Corvette C8 Original Exhaust System Stainless Steel Catalytic Converter

C8 Corvette’s original catalytic converters are high-value inventory items. Unlike the mufflers, these units contain significant amounts of precious metals and are engineered to withstand the extreme temperatures of the mid-engine LT2 V8.

1. Technical Composition

The C8 Stingray uses a pair of high-density ceramic-core catalytic converters.

• Shell Material: T-304L Stainless Steel (Brushed finish).

• Substrate: 700-cell ceramic honeycomb.

• Catalyst Coating: A proprietary blend of Platinum (Pt), Palladium (Pd), and Rhodium (Rh).

• Thermal Protection: Factory units are wrapped in semi-rigid stainless steel heat shields to protect the surrounding engine bay electronics from the $800+°C$ operating temperatures.

2. OEM Part Identification (2020–2026)

While GM frequently updates part numbers for emissions compliance, the following are the primary identifiers for the North American (Non-OPF) Stingray:

• Z51 vs. Base: The catalytic converters are identical for both the Base and Z51 packages. The “performance” gains of the Z51 exhaust come from the valved NPP muffler system, not the converters themselves.

3. Commercial Market Value (2026)

As of early 2026, the market for C8 “Take-Off” converters is driven by owners returning leased vehicles to stock or replacing stolen/damaged units.

• OEM New (Dealer): Approximately $1,200 – $1,500 per side.

• New Take-Off (Pair): A mint-condition set removed from a new car (often for “Sport Cat” upgrades) typically sells for $1,400 – $1,800 for the pair.

• Scrap Value: Due to the high cell density and PGM (Precious Group Metals) content, a used C8 converter currently has a recycling/scrap value of $250 – $400 per unit.