Best sound for cheap: Stock mufflers, cold air intake or gutted stock air box.



Best sound period: NIC cam, headers, 2.5" cat-back with glasspacks.

 

So basically what you're saying is it's not worth it at all to upgrade the mufflers? There's literally nothing that will sound good?

What about Summit Racing? Someone told me that they're good for a low price.

 

It's all a matter of perspective, but to me, the quieter 3800s are the are the better. They sound like farting Hondas or chainsaws when they're loud... Just terrible (mine included). I'd wager that 99% of the gearhead community as a whole would agree. The only way to make them sound good is with an aggressive cam.

V8 Mustang = good exhaust sound
V8 GM (G8, GTO, Camaro, T/A, etc) = good exhaust sound
Subaru turbo boxer (WRX/STI, Legacy GT) = good exhaust sound

Honda = bad exhaust sound
3800 = worst

 

What's a cam?


Also, can you guys look at this video I took? I originally took it because I was going to compare before and after with new mufflers, but since I may not be doing that anymore, I was going to take it down. I listened to it again though and noticed a weird noise...watch the video, there's an annotation that I put in at around :17 where there's a weird noise in the exhaust.

Thoughts?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tzj5lakhpY

 

Pretty standard sound for stock exhaust- I wouldn't worry about it.

Regarding:

Camshaft- for all intents and purposes at this point, just know that it's something really, really difficult to install on your Monte Carlo.

 

for me its all about having a sleeper. sounds and looks stock, but wham mo i beat your ***.

 

Hahaha fair enough, I won't worry about it then.

I think what I may do is try a muffler or two, just to see for myself (not that I don't trust your expertise, I just want to experience the process on my own, as I'm purposely making my Monte a learning experience for me to become more involved in cars).

I talked to some guys at pep boys today, who said that they would take back mufflers if I didn't like the sound.

 

Not to be a jerk- but this is not really going to happen often with a stockish N/A 3800, unless your racing Ford Festivas or something.

 

I had the same dilemma i wanted a good sound and didnt want t5o spend the money i was about to buy a slp cat back set up for around $560.00 then someone told me not to spend the money and just go straight pipe. I removed the resonator and cut off the mufflers. I am only running a catalytic converter now thats it.... heres a vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cona51v-w2M

 

oh um ya its a 3400 and i eat v6 mustangs, its not always the performance of the car but the person driving it. if i wanna race ford festivas i will borrow my grandmas kia. i have $150 in my exhaust, and there is no crackle. the crackle comes from not having enough back pressure. the gm v6 are not meant to have a free flow exhaust.

High flow cat, cheap aftermarket muffler, resonator delete, u-bend delete, single outlet no y-pipe, small turn down. all pipe is 2.25". these cars are not diesel so dont go puttin bigger pipes on it.