Exhaust help

[WestieVYLS1]

Im looking at up-grading the exhaust on my Calais.

Can anyone suggest what I might be looking for and how much it might cost?

Im looking for a little bit of power, better fuel economy and a decent sound that isn't over the top - and of course, it needs to be relatively low cost.


Cheers.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Umm...sorry to break it to you, but you won't get any power, you will use more fuel and the sound will be totally subjective. What sounds good to someone else may sound crap to you. The cost will be anywhere from $250 - $500 depending on what you want.

[WestieVYLS1]

Are you taking the piss or are you serious?

If thats true, why would people waste money on their exhaust?

[DUK13Y]

People buy exhausts to make their car louder. You may gain 5kw at the engine and save .002L but exhausts are just to make the car louder .

[alien]

Not totally true, it's a bit more fuel saving, but only really happens if you go from standard headers to extractors. They take the load off the engine (engine doesn't have to push as hard to expel the exhaust gases) and lets the fuel actually go into turning the wheels more, meaning you dont have to use as much fuel to get the same result.

If you go for an exhaust system but want it to be fairly quiet look at a 3 inch cat back. Noisy ones are mostly 2.5 inch cat back. Both options there increase the pipe thickness meaning a better flow of exhaust gasses.

Also possibly consider a high flow cat. Standard ones can be quite restrictive. As for price, ring your local exhaust shop. If you also tell them what you want they'll be able to suggest a setup,.

[cewing]

For normal cars like us commo drivers, its just for the growl you hear when you put your foot down. theres nothing sweeter, and i've only got an ecotec v6.
I guess in performance sports cars , power gains can be made by putting different exhausts in, but i dont think it really affects power too much in family sedans

[alien]

cewing, you call a Calais with a 5.7L LS1 a family sedan and not a performance car? If it was just a 6 cylinder then i'd say yea, it's only for the sound!

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

I will add to my first reply, on a V8 you will gain a bit of hp but not much. The extractors do most of the work. I still stand by what I say though, you will not gain much by changing the exhaust unless you fit extractors as well and get a tune done.

[[ASLYVY]]

I will add to my first reply, on a V8 you will gain a bit of hp but not much. The extractors do most of the work. I still stand by what I say though, you will not gain much by changing the exhaust unless you fit extractors as well and get a tune done.

will extractors on a V6 with a high flow cat give off a better exhaust note then just my 2.5" catback atm?..

been debating on wether to go and get some

[WestieVYLS1]

I am intending on getting a tune done anyway....

Do i need to do the whole exhaust system in one hit, or can I do it in stages?

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

It is best to change everything then get a tune. If you do it bit by bit, the tune will have to be adjusted to allow for the extractors anyway.

[ASLYVY] extractors will change the note marginally, whether it is better or not is up to the individual.

[cewing]

What i meant by 'performance car' is a supped up sports car thats had everything upgraded on it. because the engine now produces sooo much more power than it did when it was stock, it benefits from improved exhaust out the back. Just my thoughts, i could be totally wrong :P hehe