I have been reading thread after thread about exhaust choices, and I have yet to fully understand because I don't know some of the "lingo".

So, here are my questions...what parts make up a full exhaust system and what does each part do? Also, what parts are "moddable", so to speak, and what is gained from each change?

Sorry about the long question, but I don't seem to be finding the info anywhere else, and asking seemed to be the best option.

don't u mean 2 mufflers?

if ur going for performance i'd start at headers and high flow cat. if sound is more important start with the mufflers and work in.

Headers, CAT, resonator (for some), piping, and muffler(*) would be a full exhaust. All parts are moddable. CAT is for emissions purposes. Mufflers provide a nice sound, as well as much needed back-pressure. Generally, the more you open the exhaust up, i.e. high flow CAT and mufflers, larger piping, etc., the more you sacrifice back-pressure and low end power/tq, but you gain more high end power. And you also increase mileage (unless you have a bigger lead foot afterwards) by letting the engine breathe more. SC cars would benefit more from exhaust mods (and intake mods) than NA cars. I'd love to hear what dual Magnaflows would sound like on your car. Someday I'll know for myself.

Hope that helps a bit

Did you get all that ? I'll try to answer your question.we'll start up front.

Headers are at the engine, to replace the factory exhaust manifolds, lots of money, lots of work but best place for realistic performance gains.

Then down pipe to catalitic convertor a necessary emissions devise that further burns what didnt get fully combusted by engine. It does this through intence heat. I dont know the scientific stuff

Freeflow cat - monetary propaganda, waste of money

Cat back system is from the end of catalitic convertor to the tail pipe. It has a pipe that has less disruptions from the bending process, gains are minimal unless you already have a well worked engine that needs every last detail for maximum output and are into counting 100ths of seconds.

Muffler, to get a little to alot more sound from engine with a little less restriction the engine has to push against. Small gains can be had here, most likely nothing noticable except it will sound faster.

Tailpipe, gets the exhaust out from under the car and can be plain or fancy for appearence sake.

Unless already changed you car should have a excellent stainless exhaust system that will last nearly for ever except back by muffler. Replaceing with cheap aftermarket products will just come back in your pocket again if you have the car over 2 years. Id just worry about the muffler(*) if you want a little rumble out of it. tail pipe tips if you want to dress it up.

Thanks so much...good answers (well, Peter and Steve anyway. :P ). I'm not sure why everyone finds the hunting thing so funny, but oh well.

I just wanted to understand all that I was reading about, and now I do...thanks.

Okay...talked to a guy from Flowmaster today (Dan...what a nice, helpful guy ), and he brought a couple of things to my attention that I want to check over with the experts here.

One: he said that I already have a high-flow cat (that all newer Bonnies do).
Two: he said that a Flowmaster muffler may not be a good choice for a supercharged 3800...that on the GTP they sound terrible (kind of a raspy, grating sound) and that he'* not sure how it would be on a Bonnie. (I think he may just be too sensitive about it...I've heard the clips here of various people'* performance exhausts, and I hear what he'* referring to, but it doesn't bother me)
Three: he reccomended a 50 series Delta Flow if I'm going to do it, but wasn't sure if it will fit because of the 17 inch length.

Also, I need to figure out what diameter my in/out would be (does anyone know what the '00 Bonnies are? 2in? 2.25in?)

It is 2.25" if im not mistaken. And Dan is a very smart man. Most of the cats in the newer GTP'* and SSEi'* flow extremely well. He is also right that flows are not the best souding mufflers on the */C 3.8'*.
Your best bet is a Stainless steel Dynomax Ultra Flo SS. My friend has some Super Turbos on his GTP and theyre not that loud at all. But they defiently gave him a little more power. Just with some upgraded tires, the super turbos, and a PVC CAI hes running about 6.1s 0-60.

I have not been impressed with the sound of DynoMax, if FlowMaster is being played down, then Magnaflow is the way to go.

You don't need a high flow cat, I would however consider a high flow resonator if you can find em.

2.25" sounds right....

Lifetime stainless steel all the way, make sure the hangers are stainless as well H, very important. If I remember correctly, 2000+ Bonnes have dual mufflers, be prepared to shell out a bit either way

The outlet pipe to the Cat is 2.5" then it reduces to 2.25" after the resonator. It splits into twin 2.0" pipes in and out of the 15" long twin mufflers.

If you want the most noticeable gain, install a set of headers and remove the Cat if you're allowed. The headers will exit at 3.0". Then you can connect directly to your original exhaust. I kept the resonator so I don't get a resonant drone at that certain rpm.
You could run 3" all the way back and split to twin 2.5" with new mufflers but the gain will be sound quality and visual mostly. The muffler size should be as large as the original so it matches your engine displacement size. 17" isn't that much larger than the original so it should fit. Go with a shiny chrome or stainless one.
Happy modding.