Ive got a couple of questions...First off, im looking into getting a high flo cat but im not exactly sure about the benefits..ive heard that it will make my truck louder (ive got a flowmaster with a Y pipe with 3 inch pipes) and thats basically why i want to get it, but what else will the high flo cat do? and how much louder will it make my truck....Second off what else can i do to get some more HP without spending too much money? Ive got a 96 1500 4x4...any suggestions will be appreciated

 

improving the exhaust system is a good first step in improving high rpm horsepower

a few years ago some guys on the Dakota Mailing List got together and did a rear wheel dyno test where they eliminated the catalytic converter with a length of pipe and if memory serves me it was just a bit less than 5 hp

it is hard to find dependable numbers on which replacement 'Hi Flo' catalytic converters are really low restriction...so the dependable thing is just to go to two cats
S.A.M. the school of automotive machinists in TX did a test some years ago testing out catalytic converters both on a flow bench and at the dragstrip...do a search looking for that test

Here's the best overall article on how to set up a good exhaust system
written by the head of NASCAR motorsports education
at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte:

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...exh/index.html