When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
You'll just need 2.5" to 3" reducers as the z06 mufflers are 3". Stock base exhaust is 2.5"
Or you could simply cut off the 3" pipe right at the Z06 Muffler and do the same to your OEM muffler, the weld your OEM 2.5" pipe to the Z06 muffler and retain all the clearance the 2'5" pipe allowed.
To the OP: Z06 and ZR1 mufflers are called bi-mode, since they were part of the model. NPP is a code that refers to an option on base and GS models and are slightly different than the Z06/ZR1 mufflers.
Or you could simply cut off the 3" pipe right at the Z06 Muffler and do the same to your OEM muffler, the weld your OEM 2.5" pipe to the Z06 muffler and retain all the clearance the 2'5" pipe allowed.
To the OP: Z06 and ZR1 mufflers are called bi-mode, since they were part of the model. NPP is a code that refers to an option on base and GS models and are slightly different than the Z06/ZR1 mufflers.
That's good to know. Probably would be a cleaner install to do what you are talking about with welding the 2.5" section of pipe directly to the Z06 Muffler and just have the reducer right on the muffler.
I want to eventually upgrade my exhaust to NPP and if I have the option for the Z06 Mufflers that would make my search more broad. Are the exhaust manifolds on the LS3 2.5" as well? Would there be clearance issues putting a full Z06 exhaust on a GS? I am assuming the LS7 exhaust manifold wouldn't fit on the LS3.
That's good to know. Probably would be a cleaner install to do what you are talking about with welding the 2.5" section of pipe directly to the Z06 Muffler and just have the reducer right on the muffler.
I want to eventually upgrade my exhaust to NPP and if I have the option for the Z06 Mufflers that would make my search more broad. Are the exhaust manifolds on the LS3 2.5" as well? Would there be clearance issues putting a full Z06 exhaust on a GS? I am assuming the LS7 exhaust manifold wouldn't fit on the LS3.
On a manual, a full Z06/ZR1 exhaust is a complete bolt on from exhaust manifold to the exhaust tips. You need two 02 extensions and LS7 gaskets and your good! Autos will need some pipe modification around the transmission.
The Z06 exhaust manifold is a shorty header and has a larger oval collector at which 4 individual exhaust pipes meet at the collector. The LS3 exhaust "Y" in pairs before they meet at a smaller round collector.
Note: 2012+ Z06/ZR1 came with the addition of two small catalytic converters on the mid "X" pipe.
I would also get a tune after the install.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; 03-29-2019 at 03:42 PM.
Are these mufflers worth the $200 that I have negotiated over the phone? As you can see, he cut one of the tips off and it needs welded back on. (Said he wanted to put bigger tips on, then changed his mind). He ended up putting on a Corsa exhaust instead. What do you folks think?
it thats for 2 muffs and only one of the tips was cut off and he's going to give it to you, it's probably a decent deal given most npp axle backs are going for $500 or more. figure another benjamin to have the tip welded on and the muffs welded onto your pipes.
it thats for 2 muffs and only one of the tips was cut off and he's going to give it to you, it's probably a decent deal given most npp axle backs are going for $500 or more. figure another benjamin to have the tip welded on and the muffs welded onto your pipes.
He said he has the tip and it's just the one muffler he cut. I'm going to look at them tomorrow morning. The car supposedly had 40,000 miles on it when he took the exhaust off.
I took mine to a muffler shop to have them welded on. I think it was around $80 at the time. Mine had the pipes over the axle though.
On those pics, he even cut off the hangers? One more thing to fix on them. I think I paid $250 for mine but I could be wrong. It's been a while.
On a manual, a full Z06/ZR1 exhaust is a complete bolt on from exhaust manifold to the exhaust tips. You need two 02 extensions and LS7 gaskets and your good! Autos will need some pipe modification around the transmission.
The Z06 exhaust manifold is a shorty header and has a larger oval collector at which 4 individual exhaust pipes meet at the collector. The LS3 exhaust "Y" in pairs before they meet at a smaller round collector.
Note: 2012+ Z06/ZR1 came with the addition of two small catalytic converters on the mid "X" pipe.
I would also get a tune after the install.
Thanks for the info Mike!!! Mine is an 2012 GS A6. So the best/easiest option for me would be just go with the mufflers? I am taking the 3" won't fit around the transmission, or would it need a reduction down to 2.5" to fit? But could go with the NPP Mufflers or the Multi-Mode Z06 Mufflers, with the understanding that the Z06 would require the increaser 2.5" to 3"? Are both sets of mufflers the same through out the C6 run, or are there any years I would need to worry about anything else?
And reading the other thread about the Home Made NPP, if I just got the NPP mufflers and not the NPP in a box, they would be open all the time, until I decide to add the NPP in a box to it?
After it was pointed out that the hanger had been cut off the one muffler as well, I decided to pass on these particular mufflers. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive one way to go look at them to boot.
After it was pointed out that the hanger had been cut off the one muffler as well, I decided to pass on these particular mufflers. It was a 2 1/2 hour drive one way to go look at them to boot.
Good call. Better to pay a few more dollars for unmolested parts you won't have to struggle with to install.
Thanks for the info Mike!!! Mine is an 2012 GS A6. So the best/easiest option for me would be just go with the mufflers? I am taking the 3" won't fit around the transmission, or would it need a reduction down to 2.5" to fit? But could go with the NPP Mufflers or the Multi-Mode Z06 Mufflers, with the understanding that the Z06 would require the increaser 2.5" to 3"? Are both sets of mufflers the same through out the C6 run, or are there any years I would need to worry about anything else?
And reading the other thread about the Home Made NPP, if I just got the NPP mufflers and not the NPP in a box, they would be open all the time, until I decide to add the NPP in a box to it?
The 3" pipe will work for an auto, but it will not be a bolt on. Some bending will be needed around the auto trans and you would have to consult a muffler shop. Many have done this with auto transmissions.
If you use 2 1/2" NPP mufflers, then you can use the Z06 exhaust and reduce to 2 1/2 to the NPP mufflers. Again, consult with a muffler shop to fabricate or weld reducers ( 3" to 2 1/2").
NPP for the base corvette came out as an option in 2008. In 2009+, for the base with NPP there was an over the axle change, so if you are going to look for NPP exhaust mufflers get 2009+ years.
If you are going to get a full Z06/ZR1 exhaust as a complete system, then any year will work. Just have a shop modify the pipe for auto trans clearance.
As far a muffler designs, all the NPP's have perforated tips along with a solid by-pass pipe in the muffler. This increases sound when the NPP valve is open.
2005-2010 Z06's "dual mode exhaust" have a perforated by-pass pipe in the muffler which quiets down the sound at WOT. These mufflers are easily identified by the exhaust tips with NO perforation.
All ZR1's and 2011+ Z06 mufflers have perforated tips which also have a solid by-pass pipe in the muffler (just like the NPP). However, they are the loudest and most desired!
Yes, if you install the NPP mufflers with no vacuum source the valves will stay open all the time. NPP in the box would close them.
Last edited by Mike's LS3; 03-30-2019 at 11:59 AM.
The 3” Z06 ZR1 mufflers all neck down to 2.5” right at the muffler inlet. So there isn’t any performance gain to use them or if there is, it’s minute. If anybody is looking I have a pair of NPP muffs all ready to weld your pipes on in the fro sale forum
The 3” Z06 ZR1 mufflers all neck down to 2.5” right at the muffler inlet. So there isn’t any performance gain to use them or if there is, it’s minute. If anybody is looking I have a pair of NPP muffs all ready to weld your pipes on in the fro sale forum
You're correct that there is no performance gain with Z06/ZR1 mufflers vs the NPP option ones. However there is a performance gain for most LS2/3 engines by retaining the 2.5" over-the-axle pipes when swapping mufflers. It's all about keeping the exhaust gas velocity high as they enter the muffler.
The 3” Z06 ZR1 mufflers all neck down to 2.5” right at the muffler inlet. So there isn’t any performance gain to use them or if there is, it’s minute. If anybody is looking I have a pair of NPP muffs all ready to weld your pipes on in the fro sale forum
You're correct that there is no performance gain with Z06/ZR1 mufflers vs the NPP option ones. However there is a performance gain for most LS2/3 engines by retaining the 2.5" over-the-axle pipes when swapping mufflers. It's all about keeping the exhaust gas velocity high as they enter the muffler.
03-29-2019, 03:00 PM
Or you could simply cut off the 3" pipe right at the Z06 Muffler and do the same to your OEM muffler, the weld your OEM 2.5" pipe to the Z06 muffler and retain all the clearance the 2'5" pipe allowed.
