Exhaust question

[JT ZR-Won]

Anyone know who makes a good X-pipe? Possibly 3in. stainless steel?
I want to redo my catback exhaust this winter........
Here is what I have now:
Stainless steel Watson headers (no cats) to a Flowmaster resonator into 2 3/4" aluminum pipe to Flowmaster mufflers.

Want to go with:
Stainless steel Watson headers (no cats) to a 3" stainless X-pipe, to 3"stainless pipe to Borla's or Tri-Flow mufflers.

I want to change my cat-back exhaust to get a little more sound, a little more oomph, and with the whole thing being stainless steel, I'd never have to mess with it again. Also, I'm just not impressed with the tips on the ZR-1 Flowmaster system.

Anyone have any experience with X-pipes??

Jay

 

[USA ZR1]

Jay,the Vette Doctors have installed x-pipes on ZR-1's in their shop before. Give Carmen a shout and see what he says.
Clint Hooper
LT5 Registry #001

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Will do Clint. Thanks.

Jay

 

[Rob]

Jay,

Here's my opinion on this topic. Personally, I would stay away from a 3" exhaust system unless you have some engine work done to increase the amount of air the engine takes in.

Based upon a conversation I had with Doug Rippie a couple of years ago, they actually saw a power loss by placing a 3" exhaust on an otherwise stock ZR-1. He felt that the best size exaust for an unmodified LT5 engine was 2 3/4.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Really? That's interesting Rob. I know a couple of years down the road I plan on having some work done.......but it will be stock for a while. I'll look into it.
Luckily I've got plenty of time because there's nothing wrong with my current system

Jay

 

[Rob]

Jay,

You may want to give DRM a call and see what they tell you. They are usually pretty good with technical advice. I don't have their number handy here, but check the Corvette Portal under Aftermarket Tuners and see if I have the phone number to DRM listed there. If not, check the Corvette Action Center's Phone Listing.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

Cool. Thanks Rob

 

[BA ZR WON]

Hey all!

Long time reader, first time poster... Re: 3" exhaust on a stock LT-5. I don't think you will lose any hp(as been proven by dyno testing) by going to a 3" exhaust. You will however start gaining hp with a few mods...

My ZR-1 gained 8rwhp *over* a Flowmaster system after Tri-Flos were installed(from 377 to 385rwhp, SAE corrected). My car has headers, chip, and plenum/injector housing/tb work only; heads have never been off the car.

I personally love the Watson header/Flowmaster sound but the facts are the Tri-Flos give you power, even with modest modifications to the motor. If you are going for all out power, the 3" Tri-Flo cannot be matched. The resonance and installation problems remain, but if it's power you want, it's power you get.

 

[JT ZR-Won]

BA ZR Won, welcome to the CAC.....
I'd like to get my hands on a set of Tri-Flows. Not to mention they look a whole lot better than Flowmasters.....

Jay

 

[Edmond]

JR,
I don't own a ZR-1, but I have had the up close pleasure of watching one peel out. The guy had a 3" Tri-Flow exhaust on there and just about woke the dead! Almost scared me to death! That was the first and only time that I ever saw a ZR-1 and I've wanted one ever since.

Matter of fact, as I was looking at the size of the exhuast outlets, the owner came up to me and said, "Take a look underneath."