I'm looking to upgrade my exhaust system from the OEM muffler and catalytic converter. Looking to go with a 3" catback exhaust system. If I geta 3" system (muffler and pipes)and a 3"catalytic converter, what else needs to be upgraded? I'm not going to do this myself, it's going in to a shop, but I want to be able to tell them exactly what I want when I go. I'm not really looking to spend more than $500. Any suggestions?

 

why would you wanna go with a OEM style 3" muffler?

most shops will custom bend piping for you if you tell them what you want.

I would either go with a magnaflow or flowmaster. I think they sound the best

 

Well the OEM bends are pretty efficient already I were you I would go with a high flow cat and muffler leave everything else alone and save yourself a couple bucks unless your system is rusting out anyway, which in that case I'd go with stainless pipes.

 

I want to go with a high flow system, like a magnaflow or flowmaster. It looks like the cataltytic converter is starting to rust out and the muffler is going the same route... Damn road salt. Anyway, I'm looking for something that sounds aggressive, but that isn't overly loud in the cabin. I've never replaced an exhaust system before, as at 22 this is my first vehicle.

 

I would say don't get the flowmaster 40 then. There is a lot of interior resonance with it in the D. Try a borla exhaust they have a shield that will block most of the sound from getting into the cab without compromising exterior sound. You could also go with a flowmaster 50 which is quieter than the 40.

 

I think a good comparison from what I have heard, on the R/T models, the OEM mufflers sound output is equivilent to a 70 series flowmaster. So I am planning on getting 70 series when I am ready to upgrade and go dual pipes out the back by using a dual outlet muffler.

 

I doubt your cat is rusting through, it is probably just surface rust. I have never seen a cat with rust holes in it.

 

you will need to keep the cat in/out's the same, otherwise the cat will have a hard time heating up to op temp. go with a flowmaster cat back or gibson or magnaflow... I have had both the gibson & flow kits on a jeep & truck and liked them both. currently I have a straight thru mag that I like alot (muffler only, no kit) and it's pretty good. lost some low end torque (part throttle) with it and ended up adding an aero turbine muffler (4040) in front of the mag which brought back some good low end torque.

 

I would go with a 2.5" or 2.75" versus a 3" exhaust tubing.