I'm looking to upgrade the exhaust on my 2006 and have been looking at the Corsa Sport, a very pricey alternative.

Yesterday, while perusing the Net I saw a post that indicated that a used 2001-2004 Z06 exhaust would be an option on a 1999FRC C5 at a much more reasonable cost.

Does anyone know if the C6 Z06 exhaust is a viable option for upgrading the exhaust on my 2006 six speed automatic?

 

Yes it is but..........just for clarity you need to explain exactly how much of the exhaust you want to replace. Just the mufflers? Or more?

 

I was going to get the axle back system, at a minimum, on the Corsa but was also considering the x-pipe. All of this is bolt on, which would be the approach I would want to take with a Z06 exhaust swap.

 

Well, the Z06 system is 3", your system is 2 1/2". So the pipes aren't quite plug and play. You or a muffler shop would need to make/install reducers.

But if you just wanted the Z06 mufflers, you or muffler shop would need to cut the over axle pipes off the Z06 mufflers and cut you current mufflers off your over axle pipes, then weld the Z06 mufflers onto your existing over axle pipes. The Z06 mufflers reduce to 2 1/2" at the inlet. Then if you wanted to maintain the dual mode of the Z06 mufflers you would have to get an aftermarket kit with vacuum lines and a controller.

Used Z06 mufflers generally run around $300 - $450/pr.

 

I did the Corsa Xtreme and love it. I left the stock H pipe at first and there was a bit of backfiring on deceleration, but after adding the Corsa X pipe, that was reduced significantly. The Corsa sport is a little more restrictive so I would suggest to just do the axle back first. The Corsa sound is very unique/exotic.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Decisions, decisions...

 

If you are looking to just bolt on a Z06 system you will need everything - manifolds, cats, Xpipe and mufflers. It's a 3" system and not compatable with your 2.5" system. As mentioned above, in order to just use the mufflers with your system requires cutting and welding. Another source to find a cheaper set of Corsas is the parts for sale section of the forum. They appear from time to time.

 

How much louder did your system get when you added the X pipe? Was it catted?

 

Thanks. I got started on this when I was reviewing the C5 forums and someone had asked the same question. Evidently they are a straight swap.

 

He had the Corsa x-pipe which you still use factory cats. If you're thinking about headers anytime soon that Corsa x-pipe will be wasted.

 

I first used the stock H pipe and it popped a lot on moderate deceleration, then I put in the Corsa X pipe and it didn't get any louder, just smoother overall and eliminated most of the popping. Now I have installed the new Pfadt Tri-Y headers and Pfadt midpipe.

 

I'm running the Z06 bi-mode mufflers on my car. I have LG long tubes, no cats and an X-pipe. It pops a lot when the valves are open but once you close them it's whisper quiet. They flow very well when they are open since it's straight through but since part of the exhaust is still muffled it's still pretty tame.

It's not the cheapest route to go since you will have to have some custom work done. I was lucky and had mine welded on for $150 cash. NPP in a box (which I recommend unless you want it open all the time) was also about $180.

It's a good alternative to most expensive mufflers since it flows well but you can always adjust for comfort and performance when needed.

 

I went from Corsa Sports with stock manifolds to headers to headers plus cam. Each modification increased the amount of volume significantly so I would think about your long term performance goals when choosing your exhaust.

Exhaust is a very subjective thing but, in my opinion, the Corsa Sport cat back was too quiet with stock manifolds. I was disappointed and wanted more, but when I upgraded to Kooks headers it sounded great. Not too loud, but very aggressive at wide open throttle. After the cam install my car became pretty loud, but I get tons of compliments on how it sounds at the track. On the street, some people might think it's a bit too much...

Here's a video of a hot lap at Texas World Speedway to show how it currently sounds (ignore the terrible iPhone telemetry... it lags horribly):

 

The OP is asking about a cheap way to make his exhaust sound better ? ?
Headers and cam options arent in the picture here and those videos are useless to the OP....


Here is what is on my 06.. I have stock everything with a Z06 exhaust set up,...
I have the mufflers and they are welded together from 2.5 to 3in....
I also have the muffler mod done....Muffler mod cost me 170.00 and you can get a set of z06 mufflers for as low as 250.00 in the parts section.. then yo need the mild to wild switch for about another 75.00...and then you have an awesome set up...
with the options of both worlds... mild or wild..

 

Useless? Not a chance. He asked word for word if Z06 exhaust is a viable option. Just because a video has headers and cams doesn't mean it's not useful to someone with a stock car. He just needs to know his options to make it all fit. If he where to have a full 3" system like myself then he could weld it where the midpipe ended otherwise its going to be right at the mufflers.

A common price for Z06 bi mode mufflers is $350+ It's not uncommon for them to sell for $500+ either but a good deal is right around $350. I chose not to have the muffler mod since I wanted my exhaust to be quieter and still flow well when I needed it. My old aftermarket mufflers literally where pushed off of the axleback pipes because of my supercharger. The Z06's flow perfectly and are still fairly tame.

Unless he has a NPP or bi-mode setup already he will need a 'NPP in a box' which is usually around $180. Mild to wild is just a manual control for the electronic part of the system. You have to have something to electronically control the vacuum signal and something that taps into a vacuum signal which is what the NPP in a box does.

In the end it's still usually far cheaper and a lot better than most aftermarket mufflers unless all you are looking for is a loud exhaust.

 

You cant compair a car with headers and a cam to a stock car.. They sound nothing alike.. Headers are just much louder than stock or Z06 mufflers.. Even Corsa..... Its like day and night...
If you hunt around on the parts for sale section you can find the parts needed cheap enough I Just seen a Z06 muffler with the mod already done for 250.00 so it is out there... And I also just seen the NNP in a box set up for 80.00 used shipped..... SO the parts are out there..

 

He never asked anything about sound. The video is to show that the swap can be done and what to expect with the exhaust. There's many people who claim it can't be swapped out due to transmission sizes and the pipe size.

I agree that the prices can be found for cheap but don't toss that out for the OP to get his hopes up and expect a price like that. I did a quick search and found one set of mufflers for $250 and 3 others for $500 and up. I'm telling him a realistic option is more along the lines of $500-700 plus install costs.

 

Your right he never asked about sound but if your looking at corsa it must be a sound issue your trying to fix. You want it louder...
Now if your vodeo showed the install being performed that would be showing it could be done. The video gives you an idea of how loud it can be...Just sayin
Heres some Z06 mufflers for 300.00 And I bet you can get them shipped..

The deals are there.... You just have to look.. With CL and Fleabay and CL..

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-p...-mufflers.html

On that Note...... Good luck OP...

SIde note you can even do a regular mod to your stock muffler by drilling a hole in yours to make it a little louder.. There are a few threads on here showing how to do it..
Google is your friend.

 

Thanks for the replies. The Z06 option appears viable and at a much cheaper price than the Corsas.