C6 Corvette: Aftermarket Exhaust Dyno Tested

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C6 ‘Vette stretches its legs on the rollers and makes impressive power.

This video features a Chevrolet Corvette from the C6 generation making a handful of runs on the rollers. The details are short, but we can tell that this Corvette has a manual transmission. We also know that this early model C6 has the LS2 V8, which has been fitted with a set of headers and a full exhaust.

In stock form, the average manual C6 lays down about 350 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels. Considering that the LS2 C6 ‘Vette has official power ratings of 400 horsepower and 400lb-ft of torque, 350 horsepower and 350lb-ft of torque would mean that roughly 14-15% of the power is lost between the crankshaft and the wheels, which is a very reasonable figure.

LS1tech.com C6 Corvette LS2 M6 Headers Exhaust Tune Dyno

The C6 Corvette in the video above has a free-flowing exhaust system starting with a set of headers, and based on the numbers, we would guess that this Chevy sports car has been tuned as well – perhaps with tweaks between each run.

The video shows us three dyno runs with figures of 383hp/390tq, 390hp/391tq and 389hp/395tq. With a peak numbers of 390 wheel horsepower and 395lb-ft of wheel torque, this Corvette has gained roughly 40 horsepower and 45lb-ft of torque at the wheels from headers, exhaust and a tune. Using that same 15% drivetrain loss factor from above, 390hp and 395tq at the wheels would translate to 459 horsepower and 465lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft.

In other words, headers, a 3-inch X-pipe and a tune helped this C6 pick up about 60 horsepower and 65lb-ft of torque – while also giving this Vette a wicked roar. Crank up your speakers and enjoy!

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com


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