exhaust options?! please help me choose

[navyblue2000]

i'm getting my exhaust rebuilt, part in fault of the clogged cat that is getting replaced (read: under warranty).
so here's my options i think:
dave smith (lt1dave.com) is going to open the cat outlet to 3". this is a definite.
from there, there will be a 3" intermediate pipe.

now, the options...
3" pipe, to a 3" cutout, and then back to 2.75" to the Z28 muffler...
OR
just 3" pipe from the cat to my old flowmaster 40 muffler?

i'm really debating this. I LOVED my old flowmaster...but MAYBE a cutout would help power?

decisions, decisions.. [img]graemlins/evilgrin.gif[/img]

[shortdog273]

I'd say go with the 3" I pipe with your flowmaster muffler (get an 80 series if you can), and a cutout. You can always close the cutout if it hurts your 1/4 times.

[SlimJim1284]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by shortdog273:
You can always close the cutout if it hurts your 1/4 times.<hr></blockquote>

i thought less restriction equals more power?

[shortdog273]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SlimJim1284:
i thought less restriction equals more power?<hr></blockquote>
Some got better 1/4 times, some got worse. I dunno.

[darkthoughts5000]

the exhaust needs backpressure though... and too large a pipe may steal that pressure and thus also stealing power. unless your car has some mods as far as intake and engine components, 3" is about a crazy as youll want to get. on a stock car, 3" may even be too much.

[Paul Collins]

Find a place that will bend you a 3" system since our engines really dont have the volume to require mandrel bending, that will save you a little cash. I would also step up to a spintech muffler. I heard one on a 280Z and it sounded like a damn V8 at idle.