Titanium Exhaust System - Chevrolet Corvette 2001 Owner's Manual

2001 Chevrolet Corvette Restoration Kit
Titanium Exhaust System
To further maximize the breathing capabilities of the LS6, and reduce
vehicle mass significantly a new titanium exhaust system was developed
for the Z06. This marks the first-ever use of titanium in the exhaust
system of a mass-production vehicle. The titanium portion of the Z06's
exhaust system starts just forward of the rear axle then goes over the top
of the axle to the muffler. The entire muffler, all of its internal parts and
exterior skin, the outlet pipes, including the exhaust tips, are constructed
of titanium.
The Z06 muffler is a completely-new design, featuring larger diameter louver tubes inside the mufflers to
reduce back pressure and provide less restriction for the exhaust gases flowing through the system. The
exhaust tips are different too, with four 3.5-inch diameter tips to visually set the Z06 apart from the
standard Corvette.
Titanium offers a lower density than steel, and higher strength than either magnesium or aluminum at all
temperatures. It reduces the Z06's weight by 17.6 pounds - a whopping 50 percent reduction over the
weight of the stainless steel exhaust system used on the Corvette coupe and convertible. In addition to
easing exhaust gas restrictions, reducing mass and looking distinctive, this exhaust system sounds more
"aggressive" than that of the standard Corvette. Considerable time and effort went into the design and
tuning of the mufflers to ensure an exhaust note that would be unique to the Z06.
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