Just curious: Headers, X-pipe necessary?
 

Thinking far off into the future...

Considering headers and x-pipe. Vendors offer them together and separately.

What does X-pipe do? Silly to do headers without it?

Thanks!

Aside from B&B headers that bolt up to your OE mid-pipe (only brand that will bolt up), you'll need the "x-pipe" to bolt up every other brand of headers to your axle back mufflers.

And to the expand on the above, a lot of vendors sell their xpipe seperately instead of bundling because they sell versions with and without cats.

NASCAR uses X-pipes on the cars and for good reason, increased scavenging. Do the headers and do the X.

Great info everyone! Thanks!


What is scavenging?

This should pretty explain all we need to know.
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2017/...ich-to-choose/

Does the C6 has an X-pipe from the factory?

Yes

Some do and some don't. I know some have H-Pipes but don't know which ones. My 11' GS had a X-Pipe though but didn't come with the NPP option.

Early models came with an H pipe. I have heard Z06 do as well but I can't confirm.

Do the full long tube setup.

Contact us for pricing!

-Josh

C6 Z06 and ZR1 mid pipes are 3", and '06-'10 C6 Z06 came with H pipe, 2011+ came with X-pipe...but the '12/'13 models have the extra 2 cats attached before the X. '09-'13 C6 ZR1 came with X pipe, but again the '12/13' models have the 2 extra cats. No idea on Base/GS for H versus X, but pipe diameter is 2.5" for all years.

To the OP .... Think about it

If you install a set of long-tube headers, what are you going to put between your new headers and your mufflers?

Headers are much longer in total length than the stock exhaust manifolds that you just removed ... So, you are going to need a set of intermediate pipes (aka: x-pipe) that are much shorter than the stock intermediate pipes you need to remove.

Cutting your stock intermediate pipes shorter won't work because they won't line up correctly to your mufflers once the headers are installed.

So, you have no choice ... You get a set of headers with the intermediate pipe (x-pipe) that is made to fit that particular brand of headers .... Or you just forget the whole thing and leave your stock exhaust system alone.


Now, see how easy that was ...

Great info, thanks. Didn't know aftermarket headers were longer!

The term headers is the same as exhaust manifold? Seems so!

You do have one other choice as mentioned earlier. You can get the Billy Boat long tubes that bolt up to your factory xpipe.

I didn't know that Billy Boat even made headers. I thought they only made mufflers .... thanks for the info

I didn't know it either. Then I bought a used set from a member here and thought I got ripped off when he didn't send an xpipe. To my surprise it bolted right up.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...d346fb6644.jpg

What are the general power gains with headers, x-pipe, and appropriate tune?

35 hp/tq?

^ Sounds right.

-Josh

When my 2011 GS (A6) was bone stock, it made 371 RWHP

Installed headers and x-pipe with cats and a dyno tune ... It made 405 RWHP on the same dyno

+ 34 RWHP gain