Now, I know most people who post on this forum want a loud or mean sounding exhaust. I'm actually looking for something a little different. I want to upgrade my exhaust system from stock, but not have a really loud sounding car (except when I really give it some gas). This car is effectively a daily driver, and the cops in New Jersey get really annoyed with loud cars. I would obviously like have better exhaust flow, just without a car that can be heard four blocks away..

I'm looking for ideas on everything from headers back to the tail pipes.

 

I would go for the flowmaster american thunder exhaust kit. I have heard it on a chevy truck with a 350, and it was medium volume at idle but when he hit the gas it sounded awesome.

 

I think flowmaster has something called hushpower which is not very loud

 

should I get full headers or shorty headers?

 

You will have trouble fitting the full length headers, and you will not benefit all that much if your motor is stock. shorties are probably better.

Also, IMHO, if your motor is still stock and since you live in NJ, your cat is probably still there, you can pretty much do what you want from a muffler perspective and not worry about the sound (provided you keep the manifolds). If you upgrade to headers, then a milder muffler like the Hush should keep things quiet.

 

I use Hedman shorty headers and Y-pipe going into a Walker Dynomax exhaust system with a set of Meg's stainless tips. The car has a nice throaty sound without being loud or resonating into the interior, yet when I stomp on it has a great sound that has people asking me what I run for an exhaust. Many are surprised at what it is and the Walker system is really inexpensive compared to the others. The system has been on the car for about 10 years now and gets better with age.