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Want a decent catback for a complete stock car

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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 08:01 PM
  #1  
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Default Want a decent catback for a complete stock car

Here's my dilemma. I have a '99 Trans am, bone stock, and for the most part im not looking to change much. THE THING JUST DOESENT SOUND AGRESSIVE ENOUGH!

So... ive decided to invest in a catback. I want something loud, something muscular and agressive but at the same time, this car is used to commute so I dont want to go deaf driving it all day.

Is the LM going to be too loud, even if I keep everything on the vehicle stock? I was also considering magnaflow but i dont know if itll grab as much attention as the LM.
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 08:53 PM
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I have a 98 T/A that was bone stock, and i was intending to keep it that way. I went with the SLP LM, after searching for a while. I'm very satisfied, it's very loud but you can still listen to your radio. The price wasn't bad either, and it was very easy to install. But it has made me want more mods, and now i plan to get headers. So much for just the catback!
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 08:56 PM
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I would go with gmmg. By far the best sounding catback out there. If it is alittle out of your price range than I would go with hooker. Hooker is my second favorite catback and it is cheap and very free flowing.
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 09:03 PM
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I would go with the GMMG also. It sounds bad. Idle isn't bad, but when you go wot it is awesome.
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 09:23 PM
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IMO,

Hooker
Magnaflow

are both reputable/proven exhausts... With the LM, you will have the best flowing Cat Back, thats if you can handle the sound...
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Old Jul 6, 2004 | 09:24 PM
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GMMG is what I am probably going to get when I get my LS1....But its a little bit pricey, as with Corsa and Borla...They are pricey, but they sound great...
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 12:56 AM
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The LM sounds pretty good on a f-body with the stock manifolds and catylists. I have it on my SS with longtubes w/o cats and I love the loudness but the raspiness is terrible. I plan to swap out the resonator for a bullet muffler and if that doesn't suit me then I will swap the LM for a SLP DD and throw the LM on the WS6.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 01:01 AM
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Default thx guys

Well guys i'm trying to keep this in the $500-600 price range, Im getting graduation money (im only 17, lol) and I want to put a little to having a meaner sounding car... how loud is magnaflow compared to the LM? I like the fact that the LM is loud... but at the same time it isnt a very defined sound and the magnaflow seems to have that. I guess maybe im being too picky - though a $600 investment will take roughly 60 percent of the money i'll have to spend so im trying to figure out the best route of action before I make a regrettable mistake.

Thx for all the replies!
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 08:24 AM
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If this is going to be your only mod, then I say save a little extra money from working (if you do work) and get the GMMG.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 10:15 AM
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I vote for ATR Stainless. Flows well and can be had in your budget. It soubded good on my car when stock and still sounds good after 5 years.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 10:32 AM
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MagnaFlow is by far one of the best quallity and sounding systems I have seen. Let you in on a secret I will be doing another GP on these soon.

Nate
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 01:28 PM
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the LM def has a tone...One word: NASCAR!!!
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by m_donze
the LM def has a tone...One word: NASCAR!!!
um...no. loud, but its loud without a purpose.

Hooker is going to be too quiet for you, as will magnaflow. For your criteria you are looking at Borla, GMMG, Corsa (but im hearing issues with their quality control), you would go with a loudmouth, but in my personal experience with it, its a waste of money. TSP Rumbler (which is a dynomouth), would be a better choice but a little less loud than the loudmouth, yet not quieter if that makes sense. But it sounds better.

Ls1sounds.com is your friend. Search button is your friend. Keep doing your own research and if you have a local fbody club or you know some guys with fbodys go listen to theirs in person.


best overall sound imo is the hooker (within your price range), plus its the cheapest of all of them. I gave up true duals dumped for the sound of a hooker
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 02:27 PM
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Hey thanks man for the help - I'm thinking TSP Rumbler sounds like a pretty good idea. But im worried - I love in Michigan and im pretty sure the rumbler is not a stainless system... how long do you estimate the life of it?
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by slik98z
best overall sound imo is the hooker (within your price range), plus its the cheapest of all of them. I gave up true duals dumped for the sound of a hooker
I can't agree more as I have done the same thing.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 02:42 PM
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$500-$600 range? Get the LM, I think you'll like it, it's really not all THAT loud bc you do still have stock cats, etc. If not, then get the Hooker, both of those are economical. Then you will have money left over to save, spend elsewhere, or get another bolt-on. Do you want a lid??
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 03:07 PM
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Lid? heh, well I dunno, Im taking the modifications very... very slowly (I know I sound like a fool, if you have a nice ls1 you should be harnessing its capabilities..) but - lets face it guys, im 17 and I work at Mcdonalds. The day I can afford to provide a quality true dual system for my car.... actually I dont want to think about it because its Depressing.

Any comments on LM VS. Rumber?
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 03:15 PM
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Go with a LM, if you wanna go cheaper and still have a mean sound, get a set of bullet's attached to the cat's, and dump them. I know a guy that did that, sounded badass, and I think it cost him about 250 at a exhaust shop installed.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 03:16 PM
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I know how you feel man, I use to be a 17-18 year old high school senior working at taco bell

Now I am a 20 (almost21) college junior in the fall. My my how time flies

Last edited by blkZ28spt; Jul 7, 2004 at 11:27 PM.
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Old Jul 7, 2004 | 10:58 PM
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I'm an 18 year old college student that just spent all her money on her trans am that she loves. and i am very satisfied with the LM. no, let me reword that, i'm extremely satisfied and couldn't have asked for better, plus its only about $400 with shipping, which leaves room for a lid or something else special
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