ambitin

Hi,

I'm preparing to do a round of maintenance and mods on my daily driver 2008 Z06 this fall. I already have ported/polished headers with an upgraded valve train but no other mods besides a wild to mild switch which is always in "wild" mode.

I'm budgeting to pay for either a catback exhaust or LT headers with high flow cats. I want to get a great sound from my car but I'm not sure which will get me what I want. If I do the LT headers w/ high flow cats through the factory exhaust in wild mode am I going to get a decent sound bump? The car is a daily driver but I like to make some noise.

Either way, I'm probably going to add a cold air intake and possibly a throttle body (I'll defer to Frank's Vettes in Houston for recommendations on what to do there). If I do the LT headers, I will be having Frank's Vettes do a full dyno tune.

Can I get an awesome sound through the factory exhaust with LT headers or do I need to forget about that and change out the cat-back?

Thanks for your inputs!

iw172

ambitin

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is the "muffler mod w/o the packing"? It sounds like this is something that can be done to the factory mufflers to enhance the sound?

BigVette427

You simply don't need LT headers to make power in these cars. Do a catless x-pipe, get an Airaid, and drive down to Victora and have PatG do your tune. LT's add headaches and heat, and diminish resale value.

iw172

ambitin

So you're saying I don't need LT headers or a catback; I can just add a catless x-pipe with new intake and I'll get much better sound through the stock cat-back?

Nowanker

NOT a big fan of making noise... I'd rather not draw attention to my misdeeds.
I was running LG headers (until CA smog inspection!) and factory 'unmodded' mufflers. Lightly ported heads and intake man, modest cam, stock compression. Sweet, crisp sound at WOT, not loud, and stock sounding at other times.
Not going to engage in the HP debate between long tube headers vs. catback exhaust, as I have no data... but unlike an aftermarket exhaust, I suspect the headers might actually benefit HP.

cseaman

Loved my 2" headers w/ catless X into the stock axleback with M2W switch...but they didn't add power to my existing mild cam and CAI setup. If you're doing a mild build, you probably don't need LTs. Power comes from a cam and tune. I would never get rid of the stock axleback unless it was to go to another system that allows you the flexibility of valve opening and closing.

freddyvette

1. Don't go to Frank's Vettes. Run, don't walk, to another shop. Get it tuned by someone who's got a better reputation. My recommendation is Pat Guerra in Victoria. A cold air intake might give you a few HP, but a throttlebody is not needed without a bigger cam.
2. I wouldn't do the long tube headers unless you had a cam, and it seems like you're staying stock. So I'd go with some Corsa Sport catbacks. I had them and they sound great. The other benefit is that you won't have as much in-cabin noise.
3. Gutted stock mufflers with the valves are a really good compromise and are cheaper than the Corsa option.
4. The suggestion for a catless midpipe is also a good option. However, if you would still like to meet emissions and not have to "ghost" your way through the inspection process (which is easy enough in Texas), you're probably better off getting a ZR1 midpipe. This version has an "X" crossover instead of an "H" and makes better power.

ambitin

Thanks for the tips. Definitely not doing the cam because I will need to sell it in 3 years and having sold a cammed up car before, it leads to too many questions/concerns from buyers. I am considering doing the catless midpipe because I am getting the sense that I won't get much benefit from the LT headers.

I've had nothing but good luck with Frank's Vettes. Same with everyone I know that goes there. That said, I'm not looking to go crazy on the mods so it's kind of a low-stakes game in that sense. One thing I know is that once you pick a shop, you're stuck with them because anyone else will just criticize their work and point fingers at it until you let them "fix" it.

MTPZ06

B&B Fusions...love the sound of mine, and still functions like stock with the bi-mode valves. I also added an X-pipe to replace my OE H-pipe, and I retained my OE Manifolds/cats. I installed the "old school M2W" switch on the dead pedal to open/close when I feel like it.

SPDKLZ1

You added 2" headers and didn't see a power increase?? That surprises me. I know the BTR Stage 2 cam isn't considered large but with 8 degrees of overlap and .644 intake lift I don't know if I would call it mild...Also, to the OP, I think when going to LT's the oil needs to be completely drained prior to removing the passenger header. Labor is much cheaper to add cat-back instead of headers if not doing the work yourself.

freddyvette

draining the oil is not necessary. Lowering the front cradle is necessary for headers is necessary, as is lowering the rear cradle for removing the mufflers.

Pb82 Ronin

I vote headers...but in Commiefornia ANY modification to the exhaust is illegal.

Sean_C

Headers will give u sound AND power for near the same price as an exhaust, depending which brand u go with.

Nowanker

Actually, anything downstream of the cats is OK here in the DPRK.
Still choose the headers... my smog is due in Dec, then they're going back on!

Pb82 Ronin

Actually bro...not true.You could be pulled over and be sited with a misdemeanor for ANY equipment installed that's not OEM. Art 2 - 27151 is especially a nut crusher because it's then on the operator to prove it's not exceeding 95 db.

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&divi sion=12.&title=&part=&chapter=5.&article =2.

MerakiAutoworks

I'd say LT headers.. Contact us for pricing!

-Josh