Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

[Fbird98]

I am a newbie with a stock 98 Firebird with a 3.8L and would like to upgrade the exhaust to just get a little more sound out of it when accelerating. I don't want something obnoxious sounding just a little more than the normal stock sounding exhaust system would suit me fine. I know this is a very subjective question but I would really appreciate any suggestions the other board members might have.

[Phate]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

Your entering a domain that many v6'ers hate. The sound of our cars.

Very few of us are happy with the sound we get out of our cars, most of us 'settle' with the sound we get. We all want to sound like v8's. The choices your going to have on exhaust are few and far between, its typically ricey sounding, or has too much rasp and sounds like sh!t to most. The most typical exhaust system on a v6 you'll hear and see is an american thunder catback (flowmaster). Its a decent sound, but to be honest, I have no idea what it sounds like on a stock v6 lol. It all depends on what your upgrading it for, and what sound you want. Best thing I can tell you, is to find sound clips (search on this board) of exhausts, see which you like the best, and throw it on. Not much else you can do.

[pcgame4life]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

When I had my v6, I went to the local exhaust shop and told them to throw a flowmaster muffler on there. In all honesty, it sounded great for a v6. It was quiet, and tame, but it yelled at WOT. Later, I put a 3" Hiflow cat and TSP Rumbler on there, and it is way too loud. It's raspy at first, but settles down when it breaks in, but if you plan on carrying on a conversation in your car... forget it.

If you want a little bit more sound and tone, but nothing extreme, I'd suggest something simple without dumping a lot of money into it.


On a side note: Hooker catback on my z28 sounds incredible, and the cutout sounds incredible x100

[Fbird98]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

It seems strange that an engine with two less cylinders would have that much different sound, but I guess that's the way it works. I am not too mechanically adept and was wondering the approximate cost of having an exhaust system installed at an exhaust shop or someplace like Pep Boys.

[Shirl]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

My 96' has a 3" Borla catback (wide open) that sounds sweet at startup, idle, and low rpm's but gets buzzy at high rpm's. My 02' has the Y87 muffler with the tips replaced with Z28 tips. I have to say, for only adding tips, the car sounds sweet. Nice deep idle and decent low tone at any rpm. I'm very happy with both setups. The second one, though, might be something for you to consider if you don't want to break the bank. And to be honest with you, no one even knows it's a 6.

[loser]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

Later, I put a 3" Hiflow cat and TSP Rumbler on there, and it is way too loud. It's raspy at first, but settles down when it breaks in, but if you plan on carrying on a conversation in your car... forget it.

thread hi-jack- as you might already know i odered a rumbler along with other parts, how long would you say it took the exhuast to break-in and start sounding better? i've been hearing around 50 miles, which with me just having my permit is gonna be more than a a day or two.:(

[BLLDOGG]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

your look at a lot longer period than 50 miles for a break-in.


you just need to search the board for people opinions and sound clips. this is a beaten to death topic

[loser]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

your look at a lot longer period than 50 miles for a break-in.

thank. yea i just got done searching and reading more, alot of people said it sounded better after 100+ miles, not what i wanted to hear.

[ChronoGN]

Re: Looking to upgrade Stock Exhaust

Get borla. I love the sound of my Borla.