Hello all. I have an 89 iroc z tpi 5 speed. It's currently got the 305 in it and will likely stay this way for awhile until I can save up and get money for a 350. I do not really plan to make this a track car, but more of a fun street/strip car. (Maybe run it at the track now and then, but mostly just have the power to blow past the ricers on the road..... and hell just to have it.)

That said, the previous owner took the stock exhaust, and put 3" pipe from the cat back to a flowmaster 30 and a single 3" outlet. His exhaust job is terrible, his welds are terrible, and I honestly don't feel the 30 is aggressive sounding enough for my tastes. I prefer the sound of the 40 and the sound of a "dual" outlet, even if just coming through a single inlet. My questions are as follows, and I apologize if I seem a bit of a newb, as I am when it comes to exhausts.

#1: Should I stick with 3" inlet/ outlet? The cat was removed so it's 3" to the muffler. I'd love to get back to the "dual" look even if its just on the outlet. A friend of mine is telling me it's a waste and to go back to the stock 2.5, but I do enjoy the deepness of it as well as plan to get a 350 in there with some minor work done. Having the flow there with the 305 won't hurt me too much will it? (Yes I have read the backpressure stickey, and while I understand the math behind it, actually applying it to my car makes my head explode especially as I do not have the tools to measure these things.)

#2: Headers.... I've been reading that long tube's are a nightmare to get right on 3rd gens, and the clearance is rough on the ground. As such, I believe I'd be happy with shorties. my 85 z28 came with shorties and I enjoyed the sound from them. I do not see any reason not to go with shorties for my desired use of the car. My real question I guess (here comes the noob within), if I purchase headers for my 305 now, will I need to change these when I get the 350? I've heard mixed reports. If I'll need to change it, or it will affect things poorly I will do headers last....

#3: Muffler.. I enjoy the deepness the flowmaster 30 on there has. Unfortunately it's too quiet. I have checked out sound clips of the flowmaster 40, and I feel that sound's more like what I would expect. Deep, obnoxiously loud, etc. What other mufflers/models offer similar sound? I enjoy the deep loud muscle sound. The difference in sound between my 85 z28 with the shorty headers and (unknown) muffler is amazing. The z28 sounds much meaner than the iroc z until revved to high RPM (then it starts to sound a bit... farty). At low RPM / idle you would think it has a bigger engine than a lil 305. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

I believe that's it. Any advice would be helpful and I apologize if I am asking the same questions everyone else asked. I did some searching/reading beforehand but I'm still a bit lost on the above.

Obviously I understand #3 is a matter of opinion.

Thanks in advance!
Bez

 

a good set of headmen headers 1 5/8 primaries along with a 2.5 inch y pipe, and a 3 inch catback would be best. Going back to a 2.5 catback would be more of a waste and would robb you of some power.