The Fun Begins!
Let's cut to the chase here: this is GM High-Tech Performance, and we're not just some drive-it, review-it, move-on-to-the-next-sport-sedan periodical. We love to get our hands dirty, and enjoy maximizing every square inch of the vehicles we get our paws on. And so do you-or you wouldn't be reading this.
Let's face facts: what with the minimum $70,000 sticker price of the current Corvette Z06, it goes without saying that not everyone is going to be able afford one. Count in ravenous dealer markups coast-to-coast, and you've got a vehicle that-while still an absolute steal in the dollar-per-performance ratio-is simply out of reach to your average Joe. The question we want to answer is, can an LS2-powered C6 be made to run with its 7.0L big brother? And just as importantly, can this be done for substantially less money?
We think the answer is yes. Despite the car having only been around since the 2005 model year, the automotive aftermarket has already begun cranking out an impressive array of performance parts for the Sixth Generation Vette. Heck, just take a look at the plethora of Corvette bolt-ons being advertised in this issue of GMHTP alone. Our plan is to go through the same sequence of step-by-step mods the typical C6 owner is likely to follow, and make an honest assessment of whether we're coming close to reaching our target-keeping tabs on how much cash we spend along the way. Follow the pages of GMHTP every month, and you'll be showing taillights to Z06s before you know it!
One of the many impressive features Chevy incorporated into its LS7-powered flagship is the dual 3-inch "bimodal" exhaust system-which basically means the sucker has automatic muffler bypass valves. Awesome? Yes, indeed. And comparatively speaking, the C6's factory 2.5-inch system is downright lame-and we aren't just talking about smaller tubing. Nothing is worse than drawing a curious crowd at the local car hangout, then firing up your awesome-looking ride only to treat onlookers to the tune of-well, nothing. GM, listen up: the 2006 Corvette's virtually nonexistent exhaust note is no less than an insult to the enthusiasts who buy these cars. When it comes to aftermarket C6 mods, this piece just has to be the first to go!
Removing the stock exhaust is fairly easy, as GM uses no-crimp band clamps as well as a flanged connection to the cat pipes. Undo the latter connection using a 15mm wrench, and the H-pipe's front portion will be loose. You will be amazed how much water will flow out of the pipe when it's disconnected (remember, H2O is a byproduct of combustion)! | 
A hangar secures the rear of the H-pipe beneath where the torque tube meets the transmission. Undo its two 15mm bolts. Watch, as the H-pipe may now fall a few inches. If you're confused looking at this picture, keep in mind that the Corvette has a rear-mounted transmission; you're looking at the front of the tranny where it meets the so-called torque tube (within which spins a driveshaft that couples the output of the clutch to the input of the transmission). | 
Innovate's LC-1 Wideband Controller kit (PN 3769, $199.99) includes the controller, detailed instructions, software, a Bosch oxygen sensor (with weld-in bung), and all necessary wiring and cables needed to hook the unit to both your vehicle and your laptop computer. It just needs a couple of good grounds and an ignition-switched 12V power source with at least a 5A capacity. |