Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and General Motors go a long way back. Lingenfelter has recently unleashed two exhausts for the C8 Corvette Z06, beginning with a 3.0-inch system featuring no-drone mufflers. The 304 stainless-steel system promises up to 12 dyno-proven horsepower and 13 pound-feet (17.6 Nm) over the standard unit, as well as 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms) in weight savings.
It’s not cheap, though. Supplied by Corsa Performance, said exhaust is available to pre-order at $3,499.99 on Lingenfelter’s website. The cat-back setup comes with braided couplers, a serviceable cast valve assembly, wiring harness extensions, and solid rod hangars. Furthermore, it’s made in the United States of America rather than Mexico or China.
Compatible with the stock exhaust tips, this exhaust comes with five years of warranty for the valves. The only level up is the muffler-delete version of said exhaust, which – obviously enough – costs a bit less while offering the same dyno-proven gains.
The $2,499.99 version is lighter still, promising weight savings of 31 pounds (14 kilograms) over the factory exhaust. Although it sounds like a riot, bear in mind that the muffler-delete system isn’t meant for use on public roads. All 50 states handle muffler laws differently, but do bear in mind that every US state requires motor vehicles to sport mufflers.
Neither version of the Lingenfelter Corsa exhaust will cause a check engine light after a valve relearn sequence. As per the installation instructions provided by Corsa Performance, installation difficulty is estimated at four out of a maximum of five. Z06 owners who aren’t into DIY or don’t have the necessary tools can always get a specialist (including Lingenfelter) to install said exhaust.
Photo: Lingenfelter
A different animal from the C7 Z06 and predecessors, the C8 Z06 is the first road-going ‘Vette to feature a flat-plane crankshaft V8. That’s why it revs so high, with GM setting the redline at 8,600 revolutions per minute. Not exactly the 9,000 revolutions per minute of the Ferrari 458 Italia, but do bear in mind that it’s a larger engine as well.
The largest flat-plane crankshaft V8 ever fitted to a production car, that is, for it displaces 5.5 liters. By comparison, the S550-generation Shelby GT350 Mustang offers 5.2 liters of Voodoo magic, along with a redline of 8,250 revolutions per minute. Not bad for a naturally-aspirated V8 based on an existing architecture, which is also the reason why it’s barely oversquare (i.e., 94 by 93 millimeters).
Whereas the Shelby GT350 came with a six-speed manual exclusively, the C8 Z06 went down the 458 Italia route with a dual-clutch transaxle. But rather than Getrag, the biggest automaker of the Big Three in Detroit sourced its dual-clutch transaxle from Tremec. You know, the guys who also make the six-speed manuals of the 2024 model year Ford Mustang GT and 500-pony Mustang Dark Horse.
Rightfully described as a supercar by its maker, the C8 Z06 is a bit on the expensive side of Corvettes. The most affordable spec in production today is $112,700 before the destination charge and gas-guzzler tax. For reference, the C7 Z06 used to retail at $78,995 back in August 2014. Adjusted for inflation, that would be 102,705 freedom eagles.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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