The best way to get that sexy note at low cost?
 

So, being as I'm in the market for a lot of mods to the Monte in the coming months, I figured I'd throw up what is probably the most obvious of all newbie questions: how to get the best throaty growl out of the 3.8 for the most reasonable cost and least pain/agony in installing. I've seen a few videos of guys who have gotten a pretty nice exhaust note out of their 3800 six-bangers and I must admit I wouldn't mind joining the crowd. I've been toying with the idea of a full cat-back system purchase (such as the SLP Powerflo or the Borla kit on Andy's Auto Sport), but if anyone is willing to elaborate I'm just as willing to listen :D.

I would say that it's impossible to make a 3800 sound sexy ;) What you can do though to make it cheap is find a local exhaust shop and they will set you up with something. Otherwise, I would advice that you shop at places like 3800performance.com or zzperformance.com. They have good products to offer our market.

You could install a Downpipe and remove the resonator. It's going to sound like you have a V-8, but some don't like the way the car sounds after.

Yeah, I've heard a lot about that. I looked up some videos on the sound and really I don't see what's so bad about it, much better than stock for the pricepoint anyway.

Boost makes these cars sound good haha.

Just don't get large pipes and keep the mufflers in tact.

....3.8 exhaust.....
 

........go to you tube and key in 2000 - 05 MC exhaust clips. Also go to Flowmaster and other muffer web sites.
I may install Flowmasters' 50 series on mine some day.
Just don't get a system that sounds like a po'd bumble-bee
going down the road.

So far I've been thinking about grabbing the ZZP downpipe. What all is involved in the resonator delete and is it really necessary?

And chibi, are you saying aftermarket mufflers wouldn't be of much worth?

go with the 2.5" downpipe (not the 3", too big for an NA car). it will work great with other mods like a cold air intake, a tune, and maybe something like a power log down the road.

the resonator delete doesn't really net any performance gains, but gives you a little deeper exhaust tone. the best bang for your buck is to have the work done at an exhaust shop, not an after market catback. i have magnaflows on my 3.5L and they sound pretty good. i've also heard good reviews for them on the 3.8s also.

So basically, pick up a ZZP Downpipe, have a shop do the resonator delete and then maybe look into mufflers later?

I wouldn't bother with deleting the resonator unless you run all new pipes. Too many people I know, including myself before I had the new exhaust put on, had problems with an exhaust leak where the resonator used to be after about a year of driving.