exhaust questions ( 3.4 )

[Psych0matt]

So I've been wanting to redo my exhaust, and am close to having the cash to do it. My problem is finding a good setup that sounds good. The plans are to get a high flow cat, and some new mufflers. The problem lies in a few places. I want to run 2.5" mandrel all the way back, but what I'm not sure about is anything and everything with the headers. I'm assuming I need to get new headers and do everything in the whole system, and if thats true, how would I go about getting new headers? provided I get these things, I'd just take the parts to the exhuast place and have them weld it together. My basic questions I guess would be:

 

1: What mufflers (and cat?) would have a nice aggressive growl

and

2: do I need to go from the headers back? or just go from the cat back? (to go with 2.5")

 

I turst you guys to find me some good suggestions :-)

[WhiteOut]

You don't need to do your headers unless they leak. It would be a total waste of more money than you can possibly imagine. My advice though is to grab yourself a direct fit high flow cat (i.e one that bolts up not welds in) that should run about $150. From there go for 2.5" piping as you've stated. My personal preference is for Magnaflow mufflers since I've had one before and was more than happy with the sound, so I'd grab two of those that are to your liking and possibly a resonator (helps kill the 2000-3500 RPM raspiness of the 3.4 DOHC). The resonator is optional and hotly contested as to if it actually does any good. My theory is that GM wouldn't have put one on the car to begin with if it didn't do something, so I'd go with one. Make sure the shop installs it as close as possible to the stock location as well for optimal cancellation of the raspiness.

 

Its pretty much a personal preffernce thing with the setup you get. Just make sure you do your research first so there aren't any surprises when you get your car back from the shop.