go with the catback or just keep the muffler?
 

in july i had a hooker aerochamber muffler put on and at first i was disappointed b/c it didnt sound that much better than stock, but as the break in procedure progressed the sound kinda amplified and now im happy with it. anyway when my tax return comes next spring im gonna put on some headers (jet hot LT's w/ hooker coated y). however i was wondering whether or not it would make since to get a catback to capitalize on the extra 1/4'' of flow a 3'' catback provides? in all actuality i think it would be better to stick with the stock pipes b/c 1) theyre stainless steel, 2) theyre already on the car, and 3) its cheaper/more affordable. what do you guys think, for a kid moddin on a budget whats best for me?

and are the stock pipes mandrel or press bent, b/c i was under the car the other day and i didnt see any creases at the bends, they look mandrel to me? i highly doubt the previous owner had aftermarket pipes put on b/c it had the stock muffler :think:...thanx in advance

oh, dont quote me on the part about the stock pipes being stainless steel, i just figured they were b/c after 8 yrs being driven year round mine still look decent...seems like they would have rusted through by now if they werent?

I would just keep your stock pipes IMO, you have already taken off the most restrictive part, and a 1/4in won't even make a difference unless you are running some serious horespower. Just get an exhuast cut-out if you are worried about that.

i'm thinking they are stainless. my intermediate pipe looked very clean too, but then again i did buy the car from South Carolina.
i just spent $430 on a cat back, and it does sound *slightly* better than my previous "muffler only" set up, but i did not see any noticable difference in track times at all.
i've had the stock set up, i've had the muffler only set up, and i've had the full catback and i can honestly say there was no significant performance gain between any of them.
and this makes sense since the air has to first flow through those choking exhaust manifolds.
if you're not doing headers, then only replace your muffler...and i recommend the dynomax ultraflow for best flow and sound, and value.
headers are next on my list so i can actually gain something other than looks and sound.

Keep your stock I pipe. Its 2.75in mandrel beat stainless. Its not going anywhere and .25 inches of pipe isnt going to do much of anything signifigant for you. If anything, just put a cutout on it for when you take it to the track.

anybody have sound clips of a dynomax ultra flow, and possibly a direct part # for the muffler. the auto parts i work at is a direct vendor of dynomax products so i can get an ultraflow for cheap if i like the sound of it over the hooker. ive seen the cutaway of it and i would say that after the 2OTL muffler its one of the best for our cars. anybody had the Hooker and dynomax, or have heard both?, which do you prefer? thanx in advance

Defenatly keep that muffler on there. I went from the Borla rear section to a wide open Borla catback. The car sound awesome but I lost some serious performance out of it. :(

the dynomax on my 94Z sounded REALLY GOOD.
i like my Gale Banks system cause it looks nice, but the Dynomax sounded every bit as good at wide open throttle. i got compliments everywhere i went and that car was stock with the exception of that muffler!
the only downside was the tailpipes. the ones i had weren't the prettiest things i ever seen.
i can't help ya on the part# though...:confused:

keep the muffler and get yourself a cutout. the sound u get from a catback isnt worth the $.

video clip with the Ultra Flow:

http://web.infoave.net/~magius231/96TADmax.avi

This clip really doesn't do it justice...this is one of the best sounding exhausts I've heard for these cars. I would get the car up to 3000RPM in first then let off and let it compression break through my neighborhood, OH MY GOD I wanted to cream my pants :)

Its not that loud at idle with the stock manifolds/cat(s) but it screams at WOT.

Let me know if this clip doesn't work, my web server is kinda screwey.

yeah, it's not workin for me.

I'll try to repost it tomorrow and see if I can get them to store it right...