Heyy Im new here and I have a couple questions and im hoping someone can gimme a hand..I am in the process of getting ready to build a custom exhaust for my 98 Olds Intrigue 3.8L V6..I know this forum is for bonnevilles but I know the mods are similar for the bonneville..Heres what Im thinking:
- Keep the headers stock (for now)
- Hogan Aftermarket downpipe with a Magnaflow super hi flow cat (with a 3" flanged outlet)
- 3" piping to replace the resonator and the stock U-bend
- Magnaflow Aftermarket muffler with a 3" side inlet, 3" center outlet
I just wanted to make sure that this is even a functional setup. I'm obviously attempting to obtain a more aggressive tone from the exhaust but Im also after more power. The stock exhaust is pretty terrible so I know any change will help. My questions are
1.) Should I remove the resonator? (I want the exhaust to sound good but not TOO loud)
2.) Should I stick with the stock 2.5" piping? Or upgrade to the 3" piping? Which one will result in a better sound/more power? Will back pressure be a problem with the bigger piping?
3.) Is this setup 100% functional? Do you guys like it? lol
Any suggestions/tips/answers will be appreciated. Im trying to get this thing to be the best out on the road. But im 19! lol I need help! thanks guys. btw if you wanna check my car out take a look:
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/714932

DO NOT use 3" pipes, you will loose a huge amount of low end torque if you do that.

For the most part you dont have a super restrictive exhaust. the one thing that is holding you back is your u-bend.

Do you want to make it dual or keep single exhaust? im not even sure if its possible on an intrigue to go dual....

Do you have any other mods done? What are you planning on doing in the future with the car for mods?

Having done a motor swap in a Intrigue lately and seeing it on the lift. I agree with the Toaster.. remove your u bend and other than that.. I'd probably leave it stock. Those stock manifolds look very good for flow, as does the rest of the exhaust.

I'd say remove the u-bend, do a high flow cat and get some pems.

Hey man whats up! Glad to see you took my advice and came over here, you might also check out
www.clubgp.com since the Intrigue and GP are pretty much the same.


Does the Razzi rear bumper have cutouts for dual tips or not? doesnt really affect performance, but it would look sweet.

I agree with getting rid of the u-bend, its pretty restrictive and I noticed a little more pep when mine was lost.

thanks for all ur replies guys, heres a list of my mods currently if that helps:
ENGINE - 3800 Series II, 3.8L v6:

- Thrasher Cold Air Intake
- Performance Chip
- Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs
- MSD 10.4MM Taylor Race Wires
- Oil Breather
- Various Parts Painted Blue
- Custom Setup for increased airflow/lower temps under the hood
- 160 Degree Thermostat
- Throttle Body Heat Shield
- IAT sensor Extension
- MSD Ignition Coils

Okay so i have def eliminated the possibilty of opening it to 3" because that seems to be what every1 is saying lol, i def wanna keep it single exhaust because even if i made it dual it would be just a look cuz performance wise it wouldnt help because it wouldnt be a tru dual exhaust..the razzi bumper only has 1 cutout..but i def think im gonna go with a highflow cat, new piping to eliminate the ubend and resonator and then an aftermarket muffler..

please explain to us what "chip" you have....

Bosch plugs are BAD news in the 3800 motor, they are known to cause certain issues, NGK tr-55'* would be better suited for your application

just an FYI the 10.4mm wires really gain you nothing, and the 160 stat is pretty cold for a NA daily driver

- Thrasher Cold Air Intake
Good.

- Performance Chip
If it'* not a DHP, ZZP, or INTENSE, it'* garbage.

- Bosch Platinum +4 Spark Plugs
Get them out of there immediately. Bosch Plugs are known by Bosch to be garbage in waste-spark ignition systems like ours.

- MSD 10.4MM Taylor Race Wires
Sorry, no performance gain there. That was a waste of your money. Stock wires produce just as hot of a spark.

- Oil Breather
Your PCV does that already. That'* just a gee-whiz cosmetic, not a performance mod.

- 160 Degree Thermostat
There'* only about 5 or 6 cars on this Forum that can run that low. If your PCM isn't programmed for it, that'* way too low. I don't understand how an L36 could possibly ever need one, especially if driven daily.

So what 'chip' was it?

it was a small little "module" type thing made by a speed shop near where i live..you wired it into your IAT sensor so that it basically tells the PCM that it is reading a cooler IAT then it really is, thus making a "more rich" air/fuel mixture..anyway like i said its gone because my check engine light kept coming on and that was the only thing we could think of so we removed it and it never came back on so it doesnt even matter..AGAIN IM SIMPLY ASKING ABOUT MY EXHAUST SETUP...im not here for people to bash my mods...i simply wanted advice on my exhaust..............thanks