Z06 Exhaust

[Guana 1]

I have been debatting on installing a new exhaust on the 04 and have noticed that a lot of C5 owners are installing the Z05 exhaust on their cars. Is the sound and performamce of the Z06 system that much better than what was installed on my car from the factory. I would like some feed back before I make the wrong choice. There are so many options on the market it makes it though to pick the right one..................................

Guana 1

 

[Patrick]

There are as many opinions on what exhaust system is best as there are members at the CAC. It's going to come down to what you like in terms of sound and overall performance increase. I have Borlas, and I couldn't be happier with them. Many here have Corsas, and are just as happy, too. I would recommend you try visiting some websites (for Borla, Corsa, etc) and see if they might have sound files you can listen to.


-Patrick

 

[lov-n-life]

I have been debatting on installing a new exhaust on the 04 and have noticed that a lot of C5 owners are installing the Z05 exhaust on their cars. Is the sound and performamce of the Z06 system that much better than what was installed on my car from the factory. I would like some feed back before I make the wrong choice. There are so many options on the market it makes it though to pick the right one..................................

Guana 1

It really does depend on what you are looking for. My car is a daily driver, so I didn't want anything too loud and I wanted no resonance. I'm fortunate to have a Z06 in the family (my dad's) so I had the opportunity to hear that system personally. There are several vettes running around town that you can hear long before you see them. That is not what I was looking for. In the end, what I wanted was something a little more throaty than stock, and didn't look like it belonged on every other GM product on the road (take a look at the back end of most Caddies from the late '90s through current). I found a set of Z06 mufflers on Ebay for $400 shipped. I've completely happy with the sound and look. I did not notice any seat of the pants performance increase, although a friend said he thought it felt stronger from the passenger's seat. I have not had a chance to dyno it with both systems to see of there are any actual gains though.

 

[baetke]

I just put a set on my 04. Very disappointed. No extra sound over stock. Now I know.

 

[bluecoupe]

Not much louder under normal driving but does have a different bark at WOT. They look much better than the chipped-up black paint on the stock C5 muflers. Z06 mufflers weigh much less and will outlast your car. For $400 or $500 bucks used they are hard to beat.

 

[Bills03Coupe]

Not much louder under normal driving but does have a different bark at WOT. They look much better than the chipped-up black paint on the stock C5 muflers. Z06 mufflers weigh much less and will outlast your car. For $400 or $500 bucks used they are hard to beat.

I agree 100%! They are not much louder at idle, but @ WOT they do come to life! Best mod I've done. Great look without attracting any undue attention!

 

[04cmnthru]

I don't think that you can feel any real power gain (I have Z06 exhaust and airbox). But, it sounds better throughout power band (but not significantly louder, say, like a Corsa) and as noted, way better at WOT with no resonance. Larger round tips are a major visual improvement. If you want a little better sound and better looks, for the $, they're a buy. Still happy I went that way, particularly since the interior sound proofing -- can hear more motor/exhaust.

 

[mqqn]

Not much louder under normal driving but does have a different bark at WOT. They look much better than the chipped-up black paint on the stock C5 muflers. Z06 mufflers weigh much less and will outlast your car. For $400 or $500 bucks used they are hard to beat.

Hi Guana 1 -

I have to agree with bluecoupe -

I just put a Ti system on a 98 coupe this evening - the stock exhaust may as well have been from hoover - sounded like a vacuum cleaner....The z06 exhaust really perked it up rumble wise, but not soo much as to wake the neighbors.

The Ti's have that z06 "howl" and will make a stock ls1 sound much better IMO.

For $400 to $500, they not only sound good, but since they will last a lifetime (titanium...) they will hold value.

I could foresee a demand for the Z06 Ti catbacks in the future when some try to put a Z06 back to 100% stock....just my opinion....

best regards -

mqqn

 

[upnoveru23]

Z06 Ti Exhaust Review

I agree. Slightly louder rumble at idle and Ti 'sound', but not 'neighbor-waking' by ANY means whatsoever. WOT is where the system really wakes up the car. If you want a loud idle, this is NOT the system for you. I have a slightly modded car already (382 stroker, AFR heads, Kooks headers), but with the weight savings and flow increase over my stock cat-back, there was 10-20 rwhp difference in seat-of-the-pants 'feel' noticeably... very NOTICEABLY. I broke the tires loose MUCH easier than normal in an A4; this has to speak SOMETHING of real HP gain. Exactly how much, I do not know. Maybe it's just a matter of increased throttle response? Whatever the case, I think it's a great mod for weight savings and great performance without a neighbor-waking or interior resonating note. You can hardly hear the car come up on you, but WOT shines with a somewhat exotic, Ti note. And for $400-$500? Weighing 26 lb. the Ti system saves 44% over the Corvette's standard 46-lb stainless steel system (17.6 - 20 lbs of weight savings) ...and all for $400-$500? For me, that's exactly what I wanted ... perfect sleeper

 

[mqqn]

I agree. Slightly louder rumble at idle and Ti 'sound', but not 'neighbor-waking' by ANY means whatsoever. WOT is where the system really wakes up the car. If you want a loud idle, this is NOT the system for you. I have a slightly modded car already (382 stroker, AFR heads, Kooks headers), but with the weight savings and flow increase over my stock cat-back, there was 10-20 rwhp difference in seat-of-the-pants 'feel' noticeably... very NOTICEABLY. I broke the tires loose MUCH easier than normal in an A4; this has to speak SOMETHING of real HP gain. Exactly how much, I do not know. Maybe it's just a matter of increased throttle response? Whatever the case, I think it's a great mod for weight savings and great performance without a neighbor-waking or interior resonating note. You can hardly hear the car come up on you, but WOT shines with a somewhat exotic, Ti note. And for $400-$500? Weighing 26 lb. the Ti system saves 44% over the Corvette's standard 46-lb stainless steel system (17.6 - 20 lbs of weight savings) ...and all for $400-$500? For me, that's exactly what I wanted ... perfect sleeper

Hi Jeff -

Your car sounded great when you left - nice upgrade....

good to see your here at CAC - we will have a blast in BG at the cruisefest -

best regards -

mqqn

 

['04 Torch Red]

I have been debatting on installing a new exhaust on the 04 and have noticed that a lot of C5 owners are installing the Z05 exhaust on their cars. Is the sound and performamce of the Z06 system that much better than what was installed on my car from the factory. I would like some feed back before I make the wrong choice. There are so many options on the market it makes it though to pick the right one..................................

Guana 1

My stock exhaust system sounds just fine to me...not too noisy but enough to sound good...it all depends what you like...