[Z06] Z06 Exhaust replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
Z06 Exhaust replacement
I am looking into doing something with the exhaust. I like that the stock exhaust is titanium and so light. I was thinking of keeping the stock exhaust and just replacing the stock H pipe with a Bassani X pipe. Is this worth it? It should increase the flow correct. Will I notice that much from just a X pipe addition without doing the cat backs. In a coupe I would replace the entire exhaust, but the Z's cat back is not bad being titanium, and from what I can tell is not that restrictive. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am not looking for a loud exhaust, more performance oriented than sound oriented.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 34,299
Likes: 1
From: [Enter Unoffensive Comment Here]
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
You could go with high flow cats & X but the gains won't be huge. You should probably be thinking about long tube headers. 
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: COWFORD FL
Originally Posted by canesfins
I am looking into doing something with the exhaust. I like that the stock exhaust is titanium and so light. I was thinking of keeping the stock exhaust and just replacing the stock H pipe with a Bassani X pipe. Is this worth it? It should increase the flow correct. Will I notice that much from just a X pipe addition without doing the cat backs. In a coupe I would replace the entire exhaust, but the Z's cat back is not bad being titanium, and from what I can tell is not that restrictive. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am not looking for a loud exhaust, more performance oriented than sound oriented.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
You're not going to pick up noticeable power you can feel with an X-pipe and aftermarket cat-back. You may notice a 5 rwhp gain on the dyno, but that's not enough to feel SOTP.
Having said that, you will notice I replaced both on my car. But I had other reasons than power:
I replaced the H-pipe with a Magnaflow X-pipe because my car had a bad case of the "jingles" which was driving me crazy. The X-pipe fixed it perfectly.
I put on the Corsa Indys because I wanted a more aggressive, distinctive, louder sound than the stock exhaust.
I didn't expect any power gains from either mod, and I don't think I got much, if any, from them. All my power gains are from the headers, intake, and tuning. But both the X-pipe and Corsas were worth every penny to me because the jingles are gone, yet the popping is still there, and I love the way my car sounds!
The way I look at it, some people spend lots of money on sound systems for their car. My exhaust is my sound system. I hardly ever listen to the stereo anymore.
Having said that, you will notice I replaced both on my car. But I had other reasons than power:
I replaced the H-pipe with a Magnaflow X-pipe because my car had a bad case of the "jingles" which was driving me crazy. The X-pipe fixed it perfectly.
I put on the Corsa Indys because I wanted a more aggressive, distinctive, louder sound than the stock exhaust.
I didn't expect any power gains from either mod, and I don't think I got much, if any, from them. All my power gains are from the headers, intake, and tuning. But both the X-pipe and Corsas were worth every penny to me because the jingles are gone, yet the popping is still there, and I love the way my car sounds!
The way I look at it, some people spend lots of money on sound systems for their car. My exhaust is my sound system. I hardly ever listen to the stereo anymore.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: Plantation Florida
So basically what i am hearing is that the x pipe is pretty much a waste performance wise, I won't really feel anything. The recommendation seems to be to go with headers and an x pipe, and keep the cat backs, and install an intake, and after all that get a tune. Does a particular brand of headers work better (performance wise, not sound wise) with the Z06? I keep reading good things about Kooks, but nothing really Z06 specific.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,331
Likes: 518
From: Admit Nothing, Deny Everything, Make Counter Accusations.
Stick with the stock catback, it is a great unit. Spend your money on long tube headers, high flow cats, and the proper x-over. You will get more volume and more power.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by canesfins
So basically what i am hearing is that the x pipe is pretty much a waste performance wise, I won't really feel anything. The recommendation seems to be to go with headers and an x pipe, and keep the cat backs, and install an intake, and after all that get a tune.
Does a particular brand of headers work better (performance wise, not sound wise) with the Z06? I keep reading good things about Kooks, but nothing really Z06 specific.
The Kooks are also great, and less expensive.
I have the Stainless Works headers and can highly recommend them. Bang for the buck, they are the best stainless steel long tube headers for the money. They cost half of what the LG's do, yet have 85-90% of their performance and all the quality.
Whatever brand you pick, make sure its stainless steel. I would pass on the ceramic coated mild steel headers - they tend to crack, the coatings chip and flake and rust, and they just don't seem to hold up as well as stainless steel.
Former Vendor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
We are running free shipping on all Bassani components for the month of July , give a call or email over here and I will go over what you are looking for and how much it will cost if you like . Most items can just be ordered online www.neweraperformanceparts.com .
Mike
www.neweraperformanceparts.com
sales@neweraperformanceparts.com
585-865-1832
Mike
www.neweraperformanceparts.com
sales@neweraperformanceparts.com
585-865-1832
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 885
Likes: 1
From: Campbell New York
That Bassani system is sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to figure out which tips for my Z06. I think big dual jobbers will do it. A lot of bark to go with the bite.
Last edited by ZFORME; Jul 23, 2004 at 09:59 PM.
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Euless Texas
Originally Posted by stingray454
[snip]
I replaced the H-pipe with a Magnaflow X-pipe because my car had a bad case of the "jingles" which was driving me crazy. The X-pipe fixed it perfectly.
[snip
I replaced the H-pipe with a Magnaflow X-pipe because my car had a bad case of the "jingles" which was driving me crazy. The X-pipe fixed it perfectly.
[snip
TIA
Rick
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 0
From: Long Island NY
Originally Posted by SoulDad570
I've seen the comment about "jingles" a few times. What exactly do you mean by this? Could you describe the sound?
Racer
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
The X pipe alone won't do much for performance, but it will eliminate the dreaded "jingles". I have the Basini X and stainless works LT headers and, like you, kept the titanium exhaust. This is the perfect sound for me...the added power is just a bonus. 
