cat back exhaust

[97grandprix]

im looking to replace my crappy factory exhaust on my 97 gp se .
i want to put a cat back system in it. any suggestions, what do you's have on your car's ?

[Ripn12s]

What exactly are you looking for?? Sound?? Performance??

If I could do it all over again, I would have saved myself $500 and just bought different mufflers and tips. I've got MSP's 3" catback that uses Hooker AeroChamber muffs, they drone around 2000 rpm pretty bad.

Do a search on Clubgp.com and you'll find something that you will like.

Tim

[97grandprix]

thanks for the reply. Im looking for Performance..... but i would like a nice rumble to it also. i would like to stay arround $400 but willing to go up a little.

[73superduty]

I've got a dynomax catback on my car and I love the low grumble it makes. It doesn't drone too badly either, and would hit your price point or below depending on where you buy it.
Chris

[99' Z-28]

what do you mean by drone at 2 grand? THe 3.8 has a weird sound tone to it. between 1500-2500rpms its loud(deep tone) after 2500 that tone goes away and if you hit the gas hard you can hardly hear the exhaust. It don't matter what exhaust system you have, they will still do that when you take the mufflers off and run no mufflers.

[Ripn12s]

i have my cutout before the muffler and the tone/drone just moves to 3000 rpm with it open. It is much louder by far. On the 3800 some mufflers amplify the tone more than others.

[97grandprix]

thanks for the info 73superduty, i think im gona get the dynomax catback, the only other question i have is : the current factory exhaust only has one muffler on it cause it is a SE (but the 3.8L) does it matter if i get a exhaust that is ment for GT's ? i wouldn't think so but then again im not a wiz at car's

[Ripn12s]

Just keep it a single muffler system, it will sound just the same and you'll save yourself weight. If I could fill in the hole in the rear facia, were the 2nd muffler tip is, I would cut on muffler off and only run one.

[97grandprix]

good info Ripn12s i'll consider staying with one muffler, but im not shure.

[73superduty]

97gp--I would think everything for mounting it will be pretty close to the same. Ordering the whole system will get you two mufflers and the extra piping.
If weight loss is something you are worried about, then yes keep it single.
The only problem I see is adding a cutout for the second tip, unless they hang down enough to clear the rear fascia. All the underpinnings should be there for the exhaust to mount too. I would think the dual would give you a little more hp and better mileage.
but hey that's just me.
Chris
Here is the cat back that I have:

Should have all the vital info you need.

[97grandprix]

im not really to worried about weight, and the pipes hang down under the rear fascia (wich i think would look good). thanks for all the info!

[Ripn12s]

You wont see anymore HP by making it flow through a 2nd muffler and more piping. If you dyno a car with a full exhuast and then cut off the mufflers I can assure you that the dyno without the mufflers will be a higher HP pull.

If it wasnt a pain in the ass I would remove the catback everytime I hit the track. I'm sure I could shave off atleast 50lbs by doing that. The less weight you have to pull down the track the better you'll run.

[97grandprix]

thats a good point two. Im still deciding what to go with either 1 or 2 mufflers, then again if i got with 1 i could save a little $$ ? yes...no?

[73superduty]

ripn12, are you saying that adding a catback will not give you any more HP? Please give me some info as I don't want to read into this more than I think.
Naturally cutting off the catback will give you more hp, thats not what this is about. I don't even think it is about going downt he track. He just wants a nice sounding exhaust at a decent price. Please don't think I am slamming ya. I agree with some of your points IF he was woried about racing.

97gp--are you planning on runing the 1/8 or the 1/4? If not then don't worry bout the extra weight, 50lbs isn't going to do much. You need to lose 100 lbs. to even gain a tenth down the track.
If you buy the dynomax catback exhaust system (19363) at about $390 you will get two mufflers. If you want to go cheap, just buy a decent muffler and take it to a muffler shop and have them custom make you one(a catback system).
Chris

[97grandprix]

I think im going to go with the duel exhaust, my dad's friend does coustom work, I'll prob. buy some good mufflurs like you said and just have the rest coustom.

Besides you every day race from the street lights, i would maby take my car to drag's once or twice a year. And the closest track is a 1/8 mile.

I have been searching through the forums and i have heard a lot about taking the u-bend & resonator off the exhaust system. Now keep in mind im new, but if I get a coustom job done....will the u-bend & resonator already be off, or is it befor the catback. if so do you recomend removing them ?
-thanks again 73superduty and Ripn12s it has been a great help