Well I took my Solstice to my Local performance shop since I couldnt stand the stock exhaust note.
They removed the stock muffler which by the way is the biggest muffler I have ever seen and replaced it with a Dynomax High Flow Unit (Dynomax Super Turbo). At first I was worried about it burping due to the low back pressure but the new setup actually cleared up the burping that you can hear on the stock setup and it sounds incredible with no resonance.
How come many of the magazines have applauded the exhaust note, yet changing the exhaust seems so popular. I guess I'll find out first hand when my car arrives, but....
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DEEP GXP! :^) w/ red stitched Ebony Leather/Chrome Wheels. (as of 5/10/07) Sol owner since 12/23/95.
Lovin' the twisties in the heart of the Bluegrass!
How come many of the magazines have applauded the exhaust note, yet changing the exhaust seems so popular. I guess I'll find out first hand when my car arrives, but....
My guess is that for a 4-cylinder it sounds great, but for V8 people it sounds too weak. Just a guess.
__________________ Serene will be a color! Even if only on one car.
Good observation. I can't wait to hear for myself.
You should be able to have any muffler shop do it for $150.
Sure beats $500 to beef up the sound some people are charging. Sure warranties and dynos are great and all, but for $150 I would have to replace the damn thing 3 times! Dynos, who cares, do I really want to know I just dropped $500 for 10hp (if I'm lucky).
You hit it on the Head, mine was $151 with tax and anyhows once you get underneath the car and look at the stock exhaust from the factory you are going to see that a cat back will net you almost nothing since the factory pipe diameter is 2.5 inches and it has no drastic and actually very nice bends straight back from the cat to the rear. I had originally intended to have the performance shop do a complete cat back but everything was so nice I just switched the muffler and the pipe from the rear transaxle back.
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Rocksman
El Paso TX
Deep Solstice
VIN Number: 1G2MB33B96Y101899
Good observation. I can't wait to hear for myself.
I think it's personal taste. I have a good friend who has swaped out his exhaust system in every thing he has ever owned, which since I've known him has included the original early 1990's Formula Firehawk, a few other later Firehawks, a Bonneville, an Escalade, a Ram pickup, and now the "Viper" Pickup, what ever it's called. Who swaps out their exhaust in a Bonneville for better sound? Only people who are very picky about the exhaust note I'm affraid.
In this car, and in my opinion, the stock system sounds a lot better than the usual Pontiac gurgle. It's about the best sounding stock muffler I've heard in a 4 banger. It's just a matter of taste, but to say the stock muffler sounds aweful is over exagerating things just a bit.
__________________ Nov 1 06, 11000+ mls, Carrier Unit Replaced due to constant Leak and Whine
June 15 06, 6000+ mls, Leak Is BACK, Overfilled?
Feb 06, 2000+ mls, Leaking Diff. "Carrier Cover Gasket"
Wife got 10/27/05
Car Del. 10/25/05
Invoice and VIN# 10/7/05
Built as of 9/24/05
GM Picked Up 8/9/05
Up To #2 On Dealers List From #3
First 4 Month Allo.
Deep, 2 Tone, Pol. Whls, all but XM & On Star
Ordered Wife's Car Sat after Apprentice
The stock exhaust is a great system to begin with, just swap for a less restrictive muffler and you'll get the same gains as a full $500 cat back system.
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2008 Black/Black GXP, purchased 7/23 right off the train.
Mod#1 blacked-out headlights
Mod#2 GMPP Intake -I like to hear my turbo.
Mod#3 Special Sauce
Mod#4 Solo Street Race
'97 Burb.
"07 Charger R/T, Mama's car
Race #1 Charger 0 /Sol 1
