Long Tube Header Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
Long Tube Header Question
Ok I was wondering if anyone out there is running stock mufflers with long tubes. I know the benefits of a a free flowing aftermarket exhaust system but how restrictive is the stock system really? What rwhp will i gain with new mufflers... I got a good idea what the rwhp addition with long tubes will get me... I want long tubes and figure they will liven up the stock mufflers alot.... Any input will help... Thanks
Last edited by Papas02C5; Mar 23, 2012 at 05:36 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
I run LG streets w/cats on my 02Z thru the stock axle backs.It's about twice as loud as it was before the LT's.I think it's a good combo.
It's nice at hwy cruise speeds and nasty at about half throttle.
The Z titanium mufflers flow well....you probably won't get much hp/tq gain with an aftermarket muffler.
That's just my O.
\db2
carolina
It's nice at hwy cruise speeds and nasty at about half throttle.
The Z titanium mufflers flow well....you probably won't get much hp/tq gain with an aftermarket muffler.
That's just my O.
\db2
carolina
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: spring tx
3 days ago..had lg pro no cats installed x pipe stock muff. Dyno tuned 381/370 and blackwing..anyways still quiet inside nice mild idle.but going thought gears sounds sexy.and 3/4 to wot is orgasmic.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
Come on man it's not that bad.. All of us don't track our cars... I'm not looking for crazy rwhp numbers. I just want to weigh my options on exhaust and this is an idea I am tossing around.. I appreciate everyones input.. Please keep it coming...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
You want noise?= cut outs ( when opened, sounds like wide open headers)
You want HP?' Long tube headers, x pipe & hi flo cats.
If your putting long tubes on for the noise/ sound factor... Forget it, It's not worth the problems that headers could & do present.
Good luck.
Last edited by bumble-z; Mar 23, 2012 at 02:20 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 41
From: Chesterfield (St. Louis) MO
I have an 04 ZO6 currently bone stock except for a Halltech intake. I am having ceramic coated 1 7/8" AR LT headers installed, with the high flow catted X pipe, and getting a tune, in a couple of weeks. I'll let you know the difference I noticed in sound.
Like everyone else is saying, aftermarket systems (especially for the ZO6), are mostly for sound preferences. I actually prefer having a relatively quiet exhaust, especially at idle.
Like everyone else is saying, aftermarket systems (especially for the ZO6), are mostly for sound preferences. I actually prefer having a relatively quiet exhaust, especially at idle.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 8
From: Southwest MO
I made 425rwhp cam only in a 2003 Z06 through the stock Ti catback. Longtubes and offroad X made it a little louder, cam made it significantly louder than stock. For me its the perfect balance of being throaty without being obnoxious.
I love a nice loud car, but I prefer someone else drive it all the time.
EDIT: The videos I have seen online of a cammed car with the stock Ti is like any other exhaust video; it doesn't fully capture the true sound.
I love a nice loud car, but I prefer someone else drive it all the time.
EDIT: The videos I have seen online of a cammed car with the stock Ti is like any other exhaust video; it doesn't fully capture the true sound.
Last edited by 310; Mar 23, 2012 at 03:03 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,170
Likes: 6
From: Oilerville Edmonton
St. Jude Donor '08
I see you have a coupe so by "stock mufflers" you are NOT talking about the TI (Z06) system many have commented on. I have LTs, no cats and factory coupe exhaust and the sound is alright. Its louder now that the LTs are on but in my opinion, it is not a great sounding system. an aftermarket system or the TIs for that matter would sound much better. you will learn from research that a catback will about 0.2 hp on a C5 so don't think you're holding your car back by keeping the factory coupe exhaust.
as mentioned, if you want sound, buy a catback. if you want HP, buy LTs.
I wanted HP and went with the LTs...catback will come later.
good luck
as mentioned, if you want sound, buy a catback. if you want HP, buy LTs.
I wanted HP and went with the LTs...catback will come later.
good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 137
From: SoCal CA
Any muffler will restrict flow and cost some hp. They need to restrict flow, its how they muffle sound. I ditched chamber type mufflers and went with bullet style flow through mufflers and I picked up .2 of a second at the track as well as over 3mph. Deffinately picked up power.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Champaign Illinois
You want noise?= aftermarket cat backs (a ton out there)
You want noise?= cut outs ( when opened, sounds like wide open headers)
You want HP?' Long tube headers, x pipe & hi flo cats.
If your putting long tubes on for the noise/ sound factor... Forget it, It's not worth the problems that headers could & do present.
Good luck.
You want noise?= cut outs ( when opened, sounds like wide open headers)
You want HP?' Long tube headers, x pipe & hi flo cats.
If your putting long tubes on for the noise/ sound factor... Forget it, It's not worth the problems that headers could & do present.
Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: New Baltimore Michigan
but that cat back is not getting you that much with out supporting mods. Unless thoughs exhuast on a coupe are that restrictive
Steve
Last edited by machz800ps; Mar 23, 2012 at 09:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,643
Likes: 14
From: Norman Oklahoma - The Only State in the Union with no Blue Counties!
Ok I was wondering if anyone out there is running stock mufflers with long tubes. I know the benefits of a a free flowing aftermarket exhaust system but how restrictive is the stock system really? What rwhp will i gain with new mufflers... I got a good idea what the rwhp addition with long tubes will get me... I want long tubes and figure they will liven up the stock mufflers alot.... Any input will help... Thanks
My first "performance" mod was adding Corsa's to my then stock 2000 coupe. I must admit that the exhaust change was mostly because the stock system was in need of a change due to the rusted out tips. The previous owner made a lot of short trips so the exhaust rarely got hot enough to dry out to the tips. I still have the Corsa catback and loved the sound then. No drone or resonance at all.
Added LT headers and VRB2 about a year later and some minor mods. Had the car the car dyno tuned at that time. Picked up real numbers and SOTP performance gains and the car sounded even better but just as quiet on the highway.
Added a 228 230 580 581 113 LSA Comp cam with supporting springs, pushrods, etc and a new tune 18 months ago.
Totally different car now, Corsa's still quiet at cruise but roar when it is time to.
If you are gonna add LT headers you should also add a good flowing exhaust system to take full advantage of the headers. The headers will make any catback louder under acceleration but restricted exhaust will hurt your HP & TQ to some degree.
My $00.02
Last edited by Silverbullet00; Mar 23, 2012 at 10:02 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Your paid for a dyno run stock then added a cat back exhuast and paid for a dyno run again???or you had a dyno tune done??? the tune may have got you some hp
but that cat back is not getting you that much with out supporting mods. Unless thoughs exhuast on a coupe are that restrictive
Steve
but that cat back is not getting you that much with out supporting mods. Unless thoughs exhuast on a coupe are that restrictive
Steve
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Yorktown Virginia
Ive got lg super pros with out cats and zo6 mufflers and I think it sounds pretty darn good, also from what I have read you arent really giving much up at this power level with factory mufflers.
Here is a decent clip of what my car sounds like
http://s1025.photobucket.com/albums/...t=VID00007.mp4
Here is a decent clip of what my car sounds like
http://s1025.photobucket.com/albums/...t=VID00007.mp4
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 449
Likes: 8
From: Hayes Virginia
Thanks everyone for all the input and opinions... Please keep them coming... I am pretty sure at this point that I will go with XS Power long tubes and catted x-pipe... any opinion on these headers would be appreciated also.. Thanks