Got flowmasters done.

[xcohiba]

Alright so last weekend I headed to Miami to spend time with my family, so after all the Christmas craziness, I was heading back to my place and I just went "What the hell, let me just get this out of the way".

So i went to this muffler place I was told and got them. I know I was told to get Magnaflow instead of Flowmasters but it was more money and to be honest, I really like the sound.

At low RPM's it has a very nice V8-like rumble (Mine is a V6). At high RPM's it does kind of go Honda-style but to tell you the truth, Im happy with it. I wasnt expecting it to be so loud.

Can you guys tell me if what they did constitutes a cat-back system? They cut-out the cat and put an straight tube in its place, welded. They cut-out everything from the old-muffler back. They welded the Flowmaster 40 Series and then made the dual exits on which I put dual tips chrommed so when you look at it from the back, it looks like a quad. Is this a cat-back system? Just so I wont be talking shit to my friends saying I got a cat-back exhaust system etc.

This was my very first mod on my very first car. I guess you all could relate to this in some time in your life and can probably see how happy i am now :P

Also, about HP #'s, My car comes with 200HP (V6), how much would this have increased? I know that the RWHP is lower than 200HP but I have never dyno'd m ycar so I dont know its RWHP. So as I said, talking about crank's HP, what would it be now? Just an estimate.

Well, now I gotta save up money to buy all new brake disks and pads (They make an screeching sound when I brake) and also 2 new tires. After that, im gonna save for a K&N CAI. Please post your thoughts. Thanks.

[Genopsyde]

if they didn't replace the piping from the cat to the muffler, then you didn't get a complete cat-back.

[Stealthy-One]

so you nolonger have a cat? hope the exhaust nazis dont find out.

[goldz28]

If they did get rid of the cat do you have a ses light on now?

[xcohiba]

They didnt replace the piping from the cat to the muffler but it actually isnt that much.

Yes, they took out the cat. And I already had a light on from the P0440 code that I havent fixed. I paid $300 to fix this and supposedly what the mechanic did wasnt it, so now he wants another $370. Im just going to wait till I move to Miami where things are way cheaper.

[goldz28]

Here's your code
DTC Description VIN Digits
2
Manufacturer 3
Division 4
Body 5
Series 8
Engine 10
Year
P0440 Evaporative Emission Control System

[xcohiba]

Well, at first when the light appeared I took it to the mechanic and he barely examined it and said it was some hoses in the front that were wrapped in some metalic thing. Including the part, labor and a change of fuel filter he charged me $300 which i think was a rip off but I guess one must learn from those things. After like 3-4 days the light came back and it was still the same code (P0440). This time, my stepdad took the car to him while I was working on a saturday and he did a more through scan and he said it was the canister on the fuel tank that had a leak. I mean, maybe he is right but he is asking for $370 including the part and labor. I think thats too much. Lets see what happens.

Can anyone answer me about the estimate of the HP I may have gained with this?

Btw, after putting a K&N CAI, what is the next step in bolt-ons?

Thanks.

EDIT: I also remember reading on this site that the sound tames down after a few miles driven. Is this true? and why does it happen?

[jtvyper456]

I got my cat cut, well, I did it myself, and had the pipe welded and I got no lights other than a Low Oil light, stupid sensor...but it's been about 8 months and no other lights...I got a 3.4V6 though, I'm assuming yours is a 3.8?

[xcohiba]

Yes it is a 3.8L.

Im going to go check the code in the AutoZone in like 3 days to see if its throwing any other code besides the P0440.

Btw, the V6 3.8L with Flowmasters doesnt sound so RICER as some people made me believe here. All of my friends are like "Damn, it sounds like a mean bad-ass V8".

Btw, did your sound ever tame down?

[jtvyper456]

After about 80-100 miles it did, I read somewhere that the computer takes time to adjust with the new airflow, which I think explains the tone change.

[poormillionaire2]

No, its not a complete catback, as mentioned before. I-pipe is still there.
As far as increased hp, flowmaster doesn't flow worth a shit, so maybe you picked up a FEW hp, but not much. You would have seen more ponies out of the magnaflow.

[97cavalier]

the "ricer" sound on the v6's is mostly on the 3.4's And it takes about 100 miles for the new exhaust to "break in". The sound will get a little diffrent.

[xcohiba]

I see. I got it in Miami so then I had to travel 140 miles to get to my house and then I have put like 50 more miles so the sound will stay like that.

[Savage Messiah]

Originally Posted by 97cavalier

the "ricer" sound on the v6's is mostly on the 3.4's And it takes about 100 miles for the new exhaust to "break in". The sound will get a little diffrent.

Other way around. The 3.4s, 3.1s and 2.8s (60 degree v6s) inherently sound much better than the 90 degree 3.8 engines. Slower, but sound better.

As for the thread... although I am anti-cat not everyone is, and you must decide if the benefits outweigh the risks for yourself... don't you have emissions in FL? If so you'll fail with a straight pipe, and if you get pulled over for a roadside inspection you can face hefty fines since removing/altering/relocating the cat is a federal offense. What I'd recommend is gutting an old cat that is lying around and having them weld it where your cat used to be, that way you'll pass a visual. As for emissions, it depends on what year your car is but since you have a 3.8 then there are tons of options to get the code for inefficient cat. conv. operation removed, or you can just get an o2 simulator if they left in the rear exhaust bung.

[xcohiba]

We dont have those inspections in FL. Thats a good thing I guess.