Performance mods for C6
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: raleigh north carolina
Performance mods for C6
I have had my c6 for a few months and have added a few cosmetic mods but would like to start adding some performance changes. I was looking at exhaust changes what else should I be looking at?
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Depends on what youre looking for.
Do you want to keep it factory? - Then port and polish the stock exhaust manifolds, gut the cats if you can, run a factory xpipe if you dont have one, and then use z06 or npp mufflers, unless you want to go with the gmpp "offroad exhaust"
Do you have noise issues/restrictions, emissions testing/issues? Then I would no suggest going without cats nor longtube headers.
Do you want this for a track car or not? You can just run longtube headers and straight pipes (although many tracks do have some noise restrictions) if you want to run it solely offroad.
General aftermarket parts setup:
Longtube headers are common
aftermarket x pipes
and then aftermarket mufflers
Lg motorsports seems to be one of the top sellers, but there are many brands with different benefits (such as price) and I dont have any personal experience with their exhausts (just a lot of reading these forums) so I cant say one is better than the other.
Do you want to keep it factory? - Then port and polish the stock exhaust manifolds, gut the cats if you can, run a factory xpipe if you dont have one, and then use z06 or npp mufflers, unless you want to go with the gmpp "offroad exhaust"
Do you have noise issues/restrictions, emissions testing/issues? Then I would no suggest going without cats nor longtube headers.
Do you want this for a track car or not? You can just run longtube headers and straight pipes (although many tracks do have some noise restrictions) if you want to run it solely offroad.
General aftermarket parts setup:
Longtube headers are common
aftermarket x pipes
and then aftermarket mufflers
Lg motorsports seems to be one of the top sellers, but there are many brands with different benefits (such as price) and I dont have any personal experience with their exhausts (just a lot of reading these forums) so I cant say one is better than the other.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
If you want to keep it really stock looking without messing with internals, have the intake manifold ported and polished and have the throttle body done as well - peak speed shop has a few options on this. Do some mild exhaust upgrades (I suggest the factory options listed above). If youve decided to gut the cats, take advantage of the fact and start using mobil 1 racing 0-w30. It has got twice the Zinc and Phosphorus additive packages and has much stronger wear characteristics over the "regular" mobil 1 oils. As far as air filters go, keep the paper ones (just make sure to check/replace regularly) or go with a set of ITG foam filters. Get a 160 degree tstat. Then get a retune. You should be in the 450hp range.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 13
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 84
From: Woodlands (houston) TX
exhaust, intake,tune are all very common first mods. the cat back or axle back exhaust dont really pick up any more power just sound. headers really free up some good power as well as sound. superchargers are allways fun, camshafts with a nice lumpy idle are nice.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
An improved exhaust isn't a performance mod per se but it's still an essential component of one's overall performance modification plans. How do you use the car? Is it merely a street car or will you track the car? Naturally aspirated power or forced induction? There are endless options and always pros and cons no matter what you do. I know plans often change mid-stream but before jumping-in I'd come up with a game plan to what you want your car to ultimately be. Performance mods typcially take time and money but usually there's a logical sequence to follow. One thing may necessitate something else.
If you have a warranty be aware performance mods will likely void vast portions of your coverage. Be mindful if you have any state required emissions or other inspections. Again, consider how you will use the car, what you ultimately want out of it, your budget and how best to get there. Modding can be one step at a time but a well thought out plan helps. Whether its parts or performance shops I suggest you always go with the best. High price isn't always commensurate with quality but the old adage 'you get what you pay for' generally holds true. Good luck and have a blast with your Vette!
If you have a warranty be aware performance mods will likely void vast portions of your coverage. Be mindful if you have any state required emissions or other inspections. Again, consider how you will use the car, what you ultimately want out of it, your budget and how best to get there. Modding can be one step at a time but a well thought out plan helps. Whether its parts or performance shops I suggest you always go with the best. High price isn't always commensurate with quality but the old adage 'you get what you pay for' generally holds true. Good luck and have a blast with your Vette!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 4
From: Cape May, NJ; Guntersville, AL; Orange Beach, AL
An improved exhaust isn't a performance mod per se but it's still an essential component of one's overall performance modification plans. How do you use the car? Is it merely a street car or will you track the car? Naturally aspirated power or forced induction? There are endless options and always pros and cons no matter what you do. I know plans often change mid-stream but before jumping-in I'd come up with a game plan to what you want your car to ultimately be. Performance mods typcially take time and money but usually there's a logical sequence to follow. One thing may necessitate something else.
If you have a warranty be aware performance mods will likely void vast portions of your coverage. Be mindful if you have any state required emissions or other inspections. Again, consider how you will use the car, what you ultimately want out of it, your budget and how best to get there. Modding can be one step at a time but a well thought out plan helps. Whether its parts or performance shops I suggest you always go with the best. High price isn't always commensurate with quality but the old adage 'you get what you pay for' generally holds true. Good luck and have a blast with your Vette!
If you have a warranty be aware performance mods will likely void vast portions of your coverage. Be mindful if you have any state required emissions or other inspections. Again, consider how you will use the car, what you ultimately want out of it, your budget and how best to get there. Modding can be one step at a time but a well thought out plan helps. Whether its parts or performance shops I suggest you always go with the best. High price isn't always commensurate with quality but the old adage 'you get what you pay for' generally holds true. Good luck and have a blast with your Vette!
If you want added performance get headers. Axle back exhaust will give you basically nothing performance wise. Its for sound only. If you have a car over 500 RWHP then you might see a few extra HP with a more freeflowing exhaust system but you won't notice.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,582
Likes: 46
From: va
Myth Buster
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 2
From: In the lead Tx
Ill ship it to you in NC for 800.00. It sounds great but I make over 500+ hp and went with all 3" . This system is 2 1/2 and in perfect condition