It sounds like to me that the Machine gun sound you heard is a GLASS PACK muffler. I am not a fan of those things, I hate the way they sound but thats just me.
I have 3inch pipes and it is ok. I have 2.5 on my 305 Bird and I can't tell the difference.
Ravens sounds damn good. Loud. SLP's Loud Mouth is plain awsome and loud. Flowmasters are the universal sound, they do sound goos you gotta admit that. Hooker is ok. Edlebrock could sound better if they sold the 304 Series for our cars that would be awsome but they don't.
My opinion is to go with the Raven(www.goraven.com)or the SLP Loud Mouth.

 

I would have to agree with you. I have the hooker cat-back and I love the way it sounds. I have a manual and if I just let off or downshift I get this tight gurgling type sound. Its not too loud at idle but if u get on it it sounds nice.

 

just ordered my hooker cat-back (3 weeks back order ) along with my new carpet and header studs and fel-pro header gaskets. Im fixin to order my hooker headers from acs.


also trying to find some 4th gen seats hard to find for a good price