Hello MCF! I recently purchased an '04 Monte Carlo Intimidator and would like to do some aftermarket upgrades. After reading much of the forum I think a good place to start is with a down pipe to get rid of the cat (or a high flow cat?) and u-bend.
I was looking at one of these: link
I am guessing the 3 inch 304 bolt-in Offroad down pipe would be the way to go? Along with an O2 emulator? Then would I also need an O2 bung? Or should I just go with the 3 inch 304 Bolt-in with cat to save myself the trouble of dealing with the O2 sensor? Large performance difference between the two?
Is this brand good? Any opinions, comments, and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

 

yeah the down pipe is a great choice. also look in to opening the other end in a Cold Air induction. or by modding the air box that came with it.

as far as witch down pipe gose.
you need to have a cat. converter to be "leagal" on the roads. Now with that said if you dont have to worry about inspections for plates etc... alot of folks dont worry about having them on the car.
Personally i like th idea of having it as if i take the car on a road trip and go threw a state that hppens to be having a EPA check (yes they do have these) then you will be legal still. also hard to sell a car with out one if some one is one that know it needs to be there.

but yes the down pipe and the 02 ximmulator should be all y aneed to have. there is athread here that talks about this actually in a few places. but one im thinking of was from Monte Jazz. i belive one of the cars talking abotu it is a 04 also.
I know mine and Mote Jazz's cars are 03 SS

 

i did that on my monte and mines the 05 supercharged tony stewart edition...so pretty much the same thing...
you can buy one already done...i just had mine made @ an exhaust shop...and had a highflow cat put on..with the u-bend delete done...you should also think about removing the resonator...if you keep the stock mufflers it adds just a little bit of noise..not much...and it frees up a couple more horse power down there if you just put a piece of straight stainless pipe

let us know what you end up doing and whether your happy with it

and yah like mickey said putting a cold air intake on will definetely help things out too..i just did that a couple weeks ago...bought the k&n one and i'm very happy with performance and sound you get from it

 

Thanks for the input fellas. About how much did it cost you to have one make wiz? Because the ZZP one is gonna be $180+. Also I wasnt sure about removing the resonator, I read a couple threads where others said it made it too loud or just didnt like the sound, I'll look into it though. Would removing the resonator be a large gain?

I will probly do the factory airbox mod till I get my tax refund and then get a K&N CAI.

Also will both the 2.5 inch and 3 inch down pipes fit on my stock exhaust?

Thanks

 

i belive the montes have 2.5 pipe on them from the resinatior can back ,

but ask them i think 3" would give you more flow and woudl be good for back pressure also. now i think if it im not to sure becuse you have to worry about the back pressure getting to low. it can make it run bad if you get it to low.

i thought about the resinator also. im not sure on it

I knwo there is a GTP here that sound real good wiht no mufflers at all on it. he has straigh tpipes from teh cats back.
sounds mean!!

 

You can go 3" all the way back to the split after the resonator. Beyond that your running two outlets that are 2.5" that will be more than enough to allow the 3" breathe. Any bigger you loose back pressure..

I've been a little hesitant to replace the resonator with straight pipe myself, but I am thinking of changing it out with a high flow race muffler or a glass pack. I've read several threads elsewhere that the resonator removed creates more drone sound...

 

i thought taking the resonator off would make a sound that i dont like....but its not bad...i still wanted the quiet ride...its not much of a difference in sound taking out the resonator...and you gain a few horse power out of it...maybe like 3 or 4 probably...i dont know exact #'s..i just know i'm happy with it..and its not very loud

 

the same guy who has the spoiler here has the pipes all the way back replaced to 2.5 inch . and he put belive they were flow masters on it. either way it sounds nice. our two cars sitting togeather i get razzed. his car looks nice with the pace car decales on it and a razzi kit. mine i dont have any of thie but it looks like i should have it on there.
then he fires his up and you can hear it grumbel a bit.. mine is real queit still

this will change soon enough.

 

I have emailed 2 local shops about having a 2.5" downpipe with U-bend delete and highflow cat made. Also to have the resonator replaced with a glass pack. Im just waiting to hear back on the quotes.

Still open to suggestions, Thanks!

 

Well here is one of the responses I've received, Im not sure what to think now. Seems like they are gonna give me a hard time about putting in a highflow cat...

"Thanx for your inquiry for some performance exhaust work on your Intimidator. Replacing a resonator with pipe is simple. However, it would be best to keep it the same diameter of the rest of the exhaust system to insure scavenging. If you have a 3.8 with dual mufflers, and they haven't done anything special with the exhaust, then you probablyhave 2 1/4" pipe.

I need to research the specs on you current converter. Usually when they introduce a performance vehicle likean Intimidator, they alreadyequipped your ride withhi-flow converters. In fact, most cat manufacturers are manufacturing their entire line as hi-flow cats. The two largest manufacturers of catalytic converters is Catco and Car Sound (magnaflow). They both manufacture all of their cats to hi-flow specs.

What I'm saying here is that:

1. Replacing your converter may not give you any more performance because after the converter you have a single exhaust that splits into two mufflers with 1 7/8" inlets. Alot of backpressuer is generated in those pipes and mufflers.
2. The replacement converter maynot exceed the performance specifications that you currently have.
3. Federal guidelines regulate the replacement of converters. Replacing a converter that is not malfunctioning is considered tampering.

You may get better performance by upgrading your mufflers and eliminating your resonator, than you will by tampering with your converter. The best thing to do is schedule a meeting with one of our performance exhaust specialists to determine your specific needs. Are you looking for a different tone? More noise? A rumble? A deep throaty sound? A couple more horsepower? Are you racing?

Each condition can be attained without extreme measures. That doesn't mean we can't be extreme! We just want what's best for you without wasting your money.

You can shop pricing all day, but in this industry you get what you pay for. We have recruited the best performance pipe benders in Ohio. The work we perform with meet the scrutiny of any car show judge in the U.S. Our knowledge and skills far outpaces any of our competition."