I need to get/make/buy a new exhaust system for my TGP.  The old system isn't so hot anymore.  I need some facts and opinions here.  What are some good setups?  I know some people are running with no cats, some with no mufflers, some with both and/or a combination of those.  What size piping should I run?  Good materials to use?  Mufflers: yes or no?  If yes, what are some good brands and models of mufflers that you guys have tried and liked?  Any other general information, facts, and opinions are greatly appreciated. 
Now, some info about what I would like: I will be getting new exhaust from the downpipe to the exhaust tips.  I would like to keep the stock exhaust tips.  I don't NEED to run a cat.  The two states it will be run in is Minnesota in the summer and Florida during all other seasons, and neither state has safety checks, so I don't NEED a cat, unless there are any benefits to running one (doubt it).  I'm looking for above all something that sounds good and performs well.  As long as it isn't rattling windows loud, I'm okay with dealing with a little noise.  And finally, durability: I want the exhaust to be durable and not rust out.  It would be nice if it looked decent and didn't rust up and look nasty.  Should I go with stainless steel or.... recommendations??

Everyone feel free to post your thoughts and opinions here; I want to have an AWESOME exhaust!!! :icon_twisted: :icon_cool:

As of right now, I'm looking at a stainless steel, mandrel bent exhaust.  I still need some input. :icon_neutral:

Why not aluminumized 2.5 mandrel bent with high flow cat and some magna flows?

What will hold up better: stainless steel, or aluminized?  Any benefits to running one or the other?  What would pricing be between the two?  One more expensive than the other?  Thanks for the reply BTW.

Nick, in Minnesota, all motor vehicles after a certain year, and I think it's like 84ish, need to be equipped with a catalytic convertor. That being said, I tore that bastard out lol. Like you said, we don't have checks. My setup is real simple and cheap: Deleted Cat, new pipe to the mufflers (which play a vital role in the cops NOT pulling you over for a loud exhuast and writing you a ticket for not having a cat), the mufflers I use are two Raptors...Raptor is a cheaper brand...like $26 a muffler, and you can get them at NAPA and Advance Auto...Probably more places. They are cheap and they give me that beautiful low rumble, like a muscle car, I have desired for my car...no cat and $52 worth of mufflers...only thing is, you need to know someone who will remove the cat; even my best buddies at Tires Plus wouldn't because they know it means BIG consequences for them.

just gut the cat converter.  In NY you are required to have one in place, but it does not have to be functioning, unless it is a 1995 or newer. 

Previous owner already gutted my cat and did a horribly shitty job on it.  Also I NEED a whole new exhaust system from the downpipe back.  The only things I will keep are the headers, downpipe(maybe), and exhaust tips, otherwise, EVERYTHING has to go for a new system.  In the 2 states I will be running it in, I don't need a cat.

cats FTL. i hacked that off mine and put a cutout in its place. soon to change to 3" piping all the way though

2.5 inch mandrel bent from the stock DP all the way to the tips

Magnaflow SS Mufflers
NO CAT
SLP Tips

thats how i roll dawg......


hahahaha

yeah, 2.5" mandrel bent all the way back, no cat, no resonator, and either Magnaflows or Dynomax Ultraflo mufflers (i think they are really the same thing).  if you had an upgraded turbo with a larger turbine i'd say 3" but what's the point with that T25 bottleneck (i'd also recommend a custom mandrel bent 3" V-band downpipe starting at the turbine going all the way back).  as far as stainless steel versus aluminized steel...they have thier pros and cons.  stainless is alot heavier but it will last forever.  if you live in an area that uses salt i would go stainless.  if not i would just go with aluminized steel.

a highflow CarSound cat isn't that much, and i doubt it hurts flow.  i'd at least consider one.  i'm defintely going to use a cat in my GS since i don't want it to sound raspy.  if only it was turbo'd instead.  LG5 with no cat or resonator = no raspy exhaust.  L67 with no cat or resonator = sounds like total ASS.

Right now, it has all stock exhaust with NO resonator and a gutted cat.  I think I will go with a 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust from the DP back to the Y split.  At the Y, I'm thinkin of going 2.25" to each Magnaflow muffler.  I would LOVE to use stock tips, but I've been told that they're only 1 and 5/8 inch diameter :icon_eek: Are there any tips out there that look the same, but have bigger diameter?  I want to use stock or stock looking tips if at all possible.
What do you guys think so far?
Thanks
Nick

Stock, TGP's don't have resonators. Ractive makes some nice oval tips that fit nicely in the bumper cutouts. Jeff (kuntzie) has them on his car.

Quote from: TGP Nick on February 21, 2007, 11:27:26 AM
Right now, it has all stock exhaust with NO resonator and a gutted cat.  I think I will go with a 2.5" mandrel bent exhaust from the DP back to the Y split.  At the Y, I'm thinkin of going 2.25" to each Magnaflow muffler.  I would LOVE to use stock tips, but I've been told that they're only 1 and 5/8 inch diameter :icon_eek: Are there any tips out there that look the same, but have bigger diameter?  I want to use stock or stock looking tips if at all possible.
What do you guys think so far?
Thanks
Nick

oh that's right, i think the resonator thing started with the 3100s in '94.

the diameter that far back doesn't really matter as much, ecspecially when you consider there are two of them.  and for that matter, going with 2.25" pipe after the Y would probaby be fine as well as the mufflers.  i think some '04+ GTP tips would look pretty good on a TGP.

Quote from: TurboSedan on February 21, 2007, 01:24:49 PM
the diameter that far back doesn't really matter as much, ecspecially when you consider there are two of them.  and for that matter, going with 2.25" pipe after the Y would probaby be fine as well as the mufflers.

I guess I didn't consider that there are two tips.... then I WILL run the stock tips.  Okay then 2.5 inches DP back, do you guys think I should run 2.5" piping from the Y to the mufflers, or step down to 2.25" for the Y?
Thanks

Step down to the 2.25.   I'd see how much the "Y" cost comparing the 2.5 "Y" vs the 2.5 to 2.25 "Y". 

Post pics when you do the system.