Need an exhaust strategy
Need an exhaust strategy I'm trying to come up with the best strategy for an exhaust system on my 1999 WS-6 Trans-Am A4. I haven't done any significant performance modifications at this point, but I will probably do heads, intake and cam - maybe even a swap to an LS2. I still have the factory WS-6 exhaust system (which I hear is a bit better than non-WS-6 cars). Whatever I do, I don't want to have it be too much louder than what I've got (my wife is the main driver of the car and doesn't understand loud exhausts!). I live in California, so I don't think I can get away with long-tubes. Also, the car is a convertible - I don't know if there are any issues related to exhaust clearance with convertible.
What do you think? I want to get any extra power I can without violating CA emissions or making it excessively loud.
What do you think? I want to get any extra power I can without violating CA emissions or making it excessively loud.
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From: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
LONG TUBES are out in Cali...even a muffler swap is gonna make it MUCH louder.. 
...maybe if your wife likes it the way it is and she is gonna be driving it mostly....just leave it stock--maybe do some appearance stuff.....ANYTHING you do to the exhaust system is going to make it LOUDER. 
...maybe if your wife likes it the way it is and she is gonna be driving it mostly....just leave it stock--maybe do some appearance stuff.....ANYTHING you do to the exhaust system is going to make it LOUDER. 
IMO, the first mod an A4 should make is the switch to a higher stall converter. You cannot go wrong performance wise with a nice tc. If you're worried about driveability like I was, then a 3200 stall 2.4 str is what you'll want. If you're willing to sacrifice a bit of driveability (not much, believe me, you'll be used to it in a day or two) then go a little bigger, like a 3600 stall with 2.2 str. Add heads and cam (like the CheatR cam that works well with stock manifolds) and you'll have a seriously quick car.
This is where your exhaust selection plays a critical role in making your car fun to drive. Clearly you don't want anything super loud, so a Loudmouth, GMMG, True Duals, and Borla are out of the question. Regardless of what a lot of guys will say, I know firsthand that a tc will increase your exhaust volume by about 30%, simply because, before the converter locks-up, you're in the higher rpms more often. Add freer flowing heads and a decently agressive lopey cam and VOILA! You'll have tripled your original exhaust volume.
IMO, the stock WS6 exhaust, while better than the Zs and non WS6 cars, is going to be way too restrictive in a setup you're proposing. You'll want a 3" system, and I can't see you being happy with anything other than a Hooker Cat-Back or SLP dual/dual. You'll see I've recommended these setups a lot lately, and that's because I've gone through 5 different exhaust setups before finally finding one I liked.
Anyways, that's my 0.02, sorry for the long post. Good luck in your selection. BTW, it's good to see your doing what many of us didn't early on, planning. You'll save a good bit of money that way.
This is where your exhaust selection plays a critical role in making your car fun to drive. Clearly you don't want anything super loud, so a Loudmouth, GMMG, True Duals, and Borla are out of the question. Regardless of what a lot of guys will say, I know firsthand that a tc will increase your exhaust volume by about 30%, simply because, before the converter locks-up, you're in the higher rpms more often. Add freer flowing heads and a decently agressive lopey cam and VOILA! You'll have tripled your original exhaust volume.
IMO, the stock WS6 exhaust, while better than the Zs and non WS6 cars, is going to be way too restrictive in a setup you're proposing. You'll want a 3" system, and I can't see you being happy with anything other than a Hooker Cat-Back or SLP dual/dual. You'll see I've recommended these setups a lot lately, and that's because I've gone through 5 different exhaust setups before finally finding one I liked.
Anyways, that's my 0.02, sorry for the long post. Good luck in your selection. BTW, it's good to see your doing what many of us didn't early on, planning. You'll save a good bit of money that way.
