Corvette noob here. C7 Z06. I've had her for 2 years in March. Coming from a Pontiac G8 GXP with an LS3. Love both cars.

(I tried to do some research on this stuff but kept coming up empty. So, I apologize if this has been asked and answered. If so, please direct me to the right thread. I was looking for an Exhaust Sticky... but maybe looked in the wrong place.)

I'm interested in upgrading the exhaust system of my Z06 but wanted to know a little bit more about the factory/OE system before doing so. In my G8 with the LS3, I had great results with an aftermarket setup: Kooks long tubes 1 7/8" primaries into a 3" collector (offroad configuration), X pipe and Borla mufflers. It really did two things: (1) instant upgrade in sound, and (2) instant upgrade in power (with a tune).

Obviously, the LS3 is not the LT4, so I don't want to assume that these "upgrades" will have the exact same effect on my Z06 without asking first. So, here's my list of questions if anyone could help steer me in the right direction:

1. What size and configuration are the OE header primaries? (Short of crawling under the car... I searched online and it appears they are cast iron shortys with heat shields. In the G8 world, we called them "shorty" headers (opposite of long tube). Is that the factory design in the Z06 as well? And what size are the primaries?)
2. The age-old debate about 1 7/8" vs 2" primaries probably rages-on in the Corvette world (much like the G8 world). On the Z06, is there a single point of view about which size LT header is most appropriate and the expected power gains? Usually there is a distinction between low-end and top-end.
3. Any specific fitment issues to be aware of... such as, "if you go bigger than 3" collector you WILL have clearance issues."

My primary goal with this project is to open-up the sound a bit and obtain some modest power gains. This car is not my DD so I would like her to sound a little more raw (like my LS3 did with offroad LTs). That's the sound and feel I'm looking to replicate. I do not track the car currently, but it's not out of the question. For the most part, this is my weekend warrior.

 

May I respectfully suggest clicking the Search "button," then Advanced Search button. That will bring up a small window with a field top-left for your topic of interest... put in Z06 Aftermarket Exhaust, or similar. Then, go down toward the bottom-right and select C7 (or, perhaps C7 Z06) and do the search. I came up with 11 or more pages of results for C7. Not all are relevant but given you've had no specific replies, it would give YOU control over the info gathering process if nothing else. Good luck!

(btw, I don't have a Z so I don't know or care about the requested info; why I didn't just supply it to you)

 

Okay, thank you for the reply. I did eventually find some posts that are relevant... I suppose I was looking for the easy "Exhaust Sticky" page and gave up too quickly. It appears that LTs on the Z06 are not necessarily better than factory setup. More factors to consider for forced induction, etc. Not at all equivalent to the NA LS3. I'm learning... slowly.

Thanks again!