Newbie Exhaust Quetion

[nchilds21]

I have a 2003 CVPI and i am looking to get a nice sounding exhaust.....but im not really sure wat to look for...so i was wondering if you guys could pass on some wisdom and inform me on wat to look for and wat would fit

[88Vic]

Shorty headers, 2.25" downpipes, offroad H-pipe, performance mufflers of your choice. Keep in mind that the exhaust won't be cheap to buy.

You should already have duals since it's a PI, so a cheaper alternative would be high flow cats if your state requires emissions and inspection, or remove the cats and install O2 simulators (you don't have to remove the cats, just makes it louder and in my opinion better). Then just remove the stock mufflers and get performance mufflers, doesn't matter which kind since anything will flow better then the stock mufflers.

[nchilds21]

so i dont need a new exhaust system to give it that extra HP....if i get performance mufflers it'll do the trick?

[88Vic]

Yes, performance mufflers will increase exhaust flow over stock. High flow cats or removing the cats will also increase flow and give it a louder (and in my opinion better) sound.

[nchilds21]

would i have to get high flow cats or remove them if i get new mufflers and since it is dual exhaust i would need to performance mufflers or just one?

[88Vic]

You don't need to get new cats, just a suggestion as high flow cats flow better as the name suggests and they're louder then stock cats. You can keep the stock cats on your car, won't hurt anything unless they're clogged. If you decide to remove them you need O2 simulators so your mileage won't drop.

Also these cars use true duals so they have two mufflers so you'll need two new ones if you replace the stock units.

[nchilds21]

ok and would i need 2 new cats? im sorry for asking so many question lol just want everything to be right..... and wat kinda cats would u suggest...wat kinda mufflers would u suggest?

[88Vic]

I'm not exactly sure and I don't want to give you the wrong info. Your car has either 2 or 4 cats, I don't remember which so I guess you can look underneath and see for yourself or if someone else sees this thread they can tell you. Magnaflow makes a good quality high flow cat. My truck has a Magnaflow muffler on it, it's been on for almost the life of the truck and it's just starting to rust.

As far as which muffler it's really up to you. The Magnaflow on my truck is deep and not too loud, it lasted for almost 10 years, I believe it was put on in 99 or 2000. BUt Magnaflows are expensive because they're such good quality. You pay for what you get. Flowmasters sound great, they're chambered for a nice deep rumble and there are tons of models so you can get quiet and deep or a loud one if you prefer. There are also Borla which are expensive, I don't know if anyone here has them on their car. Dynomax/Thrush makes good mufflers. Cherry Bomb, Flowtech and Summit are on the cheaper side but still are not bad muffler brands. Like I said there isn't any muffler i'd suggest avoiding, except some cheap glasspacks don't sound as good as you think they will. Ask around and watch videos of people's car with different muffler types and see what you like best.

[nchilds21]

but how every many cats my car has that is how many i would want to get if i get new mufflers..and thanks for all ur help

[88Vic]

You do not have to replace the cats, it just increases flow and makes it louder. Adding performace mufflers instead of stock mufflers will get rid of the majority of the restriction in your exhaust.

[nchilds21]

and as for the mufflers does it matter how long they are? and oes it matter where the inlet is positioned?........ and the tips for the mufflers would have to be 2.5" right...

[88Vic]

Again I don't want to give you the wrong info as i'm not 100% sure. I'd say just measure how long the stock mufflers are and look at where the inlets/outlets are. I know that on the boxes they require offset/offset mufflers but I don't know about whale Vics.

Also i'm guessing when you says tips you mean the tailpipes, as in the over the axle pipes. You can use the stock tails if you're just replacing the mufflers and using stock length and inlet/outlet size.

[packman]

Go to the 4.6L forum and ask there. They may be able to point you in the right direction. I asked the same basic question for an '03 Grand Marquis and even though there were no aftermarket offerings, they did point me in the right direction.


Packman