I just bought my first car/fbody. A 2000 Pontiac Firebird Formula with 32k miles ram air hood for 15k. I want to start modding as soon as i get the money. What should be my first couple mods in order? I asked a local shop about exhaust (slp loudmouth in particular) and they told me just to buy the muffler and not the catback system. He said there is little to know change with the pipe its just the muffler that is restrictive. He also said that the muffler is 99 dollars. Is this guy an idiot, keep in mind im new to cars and learning more and more each day. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Trevor

 

Yup guys a fool. Aftermarket catbacks will give you larger pipes from the Y-pipe back. Just start with the basics like the intake and some sort of catback or cutout. Then just study some of the vendors pages and look at different parts and learn what they do.

 

Start with an after market lid/filter, then cut-out, then headers, then cam, then rear end, then.......

 

I wouldn't call the guy an idiot, because he's kinda right. 3" exhaust isn't going to give you much over the factory 2.75". I'm sure you will gain a little, but not that much (maybe a few ponies).

However, if you're planning headers/Y in the future, then you'd be much better off buying a catback, rather than just a muffler.

Is it an A4 or M6?


You're first mod should definitely be a lid, regardless of tranny. If it's an M6, then your second mod should be a shifter (IMO). Then start working on the exhaust.

If it's an A4, start saving for a converter after the lid and exhaust. Also, if it doesn't have the optional 3.23s, you'll want to get gears sometime soon (that's only if it's an A4).