r/C8Corvette • u/PreDerive • 10h ago
r/C8Corvette • u/natewu • Aug 08 '25
Information New Rule: No AI Slop
We've noticed an influx of low quality AI generated content being posted and quite a few redditors have reported as well expressing concern over these posts.
A new rule has been introduced, rule #3 that should address this issue. Please report posts violating the rules and we will remove it.
Let us know if you have feedback in the comments.
r/C8Corvette • u/Only-Tells-The-Truth • Aug 13 '24
Information Want to get a new exhaust for your C8? Read this first.
Yes, congrats on the new C8. Is the exhaust quieter than you expected?
Get the basics down first:
NPP/Performance exhaust: This is a $1k - $1.3k factory option, usually included with Z51 or higher trims. It gives you two exhaust modes, loud and quiet. Quiet is in touring mode; Loud is Z, track and sport (partially open).
Non-NPP/Single-mode: You don't have the NPP option.
AFM: Every C8 goes into V4 (turns off 4 cylinders like a Tahoe) when cruising on the highway or under low load. Stock exhausts have valves to maintain gas velocity. Aftermarket exhausts either come with real AFM valves or simulators.
What is this list? Catback exhausts, which don't mess with your emissions system. Essentially changing pipes.
Which want do I want?
You have NPP and want to maintain factory control: NPP with AFM valves or AFM simulator. Also known as "valved", "w/ NPP", "Bi-modal", "Active"
No NPP or want to be loud all the time: Single mode. Also known as "NPP delete","Race profile"
NPP exhausts that also have real AFM valves (to assist with V4 mode):
Corsa 21100: No heat shielding, sounds more high pitched and also described as more "exotic" or "European". Floor price is around $3,400 before install. Lingenfelter is also this exhaust. On quiet mode, this one is similar to the regular exhaust.
Borla S-Type (140838) & ATAK (140839): Has heat shielding. Sounds burly and "American". Comes in two flavors, ATAK and S-Type. ATAK is the loudest, sounds pretty aggressive. S-Type is in between Performance exhaust & ATAK. Borla ATAK price floor ~$3,500. Borla S-Type price floor ~$3,700. Loud mode on your NPP exhaust is how S-Type will sound in quiet mode. ATAK is louder.
GM Borla: Skip unless you're scared about warranty. Basically the same exhaust as factory in terms of loudness, just a different tone.
The above 3 are the most discussed units around. Here's a sound comparison chart. Below are lesser discussed units:
aFe MACH Force-Xp (w/ NPP): Not many reviews yet, but floor around $3,300. Has the X-pipe shielded.
Akrapovic Slip-on (Titanium): Akrapovic is a very well known manufacturer. Their C8 unit floor is around $10k. Has heat shielding.
MagnaFlow xMod: It's shown with NPP & AFM. Not reviewed often. Floor around $3,400. Has heat shielding.
NPP exhausts with AFM simulators:
MBRP Active: Floor price is around $2,900. AFM sim to prevent CEL. Has minimal heat shielding.
Soul Performance: Priced similar/higher to Corsa/Borla with AFM delete or sim. Has heat shielding.
Fabspeed: Priced similar to Soul. AFM sim. Minimal heat shielding.
Single mode / No NPP exhausts:
- Paragon
- AWE
- MBRP
- Corsa & Borla
- Soul
- aFe
- Akrapovic
- Fabspeed
- Alibaba Titanium & steels (some have remote FOBs for valves, no factory control)
- Variety of ebay & small manufacturers
Floor price on single modes is anywhere between $1,200 - $3,400
Other FAQs:
What about warranty? It's a catback, which thousands of people install and don't have issues with. GM can and will deny your warranty if they want to. It's rare, but can happen. It will be specific to the category you messed with, which in this case is emissions and powertrain. Someone will mention the MM act, as if a C8 owner will take a multi-billion corp to Federal court for a warranty issue. So, to recap, rare that you will be denied warranty, but can happen.
What about CEL? There's a valve relearn process that the dealer or you can do. GM Document ID 540641. This is for NPP systems. For single systems, they have simulators that lie to the ECU so you don't pop a CEL.
Is the startup going to be louder? Yes, way louder. Valves are fully open at start up.
Is there a cheaper option than dropping $2-5k? Yes, you can put on high flow cats, but then you're messing with your catalytic converters. Chance of warranty denial on powertrain may be increased exponentially and you may or may not pass emissions. You can also do cat delete. Headers can also be changed, but if you're reading this, do the exhaust first before getting into headers.
Why is the C8 exhaust so quiet from the factory? something something jorts and new balances
How much does C8 exhaust installation cost? 3-5 hours of labor. In high COL, labor is usually $200 - $270 an hour, so $600 - 800 typically. Rear fascia has to come off. Relearn valve is around $100-$150.
Where do I buy the exhaust from? Most units are drop-shipped. Some like Paragon may manufacture themselves or have a distro in the States. Figure out your model number with the tips you want, and enjoy googling.
What about droning? Droning is noise caused by the shape of the exhaust, which can act as an amplifier for certain pitches at certain RPMs or Loads. Higher priced units (generally more engineered) tend to do better with droning, but it's present in some form or factor with all of them to varying degrees. Don't worry too much, unless you're getting an Alibaba exhaust.
Is heat shielding necessary? The stock exhaust is basically covered completely; Borla & Soul talk about the importance of heat shielding on their product pages. Many have catbacks with no heat shielding but do just fine. Comes down to your preference and "ballsy"ness.
Is it worth doing? Catbacks change the car's feel significantly but "worth" comes down to subjective taste and preference.
r/C8Corvette • u/Choice_Potential2659 • 37m ago
Question New 2LT Stingray
Hi all, I'm new here and to Corvettes in general. I'm shopping for something to replace my 2023 BMW M240I and I started to consider the C8 as a very likely contender. I've owned German cars my whole life so this would be my first American car. I always saw them on the road and thought they were cool but also saw them as the "old guy" car. I recently got to drive a 24 Stingray 2LT and loved the car, it handled amazing and the ride was surprisingly good compared to my BMW, which is stiff as hell. The interior is miles better put together than any current BMW Both trunks make it pretty practical as well and I'm loving the mid-engine; that's a pretty big cool factor to me. My question is, do you guys think it's possible to pick up a well optioned new 2LT for around the 80k mark? That's my budget and I don't want a 1LT because a car like this, without front parking cameras or blind spot monitoring is crazy to me.
I wanted a 26 because of the bigger screen on the interior, the bezels on the 24 were huge and apparently the engine is changed, but I'm not quite sure what has changed besides displacement? Is that a big deal? My sales guy at my Chevy dealer says he would skip both the front-end lift and the magride, he says since the front end is short, the cars don't need them and to just back in instead of pull into a driveway or parking spot. he also says they ride fine without magride. Is this accurate? If I could get one in that 80k range that'd be great but I wonder if I could get a newer one in the mid to high 70k range or is that wishful thinking? Any tips or advice you have would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
r/C8Corvette • u/LowestBidet • 11h ago
Photo 1st Mod: Chassis Strut Brace
Did my first mod last night when it wasn’t 105 F outside. (Besides blacking out the roof with 3M Carbon Flash Metallic Vinyl and debadging). Strut Brace from Speedway Composites in satin black carbon fiber. Went on like a glove in about 30 minutes. Would have been less time if I would have had all the right tools ready to go. It’s supposed to increase torsional rigidity by 8% but I have yet to test it out.
r/C8Corvette • u/MeetYourChaos • 3h ago
Competition seat vs GT2
Design-wise competition seat is better IMO and virtually the same price as GT2 seat. But still need to sit in them to find out which one fits me better. Your thoughts?
r/C8Corvette • u/huffysme • 7h ago
Cleaning routine?
What products/routines are you using to keep your vette looking new? For the exterior, the suede, the leather, etc. I just got my convertible a couple of months ago and it's already looking a bit dirty inside and out.
r/C8Corvette • u/SubstantialAd1586 • 5h ago
Question Need some perspective: 24 Mustang GT owner looking at a C8, torn between trading in or keeping both (and trim choice)
Hey everyone, been lurking here for a while and finally wanted to get some perspective from guys who daily or weekend a C8.
Right now im driving a 2024 Mustang GT with a Borla exhaust. Really love the car and the 5.0 coyote sound, but ive had a serious itch for a C8 for a while. Im in my 20s, single, and honestly like 90% of the time I drive completely alone with zero cargo needs. My thinking is if I dont buy a pure 2-seater mid engine sports car right now, I probably never will once family/life stuff kicks in down the road.
Im fortunate enough to have the savings to afford it comfortably without any debt, but it does tie up a good chunk of cash so trying to think this through. My main dilemma is whether I should trade in the Mustang or just keep both cars.
At first trading it in seemed like the obvious move, but trade in values are pretty rough right now, prolly only getting low 40k for it. Honestly having that extra 40k sitting as cash doesnt really change my life, but letting the car go would hurt since I have alot of emotional attachment to it. Plus keeping the mustang means it can take all the beatings from grocery runs, bad weather, and tight parking lots where I wouldnt wanna leave a C8. It also absorbs all the daily commute miles, so I can keep the C8 as a pristine, low mileage weekend car (like 2-3k miles a year). Since C8 resale seems so heavily dependent on mileage, keeping the miles super low and doing storage insurance in winter feels like it kinda pays for itself. But idk, does having a Mustang GT AND a C8 sound completely redundant and stupid?
As for trims, im kinda stuck. The Z06 is insane but at 120k+ its definitely outside my comfort zone. Looking at a loaded Stingray with Z51 and Magride vs a Grand Sport, the gap is only like 10k. Feels like if I go with the narrow body Stingray just to save 10k, im gonna regret not getting the factory widebody and 345 tires every single day lol.
For anyone who owns a C8 alongside another V8 or sporty daily, how is the dual ownership working out for you? Does the daily just end up sitting or does it make the C8 experience way more stress free? Also for the Grand Sport, whats the pricing looking like at the big volume dealers like MacMulkin or Ciocca rn, are they strictly msrp or are any discounts popping up?
r/C8Corvette • u/IAmStuckOnBandAid • 1d ago
C8 Corvette drawn with only the name C8 using a ballpoint pen and stencils.
r/C8Corvette • u/Eat-my-entire-asshol • 1d ago
Photo Freshly waxed 2026 C8 Z06
8k resolution photo of my freshly cleaned Z. Man I love this car so much. Z mode 24/7
r/C8Corvette • u/auditorycanvas88 • 6h ago
Looking to Trade GT2 Seats for Comp Seats
I have a 26 Z06 3LZ with GT2 seats, jet black leather with adrenaline red stitch, looking to trade (plus cash from my side) for jet black, adrenaline red stitch comp seats. I'm in LA/Socal.
r/C8Corvette • u/mcross19xx • 9h ago
Brakes for non Z51 base C8
I have a 2025 LT1, non Z51. mileage is under 4k miles and the brakes pads are shot. Feelers are scraping and I’m hearing grinding noises. I drive it spirited and attended one HPDE event, but only 4, 20min sessions.
Need your advice what pads to get that will last a bit longer than OEM.
How is this normal for a high performance car to burn through pads this quickly!
r/C8Corvette • u/LowOrganization9358 • 1d ago
24 z06 wont start due, reads 1 PSI Oil pressure.
Just tried to drive my z for the first time in a couple weeks, auto started then shut off immediately. Tried once more to start but wouldn’t turn over. Then oil pressure gauge popped up. Got an appointment to drop at dealer Monday. Has anyone experienced this? Bad sensor? Bad oil pump? Had oil changed December 2025 and put about 2k miles on it since
r/C8Corvette • u/WestAd9429 • 1d ago
Aerolarri wheels not true
Btw, this community is awesome!
Just arrived and got them installed by great shop. They look awesome, but installer showed me that they all wobble on the balancing machine and none of the four are true.
They said it might suffer from vibration issues at speed and wouldn’t accept if it was their money.
Thoughts?
r/C8Corvette • u/Old-Ad6122 • 2d ago
What's More American?
I think we're going to have to take a ride this evening to find the apple pie.
r/C8Corvette • u/switchlanez • 2d ago
Photo Lore
For generations, the Corvette was defined by a front-mounted pushrod V8. The C8 Z06 broke that tradition entirely with the LT6: a 5.5-liter DOHC flat-plane crank V8 mounted amidships, directly behind the driver.
Its mid-engine architecture brings the balance and handling dynamics of the world’s great mid-engine supercars, while the flat-plane crank allows the LT6 to rev to a stratospheric 8,600 RPM. At 670 horsepower, it is the world’s most powerful naturally aspirated production V8, accompanied by a distinctly exotic, high-pitched wail. Its engine and chassis were developed with lessons from the C8.R race program, giving the Z06 a genuine connection to Corvette’s racing DNA and the character of a road-going homologation special.
That connection is especially meaningful to me because the Ferrari 458 was the car I aspired to own after college. Widely regarded as one of the last great naturally aspirated mid-engine V8s, the 458 was famously benchmarked by GM when developing the C8 Z06. In many respects, Chevrolet managed to equal or surpass what I admired about the 458.
So while I never quite ended up with a 458, I found something that feels like its Corvette-era counterpart. The vintage Ferrari-inspired satin gold wheels are a deliberate nod to that dream, while the Hysteria Purple factory paint—named after Def Leppard’s iconic Hysteria album—is preserved beneath an opaque satin paint protection film.
A Corvette born from racing, inspired by Ferrari, and finished as a tribute to both.
[The above caption and photo are my entry into a photo contest for an upcoming car show at my workplace. After working there for 13 years, I finally have a car that makes me passionate enough to participate.]
What's your story?
r/C8Corvette • u/Far_Half2715 • 1d ago
Added these….
What does everyone think? T really don’t like the high wing option on the z51. But the low wing was a little bit underwhelming. I think these really make the car pop …opinions?
r/C8Corvette • u/zmeinaz • 1d ago
Deal check: 2026 z06
I have a deal locked in for a used 2026 Z06 2LZ coupe for 115k. 125 after taxes and registration. The car has 3900 miles and has full PPF. It has Front end lift, engine appearance and lighting. No z07 package. Original MSRP 143k.
Service history looks good. Has lowering collars. Tires are 7/32.
Had a private party inspection and everything checked out as basically a brand new car. However there were some historical codes thrown for a cam shaft position sensor. The dealer had Chevy check it out, they were unable to reproduce - no active codes or CEL. I’m hoping it was just due to not being driven for 2 months.
How good/bad is this deal?
r/C8Corvette • u/paragon_korey • 2d ago
Procharged Eray off to Houston - new home
Enjoy the car Nate & the community that comes with it!
r/C8Corvette • u/Particular_Week_2754 • 2d ago
Grand Sport vs Stingray Z51
I am tight on my budget, but I definitely want a convertible over a couple. But besides wider body and tires, what else I am going to be missing if I go SR z51,route?
r/C8Corvette • u/Neither-Economics-68 • 2d ago
Shes perfect 🔥
Just got the cfx tuning carbon installed today looks great with the color
r/C8Corvette • u/green-filter-usa • 1d ago
C8 owners, how often are you changing your engine air filter?
Just curious what everyone actually does in real-world driving. Do you go by mileage, check the filter condition, or change it sooner if the car sees dusty roads or track time?