I've got an 89 RS with a 3.1 out of a 91 Firebird. I have an aftermarket exhaust system that is just like stock because i had some pretty bad leaks when I bought the car. I am now ready to buy some performance exhaust, but I am on a limited budget. I am looking for a deep, throaty sound with about a 15 hp increase. I'd put my budget at about $500 bucks. Any ideas? Thanks in advance...

Jason

 

To get 15hp from a V6 you're goin to need headers and a cat-back. Dynomax for the cat-back, I'm not sure if they make headers for that motor though.

 

Okay - so 5-10hp. I know I'm pushing it, but we all have nice dreams. I have been looking for headers and all I've seen and heard is custom jobs for the V6. Also, for $500, I am NOT going to get headers and exhaust...

 

Hooker will make a header for a lawn mower if there is a demand for it! Call them and see if they make anything for it. If not, ask them if you get 10 or more people to buy 3.1 V6 headers, if they will consider making something (group purchase). Then post on this site for group purchase on V6 headers, post it on v6fbody.com, and all other camaro/firebird sites that you can find. I'm sure you will be able to meet the demand that Hooker sets for a group purchase. Try to get Long Tube headers, but don't go bigger than 1 5/8 in. primary's. 1 1/2 in. primary long tubes would probably be perfect.

If all else fails, port your stock exhaust manifolds and put on a good cat-back, like flowmaster, borla, gibson, hooker, flow-tech, or what ever you can get for it.

You can also do a gear swap for less than $500. You'll feel that too, but I would do exhaust first.

I knew a guy that had a 400+hp 3.1 V6 in a 90 model Camaro RS. It was bored .030, he ported and polished the heads, he had twin turbo's with a custom intercooler, had comp cams grind him a custom cam, custom exhaust, and Accel digital fuel injection with 36 lb. injectors. And no, it was not a Buick Grand National motor. It was a pull out 3.1 V6 that came out of a wrecked 92 V6 Camaro.

You can make a V6 haul *ss, but it is ALOT cheaper to build a V8 that will make the same ammount of power. Just my $.02