Exhaust
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4th Gear
Joined: May 2017
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Exhaust
I have a 2012 automatic grand sport convertible. I'm putting the borla s type II exhaust on and wanting to go with a x pipe and headers. Any suggestions on what will bolt directly without any modifications or welding requirements?
Race Director
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From: SW Florida
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As far as I know, any of the name brand headers and matching x-pipe will bolt on without modification.
Just make sure you get the correct headers / x-pipe for your GS. Be advised that there is a difference in the x-pipe for the GS vs the Z06, so get the correct one that fits the GS.
Also, you can get the x-pipe with or without cats ... my suggestion is to get the x-pipe with the cats.
The Borla mufflers will bolt right up to the ends of your x-pipe without modification as long as you get the correct mufflers for the GS.
Also, you will not need to use the rear O2 sensors, but you will get a check engine light if it's not 'tuned out' when you have the car dyno tuned. You really need dyno tuning to take full advantage of the headers.
In my case, I was worried about exhaust 'drone' at highway speed with the Borla "S" mufflers, so I opted with the Borla "Touring" mufflers ... Even if you were to just replace the stock exhaust manifolds with headers, the car will be slightly louder even if using the same mufflers.
BTW .... I am using Pfadt headers on my GS:
________________________________
On the Pfadt headers, the headers connect to the x-pipe using aircraft type V-band clamps:
.
Just make sure you get the correct headers / x-pipe for your GS. Be advised that there is a difference in the x-pipe for the GS vs the Z06, so get the correct one that fits the GS.
Also, you can get the x-pipe with or without cats ... my suggestion is to get the x-pipe with the cats.
The Borla mufflers will bolt right up to the ends of your x-pipe without modification as long as you get the correct mufflers for the GS.
Also, you will not need to use the rear O2 sensors, but you will get a check engine light if it's not 'tuned out' when you have the car dyno tuned. You really need dyno tuning to take full advantage of the headers.
In my case, I was worried about exhaust 'drone' at highway speed with the Borla "S" mufflers, so I opted with the Borla "Touring" mufflers ... Even if you were to just replace the stock exhaust manifolds with headers, the car will be slightly louder even if using the same mufflers.
BTW .... I am using Pfadt headers on my GS:
________________________________
On the Pfadt headers, the headers connect to the x-pipe using aircraft type V-band clamps:
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; May 2, 2017 at 06:23 PM.
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Any name brand header/x pipe combo will bolt on without welding, some of the top brands would be Kooks, American Racing Headers, & LG, I would also recommend getting the X pipe w/ cats if you don't want nasty exhaust smells in your car at a stop light
Race Director
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No, you don't really need cats at all, but I think it is best having them. These cats are very high-flow and you are not really going to lose any HP by having them.
Also, the exhaust is real smelly on these cars that run without cats.
But, it's your call.
Also, the exhaust is real smelly on these cars that run without cats.
But, it's your call.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: North Alabama
In my case, I was worried about exhaust 'drone' at highway speed with the Borla "S" mufflers, so I opted with the Borla "Touring" mufflers ... Even if you were to just replace the stock exhaust manifolds with headers, the car will be slightly louder even if using the same muffler.
I have the S Type II axle back with stock manifolds and pipes. I sounds great and I can confirm there is no drone. I doubt it would drone with headers and X pipes but can't say for sure. I love the deep throaty sound and the burble when you let off.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: Dallas Texas
I have the PFADT long tubes, x-pipe and hi-flow cats and the fit and finish is second to none. The power is amazing. I had it tuned also.
Now making 492 whp and 410 rwhp. Corvette World of Dallas did the work and they are
the best in the business. Great work!
Now making 492 whp and 410 rwhp. Corvette World of Dallas did the work and they are
the best in the business. Great work!
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Pro
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From: North Alabama
Is that the only performance mods you have done? You gained 62hp by just putting on headers and X Pipe with a tune?
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Cmon man, we all like to brag about our Corvettes, but 492 hp? & 410 tq? is not believable with just a header/ x pipe install, those numbers are higher than a ZO6 would produce
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Something is very wrong here ... Is 'Yarbie' talking about Net HP or RWHP?
410 RWTQ is believable ... 492 RWHP is not believable at all ... not at all
Race Director
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In fact, on my bone stock 2011 (A6), I got 371 RWHP / 364 RWTQ on the Dynojet.
After installing a set of Pfadt headers with catted x-pipe and a dyno tune, I got 405 RWHP / 401 RWTQ on the same dyno.
That's an increase of +34 RWHP and +37 RWTQ
_____________________________________
I don't have the initial dyno sheet (when bone stock), but here is the dyno sheet after installing the headers and catted x-pipe with tune:
Attachment 48338516
After installing a set of Pfadt headers with catted x-pipe and a dyno tune, I got 405 RWHP / 401 RWTQ on the same dyno.
That's an increase of +34 RWHP and +37 RWTQ
_____________________________________
I don't have the initial dyno sheet (when bone stock), but here is the dyno sheet after installing the headers and catted x-pipe with tune:
Attachment 48338516
Race Director
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And if you consider a 15% HP and TQ loss through the drivetrain for the automatic trans cars, the 405 RWHP / 401 RWTQ would equal .... 477 SAE Net HP / 472 SAE Net TQ (flywheel as advertised)
.
.
Last edited by Turbo6TA; May 4, 2017 at 09:10 PM.
Pro
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: SW Florida
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
And there is little to no HP in any of those CAI / filter units.
But, a cam change will put you over the 500 SAE Net HP (flywheel)