C5 Exhaust Guide
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
C5 Exhaust Guidance
I am trying to get my head around what is needed for a total exhaust system replacement, starting with the headers and all the way back.
From what I understand here is broadly what I am looking for:
-Headers
-Intermediate piping
-Cats (I need new ones, don't ask)
-X-Pipe
-Cat-Back exhaust system
Down the line I want to do a stage 2 cam swap, so I believe long tubes are needed. Any thoughts or experience with brands or setups?
From what I understand here is broadly what I am looking for:
-Headers
-Intermediate piping
-Cats (I need new ones, don't ask)
-X-Pipe
-Cat-Back exhaust system
Down the line I want to do a stage 2 cam swap, so I believe long tubes are needed. Any thoughts or experience with brands or setups?
Last edited by Swatter555; Jun 26, 2024 at 04:35 PM. Reason: Title clarification
Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 649
Likes: 348
From: San Jose CA
Some of this will depend on your goals for the car/usage. If you are doing a track or auto-x car, 100% go with exhaust. I'm a huge fan of the LG Motorsports stuff. It's notable, pretty the axelback system for most applications is 100% personal taste, they all (including OEM) flow more than enough to support a street car. What look and sound you want matters. I personally did a bypass mod on my Z06 TI exhaust to get a little more sound. It's the lightest system out there.
If this is a street car or dragster, the supercharger will make more power, at the expense of weight and additional heat (these things are the devil on the track).
If this is a street car or dragster, the supercharger will make more power, at the expense of weight and additional heat (these things are the devil on the track).
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 897
Likes: 987
From: NW Burbs of Chi-Town
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
There is cost for a Speed Engineering set-up at the bottom of this post. This would be an "Off road" set up. SE also sells Catalytic converters (cats) if you need them.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607815917
I have a stock Z06 Titanium "Cat back" and they sound nice with no drone even with the headers. Keep an eye in the for sale section. I paid $400 for my used Z06 Ti a couple years ago. They are also about 20 lbs lighter...
If your really bored and want to read about my CNC head/cam/header swap:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-m6.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607815917
I have a stock Z06 Titanium "Cat back" and they sound nice with no drone even with the headers. Keep an eye in the for sale section. I paid $400 for my used Z06 Ti a couple years ago. They are also about 20 lbs lighter...
If your really bored and want to read about my CNC head/cam/header swap:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-m6.html
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
There is cost for a Speed Engineering set-up at the bottom of this post. This would be an "Off road" set up. SE also sells Catalytic converters (cats) if you need them.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607815917
I have a stock Z06 Titanium "Cat back" and they sound nice with no drone even with the headers. Keep an eye in the for sale section. I paid $400 for my used Z06 Ti a couple years ago. They are also about 20 lbs lighter...
If your really bored and want to read about my CNC head/cam/header swap:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-m6.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607815917
I have a stock Z06 Titanium "Cat back" and they sound nice with no drone even with the headers. Keep an eye in the for sale section. I paid $400 for my used Z06 Ti a couple years ago. They are also about 20 lbs lighter...
If your really bored and want to read about my CNC head/cam/header swap:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-coupe-m6.html
So, in my situation I pretty much need to re-work/replace everything. The aftermarket long tubes that came with the car are corroding badly. I also bought the car one state over, which only conducted emission inspections, which they got it to pass... they deleted the cats (long ago) which I need in my state. I can probably take it to a busy shop and have it pass safety inspection, but I do want to get cats back on it. Also, the mufflers are corroding through too. I think it had a rough early life.
New headers, new cats, might as well new x-pipe, and a new cat back exhaust. I am really just starting to get my head around what all of that means honestly.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Some of this will depend on your goals for the car/usage. If you are doing a track or auto-x car, 100% go with exhaust. I'm a huge fan of the LG Motorsports stuff. It's notable, pretty the axelback system for most applications is 100% personal taste, they all (including OEM) flow more than enough to support a street car. What look and sound you want matters. I personally did a bypass mod on my Z06 TI exhaust to get a little more sound. It's the lightest system out there.
If this is a street car or dragster, the supercharger will make more power, at the expense of weight and additional heat (these things are the devil on the track).
If this is a street car or dragster, the supercharger will make more power, at the expense of weight and additional heat (these things are the devil on the track).
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