Bought NJSpeeders Borla system that was all cut up and had Mufflex install it. $80 worth of labor and stainless steel welding was all it took. The sound is awesome.
I'm going to make some of my own adjustable plates and record them inside, outside, from my friends car behind, next too, and all that jazz. Hopefully get some video soon.

 

I've got a similiar system, SLP 1 3/4's & Borla muffler and tips, with a 3.5" intermediate pipe splitting into dual 3" pipes behind the axle. I've never regretted getting the Borla stuff(guess that's why I've got a Borla muffler on my truck, and another Borla 3" catback waiting to go on IROC #2). IMHO, it's the nicest sounding muffler available for our cars.

As for making your own plates: have fun and good luck. I've made a few of my own - everything from a single 2" hole(way too loud) to seven 1/2" holes(interesting at idle, but sounds like an extended popcorn fart under throttle). The one I settled on(for now) is a single 1 1/4" hole(great low tone and acceptable dB's). I may play with some type of diffuser setup this winter.