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Exhaust changes for the C5 series

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Old May 30, 2016 | 10:34 PM
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Default Exhaust changes for the C5 series

Was there any differences in exhaust from the manifolds to mufflers? Looking at exhaust systems some mention that they are 97-00, and 01-04. Do exhausts not fit all years?
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Old May 31, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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The manifolds changed between those years. The AIR pipe on the passenger side also changed when the manifolds changed. Technically, the early vs late exhausts will fit all years but you'd have to change the manifolds and midpipe as a set and also change the air pipe too.There were also changes in the catalytic converters over the years.
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Old May 31, 2016 | 10:43 AM
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So for an aftermarket exhaust year shouldn't matter really for the base C5?
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Old May 31, 2016 | 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
The manifolds changed between those years. The AIR pipe on the passenger side also changed when the manifolds changed. Technically, the early vs late exhausts will fit all years but you'd have to change the manifolds and midpipe as a set and also change the air pipe too.There were also changes in the catalytic converters over the years.
WRONG the early H pipe won't fit a later C5 unless you use the manifolds too. The early C5 only had 2 cats on the H pipe and the later had 4, two of them were call pups up front.
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by 92ga
wrong the early h pipe won't fit a later c5 unless you use the manifolds too.

Apparently you don't read very well.

Originally Posted by lionelhutz
technically, the early vs late exhausts will fit all years but you'd have to change the manifolds and midpipe as a set and also change the air pipe too.

Last edited by lionelhutz; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:11 AM.
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by billy mild
So for an aftermarket exhaust year shouldn't matter really for the base C5?
What are you calling an aftermarket exhaust, mufflers or headers?

The year doesn't matter for the catback system or mufflers. The systems are interchangeable between all years.

The year does make a difference with long tube header systems, but only because the AIR pipe location on the passenger side changed. It's common to find certain header systems only built for 01-04 cars, but they still fit the older cars as long as you take care of the AIR pipe difference. You can remove the AIR system and tune it out or change the pipe so the system works.

There are some short tube systems where the year matters because they bolt to the factory midpipe, so the year matters since the flanges changed.

Last edited by lionelhutz; Jun 1, 2016 at 12:21 AM.
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 09:23 AM
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Looking at a set of Dynatech Headers and X pipe for my 2000 Base C5. I would be bolting this to the stock cat back.
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 09:32 AM
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Converting from the early style AIR pipe to the new style is covered here:

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=29

If you can get away without it in your state, many delete the air pump complete and program it out.

More on the AIR conversion:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...g-headers.html

Catback is the same for all years.

Last edited by 93Polo; Jun 1, 2016 at 09:43 AM.
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Old Jun 1, 2016 | 02:40 PM
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Also note that the early cars did not have chrome exhaust tips from the factory. They had funky looking flared oval tail pipe ends. Looked unfinished. If owners did not want to pop for new muffler/tailpipe set ups, they just could buy stainless tips which looked just as good.
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