in the for sale section for ~400 bucks compaired to alot more for after market. they have a nice idle and sound good when you get a little agressive. but have a reasonable tone when crusing hwy speeds, no drone.. i have headers and a cam on my z and would not change it for anything!!! i have a friend with a coupe with headers and he added ti's and loved the sound also. he had bullets that were really loud and welcomed the change. now he can talk inside the cabin at hwy speeds....
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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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Three inch is actually too big unless you build a really big motor. It can hurt performance.
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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 10:57 PM
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2.5" will get you there
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Old Jan 19, 2012 | 11:21 PM
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Appreciate the information I was leaning towards the 2.5" since I didn't have any bottom end mods planned.
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 12:05 AM
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Originally Posted by saxtonfwd
I don't race and its not a daily driver. I mainly cruise around town and work every once in a while. Just want a few more ponies and sound like a man!
also your driving habits and wants sound like mine so before you spend the extra $ for heads just do the cam. my shop/tuner told me that head work would be a waste for me. the cam and tune gave me the sound and ponies i was looking for... just my .02
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 12:33 AM
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According to magazine tech answer guys,,,,2.5" is good for well into the 500 cubic inch motor range. Going too big can hurt low end torque!
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 12:46 AM
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I'd go 2.5. Just remember the headers and a different catback is going to make it loud(ER). I would put a B&B rt 66 catback on to keep some noise down. Then install electric cutouts when you wanna scare little kids. That's what I did and love my cutouts.
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by johnsos30
I'd go 2.5. Just remember the headers and a different catback is going to make it loud(ER). I would put a B&B rt 66 catback on to keep some noise down. Then install electric cutouts when you wanna scare little kids. That's what I did and love my cutouts.
All about scarying the little kids
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by saxtonfwd

8.5mm Wires and Plugs (was leaning towards the iridium but not sure if over kill)
GMPP wires and ngk tr55 plugs are more than you need.
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by saxtonfwd
All about scarying the little kids
that is why i have this.


454 open sidepipes.
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by itzza427
According to magazine tech answer guys,,,,2.5" is good for well into the 500 cubic inch motor range. Going too big can hurt low end torque!
HorsePower plays more into this than CI size of the motor. Over 550 rwhp needs a single 4in are two three in from headers back to make best Horse power for the motor. Robert
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 04:37 PM
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XS power offers a full 3-inch header and X-pipe system.....I have that but mine becomes 2.5" at the very end to attach to most catbacks

you can order the 2.5" end section as a 3" though....so its a TRUE 3" section, all you need is 3" catback and youre good to go

btw FULL 3" is usually recommended for 500-600hp+ motors because on stock motors (like mine ) you lose torque....but gain in HP...so its a tradeoff


Good luck!
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 09:15 PM
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I agree with going with the 2.5" exhaust - and finish it off with a set of Corsas - great sounding catback.
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 10:36 PM
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Originally Posted by DarkSpeed
XS power offers a full 3-inch header and X-pipe system.....I have that but mine becomes 2.5" at the very end to attach to most catbacks

you can order the 2.5" end section as a 3" though....so its a TRUE 3" section, all you need is 3" catback and youre good to go

btw FULL 3" is usually recommended for 500-600hp+ motors because on stock motors (like mine ) you lose torque....but gain in HP...so its a tradeoff


Good luck!
I will take TQ over hp all day long...
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Old Jan 20, 2012 | 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Vetteman Jack
I agree with going with the 2.5" exhaust - and finish it off with a set of Corsas - great sounding catback.



But what do I know?
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