cat-back system or just muffler and tips

[stealth1281]

Is there a huge difference between a cat-back system verses a flowmaster muffler with custom piping to two tips?

I don't have much money and I can't justify buying a whole cat-back system unless its really worth it.

[Little G]

What is your application? Drag race? or street car that never goes to the track? Is it worth it to me? Yes. You? Maybe not.

[V8 Killer]

Well plain and simple,if you dont have money get the muffler.if you do then get the catback.

[stealth1281]

I don't plan on taking it to the track, but I do tend to run it pretty hard. I can afford the cat-back system, but I didn't know if there would be a huge difference just going with the muffler.
How much should I expect a muffler shop to charge me for installing a muffler and piping?

Thanks for your input.

[oil pan 4]

It wouldn't cost as much if a muffler shop did it.
A per made cat back would cost about $400-$500.
Some shop would do it for $400 max most likely.
Try and find a slightly used one on ebay, that would be the cheapest way.

[FireFighter]

Flowmaster, loudmouth and the rumbler are all under $400, I had mine made, it came out to be about the same. I would just buy a pre made one and bolt it on.

[1DangerousV6]

yeah i'd go with a cat back if you're gonna run it hard and are looking for a gain..i LOVE my borla..but its too expensive damnit [img]smile.gif[/img]

[grayman]

chances are more than likely that the muffler shop you go to for custom muffler/custom tail pipes will only do non mandrel bends. that would suck to pay all that money for no gain other than different sounding muffler.

also be careful...muffler shops like to severly overcharge for the muffler vs what you can actually get a muffler for on line with free shipping.

tip: please put the year of your vehicle in signature. It helps you get better, more specific responses.

get a V6 2.5 inch catback for your year of car. You can do it all yourself with one hack saw cut..(where the midpipe goes over the axle) and a 9/16 socket for the new clamps. oh, a metric socket or two to remove the stock s pipe band clamp and the s pipe shroud. If you get the same year catback the tail pipe hangers will match the hanger mounts that are already on your car.
A system like this will sound better and should give some performance gain as compared to just a muffler with tiny little non mandrel bent tail pipes.

[stealth1281]

I plan on getting a muffler on ebay, most likely a flowmaster 80 series. Is this a good deal in your opinion? --> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

I tried to put my car in my sig, but it won't show up. Anyway, I have a '98 3800 5-speed.

One more thing, does mandrel versus non-mandrel bends REALLY make that much of a difference?

thank you again for all of your responses.

[Paul Ford]

yes mandrel bends make a difference in both power and sound

[grayman]

Yes, mandrel, yes.

[REDLiNE]

I agree with going with the cat-back. As you add intake or if you already have one the mandrel bent tubes will give you a little more of a gain and it just works better as a complete system.

[ellik]

I dont know what kind of budget you have, but you can find a NEW stailess steel Magnaflow cat-back off dealers on Ebay for $300 or less shipped. Id seriously save my pennies until I could get a whole cat-back vs. just muffler and tips.

[Nicklz]

I'll 2nd that.
Only reason to put just mufflers is lack of money to buy full catback.

[38fury]

I got an edelbrock cat-back for 280 from summit 3inch over axle pipe all mandrel bends and imo it sounds better than flowmaster cat-backs