At Mid America Motorworks'...
At Mid America Motorworks' Corvette Funfest, Corsa Installs New C5/C6 Exhaust Systems As Quick As They Can Get Cars On The Lift.
Last year, at the Mid America Motorworks Corvette Funfest-a 10,000-plus all-Corvette car show held annually every September in Effingham, Illinois-we ran across a sight not seen anywhere else. Every year, tons of attendees decide to have their new cat-back exhaust system installed "while they wait." Multiple manufacturers with multiple car lifts, all set up in the MAM parking lot, accommodate row after row of Vettes, all parked and waiting their turn. After timing several companies, we noticed the Corsa boys completed the OE removal and replacement of their system in about 20-25 minutes. Wow! We decided right then and there to follow along on the next car to show you how to do the job on your own.
When we walked up, Mark Bockwich of Corsa Performance Exhausts, with Steve Ali of Xtreme Performance lending a hand, were about to install a new Corsa system on a black '05 C6 coupe. We asked Mark what the primary differences are on the systems they sell. He said, "There are two different sound levels for our systems: Sport and Touring. Sport is a little more aggressive. Touring is a little bit quieter, but they both have no drone whatsoever inside the cab. The aim is to increase the decibel level without adding a drone." Jeff Makovich, sales representative at Corsa, later claimed horsepower increases of 13-14 rear-wheel horsepower with these systems.
Mark explained the procedure they were using as he started the next install. "Using a lift really simplifies the job. Then, basically, all you need is a pipe cutter (for automatic cars only), a set of wrenches and assorted tools, plus a little know-how. Just watch me in this install and take some notes." Fair enough. Let's all watch and learn.
| Difficulty Index - 2 Wrenches |
| Anyone's Project: no tools required | 1 Wrench |
| Beginner: basic tools | 2 Wrenches |
| Experienced: special tools | 3 Wrenches |
| Accomplished: special tools and outside help | 4 Wrenches |
| Professionals Only: send this work out | 5 Wrenches |
On automatic cars, cut the...
On automatic cars, cut the passenger side pipe behind the rear clamp and before the pipe goes over the rear axle. Mark uses a chain-style cutter, which makes a neater cut than a hand saw. On stick-shift cars, this cut is not necessary due to larger clearance tolerances that enable the pipes to be removed.
You will need to drop the...
You will need to drop the rear stabilizer bar. Back off the 18mm bolt on the bottom of each clamp (one per side). The upper stabilizer bolt has no nut on the back.
Now swing the stabilizer bar...
Now swing the stabilizer bar out of the way. (There's no need to completely remove it.)
Loosen the clamp to the over-the-axle...
Loosen the clamp to the over-the-axle pipe and factory H-pipe. there's one pipe per side.
Loosen the four bolts that...
Loosen the four bolts that hold the factory H-pipe to the catalytic converter flange.
Remove the two 13mm spring...
Remove the two 13mm spring hanger bolts located in the middle of the H-pipe.