I'm going to do a cat-back system for my 1999 Grand Am SE 3.4L V6, and decided on Borla. Problem is, I don't feel like paying for the entire set, and I'd rather have this local shop do a custom install for me using the Borla muffler. I was originally going to get flowmaster, but after reading a post a few posts down I decided to go Borla as well.
My question is: Which Borla muffler should I get? I don't really know what to look for, but I assumed I should match the size of the Flowmaster I was going to buy (2.5" in/out)...
I also would prefer to do dual exhaust, but I may decide upon single exhaust if I need to. I've already decided on exhaust tips so that doesn't need to be factored into the equation.
Im not sure if the Grand Am has two mufflers or not. I had a '93 and a '99 Grand Am (both GT's) and I think they both had only one muffler. Just buy the muffler(s) and let the local shop take care of the rest. Definitely will be cheaper as well. Instead of buying a whole "Borla" kit.
The pre-made kit is a dual exit setup. To me, it's worth it to spend a bit extra to get the properly made kit..that's designed specifically for your vehicle. If you just purchase the mufflers...you're in the hands of some kid at the shop..who may use poor quality steel tubing, who may not design and install the pipes correctly..so they bump and bang against moving suspension or other underbody parts, the kid may not know how to make proper mandrel bends..so any performance gains a good muffler gets you...is screwed by shoddy craftmanship in the pipes.
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YeOldeStonecat wrote:The pre-made kit is a dual exit setup. To me, it's worth it to spend a bit extra to get the properly made kit..that's designed specifically for your vehicle. If you just purchase the mufflers...you're in the hands of some kid at the shop..who may use poor quality steel tubing, who may not design and install the pipes correctly..so they bump and bang against moving suspension or other underbody parts, the kid may not know how to make proper mandrel bends..so any performance gains a good muffler gets you...is screwed by shoddy craftmanship in the pipes.
Ouch, great point, I was going to post I had Meineke bend up 2 2.5 inch tailpipes with a "y" pipe coming off a 3" muffler and it was done pretty cheaply, luckily there weren't many bends.
The Grand Am is a dual exit, single muffler system if I recall correctly.
Buy the muffler and have the shop do the work. Stick with the stock pipe sizes unless you plan on adding something else for power (like turbo, s/c , etc). If you go too large you will lose some low end torque. Too small and you lose power.
