Like the subjects says.... The car has ported and polished heads, headers, Hotcam, CAI etc.. but I don't have a cat-back on the car, just a Flowmaster 80 series muffler. Do you think this is hurting the potential of the car too much? I haven't gotten a cat-back because I think the gains would be very minimal. Now just want to see what you guys have to say. Thanks.

 

Most definitely. Stock exhaust is only 2.75", and it's not mandrel-bent. You'll probably pick up close to 20hp with an aftermarket catback with your current stage of modification.

Which leads me to this: why didn't you buy a catback off the bat?

 

I have a near stock 95Z with a CAI and 1LE intake elbow.. how much of a restriction is the stock exahaust for me? Would the best "bang for the buck" short term solution be replacing just the muffler? or would the whole catback be required to have any real gain?

 

Getting the exhaust opened up IMO is one of the best things you can do to the car.
Stock exhaust is very restrictive.

 

Well, the car is a 30th Ann. Ed. car, so when I first got it, I thought I wouldn't mod it. Then after 2 weeks of driving, I said the hell with it, and the modfest began. The reason I didn't get an exhaust, well first of all, like I said, I liked the stock exhaust being stainless steel, and call me crazy, but I like the stock tips a lot too. The stainless steel ones made for the car are either too loud (loudmouth for example, I have no cats), personally not good looking (2OTL), or too expensive (ATR, GMMG). Also, I honestly didn't think that the stock exhaust was hurting me too much, I knew it hurt, but not 20hp. Thanks for the input though, more input would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

correct me if im wrong, but didnt the 97 SS come with a slp duel, duel cat back. That cat back flows pretty well, its just quiet

So dyno it first, then listen to every else and buy another catbac because stock stuff sucks and dyno it again for that extra 1 horse

 

The stock muffler is the most restrictive part of the system. You could replace this one component and get 90% of the gain of replacing the whole cat-back. The stock pipes ARE mandrel bent. They are 2.75" OD. Replacing the muffler alone would get most of the gain and let you keep the stock pipes and tips. Going to 3" is good for a small gain on lightly modified motors and increasingly beneficial the more power you have.

 

That is what I was thinking. I did replace the muffler (Flowmaster 80 series on there now), so I don't know if it is worth spending the money on a cat-back. Maybe a cut-out... Thanks for the input, nateh.