Stock v. ZO6 mufflers
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Stock v. ZO6 mufflers
I have a '98 C5 coupe and the opportunity to buy a set of stainless ZO6 2003) mufflers from a fellow club member.
1) will they fit?
2) Can anyone tell me how the sound may be different from my stock mufflers?
1) will they fit?
2) Can anyone tell me how the sound may be different from my stock mufflers?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
They are NOT C5 ZO6 muflers if they are stainless Steel.. C5 ZO6 mufflers are Titainium. They are 24 pounds lighter than a set of stock C5 mufflers and YES they will fit any C5.
SOUND. At idle you will not notice any change so to speak of. At WOT you will smile.
If they are C5 ZO6 muflers, they will be stamped like this and look like this:
SOUND. At idle you will not notice any change so to speak of. At WOT you will smile.
If they are C5 ZO6 muflers, they will be stamped like this and look like this:
Last edited by Bill Curlee; May 12, 2017 at 12:00 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
I put the Z06 Ti exhaust on my base coupe. Like Bill said, they are fairly quiet unless under hard acceleration. That is exactly what I was looking for. I have a nice stereo and some sound deadening. I'm not looking to draw any unwanted attention from my neighbors or law enforcement. I also like the weight savings since I have added a sub-woofer. They are a nice compromise. When you really step on it you can hear the roar of the engine.
Opinions differ greatly here. Some people really like a loud exhaust and the LS engine always sounds good. If that is what you are looking for then these may not be for you.
I was not a fan of the base coupe exhaust. Way too quiet for this kind of car IMO.
Opinions differ greatly here. Some people really like a loud exhaust and the LS engine always sounds good. If that is what you are looking for then these may not be for you.
I was not a fan of the base coupe exhaust. Way too quiet for this kind of car IMO.
Last edited by Rob 02; May 12, 2017 at 03:49 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 398
Likes: 22
From: Las Vegas NV
I have a heads/cam/Long tube/catless X and factory Ti's. It sounds good but its still quiet. I get the itch for a more aggressive axle back all the damn time but cant stomach slingin $1300 for an extra 25lbs and 0hp.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
They will fit and eliminate quite a bit of weight from the car. They will sound different and bark a bit louder at full throttle. One of the first modifications I made to my car and even with all the modifications that followed, I still have those mufflers. They have no drone, unlike many of the aftermarket exhaust systems. I wouldn't hesitate to buy them if they are in good shape. 
Last edited by vettenuts; May 12, 2017 at 07:42 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If they are actually ZO6 Ti Mufflers, they will always be worth $350-$400. So, If you purchase them and dont like them, you can ALWAYS get your investment back.
They are very free flowing and will EASILY support 500 HP without any issues or restrictions. So, you will gain a few HP just by bolting them on let alone the weight savings.
People say 5-10 Hp gain.
There is a BY-PASS mod that you can have done to the mufflers that will increase the muffler volume BUT, you have to find someone with Ti tubing and the ability to weld Ti. Regular welding WILL NOT work.
IMHO,, I thing you will be pleased with the mufflers.
Bill
They are very free flowing and will EASILY support 500 HP without any issues or restrictions. So, you will gain a few HP just by bolting them on let alone the weight savings.
People say 5-10 Hp gain.
There is a BY-PASS mod that you can have done to the mufflers that will increase the muffler volume BUT, you have to find someone with Ti tubing and the ability to weld Ti. Regular welding WILL NOT work.
IMHO,, I thing you will be pleased with the mufflers.
Bill
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with all the above. If they are in fact real Ti's, then the looks and weight savings are pluses. If you want a really noticeable increase in loudness over stock, then an aftermarket catback may be for you.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
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Thanks Bill, my mistake. They are titanium and I was hoping they wouldn't de too rad
IThey are NOT C5 ZO6 muflers if they are stainless Steel.. C5 ZO6 mufflers are Titainium. They are 24 pounds lighter than a set of stock C5 mufflers and YES they will fit any C5.
SOUND. At idle you will not notice any change so to speak of. At WOT you will smile.
If they are C5 ZO6 muflers, they will be stamped like this and look like this:
SOUND. At idle you will not notice any change so to speak of. At WOT you will smile.
If they are C5 ZO6 muflers, they will be stamped like this and look like this:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,092
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From: Orwigsburg Pa
I just had my Borla S Type 2 exhaust removed. I have for sale. Put back on my Ti's now that I have headers. I had the Borla on for about 1000 miles. The Ti at idle is not as loud but when you get in it. Sounds good. I will be keeping it this way!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
I run the Ti’s after my headers and hi-flo CATS, they are mildly throaty at idle, more so because I am also running an aftermarket cam. They sound aggressive at WOT but not obnoxiously loud. However, I also have the QTP electric cut outs installed. When required the flip of a switch has the car running through open headers. Not something I do often, but the effect on some wanna be racer revving his engine up next to you at a light is priceless. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 394
From: Rocky Mountains
It sounds incredible. Big improvement in tone over muffler cutouts.
The stock C5 mufflers are ridiculously quiet, something I'd expect on a 4 door sedan, not a sports car.
