I have read that the 4th gen cars with dual cats had a better flow exhaust. What would be a better setup:

Mid length headers with single high flow cat into 3" flowmaster catback, or
Mid length headers with dual high flow cats into 3" flowmaster catback

 

Stock for stock the differnce was really all on paper,but if you're talking about longtubes & cats, the better setup is a 3" high-flow cat for each collector rather than it all merging and then dumping into 1 cat.

 

Oh okay. My setup will probably end up as such:

Midlength headers w/ single high flow catalyst into 3" flowmaster catback system. I just had read that the dual cats flowed better.

 

I also had a question about catback systems... is it necessary to upgrade the entire system, or just simply install an aftermarket muffler.

For example would a 2.5" catback system -- flowmaster flow any better than
simply welding on a flowmaster 80 series muffler?

 

well i believe but i might be wrong here, t hat the stock exhaust is 2.75 so yes in turn that would effect your flow, but if you are looking for a complete setup i would recomend something other than a flowmaster. there are many high quality companies out there for cheaper and higher quality just my two cents though

 

From what i see on summit the flowmaster exhaust systems are darn cheap. They have the 3" catback systems for 269 plus 9 dollar shipping.

My question is really .. what performance increase will i get if a go with a catback system vs just bolting up a better muffler...

 

I have coated JBA shorties and y pipe with single 3" high flow cat for sale if your interested, pm me.

 

if you want peak performance and you don't want to half *** anything then you should go with the 3" exhuast. if your going to keep the stock exhuast, then why do headers? it really doesnt make any sense, your still not giving the exhuast full potential w/ 2.5" piping. as for flowmaster there not the best exhuast out there for the f-body because other manufactuers flow better, such as magnaflow and hooker (both brands still competing with flowmaster). but my one friend has a 450 hp car w/ a flowmaster and its just fine. although he does have a cut-out.

 

If you just bolt on the muffler right now, you might get a few extra HP and some better sound characteristic, but what are your future plans for the car going to be? If you plan on stepping up to a good heads/cam combo one day or some sort of forced induction, that stock piping may become a little restrictive so a 3" cat-back or a cutout right after the y-pipe would be beneficial.

 

hey all,

My performance plans are 350 to 400HP to the wheels, no forced induction.. maybe a little giggle juice.

 

Matrik ... pm sent!

 

A 2.5" mandrel bent setup with dual cats before the 3" catback with perform
better than a single 3" cat. You can go with a 3.5" catback if you want to
improve even more, or if you can spend some more, go with 2.5" duals all
the way back. With 400 rwhp as your max, you will not need more than 2.5"
duals. If you are going up from 400, then consider 3" duals.