H Pipe
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 932
From: Orlando Florida
Factory is an H pipe — though the opening in the cross pipe is known to be questionable. If you’re thinking of an x pipe many appreciate the reduction in boat burble, but there is no appreciable power difference.
Last edited by redzg; Aug 4, 2025 at 12:47 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,246
Likes: 1,095
From: Dyer, IN
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,795
Likes: 4,614
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^. I once ran Billy Boat 1-3/4" shorties. They did help some according to my trap speeds, but only 1-2mph, maybe. I ran them on my 2000 A4 Vert. The 1997-2000 C5s have more restrictive OEM manifolds. So my slight improvement with the shorties would be even less on the 2001-2004 models. Sell your shorties and go with Kooks or LG long tubes. I went with Kooks 1-7/8 LTs, which covered virtually any hp upgrades I planned in the future. You may lose a bit of low end to lower mid-range torque, but I still recommend 1-7/8. Personal preference, and 1-3/4" tubes will probably be better on a 100% stock engine.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 275
From: Orange County, NY
If you have a corsa "axleback" exhaust, it does not include a midpipe. Just corsa over axle pipes and corsa mufflers/tip assemblies.
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http://www.corvetteexhaustsystems.com
845-476-8881
sales@corvetteexhaustsystems.com
201-575-0861 (cell to call or text)
Your Ultimate Resource For Headers, Exhaust Systems & more for Corvette! I carry Corsa, Kooks, ARH, Borla, Billy Boat, Akrapovic, Capristo & Much More
Racer
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 257
Likes: 75
I have a '99 with HCI. I have often considered a pair of BBK or BBE shorties to keep passing emissions. They are only $500 or $600 a pair, and they claim to pick up 10-15 HP.. who knows..? But I think there are plenty that would drop $500 on a CAI that produces less than that. 
Having said that, I took my car to my exhaust guy to check the cats to make sure I haven't plugged one up with the cam, and the whole stock exhaust system had zero back pressure on either bank. I told him I wanted to put a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust on it, and he talked me out of it. Basically he said I might pick up a handful of ponies but only at wide open throttle above 6000 rpm. I think the x-pipe is a similar investment. It will change your sound to something more exotic, but for performance, are we talking 4 or 5 horses at redline? Seems like a lot of work and expense to me.
Having said that, I took my car to my exhaust guy to check the cats to make sure I haven't plugged one up with the cam, and the whole stock exhaust system had zero back pressure on either bank. I told him I wanted to put a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust on it, and he talked me out of it. Basically he said I might pick up a handful of ponies but only at wide open throttle above 6000 rpm. I think the x-pipe is a similar investment. It will change your sound to something more exotic, but for performance, are we talking 4 or 5 horses at redline? Seems like a lot of work and expense to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 932
From: Orlando Florida
I have a '99 with HCI. I have often considered a pair of BBK or BBE shorties to keep passing emissions. They are only $500 or $600 a pair, and they claim to pick up 10-15 HP.. who knows..? But I think there are plenty that would drop $500 on a CAI that produces less than that.
Having said that, I took my car to my exhaust guy to check the cats to make sure I haven't plugged one up with the cam, and the whole stock exhaust system had zero back pressure on either bank. I told him I wanted to put a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust on it, and he talked me out of it. Basically he said I might pick up a handful of ponies but only at wide open throttle above 6000 rpm. I think the x-pipe is a similar investment. It will change your sound to something more exotic, but for performance, are we talking 4 or 5 horses at redline? Seems like a lot of work and expense to me.
Having said that, I took my car to my exhaust guy to check the cats to make sure I haven't plugged one up with the cam, and the whole stock exhaust system had zero back pressure on either bank. I told him I wanted to put a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust on it, and he talked me out of it. Basically he said I might pick up a handful of ponies but only at wide open throttle above 6000 rpm. I think the x-pipe is a similar investment. It will change your sound to something more exotic, but for performance, are we talking 4 or 5 horses at redline? Seems like a lot of work and expense to me.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 1,309
From: Des Plaines, Il
^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^. I once ran Billy Boat 1-3/4" shorties. They did help some according to my trap speeds, but only 1-2mph, maybe. I ran them on my 2000 A4 Vert. The 1997-2000 C5s have more restrictive OEM manifolds. So my slight improvement with the shorties would be even less on the 2001-2004 models. Sell your shorties and go with Kooks or LG long tubes. I went with Kooks 1-7/8 LTs, which covered virtually any hp upgrades I planned in the future. You may lose a bit of low end to lower mid-range torque, but I still recommend 1-7/8. Personal preference, and 1-3/4" tubes will probably be better on a 100% stock engine.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 219
Likes: 73
From: Mobile
Another option is ls7 manifolds and downpipes. I've seen them real cheap once in a while. LS7 don't get much of a benefit with LT they are so good and different than ls3. As I have 2000's I considered them and shorties rather than buying 2001's but ended up with Maximizer LT and x-pipe from a closeout for $170.
Last edited by CFight; Aug 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM.