Hello fellow ZHP owners. I'm waiting on the delivery of my "new" '06 silver convertible from California, and had a few questions about some mild performance mods, such as the exhaust that I'd like to try. I did a little research on the exhaust issue, and now I'm even more confused. I'm pathetically old school when it comes to performance mods on late model cars. I've restored and modified '60's and 70's Triumphs, Porsches, Austin-Healey's, etc. for SCCA regional racing and fast road/track day applications, but after looking at the exhaust schematic for the ZHP, it's obvious I need a little help.
My last fast road, track day restoration of was on a 1964 Triumph TR4. I used two Burns 2 stage stainless steel racing mufflers and loved the sound. I'd like to use the same on my ZHP, but have no idea what to throw out and what to keep on the existing setup. The factory schematic shows both exhaust outlets eventually running into one tube and then to the muffler at the back of the car. Ideally, I'd like to remove all non-essential restrictions in place between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust tips.
With that in mind, I have the following questions:
a. What can be removed without the risk of failing an emissions test?
b. Should I use two lengths of tubing from front to back with two mufflers, or transition from two lengths of tubing to one, then to the muffler like the factory did?
b. Where should the muffler(s) be placed...cat-back...axle-back?
c. Is the return on investment, BHP-wise, for downpipes and headers on the ZHP worth it?
Thank you all for not only allowing me to join, but to reap the vast brain trust of the ZHP Mafia!