I began trying to modify my exhaust due to the fact that our motors leave something to be desired in the performance section (I think we can all agree on that) Anyway...I started by going to a local exhaust shop and had him remove the second resonator (about in the middle of the car) and splicing 2.25" pipe from there back into a Flowmaster 60 series muffler.
That produced surprising performance as far as the engines ability to rev higher than normal without feeling like it was straining anymore (above 5000 rpm's or so
) but I still did not notice very much of a sound or much performance. While knowing that and the fact that from the catalytic converter that is mounted ont the manifold there is 2" pipe that later reduces into 1.75" before entering the first resonator, I then went back and had the guy at the shop remove the other resonator and run 2.25" pipe from the second O2 sensor (which is about 6 or so inches from the cat) all the way back (including a new 2.25" flex piece).This produced a horrible tinny sound at or around 3k rpm's, However in the rare absence of this sound I heard a very loud and intimidating grumble form the tailpipe. That and freeing up the exhaust completely made the engine rev like a ferrari - Extremely easy and smooth. I did however loose almost all of my torque
.While not being able to deal with the complete loss of torque I again went to the shop and had him install an aftermarket resonator (2.25" diameter of course) where the factory ones resided some time before.
IT WORKED!!! I now have a very good grumble from my exhaust and get compliments on it all of the time (even from the rice haters) AND I regained all of my torque plus some extra!!!! And the engine revs beautifully completely smoking the top torque of 5000 rpm's that factory produces!!!
I now run almost dead even with an 05 focus with about 155-160 hp from a cat-back, cai, and throttle body. I also have a friend who has a 92 acura legend with a stock 3.2l v6 that runs 8.1 sec. 0-60 stock, and yes...I have raced him....He always eventually beats me by about 3/4-1 car length at about 95 until we always cut off.
I am in the process of buying a g-tech accelerometer to get accurate readings and will let you know when I get the numbers!!! Just to let you know....I also have an intake and an intake sensor modification. Let me know if you have any questions!!!
