2000 Exhaust Options

[dark-pony]

hi there,
first off, i'm new here so thanks in advance for any advice...

i'm looking to upgrade the stock exhaust system although i'm undecided of the best route...

i was originally thinking of some longtube headers, and flowmaster 40 series mufflers...i've also heard a lot about the h-pipe but i'm not sure exactly what that offers. can somebody please explain?

the other option is a complete magnaflow catback system, which goes for $438 on ebay. but no headers...

so can somebody give me advice on the best route? pros/cons either way?

-t

 

[joshs21]

Is your car an 8 or a 6? I've got a 2001 V6. I went to a muffler shop and had them cut off the Y pipe after the cats, and run them straight back with two flowmaster 40's. I asked about any type of crossover pipe (H or X) and they told me with a V6 it didn't offer any sound or performance advantages over straight pipes that would make it worth doing. I'm happy with the sound, and haven't experienced any of the popping that I've heard others say as the reason they got an H pipe.

 

[joshs21]

Oh yeah, sorry, about the price. I went through the muffler shop on everything. they ordered the flows for me for like 75 a piece, and then custom did all the tubing themselves. They charged me a flat 300 bucks for everything. Personally I reccomend not wasting your time with online sites, and go straight to a shop, unless you're looking and doing the job yourself.

 

[dark-pony]

hey thanks for the reply. something to think about.
i've got a 2000 V6...did you notice any increase in HP with the straight piping and flowmasters? i'm thinking i may go the same route, but maybe with some longtube headers?? does anybody here run headers on their V6? is it worth the $300?

thx,
t

 

[dark-pony]

oh ya- is it loud and low? i want my car to sound mean...it's jet black with blacked out windows.

 

[PonyJoe]

No cross pipe needed because the V6 has an even firing scheme, which means that the exhaust doesn't need an alternate route to travel. The V8 needs a cross pipe because it usually has two cylinders one one bank firing after the other, and the exhaust from each needs more space to go to.

Long tube headers will deepen the tone of the exhaust a lot. There will be an increase in power from the exhaust alone, because of less restriction for it to flow. If the only mods you're going to do are headers and exhuast, I'd say hold off on the headers, there's no real need for them if you're not doing any engine work. It'd be cool to say you have them, but other than that there is no decent gain for the money from them.

 

[dark-pony]

hi there,
the only other mods i've got planned at the moment are a CAI and getting my chip reprogrammed. are the headers still not worth it?
thanks for the help, i think i've almost made up my mind.

t

 

[Ernad]

If you have the money I'd say do the headers too. They might not be an extreme gain, but they sure will not hurt.

 

[joshs21]

I'm definately pleased with my exhaust, and it was definately worth the money. I'm not sure I noticed any real HP gains, the biggest difference I notice is that it seems to run with a little less effort. I mean when I'm in overdrive on the highway, and kick it down to pass somebody, I don't get the same jerk from downshifting that I did before, it's just a lot more smooth. It isn't the loudest exhaust by far, but it never sounds ricey, and it definately never hurts your ears (unless I'm revving in my garage where everything echoes). It is pretty quiet at highway cruising speeds also, which is what I wanted for the daily driver. Doesn't sound cheap either, all in all, I think it's just right, others have their opinions, but I've gotten nothing but compliments.