First Post-have a few ?'s

**sfletch2000** · 03-04-2007, 07:26 AM

I just purchased on 02 WS6 all stock with 44,000 miles on it. I've always liked these cars but finally make enough money to afford one. I got the itch for another fast car i also own a 86 Grand National that runs low 12's on street tires but haven't driven it in a few years because it won't pass smog anymore, i don't want to make the same mistake while modding this car.

So what are the basic bolt ons i should start with. As far as exhaust goes whats the best cat back system for your buck. I'm not necessarily looking for the most expensive unless it is worth spending the extra cash for it. I also want to know how i can tell if the exhaust on my car is aftermarket. From what i remember i thought the trans am's had a different exhaust tip than whats on my car. My cars looks like the camero's tips with a rectangular shape like whats on the Z28's.

Also my car doesn't have floormats in it, i was wondering if anyone makes floormats for these cars that have the fire bird embroidered into them.

thanks in advance for all replies

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 03-04-2007, 07:44 AM

First Off, Congrats On The Purchase.
I Would Start With A Lid,filter And Exhuast.

Mr Luos. Would Be The Pro To Ask On The Best Bang For Your Buck Exhuast.

As For The Floor Mats, Do A Search On Ebay, As Well As Check Afterthoughtsauto, They May Have Some!!

**sirenformula350** · 03-04-2007, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by FORD RECOVERY EXPERT

First Off, Congrats On The Purchase.
I Would Start With A Lid,filter And Exhuast.

+1 nothing like allowing the car to breathe better!

**sfletch2000** · 03-04-2007, 08:51 AM

what lid do you guys recomend and if someone can give me some input as to what cat back system to go with i'd appreciate it.

**sfletch2000** · 03-04-2007, 09:29 AM

I've got a few things narrowed down.
I'm gonna order a K&N filter, Magna Flow exhaust system and Hooker L/T headers this week but i'm sure not sure on what lid to buy.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 03-04-2007, 09:36 AM

+1 For The Mti Clearlid On The Cool Factor, But Most (and I Say That Lightly) Are Close To The Same.

As For The Exhaust, I Have Borla, And Love It.

But I Would Stay Far From Flowmaster, And Slp. Not Near Worth It.

**rajiv1998** · 03-04-2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by sfletch2000

I've got a few things narrowed down.
I'm gonna order a K&N filter, Magna Flow exhaust system and Hooker L/T headers this week but i'm sure not sure on what lid to buy.

A lid's a lid there all the same. Port the TB and ur all set. You already have and LS6 intake so thats good

**Y2KPewterSS** · 03-04-2007, 11:25 AM

Congrats on the purchase!

You can look into afterthoughts or Lloyd's custom mats for your floormat situation.

It doesn't sound like you have a stock catback, but if you could possibly post pictures of it, we might be able to help you more on that question.

Since you have a 2002 model, you already have the LS6 intake, is yours an auto (A4) or manual(M6) transmission?

Just pick a lid, they are all the same as far as performance anyways, their only differences are appearance and fit. Hooker or Magnaflow catbacks are good flowing and the most affordable out there.

Here is a list of mods I would do:

1. Lid
2. Long tubes with a catted y-pipe(since you want to pass emissions)
3. Sub frame connectors and lower control arms(helps keep the car straight and helps with wheel hop)
4. Convertor or clutch, whichever tranny you are(if auto tranny, this might change in ranking)
5. Underdrive pulley
6. A comfortable shifter if you are an M6, possibly a Pro 5.0 with a short throw.

Those mods I listed above would put you around 340 RWHP and a should net you a solid 12 ET assuming you can 60'

**sirenformula350** · 03-04-2007, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by FORD RECOVERY EXPERT

As For The Exhaust, I Have Borla, And Love It.

I also have borla and I am very happy with it. Its a little expensive though.

heres a video of what it sounds like on my car to give you an idea.

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...eoid=996299174

**sfletch2000** · 03-04-2007, 02:57 PM

I'll try to post some pictures tonight of my exhause but i can tell you that the tips aren't the stock ones. I looked under the car the muffler doesn't say anything on it and looks stock. Wouldnt it say a brand on it if it was aftermarket and the pipe size looks stock its about 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 inch but it does sound kinda loud to be stock. If mine is aftermarket that would be nice because i could spend the money on some headers and a y pipe instead.

What brand of headers do you guys suggest for around four hundred bucks. And what y pipe would i need to keep it smog legal. I'm looking at those jet coated headers.

Siren, what part of chicago do you live in. I grew up on the south side in a town called richton park its about 15 minutes from tinley park.

**sirenformula350** · 03-04-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by sfletch2000

Siren, what part of chicago do you live in. I grew up on the south side in a town called richton park its about 15 minutes from tinley park.

The southeast side right next to Indiana. I have a cousin that used to live in Richton Park though so I know where it is.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 03-04-2007, 04:31 PM

pacesetters are pretty good, and around four hundred.
my borla muffler doesnt have a name on it

would help tho

**sfletch2000** · 03-04-2007, 06:02 PM

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...0420070031.jpg
http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w...3042007002.jpg

Here's the pics not the best but hopefully someone can tell me what kind of exhaust system this is

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 03-04-2007, 06:44 PM

flowmaster w aftermarket tips...

**sfletch2000** · 03-05-2007, 07:34 AM

thanks for the info,

Now i'm not sure what to do though, i was gonna order a magna flow exhaust. I've heard flowmasters suck on these cars but what kind of gains are they giving 7-8 horses ???? and the magnaflows will give me fifteen so that means i'll be spending four hundred dollars for another 7 or 8 horses. Should i just keep the flowmasters seeing how they were already on the car and i didn't have to pay anything for them and spend the money on something else like some headers and y pipe or should i still get the magnaflows?

I already ordered the lid, k&n and a smooth bevel.

**sirenformula350** · 03-05-2007, 08:31 AM

Since the exhaust is already aftermarket I would invest the money in some headers. Just my .02

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 03-05-2007, 09:07 AM

it is up to you, but i have seen tests that flow vs. open exhuast on fbodies, flow took away power...

**sfletch2000** · 03-05-2007, 12:47 PM

Your saying that flowmasters actually make the car produce less power than the stock cat back????? And when you say open do you mean a free flowing exhaust system with no back pressure i thought open ment you weren't running through the cat or the the mufflers.

**Too Fast** · 03-05-2007, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by sfletch2000

I'll try to post some pictures tonight of my exhause but i can tell you that the tips aren't the stock ones. I looked under the car the muffler doesn't say anything on it and looks stock. Wouldnt it say a brand on it if it was aftermarket and the pipe size looks stock its about 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 inch but it does sound kinda loud to be stock. If mine is aftermarket that would be nice because i could spend the money on some headers and a y pipe instead.

What brand of headers do you guys suggest for around four hundred bucks. And what y pipe would i need to keep it smog legal. I'm looking at those jet coated headers.

Siren, what part of chicago do you live in. I grew up on the south side in a town called richton park its about 15 minutes from tinley park.

You are in Cali, right? You can't run long tube headers and keep it street legal, right everyone?

**sfletch2000** · 03-05-2007, 05:52 PM

Yeah i believe i can as long as i get a y pipe that keeps the cats and in their stock location.

Can someone help me out with the question above? Is it worth it to go to a different cat back system or should i just stick with the shitty flowmasters? And maybe get some headers and y pipe instead.

Also what how much horsepower increase will i see after putting these mods on.

Pace Setter Jet Coated Header With street legal y pipe
Magna Flow Cat Back System
M1T Lid
K&N
Slp Smooth Bevel

I know i'll get roughly 25 more horses out of it with everything but the headers and y pipe but not sure how much those will add to the combo.