Getting more of a muscle car sound.

The Grand Prix sure doesn't look like a ricer, so there's no way I'm going to have mine sound like one. Does anyone know the best manufacturer/product combinations if I'm looking to make my '01 GT Special Edition with the 3.8 V6 sound like 1970 Chevelle SS?

Uh hem... (as I grab the lapels of my fiery red tomato tuxedo trying to look wise - not look like a :loser: )

It is my utmost humble opinion that you are attempting to compare apples to oranges, a yugo to edsel, or a Vega to a Pinto. V6 engines like their V8 counter parts have their own unique sound. Its all in the eyes, sorry, "ears" of the beholder.

As you know the 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS came with a fire breathing 454 with an eye popping, body slamming, 450 hp engine that would put a permanent smile on your face when you put the pedal to the metal.

I think your car came with a 225 hp motor. So your post is like that ageless question that has yet to be answered, "How do I get my VW bug to sound like it has a V-8 under the bonnet?"

Is there a reasonable cost setup that sounds better than stock?

It is my utmost humble opinion that you are attempting to compare apples to oranges, a yugo to edsel, or a Vega to a Pinto. V6 engines like their V8 counter parts have their own unique sound. Its all in the eyes, sorry, "ears" of the beholder.


I agree. I don't care what you do to the exhaust of any V6 engine it will never sound like that of a V8 or LS6 SS454 Chevelle even if you use your imagination. :grinno:

Anyways, here is a link to sound clips of various exhaust setups. You be the judge.

Click here (http://www.rmcgp.com/exhaust/)

The only things you can do to really beef up the sound are:

Headers
Downpipe
Catback (res removed, glasspack instead maybe)
Big Cam
Intake (which won't help much, but if you can't pull the air in, you can't push it out!)
Buy a 70 Chevelle SS

You'd get a decent sound out of your GP, but not even close to a classic V8.

Re: Buy a 70 Chevelle SS

In keeping with the Pontiac theme, maybe I need a vintage GTO instead!!

Yea, I've seen that exhaust clip page and listened to each one at least 50 times. One that stands out massively to me would be Ryan Calloway's '98 GTP with a Dynomax Super Turbo Exhaust and SLP headers.

It's under the Super Turbo Exhaust System section.

Given it sounds like a boat... but he achieved -to some degree- what I'd like.

In almost all of the other files, the idle and first couple thousand RPM's sound nice, but when the guy revs it quickly it peaks and makes that popping noise and gets high pitched, that's what I firmly intend to do away with if possible.

Yea, I've seen that exhaust clip page and listened to each one at least 50 times. One that stands out massively to me would be Ryan Calloway's '98 GTP with a Dynomax Super Turbo Exhaust and SLP headers.....
I agree Rumble. I liked this one as well. But I think the cam is what made the significant difference here. I would love to put a new cam in my engine, but would want to learn all the pros and cons first..... The drawbacks would have to be pretty bad to scare me away from this mod tho. I love the sound of that car!

You can hear the cam but that is about all. Otherwise, I bet it still has the ricer sound. I don't care what you do it will never sound like a good old mellow V8. :grinno:

BTW - You put in a hot cam for a reason not for sound only. :shakehead

Is there any way to do away with that popping sound that comes when you let off when revving? That really gets to me. Thanks for all the feed back by the way.

Is there any way to do away with that popping sound that comes when you let off when revving? That really gets to me. Thanks for all the feed back by the way.

If he has a full CATBack system most likely the resonator is deleted. Keeping the resonator in minimizes the popping sound. Or he has a problem with his fuel injection system air/fuel mixture....:dunno:

BTW - You put in a hot cam for a reason not for sound only. :shakehead

Yeah, I know that. I shoulda clarified more huh!? I was just givin him ideas of what would help with sound. After a cam install, you'd definately want to get re-tuned (for lack of better word) to fully exploit the performace advantage too!

Were I to get a cold air intake, headers, highflow downpipe/cat, catback system, and a performance cam what support mods should I take into consideration, if any, to prevent damage or get maximum performance and sound quality.