Exhaust material
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
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From: Cumming GA
On order: Torch Red Z51
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Heel & Toe
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From: DFW Area TX
Exhaust, aluminized stainless-steel with 3" polished stainless-steel tips
NPP Exhaust, dual-mode, performance, increases horsepower (TBD), aggressive exhaust sound, with 4" polished stainless-steel tips
NPP Exhaust, dual-mode, performance, increases horsepower (TBD), aggressive exhaust sound, with 4" polished stainless-steel tips
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
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From: DFW Area TX
Pro
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From: Anaheim Hills, Calif.
I was watching a Youtube video the other day about the 2001 Z06. The big thing was the titanium exhaust, and how it saved 19 pounds over the stainless standard piece. I wounder why titanium was not used, at least in the optional exhaust. 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
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Discoloration of exhaust tips due to buildup (presumably carbon) is very common with DI engines. I cleaned the buildup from my 2008 CTS DI regularly for about a year and now it stays discolored awhile between cleanings. I have trained my eyes not to focus on the exhaust tips-similar to how I trained myself not to focus upon a very obese member of a committee I chaired for a few years in order to avoid nausea 
The same discoloration is very evident on several Japanese models with DI engines and the BMW 335i I nearly bought instead of the CTS.
I am sure regular cleaning will be necessary with the C7 to keep them shiny so plan for that in your maintenance time budget.
The same discoloration is very evident on several Japanese models with DI engines and the BMW 335i I nearly bought instead of the CTS.
I am sure regular cleaning will be necessary with the C7 to keep them shiny so plan for that in your maintenance time budget.
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From: Anaheim Hills, Calif.
It was first put into production in 2001. Got this off of Wikipedia:
"Titanium exhaust[edit]
The 26-pound titanium muffler and tailpipe assembly of the Z06 replaced the 44-pound stainless steel system used in the base-model C5. Titanium has a natural oxide layer that provides immunity to external corrosion from road salts, as well as to internal corrosion from sulfur-rich engine exhaust. Although common in 2010, titanium exhausts were very rare when the Corvette Z06 was developed in 2001. At that time the manufacturing technology to produce titanium mufflers in mass-market quantities didn't exist. Working with TIMET to optimize an exhaust grade of titanium, ArvinMeritor, the manufacturer of the GM system, adapted its stainless steel stamping, bending, cold forming and welding methods to accommodate the structural differences between stainless steel and titanium."
"Titanium exhaust[edit]
The 26-pound titanium muffler and tailpipe assembly of the Z06 replaced the 44-pound stainless steel system used in the base-model C5. Titanium has a natural oxide layer that provides immunity to external corrosion from road salts, as well as to internal corrosion from sulfur-rich engine exhaust. Although common in 2010, titanium exhausts were very rare when the Corvette Z06 was developed in 2001. At that time the manufacturing technology to produce titanium mufflers in mass-market quantities didn't exist. Working with TIMET to optimize an exhaust grade of titanium, ArvinMeritor, the manufacturer of the GM system, adapted its stainless steel stamping, bending, cold forming and welding methods to accommodate the structural differences between stainless steel and titanium."
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Coatesville PA
On the titanium exhaust, it's just not worth it. Cost is more, the weight is saved all of 6 inches off the ground, and possibly, more weight is saved rear then front. However minor, shifting the weight bias slightly forward.
Just not worth the investment.
Just not worth the investment.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
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I remember seeing something similar too. Just spent about 15 minutes looking for it but can't find it now. The video was a walk around at some show, the car had a stinger stripe, and early in the video there is a short haired African American woman sitting in the car with the door open. At another point a woman who might be a chevy rep was walking around with a tablet or something i her hand, wearing a black shirt and white pants. Pretty sure that when the camera pulls around near the end there's a kid standing off to the side in a light colored tshirt.
Anyway, even though I couldn't find the video I can tell you that the discoloration wasn't on the exhaust tips themselves, it was further under the car on what I'm assuming is the muffler. Specifically it seemed to be where the pipes running to the tips meet the larger thing I'm calling the muffler.
I can't imagine rust forming this early so I just assumed it was some sort of residue so I didn't think much of it, only reason I remember it was I had been watching the video about 20 times last week trying to decide whether I wanted the stinger stripe on my lag blue or not so its burned into my mind.
Anyway, even though I couldn't find the video I can tell you that the discoloration wasn't on the exhaust tips themselves, it was further under the car on what I'm assuming is the muffler. Specifically it seemed to be where the pipes running to the tips meet the larger thing I'm calling the muffler.
I can't imagine rust forming this early so I just assumed it was some sort of residue so I didn't think much of it, only reason I remember it was I had been watching the video about 20 times last week trying to decide whether I wanted the stinger stripe on my lag blue or not so its burned into my mind.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2013
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I saw the rust in person on all of the C7's at Bloomington Gold. There are rust spots on the rear of each of the mufflers, standard and Z51, on the flat muffler surface where the exhaust tips are attached. I'd noticed this in a video prior to the event, and that was one of the items that I wanted to look at in person prior to buying my C7 - hence the drive from central Ohio to Champaign.
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
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If you saw the rust on all of them, then are we sure it's actually rust and not something that's rust colored? I mean none of those cars could have more than a couple thousand miles on them, couldn't have been off the line for more than a few months. I just can't imagine every single one of the rusting that quickly. If that is rust and its that widespread this quickly, I'd say that's a pretty serious issue.
Anyone going to one of these shows where they might be able to ask someone in the know about it?
Anyone going to one of these shows where they might be able to ask someone in the know about it?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Coatesville PA
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Ellicott City MD
Discoloration of exhaust tips due to buildup (presumably carbon) is very common with DI engines. I cleaned the buildup from my 2008 CTS DI regularly for about a year and now it stays discolored awhile between cleanings. I have trained my eyes not to focus on the exhaust tips-similar to how I trained myself not to focus upon a very obese member of a committee I chaired for a few years in order to avoid nausea
The same discoloration is very evident on several Japanese models with DI engines and the BMW 335i I nearly bought instead of the CTS.
I am sure regular cleaning will be necessary with the C7 to keep them shiny so plan for that in your maintenance time budget.
The same discoloration is very evident on several Japanese models with DI engines and the BMW 335i I nearly bought instead of the CTS.
I am sure regular cleaning will be necessary with the C7 to keep them shiny so plan for that in your maintenance time budget.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 10
From: Cumming GA
On order: Torch Red Z51
Reality
They're the last thing the hot exhaust passes through, they're inches off the road at the tail of the car, and just about the worst place to stay 'clean'.
The good thing is they're made of high quality stainless steel and if you care for them with an occasional wipe down you'll have no issues. I've used a product from the past on my BMW motor cycle called Semi-chrome, it was a high grade polish for the exhaust pipes that even worked well cleaning scratches from the windshield. Something like that and a little pride (getting your hands dirty) is all you'll need.
IMO, all this fuss is nothing more than that. Can't wait till I drive home in my Torch Red Z51 (probably late Nov) and start spending time in my driveway grooming her
The good thing is they're made of high quality stainless steel and if you care for them with an occasional wipe down you'll have no issues. I've used a product from the past on my BMW motor cycle called Semi-chrome, it was a high grade polish for the exhaust pipes that even worked well cleaning scratches from the windshield. Something like that and a little pride (getting your hands dirty) is all you'll need.
IMO, all this fuss is nothing more than that. Can't wait till I drive home in my Torch Red Z51 (probably late Nov) and start spending time in my driveway grooming her