Which Cat-back would sound the best?

[Tobes]

Alright, I'm looking for a good sounding exhaust. I dont want something really loud. I want something that will be a noticable gurgle/throaty sound but wont drown out my stereo.. a medium loudness.

I was thinking either

1. Edelbrock 3" (I have not heard this exhaust.. if anyone has clips, or has this exhaust please let me know what it sounds like)

2. Flowmaster 80 series 3" (only real concern about this is that it might not provide the best flow.. if this isnt true, let me know)

3. Z28 take-off. (havent heard this either, but i've heard its fairly quiet.. maybe too quiet?)

4. any suggestions you might have.

I want to eventually mod the car pretty heavily, just poor right now, so it wont be for a long time.. so i think the 3" is best for me.. but would a 2.5" cat-back sound better?

Thanks for your input

[ellik]

3" LT1 Magnaflow. can be bought off Ebay for around $300. It'll bee louder than your z-28 T/O, quieter than a Loudmouth, and is all stainless steel unlike the Flowmaster/ Edelbrach options you listed.

[3.4orNothing]

80 series flowmaster

[AllTheGoodNamesAreGone]

flow masters = too quiet.. (2 people in my club have them one v6's)

edelbrock was pure crap (i owned one) resonated like a mofo

z28 exhaust = pointless

magnaflow = the best imho its raucus as hell above 3K but below that its mellow as hell..

[Tobes]

Flowmaster too quiet? hmm I've heard the flowmaster muffler on a v6 and thought it was pretty much the sound I wanted. But, I dont know if the cat-back would sound too much different.

Magnaflow has a 2.5" and a 3" which would be better?

[ellik]

Cat-back will sound different than just a read section.
if you are not going to put on headers, you will not gain anything from the 3" system. It might be a little bit mellower sound since there is more volume in the exhaust for it to reverberate in. However, for some reason the v6 systems are more expensive than the v8, so I would go that route just being a cheapskate.

[mjparme]

if you are not going to put on headers, you will not gain anything from the 3" system.

What do you mean? Having a 3" system will reduce backpressure in the system. Sure there will still be a bottleneck at the manifolds but after that the system will be more free flowing.

[ellik]

first question, what did you have for exhaust before your Rumbler?

ok, your driving down a 1 lane road, no room for passing. does it matter that you can go 140mph if the guy ahead of you is only go 55mph?

if your not going to do more than just the basic mods, your not going to need the more free-flowing exhaust. just my take on it... im sure it can be argued both ways. ive had both 2 1/2" and 3" systems. I can tell you there is not enough noticeable difference between the two of them with just intake/ gears. the 3" will however better support mods that cause or require more flow.... aka power adders, but I would assume that at that point you would also have headers or at least tubular manifolds instead of the logs.

[ July 08, 2004, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: ellik ]

[Tobes]

Ellik, let me say, you're a big help, thanks.

I can only really afford a cat-back right now and later on down the road (1+year or so) I do want to get headers and other mods to improve the flow. Right now, I'd really like an exhaust that will sound nice.. not extra-loud just a good low rumble (I know that in the higher RPMS all exhausts will sound bad.. but most of my driving is downtown St. Louis city driving, so that is fine by me) and I'd like to have some power increase. That being said...

Would you still suggest I get the Mangaflow 3"? or should I get a Flowmaster 2.5" with the resonator?? or the Flowmaster 3"?

Thanks a lot

[ellik]

thanks... I remember how confused I was when I first started trying to figure some of this stuff out.

I would go Magnaflow since it is a stainless steel system. Should last a long time.... if you dont bottom out and crush your exhaust tips.... ;) Best deal Ive found is ebay. There are a couple different dealers that regularly have them there. I think the handle for one of them is Performance Peddler or something like that. They often combine the exhaust with free shipping or sell the exhaust with a magnaflow high flow cat thrown in too.
I bought mine for just over $300 shipped I think.

Oh... Magnaflow includes the S-pipe in their cat-back which I think is a huge bonus for going with their setup. Only thing is they dont have a spot for the post cat O2 sensor. Any exhaust shop can burn a hole and weld a bung in though. shouldnt cost more that a couple of bucks. Or, you can just get an O2 simulator or a custom tune to delete that code anyway.

[Tobes]

okay "post cat 02 sensor"? I didnt think i'd have to worry about that since i'm sticking with the stock cat (Worried about emissions testing for now) What's the scoop about that?

also, which system to get? i have an '02 car...

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/cat-backs/camaro.htm

which model on there will be the right fit?

[casketcrewchick]

I am going to be replacing my Rumbler with a Magnaflow catback this weekend. I cannot wait. I didnt realize that Rumbler was SO LOUD! argh... I love the sound it makes during idle (whoo hoo)... but i need something a lil more quieter plus the Magnaflow looks great.

I replaced my cat and i bought an 02 simulator and so far its worked well. no SES light.

[ellik]

Originally posted by Tobes:
okay "post cat 02 sensor"? I didnt think i'd have to worry about that since i'm sticking with the stock cat (Worried about emissions testing for now) What's the scoop about that?

also, which system to get? i have an '02 car...

http://www.magnaflow.com/02product/cat-backs/camaro.htm

which model on there will be the right fit?

sorry... stock cat you will be fine. thought you were changing it.

You will want model # 15620