As Corvette owners, we all want superior performance, a killer sound, and stunning good looks from an exhaust system. Fortunately for us, the aftermarket is brimming with systems that purport to offer precisely those characteristics. For the C6 Z06 crowd, the latest entry is Bassani's brand-new Aft-Cat setup, now available for all '06-'07 Zs.
"Bassani makes performance first for all of our systems," says company VP Rick Brooks. "With the Z06, we incorporate our Power-X crossover into the muffler and move it to the center tunnel. We also get that deep, musclecar sound that Vette owners love, and we do it without droning so loud inside the car."
According to Brooks, the new system is the product of over six months of development and research into the specific needs and desires of Z owners. As one would expect from a top-line product, the C6 Z06 Aft-Cat system uses 100 percent stainless-steel construction and boasts an uninterrupted, 3-inch flow path from the intermediate pipes all the way to the tips.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the C6 Z06 Aft-Cat system is that it replaces the factory dual-muffler configuration with a single, center-mounted unit. According to Bassani, the resulting performance increase and weight savings are superior to what one could expect from a dual-muffler aftermarket system. As for looks, each kit comes complete with application-specific quad tips crafted from polished stainless steel.
We asked Roger Vinci, of Vinci High Performance, in Orlando, Florida, to give us an overview of installing and testing the Bassani Aft-Cat on an '07 Z06. Vinci works closely with the exhaust manufacturer and was the first tuner in the country to get his hands on the new system. Follow along as we take a closer look at the install and subsequent dyno session.
Here's the complete Bassani...
Here's the complete Bassani Aft-Cat system prior to its installation on our test Corvette.
| Bassani C6 Z06 Exhaust System Specs |
| Weight | 60 lbs. |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Applications | All '06-'07 Z06 Corvettes |
| Estimated Labor Time | 45 minutes |
| MSRP | $1,197 |
Like all new Zs, ours came...
Like all new Zs, ours came from the factory with a traditional H-pipe...
...and a pair of vacuum-operated...
...and a pair of vacuum-operated "dual-mode" mufflers. Note the chintzy flat-black paint on the stock cans.
Here's a look at the factory...
Here's a look at the factory system after it was removed from the car.
With the stock exhaust parts...
With the stock exhaust parts out of the way, we get a good view of the Vette's rear differential and aluminum suspension components.
The Bassani system installs...
The Bassani system installs here, just behind the catalytic converters. Since all factory smog equipment is retained, vehicle emissions should be unaffected.
This image shows the stock...
This image shows the stock (right) and Bassani Aft-Cat systems side-by-side. In addition to offering a cleaner appearance, the Bassani setup's single, center-mounted muffler design reduces weight over the factory hardware.
Take a look at the loosened...
Take a look at the loosened rear-support-member bolt at the top of the picture. It is necessary to do this in order to install the Bassani system.
This picture shows the Bassani...
This picture shows the Bassani exhaust, as mounted on our test car. The system provides a much cleaner look than stock, while maintaining plenty of ground clearance. As for sound, the Aft-Cat exhibits a deep, mellow burble at idle, changing over to an aggressive, race-car snarl as revs increase.
According to the VHP chassis...
According to the VHP chassis dyno, the Bassani system added 17.4 hp and 12.9 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels-impressive results for a simple exhaust upgrade. Add in the superior fit of the parts, the reduction in weight, and the powerful new sound, and the Bassani Aft-Cat looks like a winner.