Thread: Exhaust question. Mufflers

Now that I have an intake going, my next step is exhaust. I have asked a few questions before, and most everyone says that you could just go with mufflers and tips for the time being. A whole new exhaust system would be best (including headers) but I just dont have that kind of money. (car payment and school loans).

So I would like to purchase some nice mufflers. Flow masters maby? Also I cant wait to get rid of the stock tips because there are very dull and not shinny.

Any mufflers you guys recommend? I havent looked at the prices recently, buy if they were under $100 that would work out great for me. I have a champagne taste with a coca cola price

I would like to get a nice sound going too. Nothing to fancy or loud, just a nice pleasant to the ear rumble. Gimmie some links please! Thanks!

From the looks of it, it may be difficult to get a nice sound.... Look at these Youtube videos:

YouTube - My GTP's Exhaust
^^^ This one is TERRIBLE!

YouTube - Grand prix exhaust flowmasters

^^^ Thats alright...

And how about the 3" downpipe buisness? Whats up with that? Should I get it?


I saw a few ppl with these mufflers. What do you think?

Pontiac Grand Prix Muffler - Auto Parts Warehouse


Thanks for all the info!

Any of these good mufflers?

RockAuto Parts Catalog

dont get flowmasters. just dont. get borla's from ebay.

youre not going to find cheap mufflers that sound good on these cars. actually, you cant find expensive mufflers that sound good either.

just leave it stock and do all the other work, youll like it in the end.

Originally Posted by Bio248

dont get flowmasters. just dont. get borla's from ebay.

youre not going to find cheap mufflers that sound good on these cars. actually, you cant find expensive mufflers that sound good either.

just leave it stock and do all the other work, youll like it in the end.

Borla Pro XS are what I have on my car and they are the best sounding mufflers on a GP that I have ever heard. And they are around $80 each. and SS. Can't beat them in my book.

^^ there you have it.

If Borla is too expensive for you, Magnaflow sounds great on the 3800.

First thing you NEED to do is plan, set a goal and then follow through with it even if you have to wait that little bit longer. I say this because you might find yourself purchasing a part you no longer need in the future or no longer want. For example they sell a pipe that acts as a downpipe, highflow cat and a u-bend delete. If you buy a downpipe and thendiscover and want this product then you would have wasted $$. Or if you buy something and it sounds crappy that would also be a waste. So shop around to see whats out there.

Second it depends on your preference. You say you would like mufflers, something not too loud or fancy at a good price then Borla or Magniflow is the way to go. I like loud and deep without too much rasp. I know some people aren't fans of flowmasters but this GTP with flowmasters is one of the best i have ever heard. Keep in mind changing other things [u-bend, downpipe, headers, resonator, catalytic converter] also give you a different sound too to different extents. Andother great exhaust iv heard had a downpipe, resonator delete, u bend delete and thats it.

Videos of exhaust notes is the best thing to do to to figure out what sound you like. If you hear a sound you like ask the person what setup they have. If you see a setup you like ask if the person would be so kind as to post a video [if your lucky they will].

Originally Posted by DnaProdigy

I know some people aren't fans of flowmasters but this GTP with flowmasters is one of the best i have ever heard.

IMO it sounds like ****.

Opinions are like a-holes, everyone has one and they all stink.

Im a "loud roaring, no tin can rasp" kind of guy. Not really into a low mellow smothe rumbling. I want to turn heads when i start my car.

That being said im leaving my exhaust stock untill i figure out the perfect balance of sound and performance.

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

IMO it sounds like ****.

I dunno man. Sounds decent compared to allot of the 3800 W/ bad sounding exhausts. ****ty camera and audio. Not worth arguing over.

I just want a nice sounding setup... I think ill go with a down pipe first.

The problem with Flowmasters is they try to increase the volume and sacrifice sound quality. A muffler is there to tune the sound, not create the volume. Volume comes as you open up the exhaust. I have a great tone with my Magnaflows and with 2.5" from the cat to the mufflers, no resonator, my Plog, and a DP it has the sufficient volume. When the car is idling high on a cold start you have to raise your voice to have a conversation near the trunk.

Hell yeah!

FWIW, I've ONCE thought flowmasters sounded good on a 3800. It was a cam'd and top swapped L36. Other than that, I have yet to hear one I like. I like GMPP (uses a type of Magnaflow muffler), Magnaflow XL 3-chambers, Borla, and definitely Corsa. SLP sounds okay.

oh, my flowmasters sounded wicked awesome when i was running my TEP cam for a few days. lumpity lump.

Originally Posted by Freebeer187

I just want a nice sounding setup... I think ill go with a down pipe first.

Thats a good first step in terms of performance. Down pipe and u-bend delete are reasonably priced and they allow the exhaust to flow much more freely through the system and they don't change the sound as significantly as a muffler would. Remember you have the choice of 2.5" or 3".


Im a bit curious about back pressure myself. I understand you want to free up your exhaust so it can breathe easier but some back pressure is also needed [right]. How much is too much back pressure? How much is too little? Some must be necessary, why else would even the fastest vehicles [top fuel dragster's] have some sort of pipe if not to create back pressure?

This explains the "back pressure" idea:

Exhaust: The straight scoop on backpressure - DSM Forums

Originally Posted by Sabrewings

This explains the "back pressure" idea:

Exhaust: The straight scoop on backpressure - DSM Forums

This is great information, thanks allot! The real question is what is th optimum setup for performance for our cars.

Depends on what you're running. For N/A or S/C, 2.25" or 2.5" catback is fine. Turbos like 3" catbacks. For N/A 2.5" DP and for most S/C 3" DP or headers.

So i should only get a 2.5?

i would go with a 3" dp for the gtp and then work back. You'll be able to get more out of it later if you choose to want more power. (for the rest of your exhaust its up to you) i cut off my mufflers the other day actually and i havent yet regreted it.....knock on wood