Z06 Catback install help

[Vic20]

Hey guys
Well, my buddy that has a 03 Z06 is picking up a Borla catback for his car today. I told him I would help with the install provided cold beer is available. Is there any tricks to installing it? I have never looked under a C5 but I do all my own mods so it should be a pretty easy. Just looking for some time saving advice from experienced C5 owners. Btw, I think it's called a "stinger??". Not sure on that though.

Is this any better than the stock exhaust.? He says it's titanium. Not that it helps with hp or anything.

Thanks

[boos2]

You have to get the back end of the car way up in the air to snake the stock exhaust over the suspension. Unless you cut off the stock exhaust but I wouldn't do that because you can resell it. Drop the rear sway bar too. The stinger makes a little bit more HP the the stock Ti exhaust but is a lot louder. The Z06 exhaust is hard to beat. That is why I put it on my C5. The titanoim helps because it is so light weight.

[Cam]

The Stinger isn't titanium- it's T304 stainless steel. I had this exhaust on my Z06. I highly recommend getting the car on a lift. You'll never get the stock exhaust off the car on jackstands- just not enough clearance.

For removing the exhaust, you can drop the sway bar (leave the endlinks connected) for more clearance.

Once you start installing the new exhaust, bolt down the over axle pipe tight to the h-pipe flanges, then keep everything else somewhat loose so you have some play in the system to help you get the tips lined up. Take the time to get this tips perfect. Once they're right where you want them, one of you hold them so they don't move while the other guy tightens down all the fasteners. This should save you some time in the long run.

This system is loud, but not too loud with the stock manifolds and cats. If he ever gets headers it will be a different story. I ended up switching to Corsa after I got headers because the combo was a little too loud for my (wife's) taste.

Good luck! This install isn't too tough.

Edit: Just noticed you're in Shreveport. E-mail me and I'll give you my number. That way you guys can give me a call if you get stuck. I'm always happy to turn wrenches on cars.

[boos2]

Originally posted by ZO6Cam
[B] You'll never get the stock exhaust off the car on jackstands- just not enough clearance.


Yes you can, I've done it twice. But it is not easy and takes some rigging and a big floor jack.

[Cam]

Originally posted by boos2
Yes you can, I've done it twice. But it is not easy and takes some rigging and a big floor jack. I'll rephrase- you can't do it safely on jackstands. You can do it, but I don't recommend that method. I did my first C5 exhaust swap that way and I wouldn't do it like that again. If at all possible, doing it on a lift is the only way to go, having done it both ways.

[boos2]

Sorry not trying to start an argument but it can be done safely too. You just need big enough tools (ie 6 ton jack stands). I agree a lift is definately the most preferable and safest way. But I am very confident in the way I performed the swap and would do it again. But to re-iterate yes a lift would be best.

[Vic20]

Thanks for the advice guys and the help offer. :) It's always nice to have a guy around too supervise that has experience. Well, I talked to him today and he sold the exhaust to some guy(regular C5 owner) he meet out at GM drag racing.
He made $300 profit off it so he had to let it go.
He said he will just order a new one.

We are going to try and get out to RRR this Friday and see what it does before we change anything. It's a 03 silver Z06 with chrome Z06 wheels. I may follow him out in my Z or ride out there just to watch and drink a few cold ones. That's just as fun for me.