3" Corvette Exhaust?
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
3" Corvette Exhaust? I just bought my first Vette. A 2004 Coupe M6, and was pretty happy to see it had a Corsa on it already.
Now... Not so much. I can't find the part # on it ANYWHERE to see which one I actually have. I went to the website though and it seems they're all 2.5". Is this right? Talk about a let-down.
I guess my question is, if I went with ARH 1 7/8" headers and 3" X, what 3" exhausts are available?
Lastly, I HATE the idea of the exhaust curving completely 180* at the bumper. Doesn't that severely impede flow? I had dumped duals on my Camaro, and loved the sound, as well as the straight through design.
What are the options out there? I liked the Magnaflow Magnapack exhaust, but even that's a crap 2.5" system.
Now... Not so much. I can't find the part # on it ANYWHERE to see which one I actually have. I went to the website though and it seems they're all 2.5". Is this right? Talk about a let-down.
I guess my question is, if I went with ARH 1 7/8" headers and 3" X, what 3" exhausts are available?
Lastly, I HATE the idea of the exhaust curving completely 180* at the bumper. Doesn't that severely impede flow? I had dumped duals on my Camaro, and loved the sound, as well as the straight through design.
What are the options out there? I liked the Magnaflow Magnapack exhaust, but even that's a crap 2.5" system.
I just bought my first Vette. A 2004 Coupe M6, and was pretty happy to see it had a Corsa on it already.
Now... Not so much. I can't find the part # on it ANYWHERE to see which one I actually have. I went to the website though and it seems they're all 2.5". Is this right? Talk about a let-down.
I guess my question is, if I went with ARH 1 7/8" headers and 3" X, what 3" exhausts are available?
Lastly, I HATE the idea of the exhaust curving completely 180* at the bumper. Doesn't that severely impede flow? I had dumped duals on my Camaro, and loved the sound, as well as the straight through design.
What are the options out there? I liked the Magnaflow Magnapack exhaust, but even that's a crap 2.5" system.
Now... Not so much. I can't find the part # on it ANYWHERE to see which one I actually have. I went to the website though and it seems they're all 2.5". Is this right? Talk about a let-down.
I guess my question is, if I went with ARH 1 7/8" headers and 3" X, what 3" exhausts are available?
Lastly, I HATE the idea of the exhaust curving completely 180* at the bumper. Doesn't that severely impede flow? I had dumped duals on my Camaro, and loved the sound, as well as the straight through design.
What are the options out there? I liked the Magnaflow Magnapack exhaust, but even that's a crap 2.5" system.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Good replies. I really didn't know if the 180 bend would kill it or what.
It does make me wonder though just how different the c5/c6 exhausts are...
So it's either B&B, SW, or XSPower for a 3". If love to go straight back and at least ditch the 180 bend. Just doesn't "seem" right to me.
And no, I wouldn't dump the exhaust, lol
It does make me wonder though just how different the c5/c6 exhausts are...
So it's either B&B, SW, or XSPower for a 3". If love to go straight back and at least ditch the 180 bend. Just doesn't "seem" right to me.
And no, I wouldn't dump the exhaust, lol
Congrats on the vette!
I wouldn't worry one bit about being held back on power at least until you at +425rwhp. I'd focus on a good set of headers first, like the Pfadt Tri-Y 1-7/8" LT headers.
BTW you might be able to install a couple of short bullet and shoot the exhaust straight out instead of making that 180* bend through the transvers mufflers. Maybe like the Borla 40842S(2.5" in/out, 5" dia., 10" case) or the Dynomax #24246(2.5"in/out, 4"dia., 12" case) , its 409 stainless steel.
I wouldn't worry one bit about being held back on power at least until you at +425rwhp. I'd focus on a good set of headers first, like the Pfadt Tri-Y 1-7/8" LT headers.
BTW you might be able to install a couple of short bullet and shoot the exhaust straight out instead of making that 180* bend through the transvers mufflers. Maybe like the Borla 40842S(2.5" in/out, 5" dia., 10" case) or the Dynomax #24246(2.5"in/out, 4"dia., 12" case) , its 409 stainless steel.
Last edited by 99Bluz28; Oct 24, 2013 at 10:12 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,373
Likes: 4
From: Auckland, Nth Is, New Zealand.
Can't you just go to an exhaust shop with what ever muffler/s you want to have on & get them to make up the pipes, 3" or whatever it is you want. It's all I've ever done with performance cars I've owned here in NZ.
Oh yea, congrats on the Vette. Pic!!!!
Oh yea, congrats on the Vette. Pic!!!!
LG Big 3 the only 3" exhaust for the C5 that I know of. I believe Stainless Works makes it for LG. It's pretty mellow but flows well.
You aren't losing power that far back with it necking down to 2.5". If you're going for 600rwhp NA you are losing power, but even 800rwhp supercharged, you're probably ok.
But, I'd swap out the Corsas for the Borla Stingers or B&B Bullets. I just hate Corsa. Sounds like a boat. Get something with *****. Borla more mellow. B&B for rage.
You aren't losing power that far back with it necking down to 2.5". If you're going for 600rwhp NA you are losing power, but even 800rwhp supercharged, you're probably ok.
But, I'd swap out the Corsas for the Borla Stingers or B&B Bullets. I just hate Corsa. Sounds like a boat. Get something with *****. Borla more mellow. B&B for rage.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
If any shops here welded with anything but an arc welder, or actually had stainless rods... I went through this before around here.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
LG Big 3 the only 3" exhaust for the C5 that I know of. I believe Stainless Works makes it for LG. It's pretty mellow but flows well. You aren't losing power that far back with it necking down to 2.5". If you're going for 600rwhp NA you are losing power, but even 800rwhp supercharged, you're probably ok. But, I'd swap out the Corsas for the Borla Stingers or B&B Bullets. I just hate Corsa. Sounds like a boat. Get something with *****. Borla more mellow. B&B for rage.
I very well may pull it and sell it for a B&B bullet set, or the Borla you mentioned.
Future down the line plans (which either happen right away, or much longer than I anticipate) are an A&A kit with whatever head-unit is recommended for the motor that's in the car at that time.
Then we get into the whole raging debate on 1 7/8 primaries on a Corvette... Even thought we've crushed and destroyed the "1 7/8 is too big for an FBody" about 2 thousand times, apparently the Vette guys still believe they don't belong on one. And that's manufacturers included.
Makes me wonder if it's the different primary length / collector location or what, and that maybe they are right. Currently torn between ARH 1 7/8 with 3 ORX, or the new Phabt tri-Y headers.
Better move up to the C6 right now to solve the 180* issue 
I've done 500 rw with a 346 & LG's Pro's & LG 3" cat back & cats so I don't believe the 180* to be a problem. One could do a pressure drop test just to verify, that would be a interesting exercise doing a 2.5 to 3" just to see.
I'm currently just a tad over 600 with the stroker, full 3" & cats included. The LG Big 3 would not stay in place, the tubing is very thin. So the current rear 3" is SW's, cats & AR 1 7/8's. Again I don't see the 180* as a problem.
Pfadt products do work, I'm running the Coils & Sways, their read diff brace cleaned up entirely the rear shake. Their headers look very good & I would certainly be having a very close look.
I've done 500 rw with a 346 & LG's Pro's & LG 3" cat back & cats so I don't believe the 180* to be a problem. One could do a pressure drop test just to verify, that would be a interesting exercise doing a 2.5 to 3" just to see.I'm currently just a tad over 600 with the stroker, full 3" & cats included. The LG Big 3 would not stay in place, the tubing is very thin. So the current rear 3" is SW's, cats & AR 1 7/8's. Again I don't see the 180* as a problem.
Pfadt products do work, I'm running the Coils & Sways, their read diff brace cleaned up entirely the rear shake. Their headers look very good & I would certainly be having a very close look.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Well that's pretty much where I'm at then. 3 choices:
ARH 1 7/8 with their 3" X and the Big3
Phabt 1 7/8, their 3"x and the big 3.
Complete 1 7/8, 3" set from LG.
Can anyone shed light on why most manufacturers say stick with 1 3/4 for the Vettes? Why is it so much different? FBodys ALWAYS do better with the bigger primaries.
ARH 1 7/8 with their 3" X and the Big3
Phabt 1 7/8, their 3"x and the big 3.
Complete 1 7/8, 3" set from LG.
Can anyone shed light on why most manufacturers say stick with 1 3/4 for the Vettes? Why is it so much different? FBodys ALWAYS do better with the bigger primaries.
Length of primaries makes a different on the Vette. The LG is 32" long. That makes a difference in midrange torque. On the F-Body, everything is like ~24" long. 1-7/8 or 1-3/4. On the Vette, the 1-7/8 are shorter.
I'd run either the ARH 1-7/8 or the LG 1-3/4 and not look back, especially with the A&A kit. The ARH kit is nicer for installing it yourself - it has ball joints vs slip joints IIRC.
I'd run either the ARH 1-7/8 or the LG 1-3/4 and not look back, especially with the A&A kit. The ARH kit is nicer for installing it yourself - it has ball joints vs slip joints IIRC.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
I just found one from Huron Speed that I wasn't even aware of. XSPower full 3"
http://shop.huronspeedproducts.com/X...ack-XSPC53.htm
http://shop.huronspeedproducts.com/X...ack-XSPC53.htm
XSPower... meh.
But the system looks fantastic. And it's cheaper than the LG "Big 3" but more expensive than the Borla or B&B.
C6s have a much easier time. All the Z06 exhausts are 3" and that's a direct swap onto their cars.
But the system looks fantastic. And it's cheaper than the LG "Big 3" but more expensive than the Borla or B&B.
C6s have a much easier time. All the Z06 exhausts are 3" and that's a direct swap onto their cars.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
I'd run a Big 3 if I find it used. Borla's out as it's 2.5" and B&B are mini bullets.
XSPower looks like a great deal to me. But who knows. After the Headers and ORX go on, I very well might like the Corsa I have.
All 2.5 inches of it...
XSPower looks like a great deal to me. But who knows. After the Headers and ORX go on, I very well might like the Corsa I have.
All 2.5 inches of it...
I run an LG Big 3. Before when I had a Z06 Ti catback and cutouts there was about a 12 RWHP difference with the cutouts open. With the Big 3, that difference is about 1.5 RWHP. I never even use the cutouts anymore. This was on my 403 build. I think the diff would be greater with the 427.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
Plans for now are full intake and exhaust, some good heads, intake, and a medium stick from FTI.
Future plans are an A&A kit with a YSI, and a shortblock to accommodate it. Then matching heads... It never ends
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,717
Likes: 24
From: Lafayette, LA
I run an LG Big 3. Before when I had a Z06 Ti catback and cutouts there was about a 12 RWHP difference with the cutouts open. With the Big 3, that difference is about 1.5 RWHP. I never even use the cutouts anymore. This was on my 403 build. I think the diff would be greater with the 427. Hope that helps.
1) 1 7/8" primaries on a Vette,
2) how tri-Y fits into the mix
3) what the insides of both mufflers look like from Big 3 and XSPower.