to anyone who has or has had headers with a stock catback, how did you like it? i havent heard of many people doing it, but i was thinking of not bothering upgrading the stock catback so quick... ill be installing SLP midlengths and getting rid of the cat, and having a shop fab up an S pipe to connect the y-pipe to a cutout then to the stock 96 catback.

any comment on the sound or sound clips? i like the stealth lower volume sound it has, and ive heard its stainless steel.

 

I do right now. Sounds great, but I am sure it is restrictive. I open the cutout at the track.

 

think its louder than stock while idling?

 

Hard to say. It has a nice smooth sound at WOT. I like it, just wish the stock catback was 3".

 

I think the stock piping is 2.75" so the 3 inch isn't that much bigger, most of the gains are seen by changing the mufler i would think. My hooker isn't really that much louder at idle but she screams when you get on it, i love it

 

i have l/t's into a o/r y-pipe into a cutout, then stock catback! when going through the stock catback its sounds a lil raspier then stock. but at idle ther isnt much difference. but when u get on it u can definetly tell it isnt stock. then after that just open the cutout and it will be crazy obnoxious
you are taking the same approach that i did. keep going with it, and dont get the aftermarket catback till u r limited on mods!

 

You will still see decent gains, but I hope you do plan for a catback in the future. The headers are very choked by the stock muffler. Don't plan on driving around alot with a cutout. It's obnoxious loud.

There are some great flowing catbacks out there that aren't too expensive (less than $300) Hooker Catback, and Magnaflow. The SLP TOTL is also a great catback.

Dan

 

i know i wont be making full power with the cutout closed, im just waiting to find a good looking cheap catback thats quiet. i really dont like the magnaflow tips, hooker tips, or the SLP TOTL which was my choice in the beginning. im going to wait on it and see if i can find an SLP dual dual setup for sale, or ill end up with the hooker catback and get different tips.

thanks for the replies, anyone else have experience with the stock catback w/headers?

 

I had it for a while on my 94. I would consider it a waste. You should do the catback, then the headers. I *maybe* saw 5-10 outta my headers. Once I added the 2OTL catback, look out. The sound is awesome too.

Just my $.02.

Paul

 

I run the stock catback with a cutout and gutted cat, using crappy Hooker shorties.