I found a great complete exhaust that will perform and not hurt the wallet:

Edelbrock 1&5/8" headers and y-pipe..........$313.95 - Summit pn EDL-6872
3" catco cat..................................................$50.99 - Summit CTO-6007
Flowmaster 3" exhaust w/single 3" in/out...$229.95 - Summit FLO-17151

Total, the price is $594.89, which is not too bad considering a mandrel bent emissions legal exhaust. My only gripe is that the Flowmaster catback comes with a 30 series muffler (very quiet). Since that is the only muffler offered with the kit, I found a 40 series (non-delta crap) muffler with 3" offset in/out (pn 43043 from www.pro-max.com) for $58.99 and will install it instead. After I pass emissions, I will replace the cat with a straight pipe and have a kickass sound. For those of you who doubt the flow capabilities of a flowmaster muffler, know that a performance single in/out muffler will always outflow a crossflow style. I won't get to keep my flashy tips, but I hate the sound of my 80 series enough to make the change worthwhile. Hope this info was useful!

 

I Had trouble posting earlier this evening, so I reposted under the same topic and It mysteriously worked....weird...

 

I was hoping for more of a response to this topic, as people always ask "which exhaust?". The setup I listed (with a straight pipe instead of a cat) should produce that classic muscle sound as opposed to the hollow metalic sound the 80 series makes. Anyone have thoughts on swapping mufflers like I mentioned? Anyone actually ever done it?

Thanks!

 

Okay, I'll bite.

TES - haven't had, seen pics, hate that pipe running over the top (hardly "classic muscle car"). For $349.95, you can get Hooker 2055's from Summit (not in paper catalog - do seach on "HOK-2055" on their web site). Look like real headers. I don't think anyone would argue that SLP's are still the best emissions-type header out there, though.

Universal Catco cat - too much trouble. Will need extra pipe, extra clamps and/or welding, will be missing support attachment, will not have ball connection to I-pipe (nice to have that extra degree of freedom). For $116, you can have a direct-fit 3" cat.

Muffler(s) - I'll take high-flow quiet to high-flow loud any day. Without duals, you aren't going to get that "classic muscle car sound" - period. I like the dual-opposite look, performance penalty (if any) minimal on my combo. May be a different story on a healthy 350 or 383. 1-5/8" primary headers probably more of a restriction, though.

Removing cat - to each his own. I'm too lazy to go to the trouble removing something that isn't doing any harm.

 

You can get the Hooker cat-back for about the same price. And it wouldn't be quite. Check my signature for a soundclip.

 

I find myself agreeing with you prett often, five7kid. I would also recommend using the 30 series muffler--quieter and flows well. The 40 series flows horribly, and IMO doesn't sound too good. As for the classic muscle car sound, I don't know how classic I'll sound in a couple of weeks, but I'll sure have duals!

 

mark your hookers sound great what kind of headers are on there? im lookin for a deep rumble at low idle and loud at WOT i think that ill get eiter american thunders or hooker cat back any pros or cons on this

 

Flowmaster has another American thunder kit with 3" in/2.5" dual outlets and the part number for that is FLO-17133. If you want something that is cheaper but good quality, I recommend Dynomax. they aren't as loud as flowmaster but give a deep sound that is mellow not hollow sounding.

 

Good hooker cat back all the way. I love the sound and look of mine.

 

I've got Edelbrock TES headers.

 

This has nothing to do with anything...but hey Mark on that sound clip it sounds like you are shifting WAY early

 

That's because I am. With the gears I have, and my cam stops making power past 3500 rpms which I later discovered. So I shifted around 4200 rpms I believe, that was the same nite I was G-Teching my car so the shift lite was set for that rpm.

 

If I wasn't going for an emissions legal theme, I would recommend hooker headers, but that is not the case.

Flowmaster's Force II kit is $30 cheaper than Hooker's 3" catback
and from what I've seen, a single in/out muffler will make more power than a crossflow. More power for less $$$ sounds good to me.

Also, the 40 series Delta Force (not to be confused with Delta Flow) sounds louder and more throaty than a regular 40 series because it was designed to flow for racing applications.

I have heard F-bodies with single in/out mufflers from flowmaster and they sound VERY different than crossflows. From personal experience I can say that that with the single, the classic sound is achieved (as long as you have some kind of respectable motor).
Anyway, I'll get a sound clip next week (and one without the cat next week) and let you decide if it sounds classic or not.

 

emmisions is not a problem here so im all ears for anything (except open headers cops dont like it)
whats the closest thing to the sound of our 68 shebly gt500kr or our 67 mustang gt