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.

The words "resonator delete" and "Sexy exhaust note" cant be used in the same thought. Trust me, i know from experience. No matter how good your car will sound at idle and at WOT, the nasty drone while cruising caused by deleting the resonator is enough to make you hate how your exhaust sounds.

I think this thread got a little skewed- the resonator delete and new downpipe are more power making mods- they'll both make the car sound worse. If he's looking for a change in sound, I'd change the mufflers- they account for about 90% of your exhaust note outside of the engine.

Personally, I wouldn't bother buying a catback unless your stock exhaust is damaged or rusting through- I'd just go to a local muffler shop and have them install new mufflers and tips. It'll be far cheaper than a complete catback, and you'll still get the sound change. If you find a specific muffler you like the sound of on youtube that you can't find locally, order it online and take it in- they'll probably weld it on for $50-75 with a tip.

Chalk me up +2 on that list. On my old exhaust on my 3100 monte, they replaced the resonator with mild steel piping and it rusted through much quicker than the rest of the exhaust- up by the weld. Then on my GTP, I had the resonator deleted (they said they used stainless)- but the front weld rusted through.

1. Buy an L67 for a swap.
2. Put in a good cam.
3. Do the swap.
4. Add headers and any good exhaust system.
You want it to sound good? You need the cam.

http://s39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...t=MVI_0926.flv

hey rock that sounds good what u got under there?

I think you missed the low cost part.

Just a cam alone will make it sound great, however for a cheap good sounding fix, go to a ma n pa type muffler shop, N just have em take out your mufflers and weld some pipes on. I took off my mufflers and resinator, and it sounds great. The reason I say only take out the mufflers on yours is because with no resinator on mine, if you let off the gas at a high RPM before your tranny shifts, it lets out a wicked loud multiple backfire, sounds cool, definetly extremely loud, but most people arent looking for that. There are other people who say the 3.8 doesnt sound good raw, however I think its the perfect match of a throatyness growl, and being able to here the tones of your RPMs. It should only be about $40-$60 and a downpipe would only make it sound better

research research research. Don't expect to get a lot for a little.

I've heard tons of aftermarket mufflers / exhaust systems and deletes on these cars and they all have a point (mostly WOT) where they just don't sound as great. However those turbo cars and cammed cars sound fantastic.

Honestly, probably staying close to stock is going to keep your sounds the best. Maybe a muffler swap for something not so crazy. But don't go running open headers, or straight pipes.

When i got my resonator removed I heard no noise difference. My car is extremely silent (except the engine :) ). I almost like silent exhaust more cause when you pound it all you can hear is the engine roar. However, im still ordering Flowmaster40s after X-mas if my rents don't buy them for me as a gift.