!@!@!@ Need Help! Gutting my exhaust @!@!@!

[monsoon]

Well its about time to get rid of my horrible sounding exhaust train and headers.

First question, can you mount a cat back exhaust systems for a 5.7 to a 2002 3.8 like mine is? I was told on here one time you could, that you would just need new hangers. And also im looking at the slp loudmouth cat system, is this a good pic? Or should i go with something else?

Second question, I have no intentions of putting a new exhaust system on my maro to stock headers. So, what are some good headers that i need to look at, note i want to stay in the mid 200's in price range. And where would the best place to get them?

3RD question, My dad mention something about a ''Glass Pack'' exhaust set up. What exactly is this, and would it be better for my camaro than a cat/back system?


4th question, U pipe?, y, pipe?, X pipe?, S pipe?, what other type of pipes am i going to need if i get a cat back exhaust? And most importantly, what Inch pipeing would i want for the whole exhaust. I learned that 3in will fit over the axel just fine. Keep in mind that that im looking for a loud, smooth, kinda throaty sound.


Final question. My father also mentioned that the cat converter is a usless piece of crap and should be thrown out all together if im going to put a new exhaust system on my car. Is this true? And if it is, would this make my new exhuast system sound like crap? I had plans to get a summit racing high flow cat converter but my dads words got me thinking.

I hope you guys can answer my questions. Thanks to all who can.

[ March 15, 2006, 11:30 PM: Message edited by: monsoon ]

[FirebirdGT]

1) LT1 93-95 single cat, or you will have to piece it togther. What year is your car? 93-97 bolt-in, 98+ will need the 93-97 hangers.

2) None at your price, $350+

3) Custom setup, no.

4) Illegal http://www.camarov6.com/ubb/ultimate...;f=25;t=007775

[monsoon]

thanks for the quick reply GT, sry, my car is a 2002 model.

Really on the headers ? I thought i could get some pace setter headers for around my zone.

Yes i know, but i want to know how it affects the sound on a 6, 3.8 like mine

[99v6cam]

Originally posted by monsoon:
thanks for the quick reply GT, sry, my car is a 2002 model.

Really on the headers ? I thought i could get some pace setter headers for around my zone.

Yes i know, but i want to know how it affects the sound on a 6, 3.8 like mine

You can get non-coated pacesetters in the $200s, I did at least.

[xFirex99]

You've got tubular manifolds which are good enough for nitros. Save some $ and put it into intake or better exhaust.

[monsoon]

Originally posted by xFirex99:
You've got tubular manifolds which are good enough for nitros. Save some $ and put it into intake or better exhaust.

but why put a new exhaust to old rusted heads?

99v6, whats the diff. between coated and non coated? where did you get your headers?

[99 RS Camaro]

Originally posted by monsoon:
thanks for the quick reply GT, sry, my car is a 2002 model.

Really on the headers ? I thought i could get some pace setter headers for around my zone.

Yes i know, but i want to know how it affects the sound on a 6, 3.8 like mine

my car sounds good in my opinion minus the cat..ive had several people mistake it for a
v8....so yea...im happy.......i have a 99 3.8 v6

[monsoon]

awsome, what inch pipe you running?

[Arctc Wolf]

I would get a custom setup. a single 3" pipe is enough to flow freely to about 350 hp. a "glasspack" is basically a bunch of fiberglass packed together around the exhaust. some of the sound is deadened by the fiberglass insulation. A drawback of this is thaat it will burn out eventully due to heat, or blown out due to exhaust velocity. However, putting on tips that have glasspacks in them would be ok, just don't get water up in there. You wouldn't need an x ir h pipe with a single pipe exhaust. A shop here in kansas actually found my cat to be clogged up and broke out the insides so it is free-flowing now. As for headers, you'd have to stick with non-coated pacesetters.

[monsoon]

thanks wolf, im going to dual it out the back of corse. My question is will i haft to join my headers into one 3 in pipe to the muffler, then dual dual out the back like a cat/back? Or can i dual it from the headers into dual mufflers then dual out the back??

[blkbird_2001]

From what I am told, since you have a newer vehicle and have tubular manifolds there is no sense in getting headers since tubular manifolds are just as good. Also headers are usually more trouble then they are worth, since a lot of times they will leak. This is coming from experienced bodyshops. Also removing the cat is illegal.

[monsoon]

ok, so will a new exhaust system hooked to my old tubular headers sound good then? Sorta confused, don't wanna do sumthin stupid befor i get my exhaust kit.

[monsoon]

any more imput guys, i really need all the info i can get

[monsoon]

help me out

[NCState98]

Like the guys said, your car is a 2002 and its tubular manifolds are much better than the older V6 manifolds. I wouldn't get headers unless you're willing to pay a bit more for ceramic coated headers. You asked about the coating... it is a high temp, polished coating that helps keep the engine bay temps down, looks better than uncoated headers, and will not allow the paint on the headers to "bake off". They do lose their shine though.

3 inch pipe is more than enough for our cars, even with a supercharger or other large modification. You could try to fabricate dual 2.25 inch exhaust from the headers through 2 mufflers and to the tips, but few guys have had success on late model fbodies, mostly with ground clearance issues. Most guys seem to argue that this is also overkill for a V6.

I had a high flow cat on my car when I had a 3 inch exhaust bent up at an exhaust shop. The guts of the cat recently started rattling and I was forced to hollow the cat. It is a bit louder, but not nearly as raspy as I expected. I believe I have an SLP muffler which is fairly tame, although I bought it used and we can't locate any markings on it. Remember that you'll usually have a hard time passing inspection if you completely leave out the cat, unless you have "connections" that are willing to risk their inspection license.

So:
-stick with your tubular manifolds unless you decide to upgrade to coated headers.
-LT1 catbacks can be modified to your V6 at an exhaust shop. This will require new hangers and some work around the cat.
-3 inch exhaust is plenty, and you can attempt dual exhaust if you like fabrication
-put a cat on there for inspection purposes. Weld 3 bolt flanges to both ends so that you can replace it with a straight pipe or pipe with a cutout attached later if you wish.
-keep us updated