I'd like to replace my entire exhaust system, as the back pipe is rotting out, and will eventually have the entire system on pavement soon.
Catalytic converters seem expensive, especially good high flowing ones. Besides its probably hurting my performance.
I'd like to run a straight pipe, to a resonator, and to a good quality muffler with dual outs.
(PIMPIN BUICK)!! lol
I am not concerned about it passing its MVI, since its not due till sept of next year, and I will have plenty of time to install one if its required. I work at a garage, as an apprentice, so they might let me get away with it lol

So, Is it a good idea? Will my performance be hurt, or better?
Does a resonator sound good on these engines, or should I run a straight pipe to the muffler?

Mufflers, i am shopping arounds for different ones.
I am very picky about mufflers, I am leaning towards monroe and walker brands. What I need, is a good quality muffler, that sounds good at wide open throttle, but its gotta be quiet when the engine is below 3000 rpm, and I mean quiet. I only wanna hear the engine vaccumn cleaner sound. lol
I think it would look good if it had dual outs, that are useful, instead of only one working, and the other a fake, thats a no-no.

What about cut outs? Think its a good idea? I could attach it, some way to the throttle, so it would only cut out, when the throttle is open all the way. What I certainly don't need, is an illegal device on my car, if its illegal, and an officer pulling me over, for not having a good working muffler. Thus, giving me a notice to have the car inspected, and a failed inspection, because my catalytic converter is removed. Naaaaaaah, I don't think I'll go that route. lol

So, any opinions, and advice would be great. I really have to emphazize the quiet muffler though, no rice pipes, sorry..

As far as the convertor goes, get one. They are cheap ($50-$60 for a universal highflow magnaflow convertor), they help the environment, and without one your performance would suffer because of the lack of backpressure.

As far as a resonator goes, I have no idea. Don't think anyone has one on a LN3. And as far as muffler goes I'm not too sure there either. The two popular choices (Flowmaster 80 and the Magnaflow F-body) both have at drone at around 2k and generally get quieter in the upper RPM ranges, not down low. I think you will be the guinea pig for testing out monroe and walker mufflers on this engine.

I didn't have a cat. on my 87. It was headers, straight pipe, and factory single in/dual out muffler. I think it had plenty of performance and it sounded great to boot. Of course i NEVER would have passed emissions (if we still had them here) but since we don't i dont' have to worry about it.

My cat is my resonator.




And I've got drone at 2k also.

before willwren steps in here, let me say that its still illegal no matter if u have emission testing or not

(i ran no cat on my lumina)

the high flow cat on the 95, really opened her up, and made it twice as loud also

magnaflow cat on the 00 is the plan

my '65 bonneville runs just fine without them

Holy! 80 bucks for a catalytic converter. This is a universal maremont. Magnaflow high flowing cats are waaaay too pricy for me. like 200 bucks. Even napa'* maremont which includes a pipe to connect to the manifold is redicolusly expensive!!

I think I am gonna make my own pipe from the engine. Napa sells a pipe going from the cat to the muffler for 80 bucks, and a muffler, a maremont regular is about 100. Prolly will go that way, but I want separate dual outs. Pretty hard to find dual outs for a sideway mounted muffler though.

I have a Magnaflow Hi-flow cat that cost me less than $60. And how do you think the SSEi'* do dual outs on a transverse muffler? Crossflow F-body Mufflers are the key.

Now that you announced your plans in public, anyone that turns you in for being catless will be the beneficiary of a $250 reward from the EPA.

Well, I am not catless yet..

Second, I was at another parts store, and i have an account there, so I can get a few things cheaper. A good cat costs 75 dollars, for universal fits. Plus, I found out that its a 1500 dollar fine if you get caught. If a shop knows the cat has been removed, and did the work, they can be fined 10,000 dollars.
Prolly best to go with a cat, just didn't relaize there are fines for being catless, just thought that if I needed a MVI, and I was catless, the only problem would be that it would not pass.

Now, my other car, an 85 Citation 4 door, with the 2.5 is catless. It has a resonator in place. I think the laws here are cats are required for cars 1990 and newer. So, I may be exempt. If not, the EPA can just stick their noses somewheres else, as the car isn't registered.

And I was at napa, asking for dual outs, they could not find one.
Went to auto machinerry, and lo and behold, they told me about the f-body cars, and their dual outs, so an f-body muffler works!! only thing, its gotta be turned over to the other side, lol. Plus a good discount is a bonus. Only negative is the expensive pipe from the cat to muffler, so I may have one custom bent.

Anyways, cheers!

I have a 89 Bonnie. My step brother took my catalytic converter out replaced it with a straight pipe. I need to get a new muffler because the whole thing is rust. The car really lost some pick-up. My cat was completely clogged. In Michigan we don't have emissions testing but when I called around for a new muffler alot of shops won't put the muffler in with out a new catalytic converter. (or what ever they call the replacement part). So if you can handle all muffler problems on your own, and can seal the pipe off really good then yes you can take the cat out but if you think it might cause you problems it may just be cheaper to replace it.

If you dont' seal the pipe really good the car can be heard from blocks away. I had to drive with my windows down because of the smell until we could get the pipe closed off good enough. good luck