MR_560SEC

so i got my new ride and im ready for exhaust. i was checkin out the forums and from what i can see there are 2 different ways to go. (1) magnaflow exhaust or (2) cut the second muffler like roupin did. i know it would probly be cheaper do just cut the muffler but saving money isn't my goal. i wan't the best sound and if there is any,performance differance.

so what do you guys think ?

csumt76

My honest opinion... I wouldn't waste my time putting exhaust on a 350.

Now if it was a 550 I would delete the rear cats, put magnaflows on it along with some drag radials and a 100 shot.

Roupin

MR_560, just as a note, I just cut the secondary cats on my car. I didn't cut the mufflers because I'm not too fond of 6 bangers and the sound they make. With the secondary cats gone it has a touch more burble off idle and really kicks in after 4k rpm. But it's definitely not loud.

I'm going to also pop an X-pipe in place of the resonator and see how it sounds. I wouldn't recommend yanking the mufflers though. They are small mufflers anyway and you won't gain much power on this V6. It's not worth it in my opinion.

MR_560SEC

what type of x-pipe are you going with ?

Roupin

Just a simple X-pipe. Any muffler shop will know how to make it. The shop I PM'd you knows for sure as well.

I've heard both good and bad things about deleting the resonator, so it's somewhat of an experiment. I don't know the results of it yet. Keep that in mind if you decide to go for it as well.

MR_560SEC

how long of a prosses is it to cut the second cat ?

MR_560SEC

it's done. i figured i was close by so i took a quick drive over to AAA and talked to pepe. he tried charging me $120 but i just pulled out a $100 bucks and he took it. any way there really isn't much sound differance but im thinking that might be because i only have 250 miles on the car. if my mind isn't playin tricks on me i think there might be a little bit better low end pick up. any way it only cost a c-note. thanks for the mod roupin, let me know if you do the x-pipe. p.s i asked pepe about the pricing on that and he quoted me $350. see if you can get any better.

Roupin

Sweet! Glad you're happy with it Sounds like everything went as planned.

As for your car, it will take a solid 15-20 minutes until your car re-learns the new amount of backpressure and adjusts itself accordingly. You will hear a bit more burble on cold startups and you'll hear more exhaust after 4k rpm. What I like about it is the exhaust is barely noticeable from inside the car, but is definitely different outside. Have a friend punch it past you, or stomp the gas pedal in an alley. You'll be grinning

I'll let you know about the resonator. I'll go for it next weekend if I get the chance (hopefully)

Btw I forgot to remind you...I hope you kept the parts he removed in case you decide to pop them back on in the future.

MR_560SEC

the sound is stating to get a little better.

Roupin

Keep in mind you won't hear it as much in the car. If you're in an alley or next to a wall, open it up and listen to it there. You'll love it

MR_560SEC

what's the status on that X-pipe ? ever get around to it yet ?

jimm

WOW! You’re putting loud pipes on your 350?

I definitely know that sound is a BIG - and personal -
thing to a guy. But, loud pipes on a luxury car .. seems
a little “unusual.”

However, I have 14335 Magnaflows on my C6 and LOVE
them! Just the right deep rumble at cruise with little pops
on back-down. (The perfect sound.)

So, good luck and keep us informed.

jimm

Roupin

I held off on the X-pipe since I'm now working on having a custom carbon fiber intake made for the car. If it's not loud enough after that, then I'll pursue the X-pipe.

Jimm, the car sounds near stock at idle and up to about 3k rpm. It only opens up after that.

MR_560SEC

how long before you get that intake done ?

Roupin

I had a carbon fiber guy take a look at it and take some measurements, and now I'm trying to get the parts made quickly. I'm hoping I should have them in a couple weeks (fingers crossed).

jimm

You’ve probably already made your decision, but FWIW, I know guys
with vettes who’ve spent BIG bucks on exhaust systems looking for that
“perfect” sound. And, afterward, are disappointed.

I’m on my second C6 where I’ve put on Magnaflow 14335’s. I think I’ve
gotten the “perfect” sound with my “muffler’s only!” Nothing more! Two
mufflers costing 95 each plus 125 for the install, which involves a little
welding and cutting. But, a pro does this in no time. Of course if you want
a sound like no mufflers at all (like B&B bullets) these wouldn’t be for you.

Mine have a beautiful deep idle tone and that deep tone follows it all the
way up, with nice little pops coming back down. You can hear them some
on the inside, at all speeds, which is what I want. Usually, I’d rather hear
my pipes than the radio. (But, they aren’t obnoxious and I have NO trouble
hearing the radio when I want.)

Bottom line, I think too many guys - at least vette guys - spend way too
much money on exhaust “systems” when just a couple of the right mufflers
are perfect.

I mention “perfect” sound. To me that’s a deep rumble. One sound I
absolutely CAN’T stand is the high pitched “ricer” sissy sound. On my
Harley Davidson, I have Vance & Hines. As an old pilot, I liked hearing
the prop in low pitch. (That rap would wake people up on the ground!)

Jimm

Roupin

Very true Jimm. But keep in mind on a C6, the exhaust is more than just the sound. The stock systems usually have pinched bends and flattened tubes, so they don't flow quite as well. The catback systems (especially on GM cars) usually yield significant gains because of that.

As for this E350, I'm taking my time thinking everything over a few times because I don't want to make it loud. I could have just replaced the mufflers very easily, but it's hard for me to like the sound of the V6 since I come from a background of V8s. Therefore I'm just looking for ways to get it to flow better and sound a bit deeper, without getting that 6 banger tone.

MR_560SEC

i compared my e350 to my bros e350, we put both cars back to back and revving the engines to compare the exhaust notes and there is definitely a difference in sound. my car sounded louder and meaner. i also had him take a pass in my car but unfortunately was not satisfied with the results. all i can hear is the engine roaring and no exhaust. so i think I'm going to add a couple of mufflers.



i seen these magna flow #14375 that one of the guys installed. then i went to a muffler shop and they told me to get the magna flow # 11236. i was wondering what the difference between the two series?

the guy also recommended that i cut the resonator, upgrade the pipes to 2 1/4 from res back and also add those 11236 series magna flow mufflers.

Roupin

I'm very curious how it will sound without the resonators. I've heard both good and bad about it, so that's why I turned to the intake next.

MR_560SEC

what was good and what was bad ?

Roupin

The good was one person told me on his car it had a mean growl, and had a sweeter effect than anything else. The bad was another person with an E320 who hated how the car sounded since it was all drone and sounded like a boat.
Not sure yet...patiently waiting for my intake first.