Complete System

[DeuceX]

I'm looking to put together a complete system for the '96 bird I'm buying. It looks like someone already tried some sort of "free air mod" on the engine, as the stock air system looks to be bypassed with a tube and a cheap conical filter. As its been raining the last few days, I haven't went out to inspect the intake further. Now, for the meat of the post...I'm looking to buy a complete intake/exhaust system for the car and install it all at once.

I've been all over this site and the internet listening to sound clips and watching videos of our cars with various setups, and I've heard cars with the exact same mods listed sound completely different. Right now, I'm looking at a Flowmaster 80 series cat-back, Magnaflow cat, and either CIA or Pacesetter headers. Any comments on that set up is more than welcome, as well as pros, cons, and personal experiences. I know Pacesetters are notorious for leaks, and the CIAs aren't supposed to fit my car. I'd prefer CIAs, and as long as the headers will match up with the engine itself, I'm sure I can modify any other underhood components to get the CIAs to fit.

As for the intake, I'm still deciding. I'd like to put some sort of ram-air, but I haven't been able to find any designed for the '96. All the lids I've seen are for later model cars, too. Will these work with my car, or am I just SOL? If they work, what are some suggestions?

[97rs4life]

Re: Complete System

as for intakes, there are no lids or ram air setups for the 96 cars. Best way to do it is with the pipe and cone filter in the fenderwell for the car and that sounds like what you have. SLP makes a nice one for the 95-97 cars as well that consists of two smaller filters down in the fender area.

exhaust setup is going to be personal preference really, they all work and have their own sounds, with the flowmaster though it is going to rust out and not last as it is not stainless steel. Magnaflows catback is all stainless steel and will last a lot longer.

pacesetters are just fine, get the abbott gaskets though as the paper ones from pacesetter tend to blow out at times. abbotts have not been reported to leak yet which is awesome.

carsound cat from magnaflow is the best way to go for a hi-flow aftermarket cat.

[DeuceX]

Re: Complete System

Sounds good, I'll go look for some stainless steel catbacks now. I was considering a Borla exhaust as a possibility if I get activated for some Stateside duty, as that'll pull about three grand into my bank account. Otherwise, I'll have to get something a bit cheaper.

[DeuceX]

Re: Complete System

Barring my getting activated, I've decided on the PaceSetter armor coated headers, magnaflow cat, and magnaflow catback exhaust. Until I can get out and look at the car to see if its got a real intake or a hack job, I won't include those. I'll take some pictures if its a "custom" intake so you guys can tell me what you think about it. Other than maybe getting an intake, is there anything I can do to improve the flow of my intake system? I eventually plan to put forced induction on the car, but thats going to be a ways down the line....at least a year from now, possibly more depending on what life throws at me.

[DeuceX]

Re: Complete System

I was looking on Magnaflow's site for the 3" exhaust systems, but all I saw (for any model) was 3"/2.5". I want to do the full 3" conversion, as the car will eventually have forced induction and will need the extra exhaust flow. Anyone have a part # for the 3" exhaust so I can look it up and begin planning the conversion?

[97rs4life]

Re: Complete System

Part #15620 is the 3" lt1 catback that would work on a v6.

http://www.gvperformance.com/store/i...&productId=107

[DeuceX]

Re: Complete System

Thanks. Add a 3" S-Pipe and my system is done for around $1,000, minus labor.