C6 Exhaust on a C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 204
Likes: 12
C6 Exhaust on a C5
So I've seen a few vids of C5's where they've put C6 exhaust on them and it's amazing how much it really makes the C5 sound like a C6. Personally I like the C6 sound better than the C5 sound, so this is appealing to me but I'm not following on what these people are doing.
Clearly the C6 mufflers won't fit because they're straight out the back and the C5's design requires them to be mounted on the left and right sides just behind the bumper. So I'm guessing they're changing the factory H-pipe and all that stuff leading up to the C5 mufflers and then just using some C5 mufflers (stock or aftermarket)?
If there's a write up or more details on this, I'd love to hear it. Video example of what I mean below, exhaust starts at 2:11 if it doesn't keep my timestamp. Where would one buy the parts needed to do this? Used from someone with a C6 who replaced 'em?
Clearly the C6 mufflers won't fit because they're straight out the back and the C5's design requires them to be mounted on the left and right sides just behind the bumper. So I'm guessing they're changing the factory H-pipe and all that stuff leading up to the C5 mufflers and then just using some C5 mufflers (stock or aftermarket)?
If there's a write up or more details on this, I'd love to hear it. Video example of what I mean below, exhaust starts at 2:11 if it doesn't keep my timestamp. Where would one buy the parts needed to do this? Used from someone with a C6 who replaced 'em?
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
The C6 ZR1 setup is a full 3", which is larger in diameter over the C5. There were some changes in the ZR1 setup through production so the exact year it came from would be key. IIRC following 2011 the system went to four catalysts as opposed to two.
The C6 is very similar to the C5 in overall design so anything following the exhaust headers and leading to the cat back could be used on a C5. My assumption would be the owner of the car in your video has a set of C5 specific headers (I don't see a reason to go OEM ZR1 if aftermarket is comparable), ZR1 exhaust piping, and the Billy Boats (that's what B&B is) is for a C5. My further assumption would be there is a tune of some sort to accompany the setup depending on what catalyst is installed and if 02s had to be tuned out.
The C6 is very similar to the C5 in overall design so anything following the exhaust headers and leading to the cat back could be used on a C5. My assumption would be the owner of the car in your video has a set of C5 specific headers (I don't see a reason to go OEM ZR1 if aftermarket is comparable), ZR1 exhaust piping, and the Billy Boats (that's what B&B is) is for a C5. My further assumption would be there is a tune of some sort to accompany the setup depending on what catalyst is installed and if 02s had to be tuned out.
Last edited by Velocity_Vette; Oct 4, 2017 at 02:16 PM. Reason: edited for content
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
Lots of guys run the C6Z manifolds, cats and mid pipes and tie them into their existing axle backs. I have a complete ZR1 setup here to do just that, as long as you have D port heads the manifolds will bolt right up.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 355
From: Little Rock Arkansas
ZR1 - X mid
Z06 C6 - H mid
Base C6 - X mid
Again I **think** those are right and a Google search would probably tell your correct.
The biggest draw to the ZR1 setup is the 3" piping and the lack of NPP (the cut-outs that was an option on C6s). There were also differences in the mufflers themselves on a ZR1 but obviously that's a moot point. Also yeah if he's making that sort of power (I can't actually watch the video where I"m at but I see the title) then you're not going to get the same sound just with using C6 ZR1 stuff.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 4,346
Likes: 755
From: Greensboro Nc
Again going off of memory I believe that the C6 uses the following;
ZR1 - X mid
Z06 C6 - H mid
Base C6 - X mid
Again I **think** those are right and a Google search would probably tell your correct.
The biggest draw to the ZR1 setup is the 3" piping and the lack of NPP (the cut-outs that was an option on C6s). There were also differences in the mufflers themselves on a ZR1 but obviously that's a moot point. Also yeah if he's making that sort of power (I can't actually watch the video where I"m at but I see the title) then you're not going to get the same sound just with using C6 ZR1 stuff.
ZR1 - X mid
Z06 C6 - H mid
Base C6 - X mid
Again I **think** those are right and a Google search would probably tell your correct.
The biggest draw to the ZR1 setup is the 3" piping and the lack of NPP (the cut-outs that was an option on C6s). There were also differences in the mufflers themselves on a ZR1 but obviously that's a moot point. Also yeah if he's making that sort of power (I can't actually watch the video where I"m at but I see the title) then you're not going to get the same sound just with using C6 ZR1 stuff.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 204
Likes: 12
Oh I'm a dummy, I didn't notice that. I get the feeling those mainfolds probably are making a big difference. I guess just the cats and X pipe probably won't do it then. I'd be hard pressed to put those mainfolds on and not just go with LT headers, though I imagine they'd be cheaper. But for all the work involved, I guess you'd have to really just want the sound more than anything.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 219
From: Los Angeles CA
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
I have seen it done but you will have to cut the tub out and fiberglass it flat, the tub is directly in the way of where the mufflers will sit... I put the drivetrain out of an 09 z06 in my car and I had to cut 3" out of the midpipe and add it to the top of the over axle pipes so if you were using a c6 axle back and a c5 midpipe I would assume you would have to cut some of it out otherwise it would be too long... the c6z axle back is also 3"... I have considered doing this myself since you are basically getting a full 3" straight out the back with minimal bends but I don't know if the cost and effort would be worth the gains over my 2.5" corsa xtreme, those are pretty much straight out the back as well
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 935
Likes: 103
I think most guys that have done this are just running the C6 Z06 manifolds, and mid pipe section... a few threads exist on this. All connecting to a factory C5 or aftermarket C5 axleback section.
Pro's: Cheap to buy these parts used. Good Horsepower Gains
Cons: Manifolds are heavy as fk, and not as much of a torque gain as headers.... like not even close.
I considered this and ended up going with a set of LG headers instead
Pro's: Cheap to buy these parts used. Good Horsepower Gains
Cons: Manifolds are heavy as fk, and not as much of a torque gain as headers.... like not even close.
I considered this and ended up going with a set of LG headers instead
Last edited by Roddy13; Oct 6, 2017 at 03:41 PM.
