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C4 Corvette Exhaust System - Aural Surgery

Stainless Works' Headers-To-Tips Exhaust System Yields A Louder, Prouder C4
From the July, 2008 issue of Vette
By Jay Heath
Photography by Jay Heath
C4 Corvette Exhaust System
Stainless Works' long-tube... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System
Stainless Works' long-tube LT1 C4 headers are crafted from mandrel-bent 304 stainless steel and feature built-in air-tube and O2-sensor bungs. Ours came with the optional Random Tech high-flow catalytic converters.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Mufflers X Pipe
Complementing the headers... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Mufflers X Pipe
Complementing the headers was this converter-back exhaust system, which came to us with dual 21/2-inch intermediate pipes, an X-style crossover, a pair of polished tips, and a full complement of hangers. Like all SW exhaust parts, it's covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
After more than 77,000 miles... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
After more than 77,000 miles of use, our '96's original exhaust system resembled something left over from a marine-salvage operation. Worse, it was starting to leak.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
AntiVenom tech Will Edgar... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
AntiVenom tech Will Edgar begins the job by unbolting the stock exhaust hardware, starting at the cats and moving rearward.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
With all the bolts liberated,... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
With all the bolts liberated, Edgar and shop honcho Greg Lovell remove the entire system as one piece.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
Here's the old factory setup... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
Here's the old factory setup as laid out on the ground behind the shop. Note the large, sound-attenuating resonator positioned ahead of the dual mufflers.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
A comparison of the Random... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
A comparison of the Random Tech cat (foreground) and the OEM unit reveals a marked contrast in design efficiency. The new piece is smaller, lighter, and cleaner-looking than the stocker. It also flows better and radiates less heat.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
With the rear portion of the... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
With the rear portion of the exhaust removed, Edgar drops the car and moves on to the job of pulling the cast-iron factory manifolds.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
Now sans manifold, the LT1... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
Now sans manifold, the LT1 shows off its traditional D-shaped exhaust ports.
C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
If you're following along... 
   
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C4 Corvette Exhaust System Installation
If you're following along at home, you'll need to source your own gasket...

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