VetteLT4

haha awesome analogy. so true. and spot on with the welds. I was pretty surprised at the welds of the stock xpipe. pretty sloppy looking. but corsa (and I assume borla) really improved it there. so for those who get a little scared off from headers and having to do a tune (like I did) and don't want to drop 2 grand on an exhaust when NPP is already pretty decent, the xpipe is a good way to go.

Kracka

ZL-1

This is a great thread, thanks for all the advise, opinions, and personal experiences

The inventor of the x pipe was Dr Gas. I've experimented with his x pipes over the years and have formed a few conclusions:

Merging the 2 exhaust banks of a V8 make it sound more smooth, mellow, less popping, a little quieter, and a bit more European sounding than the classic American V8 deep tone. These new C7 X pipes eliminate the cats, that's the reason they can sound louder.

The longer the exhaust system is after the last merge the deeper the tone. The rearward x in the Corsa gives it a higher pitch vs the Borla's deeper tone with the single x farther forward.

We know adding an x gives a small power gain. But as a fan of the traditional deep V8 tone I'd still like to try a center pipe with no cats and no x, no merge at all. It would be cheap and light and would certainly provide a very deep tone with lots of the popping and farting everybody seems to love. But would a true dual exhaust like this sound too raunchy with no merge at all?

Has anyone considered trying this? Opinions welcome, flame away

(The excellent acoustic insulation of the C7 seems to have eliminated the interior drone issues that plagued C5s and C6s with loud exhaust systems)


.

Kracka

Interesting thoughts/ideas. If you decide to give it a try please be sure and keep us updated, along with some pictures. I'd think any local exhaust shop would be able to fabricate something like that fairly quickly and easily at a reasonable price.

TXArtic

How hard would it be to remove stock x pipe, knock cat material out, reinstall on car? The stock x pipe looks like it would flow pretty well except for the cats?

Kracka

I thought about that as well, and you're right, besides for the cats the stock pipe isn't that bad; not perfect, but on the better side as far as OEM exhaust piping is concerned. The cats are right at the inlet so you could easily cut the material out with a big hole saw, knock it out with a hammer and chisel, etc. If you attempt it, be sure to let us know and post a few pics, I'll be curious to hear how it works out. For starters, I'd use the biggest hole saw you can fit (3.0" or just under I'd imagine), wiggle that around in there, then get the rest with a hammer and chisel.

I think it would easily be a project that could be tackled either one evening or on a Saturday morning.

TXArtic

Yeah...i just have to wait for a warm evening or morning!

Kracka

Are you in Texas or the Arctic? That'll determine how long you'll be waiting

TXArtic

Dallas, suppose to be 74 this weekend!

Kracka

My girlfriend already requested we take the roof off and go to Fuel City in Dallas for tacos this weekend!

Kracka

This just in, Z06 LT4 factory X-pipes are identical to the Stingray/Z51 LT1 X-pipes:

91ZR1

To just install the X-pipe, not changing the mufflers, how much loosening of the aft portion is needed to slip the new mid pipe?
Trying to figure if I can do it in my garage with just a ramp?
Thanks.

Kracka

You just have to remove the X-pipe to axleback clamps, X-pipe hanger, and downpipe to X-pipe bolts. I did it in my garage with hand tools; I lifted the passenger side with a jack + jackstand and slid under the car on my back.

91ZR1

Thank you!

CDH76

I've always been a corsa guy but man the price of exhaust is just over the top if you ask me. I think this time around I will do headers Xpipe no cats and stock exhaust. I bet it will sound pretty good that way. I can almost get heads/cam for the price of these exhaust!

91ZR1

Kracka,
Where did you purchase the Borla X-Pipe?
I think I am going to try this on my 2015 Z06.
I did the same to an SRT-10 Viper awhile back, with good results.

Kracka

I got mine from MAPerformance.

You'd have to contact them for best pricing though, their website price is really high. Going published price is $495 at most places.

91ZR1

Thank you.

Kracka

Here are a few videos my friend took this morning.

-ported OEM exhaust manifolds
-factory primary cat downpipes
-Borla X pipe
-NPP exhaust

Start-up in Tour mode:


Backing up in Sport mode:

Blvdbrawler

Okay so which one is louder? Borla or Corsa?