Which exhaust manifolds?

[MX621]

I did ARH short system with their cats on my head/cam setup. I even was able to reattach the factory manifold heat shields. First drive with headers on I noticed 10-15 deg higher then normal oil/water temps. Heat shields on back to normal. I honestly didn’t wanna do cats, but did in an attempt to help with the smell, especially with a cam with 19deg of overlap. I specifically spoke to my tuner ( Fran at race proven Motorsports ) about my smell
Concerns and I’m happy to report it’s totally tolerable, my old c5 zo6 had a significantly worse smell, would make your clothes stink etc after a short cruise. Had cam, catless.

[HoodCheck]

Originally Posted by Ls_Camaro

Well the Z28 is definitely your ride or die my friend.

Indeed; I'm not a fan of the ZL1 at all. Won't even miss it when its gone really, although I am considering keeping it just to have an auto camaro on hand (but it will be in the driveway, cuz the Z/28 will get the 1 available spot in my garage).

[Yessa]

Originally Posted by HoodCheck

Indeed; I'm not a fan of the ZL1 at all. Won't even miss it when its gone really, although I am considering keeping it just to have an auto camaro on hand (but it will be in the driveway, cuz the Z/28 will get the 1 available spot in my garage).

Nothing you would change if you had another stock Z/28?

Headers?

[HoodCheck]

Originally Posted by Yessa

Nothing you would change if you had another stock Z/28?

Headers?

Nah already had headers; it was actually one of the main things that made me regret the upgrades. Loved how loud they were (my autistic son who doesn't like loud noises on the other hand absolutely hated it post upgrades, and he LOVED it before they were done), but I couldn't stand the smell or the soot shoot in the mornings...bought the green cats to try to not get a smell because others said it eliminated it...turns out those people were full of shit lol.
The only change I would make is to add an aftermarket stereo w/ wireless android auto and a backup camera again. Other than that, it would stay bone stock for sure, with perhaps the exception of doing the head fix (no porting or anything though).

[Mattzkatz]

Not a Z/28, but headers catless exhaust comparison...I myself go back and forth about the headers/no cats limbo while searching for cars. I had a ‘00 Roush that I put long tubes and straight pipes on (that car had 4 or 6 factory cats ) the car was also setup with the side exit exhaust that was right at the door jam. My thoughts about the exhaust smell...wasn’t THAT bad to me unless I was at a traffic light and the wind breeze would blow it directly into the window (again, the exhaust tip was at the door jam) the z/28 blows out the back. I could see if your in a garage and leaving it at idle where this could bother some. (My pops has a drag car currently and had a ‘69 SS BB car for a while that often ran in the garage, so maybe I’m a little less bothered than others by the smell. What I didn’t like (and current hangup) is the change in exhaust note. For me, it gives the exhaust more of a “hollow/raspy” note (doesn’t seem as deep of a tone compared to pre-header). Now I guess that can be changed with a muffler change, but that’s just 1 more thing to change & more $$$

Again, not necessarily an “apple to apples” comparison, but is a LT header + straight pipe comparison.

[pzero]

Originally Posted by EVOeng

Hi All,

Its been a few months since I last posted about my search for a Z28. I ended up buying a car within a week of my search starting and I've loved driving/owning it.

I'm now thinking about replacing the exhaust manifolds/headers and sport cats. What are owners opinions on which brand to go for? Which diameter is recommended for an unmodified engine (I've just got the AHP heads)? Does anybody have a diagram/drawing of the Z28 exhaust layout? Do the factory manifolds have pre-cats in addition to the main cats?

Thanks in advance!

See diagram below.
Red = lift points
Green = jack points
Black circle = cut out and remove
Yellow = stock H pipe

In black circle is where I cut out and replaced it with 1-7/8" kooks headers / no cats. I used stock mid pips, stock H pipe, stock mufflers and a tune job after. Sounds great.

In UK if exhaust restriction is strict, than add cats. You do have options with or without cats on both Kooks or ARH. Both are very well made, it's just name preference. Kooks don't have the mid H or X connection available, but ARH do have the X mid connection available.

My .016 British pounds worth...if you want American sound go with H mid pipe, you want Euro sound go with X mid pipe.

Good luck mate.

https://kooksheaders.com/1-7-8-x-3-headers1284

https://www.lmperformance.com/735816...n-no-cats.html