X-Pipes & Headers

[c6pete]

Having just read Cliff's note on resonators, it got me thinking again about a mod I was planning on doing to the C6. Looking at changing the full exhaust system from the headers through to the blowers, and edging towards the B&B systems, with Fusion blowers. However, the comments against thier X-Pipes and Headers is that it's for off-road use only. Is this only true in the US, or are the restrictions in the UK as to what headers and x-pipes you can put on?

Any thoughts or experience of these changes would be appreciated!

Cheers

[ringram]

offroad usually means no cats. or not CARB accredited.

[GW65]

Off-road just means it doesn't conform to noise regulations, etc...so you fit them at your own risk. So, for example, the Borla Touring system was sold for "road use" but the Stingers for "off-road" only...but they're both available either as cat-back or mufflers-only. And of course the Stingers sound much nicer!

It's a bit like bike cans that have "not for road use" in vary small print that you can only see if you dismantle the bike

[C6NL]

If you install headers, cats, and x-pipe you will get a CEL error, 80 percent of the time you can prevent that by installing a set of O2 extenders. ( www.bigdaddiesgarage.com ) Or get a custom tune and get rid of the rear O2 sensor check.

Ceramic coating is worth the extra money, under bonnet temps are way lower with the coating, and you don't need spark plug boots.

Fred

[c6pete]

Thanks for the advice guys - sounds like it's not just as simple as taking off the existing and bolting on the new (which is how it comes across on most retail and product sites!).

[AdeTuono]

swerni said:

You also need to consider if you can live with the volume and potential drone all of the time.

I used to get that, but it was soon sorted with a divorce.

[C6NL]

swerni said:

You also need to consider if you can live with the volume and potential drone all of the time.

With a set of bi-mode (ZO6) or NPP mufflers with valves there's no drone with the valves closed. I have a set of Z06 size Kooks ceramic coated headers, cats, and x-pipe combined with a pair of Z06 bi-mode mufflers. With the valves closed the car is only marginally loader than stock, with the valves open it sounds like a nascar racer.

Fred

[ian_uk1975]

C6NL said:

With a set of bi-mode (ZO6) or NPP mufflers with valves there's no drone with the valves closed. I have a set of Z06 size Kooks ceramic coated headers, cats, and x-pipe combined with a pair of Z06 bi-mode mufflers. With the valves closed the car is only marginally loader than stock, with the valves open it sounds like a nascar racer.

Fred

Precisely.

[ZR1cliff]

C6NL said:

With a set of bi-mode (ZO6) or NPP mufflers with valves there's no drone with the valves closed. I have a set of Z06 size Kooks ceramic coated headers, cats, and x-pipe combined with a pair of Z06 bi-mode mufflers. With the valves closed the car is only marginally loader than stock, with the valves open it sounds like a nascar racer.

Fred

Sounds like you've got the best of both worlds. Mine didn't have that option and was too loud to live with, not only for me, but others too. No cats, X pipe and only one box either side equals constant noise. Nice at first, but there are times when you can do without it.

[C6NL]

ZR1cliff said:

C6NL said:

With a set of bi-mode (ZO6) or NPP mufflers with valves there's no drone with the valves closed. I have a set of Z06 size Kooks ceramic coated headers, cats, and x-pipe combined with a pair of Z06 bi-mode mufflers. With the valves closed the car is only marginally loader than stock, with the valves open it sounds like a nascar racer.

Fred

Sounds like you've got the best of both worlds. Mine didn't have that option and was too loud to live with, not only for me, but others too. No cats, X pipe and only one box either side equals constant noise. Nice at first, but there are times when you can do without it.

When my girlfriend is in the passenger seat the valves are mostly closed, only when we drive through tunnels I'm allowed to open them

During a run on the dyno, in the spring this year the car made 470 bhp and 116 db with the valves open. It's insanely loud above 4000 rpm, loads of fun when you drive through the Italian mountains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh56cAp55jc

Fred

[c6pete]

Cheers for the advice guys. Definitely will be going for bi-modal (think the new B&B Fusion set up is), as don't think the neighbours will be too happy with a straight through system firing up at 6:30 on a Monday morning!!

[300bhp/ton]

c6pete said:

Having just read Cliff's note on resonators, it got me thinking again about a mod I was planning on doing to the C6. Looking at changing the full exhaust system from the headers through to the blowers, and edging towards the B&B systems, with Fusion blowers. However, the comments against thier X-Pipes and Headers is that it's for off-road use only. Is this only true in the US, or are the restrictions in the UK as to what headers and x-pipes you can put on?

Any thoughts or experience of these changes would be appreciated!

Cheers

Blowers?? As in superchargers?

Off road simply means no CATS. Personally I'd try and sway you towards a H pipe setup if you can find one, the different in HP is minimal in most cases, but IMO H pipe setups sound better than X pipe ones.

Don't bother with shorty headers, if you're going to the cost/hassle might as well do it properly and go LTs.

[ian_uk1975]

300bhp/ton said:

Don't bother with shorty headers, if you're going to the cost/hassle might as well do it properly and go LTs.

Or, if you're on a budget, I happen to have a pair of stock and 'as new' Z06 exhaust manifolds available for a fraction of what LT headers would cost you These will add about 15rwhp over stock C6 manifolds.

[c6pete]

Cheers Ian. Holding off on doing anything in the immediate future, but hopefully next summer, so will drop you a line then to see if you still have them lying around!

[chuntington101]

PFADT have just come out with a lovely set of tri y headers for the c6! Deffinately worth a look if you are in the Market for some!

[c6pete]

chuntington101 said:

PFADT have just come out with a lovely set of tri y headers for the c6! Deffinately worth a look if you are in the Market for some!

Looks like the PFADT system is only for LS3 engines...shame, as looks like a good shout.

[ringram]

Strange, I cant see why they wont fit any C6 model. Exhaust ports are in exactly the same place.
Only reason could be body changes in 09+ IMO. Something underneath changed in regards to mounting perhaps etc..

[c6pete]

Seems the majority of x-pipes, headers etc have different versions for the LS2 vs. the LS3. To be honest, never looked into the reason why! If it was LS2 vs. LS3 though, not sure why these are 2009+, as didn't the engine chang over happen in the 2008 models?

[GW65]

c6pete said:

Seems the majority of x-pipes, headers etc have different versions for the LS2 vs. the LS3. To be honest, never looked into the reason why! If it was LS2 vs. LS3 though, not sure why these are 2009+, as didn't the engine chang over happen in the 2008 models?

The engine didn't change but the exhaust system did...so the point at which the x-pipes and silencers meet is different. Also, if you've got an '08 don't bother with the x-pipes because the standard exhaust already has them! (it's only the LS2 that has h-pipes)

[ringram]

Ah ok, and yes LS3 was in MY08 as was TR6060

http://www.corvettemuseum.org/specs/2008/index.sht...